Oxford Botanic Gardens (piccy heavy)

There's always something of interest although the real stunners are in bloom from around about April through to late November.

 

Popped in today so here are rather a lot of photos!

Melianthus major nearly in bloom.................


The orangery was heady with scent. The two major culprits were Citrus medica.............




And Jasminium polyanthum...............


Polygala fruticosa..............


Dendrobium x delicatum var. album.............


Grevillea johnsonii has all the makings of a cracking plant..............




Moving on to the porch which is the entrance to the glasshouses. Pterostylis curta is one of my favourites in the collection...............




Arum purpureospathum................


Colchicum hungaricum...............

 

Moving on to the glasshouses proper now.
Columnea "Midnight Lantern".............




Nematanthus fritschii............




A Nepenthes species.............


Plumbago indica makes a nice change from the usual blue species.............


Columnea x banksii was spectacular!

 

Momordica charantia had small unimpressive blooms but is seriously fragrant!


Pachystachys lutea................


Solanum seaforthianum..............


Barnadesia caryophylla is another of my favourite plants at OBG............






Today was the first time that I've seen Aloe cryptopoda in bloom.............


Crassula ovata was blooming its heart out as well.............


Agave harrisii is becoming a monster..............


It was the first time that I've seen Streptosolen jamesonii in bloom as well..............

 

Lovely pictures LongK. I have never seen Plumbago indica - I always understood it was more difficult to grow as you never see it. And that Columnea is fantastic - I would love to know the secret of growing those plants so well, I have tried a few but seem to kill most. My last Streptosolen, from seed, died but it did flower before it went. I have one now that seems to have survived the winter.

Do keep showing us your pictures. I have been so impressed that I have booked a two day trip with Globe holidays on May 21st to Oxford and Cambridge. Whilst everyone else will be looking round the colleges - I will be visiting the Botanic Gardens - You have inspired me.

 

It just needs different conditions I think. It comes from SE Asia so it will thrive in humid subtropical conditions as opposed to the drier Mediterranean conditions that the more common P.auriculata enjoys.

Much the same as above really. Avoiding direct sunlight is important I think (it certainly is with Aeschynanthus).

PM me nearer the time, we could meet up.

 

@longk @PeterS i agree I'm loving all these incredible piccys too so please keep um coming.
They have been a very much needed distraction on a postivily piddling down day

 

LongK - it would be lovely if we could meet. I will be in contact nearer the day.

 

That's the biggest problem with Melianthus. This example is well and truly sheltered.

 

A quick visit to the gardens today (I was supposed to be carrying the shopping but as she had bought nowt after a couple of hours I left her to it) but the weather was really overcast so I apologise for the quality of the photos.

In the orangery Geranium maderense has burst into bloom................




In the porch;
Helicodiceros muscivorus.................


Puya alpestris...................


On to the glasshouses proper;
Tillandsia cyanea....................


Nepenthese spectabilis.................

 

More from the glasshouses (it was too cold outdoors!);
Plumbago zeylanica..............


Strelitzia reginae...............


Someone on another forum has kindly sent me seeds for Aloe marlothii which is rather beautiful.................


The problem is that it can get quite big...................


Aloe plicatilis.................




Thunbergia mysorensis is almost in bloom.................


No sign of buds on Strongylodon macrobotrys but it is back in growth..............


Aeschynanthus speciosus................


One photo from outdoors. This Agave parryi has survived the winter planted out..............

 

Stunning shots Lonk
I can't do tropical, but some of those are breathtaking

 

Thanks.
Most are not tropical though. A surprising number on this page alone could be grown as long as you can keep them frost free.

 

Wonderful LongK - more lovely pictures.

Geranium maderense is a wonderful sight. Such a shame it dies after flowering. I think I mentioned that I found a seedling growing outside, under another plant in a pot. There must have been some seed left in the pot when my own plants flowered earlier in the year.

I do hope that Thunbergia mysorensis is in flower when I come down in May. I have never seen it flower. My own plant is still growing slowly but I suspect it's nowhere near flowering.

And I gave still never seen a Strongylodon in flower.