Latin name: Anemone x hybrida Description: A. x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’ is an immensely popular plant; having pure white flowers that occurred as a chance mutation on A. x hybrida in the garden of M Jobert, in Verdun, France, in 1858. Its flower stems can reach over 1.8m in fertile soil. The large, simple flowers […]
Continue reading...8. February 2012
Comments Off on Kew Gardens sunshine on cloudy day
How to brighten a grey day? Visit the Tropical Extravaganza at Kew Gardens Be transported to a tropical rain forest with a visual delight of exotic plants and flowers Listen to wonderful recordings of exotic birds and animals that transport you overseas http://www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/tropical-extravaganza-2012/
Continue reading...10. April 2008
Comments Off on Lords and Ladies
Latin name: Arum italicum marmoratum Description: Although a very well known garden plant, it never-the-less has very exotic looking foliage. This native British species is grown for its ornamental leaves and striking spathes (flowers) and unusual appearance. The arrow-head shaped leaves can be plain green or variegated, with yellow-green veining, emerging in last winter and […]
Continue reading...8. November 2011
Comments Off on Mild weather and winter cuttings
It continues to be really mild in the South of England and many gardeners have not yet bedded down tender tropical and exotic plants for the winter . Temperatures of 15c are forecast for this weekend which is amazing for November. Apparently it is warmer than it was in May this year. Another sign of our confused weather patterns? http://theweatheroutlook.com/ Now is a […]
Continue reading...29. July 2010
Comments Off on National Garden Scheme arrives at Exotic Garden
This Sunday 1st August Will Giles is opening his garden for the National Garden scheme for the 21st year. Check out more at: http://www.exoticgarden.com/blog/
Continue reading...10. July 2010
Comments Off on NW England endures hosepipe ban
After the driest start to the year since 1929, the North West of England has a temporary hosepipe ban imposed since 6.00 am Friday, 9 July. Only half the average amount of rain has fallen in the North West in the last six months, so even though the area was flooded last year, reservoir levels […]
Continue reading...21. October 2009
Comments Off on Orange glow in the garden
The mornings may be getting darker but every day I wake up there is a brilliant orange glow that beckons me into the garden. It stands out amongst the grey clouds and dull light, creating a memory of sunny days and cloudless blue skies. Its delicate petals and elegant stem arising from green veined leaves […]
Continue reading...10. April 2008
Comments Off on Pineapple Flower, Pineapple Lily
Latin name: Eucomis Description: Eucomis bicolor is the most commonly available; having large soft leathery leaves up to 30cm long, rising up from a large partly-submerged bulb. The flower-spike up to 60cm tall is topped with a column of loosely packed star shaped greenish flowers, somewhat resembling a pineapple head. Eucomis ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ is a […]
Continue reading...10. April 2008
Comments Off on Purple Abyssinian Banana
Latin name: Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ Description: Way over the top and absolutely essential banana for the garden. This fairly resent introduction can be bought as a small plant from 50-70cm tall in spring. It will romp away producing a plant up to 2m tall by October with large purplish-green paddle-like leaves 30cm or more wide. […]
Continue reading...10. April 2008
Comments Off on Purple Roscoea
Latin name: Roscoea purpurea Description: These are relatively small members of the ginger family and deserve to be more widely grown as they are exceedingly attractive when in flower as well as leaf. They are tuberous rooted perennials, thriving in cool shady conditions. Roscoea Purpurea is a popular species with lance-shaped, deep green leaves up […]
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10. April 2008
Comments Off on Japanese Anemone