An Algarve Garden

I think after listening to you two I'm gonna have to try one outside, never gave it a though that it could survive.
The one thing that does bother me is that if it gets cut to the ground by frost, are our summers long enough for it to recover and flower the following season? :rolleyes:

 

I got a small bougainvilly-thingy from the GC last year - we had some really bad frosts and I killed it, so it may be worth wrapping the pot or mulching if you are going to leave it outside. just in case!!! :rolleyes:

 

Thanks HB,........ isn't that a pencil? :D
Yes I think some kind of protection might be needed during the worst weather.

 

The Bougies I have managed to keep outside through winter don't normally start growing till may/june and flower august/nov, quite late compared to those in Med countries(LoL) . It's still worth it.

 

Ok strongy, thanks. I think its a bit milder down your way in winter though.

 

Hi LoL Eureka! Found your garden at last... I'm very, very jealous, it's lovely, wish I was there.

 

True Pete, you have warmer summers we have milder winters (normally, though our weather isn't normal anymore)

 

Begonias coming on OK strongy.
Nothings normal now. :D

 

Being sometimes very ignorant with seed like things with plants, Pete, can I take seeds off my Angel Wing Begonia? ... and again, being very ignorant, how? I've only ever done it by cuttings and you wouldn't believe what I throw away here! :eek:

 

I have just looked over your photos again LofL and must say that they are so lovely. I find something else to view every time. I especially like all your shady areas. I can well imagine sitting under one and just relaxing and enjoying all the different things in your garden. Keep up the good work and also posting pics for us to see.

 

The bougainvilleas here are abundant at the moment ....one not to far from me is enormous both in height and width ....I stopped to admire it not long ago, and the owner explained that just in case we get a frost (and we can do and quite a cold one at that!) each year after flowering has finished ....October/November - ish.. he builds a wall of sand around the bottom of it ... to about a meter in height.....and half a meter in density....a bit of shuttering holds it all in ..... he trims it not too drastically. It is a picture every year and has been for many years now... perhaps an idea for you Pete...
M-L

 

Thanks M-L thats an idea,

I've only just noticed your posts, :rolleyes:

L of L, I think you might be able to collect seed, but begonia seed is minute, and not usually that easy to grow though not imposible by any means.
You would need to wait until the seed pod was totally dried out, then open them up, there should be masses of tiny seed, think in your place I'd sow it straight away, but it will probably keep if kept dry and cool.
Think I'd stick with cuttings though.

 

L of L, I love your photos. I have been away in Devon, and it takes quite some time to catch up on everything including the threads on gardeners corner.

 

Thanks, PeterS. I need to do a bit of updating but not much is going on here ... everything is is sleepy mode for the summer and springs into action for the winter (must get autumn in there somewhere, hmmm!)!

It's lovely being here enjoying all these wonderful plants / shrubs / trees / especially the Jacarandas which we both love, we have two .. one is in the background of the last photo of the Sandbar ... they bloomed for three months this year! Ace!!!!

 

Pete, I've had difficulty finding anything out about the bush Bougie, but I've found this which must be what I have ....

http://ag.arizona.edu/pipermail/arid_gardener/2004-August/001132.html

Maybe you can follow on from here and let me know ... :D