Strelitzia and friends.

The Iochroma flowers are coming out despite the bad weather but the gales last week were a problem.


And a white one, difficult to get a good shot.


Up date in the BOP, a bit of orange now showing and the top flower seems to be coming out of the lower part, its slow due to the weather.
Did I mention the WEATHER?

 

Oh, nice to see your Iochroma is as straggly as mine Pete ... I was just saying this evening that despite all the blooms I am cutting it back to about a meter as it really doesn't like the summer here and does better in the winter/spring. That is the I cyanea not the australis which doesn't seem to like it here at all ...

My BoPs are over and done with now as they are also winter/spring blooming for me.

 

I think we need to remember that over here we will always be a long way behind you as regarding growing and flowering Victoria.
What we regard as summer flowering will always be early spring or even winter flowering for you.
We have the winter dormant period and you have the summer dormant period, it just proves how many plants will alter their flowering/growing to fit in with the climate they are given.
I'm actually surprised the Iochromas are flowering so well in our dismal weather this June, maybe they dont like real heat, I need to look up where they come from, off the top of my head I think its S America, Peru maybe, possibly high altitude, which would explain why you have a problem with Australis in particular.

The more tender species as you say are probably more suited.

 

I found this comment from http://www.cloudforest.com/northwest/forum/595.html

Whilst I would call both Iochroma and Brugmansia exotic - I think they are very easy to grow in the UK because they are happy in the cool.

 

Just a shot of where the BOP and friends live outside all year.
There is a Bougainvillea running along the back of the other plants that is just showing flower buds.



And the Protea is starting to open.

 

First Strelitzia flower is now partly open, I call these double flowers for want of a better name, first part has opened, now the smaller part is moving upwards and will eventually open above the first flower.

 

Things are so slow this year, but at last the first flower is fully open on the BOP.


Strange thing is all five flowers this year appear to be double.



And I couldn't resist one last pic of the Iochroma, its probably at its best right now.

 

Nice BoPs, but the Iochroma is stunning!

 

Mine is growing at a frightening rate ... in a pot and not in the ground ... I assume you all know that the S Nicolai is a tree and not a plant? :WINK1:

Beautiful Pete, both. My I australis has not shown itself but my Iochroma is looking gorgeous but I've had to cut it back twice already and again another cutback is needed ... it prefers it when it is cooler here not hotter ...

 

Pete and Victoria - those Iochromas are stunning. I have lost all track of when they should flower. I kept some of mine inside the house and they have been flowering on and off since about February. I have a Plum Paradise, which is lovely, but not a patch on Victoria's. And I am so jealous of the size of Pete's. But I couldn't get that into my house over the winter.

 

Pete, that crinodendron is absolutely beautiful! Ive never heard of them and ive certainly never seen one before. Is it a hardy creature?

 

I'm one of those few that is growing Crinodendron hookerianum actually, it's hardy to about -15C I think and beautiful flowers, although my only criticism is when it does flower, they only last for a few weeks. It grows into a lovely evergreen tree though, mine is on it's way, but nowhere near as big as Petes (mines still a baby, I'll get a photo soon)

 

Hi averil, as Stephen says its pretty hardy.

It really likes conditions similar to rhododendrons, acidic and damp with humidity, I dont have anything like that, in most years my neutral clayey soil gets too dry for it really, but its a survivor. Must admit to giving it a bit of attention regarding soil, so its in the same area as my camellias.

Can be grown as a hedge if you cut it at the right time, after flowering.

PS, should add there is a white form that could be worth searching out if you like the idea, personally I just like the common old red one.

 

This is my Crino, the two conifers either side shape it, and help acidify the soil!