What's looking Exotic in 2022

Typical highs Summer 30s, this year a few days high 30s, never reached 40c. No frosts, typical Winter (January-March) lows 4-7c, days 15c+. Little rain.

 

Despite looking exotic are these hybrid Abutilons exotic? The one that I fished out of the skip a couple of years ago had to stay out last winter (it was free and space was limited) yet it still bloomed beautifully this year.........
Abutilon hybrid by longk48, on Flickr

Abutilon hybrid by longk48, on Flickr

Abutilon hybrid by longk48, on Flickr

The Tree Nicotiana (Nicotiana glauca) also had to take its chances as it had got too big for the greenhouse yet it came through and has been in bloom since June(?)...........
Nicotiana glauca (Tree Nicotiana) by longk48, on Flickr

 

I'd be incredibly lazy and be looking at Southern African bulbs and the world of succulents and cacti! I seems to recall my Mackaya bella being quite drought resistant, might be worth a go..........
Mackaya bella by longk48, on Flickr

Mackaya bella by longk48, on Flickr

 

Don't know that but will look it up, but not fond of white. I have lots of South African plants, and Australian. I go for evergreen and drought resistant and long flowering. Currently due to lack of space doing Adeniums and Plumerias for bonsai rather than in ground. Have you ever looked at my garden?
An Algarve Garden - 2022

 

Allamanda cathartica first bloom of the season ...

 

They seem hardier than given credit for. I stuck a 'plant swap' one very similar to that in the garden, on a SE-facing clay bank and it's come through 6 winters (min -8°C) without any problem

 

My (kind of exotic) white Agapanthus looked good a few weeks ago...............
Agapanthus noid by longk48, on Flickr

Agapanthus noid by longk48, on Flickr

Agapanthus noid by longk48, on Flickr

The Tibouchina looks good at the moment..........
Tibouchina urvilleana by longk48, on Flickr

Tibouchina urvilleana by longk48, on Flickr

Tibouchina urvilleana by longk48, on Flickr

 

Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender' is late this year............
Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender' by longk48, on Flickr

The first of my Amaryllis...........
Amaryllis noid by longk48, on Flickr

Not sure why it is so far ahead of the others as they all went out together and back into the greenhouse together

 

My Plectranthus is only just starting to flower.

 

Kind of end of summer round up time.
Flower buds forming on Protea cynaroides .

 

Isoplexis still flowering.


I know its laughable but the biggest pomegranate I've grown.

Butia decided to grow a bit more this year, for some reason it did nothing last year.

 

@pete That trunk is three times as thick as mine but mine is in a north facing position and doesn't get the sun till midday or the heat as you do in the SE.

 

Its been there a while @strongylodon and I'm told I dont water it enough, I'm beginning to think that is probably right.
My Washy, also, is growing at a very slow rate in comparison to others I've seen, I just thought the clay soil held enough water for palms, but I'm beginning to think not.

 

I bought mine (from the Palm Centre) about 14 years ago and planted it 12 years ago.
I did water it during the drought as there is a Dicksonia behind it against a garage wall, stupid place to have planted both of them.