What's looking exotic in August 2013

@pete - my Polianthese is way behind yours! Good luck with the Podranea - it's another that I've had my eye on...............

 

I see you have a Chitalpa,noisette.
A cross between Chilopsis and Catalpa.

My Chilopsis is full of bud but none have opened yet, hoping for at least a few more sunny weeks before autumn kicks in properly over here, other wise it might just rot.

 

Will look up Chilopsis, Pete. The Chitalpa is two years old. It was a twig when it arrived, and didn't have flowers the first summer, but put on a lot of growth this damp Spring and has been flowering now for two months. I suspect that it gets it's vigour from the Catalpa side! I believe the weather pundits are predicting a long, Indian summer to make up for our late start this year? Let's hope that they're right, and that you get to post photos of your Chilopsis in flower....
Ohhhh that Podranea is beautiful. I've tried them several times from various sources, but the only survivor is a tiny cutting made from my only seedling. On it's first night planted out an escargot bit it in two. (The same snail got my only Mandevilla laxa seedling too. Eating's too good for them grrrr!) Now I've seen your photo, that cutting is going to be sooo coddled
Edit: Isn't the Chilopsis flower colour variable? Wonder if there are better-coloured Chitalpa forms too?

 

My plan for the Podranea, is to grow it short term in a pot.
Its often stated as a climber, but I cant see any climbing mechanism?

The nursery I bought it from have got it to flower at about 4ft, so my plan is to cut it hard back after flowering and store it fairly dry and cool.
Then see what it does next summer.
I dont think it stands much chance outdoors all year here without a good warm wall, and I dont have any of them left.

We are lucky, we dont get escargot here, but snails can be a problem sometimes.

 

I'm guessing here, but it looks strongly related to Campsis, so maybe the Podranea will develop adventitious roots so it can stick to a vertical surface? Know what you mean about running out of walls....I'm not allowed to grow anything on the house walls, but the shed, garage, retaining walls etc are all crammed. Do you know Stone House in Gloucestershire? About 20 years ago, the owner built lots of 'ruined' walls and follies just so he could plant climbers against them Looks as though it's become just another NGS English country garden now, though.

 

Sal,
Do you bring the Cycas indoors in winter??

 

I don't bring mine in (now it is larger). I do protect it though.

 

Sirius , I keep the cycad outdoor , but I move it in a protect part of the garden and cover the crown like I do for the dicksonia ....

 

I planted one of a reasonable size out about 5 yrs ago.
It lingered for three yrs or so, losing all its foliage each winter and making a new flush in the summer.
I dug it out and potted it up this spring, so far no sign of life.

 

they say that it`s hardy to -8c , but I don`t dare to plant it outside , it`s a must have plant , i keep in the pot as if the weather gets really bad I can always move inside the greenhouse .

back to my garden , I really love this bits



the papirus didn`t do lot this year ....what a shame





ginger and brugs





it`s now incredible how fast the passiflora growing , really need a good pruning

 

forgot the ensete

 

Sal,
Your garden looks really good.
In the last photo, what is that grey leaf palm on the right hand side?

 

Sirius that`s a butia capitata , got it for £20 at my local gc , every August they have 50% off , see that dark leaves cordyline near the ensete , belive or not I paid £2 for it .

 

Sal,

Bargain!
Do you leave the Butia outdoors?

 

Yes is marked as resistant to - 15c and I belive will take -15c easy , seen one in North England .....today I went there but they have all gone , bought a dianella tasmanica for £2.50
really nice plant



they have a fresh lots of ensete maurelii e montbeliardii for £2.50