What's looking good in August 2016

Ah ok..thanks for that. I'll spend the time doing Erythrina cuttings instead

 

Just as easy to grow Erythrina from seed surely? Of course, that does assume that you have seed. If not it's not so easy then.
The leaf cutting thing is very easy.

 

So many plants, so many methods, so little time!
I am getting a bit disillusioned by raising from bought seed. I spent a fair bit on Australian seed last year with absolutely 0 to show for it. What a difference it makes using freshly-collected seed.

 

Here is a good Australian seller that I've used...................

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/discoverybulbsseed/

Freshness can or cannot be an issue with Aussie seed. As a rule of thumb any of the Fabaceae or Liliaceae family need to be fresh/fresh'ish. Salvia and other members of the Lamiceae can retain their viability for many years.
Then there is the native habitat to consider. So some seed from the inland areas of Oz (such as Thysanotis) may need smoke treatment to break their dormancy. Other seed may benefit from a soak (Anigozanthos).

All the above is half the fun. The frustrating part is finding a reliable seller (such as the one above who I can recommend).

If you're interested South African plants have largely similar attributes and requirements as Australian natives. Here's a SA seller that I recommend................

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/bulbophiled?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

 

Agastache aurantiaca...............


And a couple of recent purchases in a sale;
A couple of quid bought this Angelonia angustifolia..............




I really like Angelonia so I'll pot it up and try to get it through the winter in the greenhouse.

Fifty pence bought this Torenia.............

 

Tiger Lily

Clematis Buckland Beauty

 

Crikey Ian, you must be approaching National Clematis Collection status now! How many have you got?

 

I think about 200, not quite a National Collection yet, working on it, will send you some seeds when ready if you like @longk

 

Tricyrtis White Towers

 

Brugmansia Charles Grimaldi

 

Mine croaked over the last winter

Aconitum volubile which is a climber...............


Eucomis punctata which is very short this year.............

 

A couple of quick ones from my garden today.

This is a mixture of two different types of Rudbeckia, the annual type 'Rustic Dwarf' and the perennial 'Goldstrum'.



This is companion planting gone mad, in a corner of the veg plot. I normally plant my squashes and sweet corn in amongst each other, it's a old tried and trusted combination which seems to work well.
Then I was given a spare 'Redbor' red kale plant last month, which I stuck in the corner of the sweet corn/squash plot, being the only spot I had available.
Not wanting to be left out, a self-seeded nasturtium plant decided to get in on the act too, so now, although it's getting a bit crowded in there, I think the overall effect is quite pleasing.

 

That's cruel - you know that I can't say no! Now I need to tempt you.............

 

.Who needs tree Lilies when these grow as huge as these do?!
Can anybody spot the mistake I made when planting the bulbs?


I'll give you a clue. The mistake shows in the 3rd photo. I annoyingly had to give the Liles support after they got seriously blown about in the gales we had 10 days ago.