What's looking exotic in July 2012

LongK - I think that Lobelia is very pretty. I bought one earlier in the year - I think inspired by you . It had a couple of flowers on, but then went a bit dormant. But I think there are more flower buds coming. I have kept mine in the greenhouse so far - as its so cold.

 

I'm with you on that Stephen!

Pete - I do wonder if the appalling light levels this year have had more of an effect than the cool weather.............

Anyways, this is the one at Oxfords Botanic Gardens last year..................

 

Really excited about this - the first flowers are forming on my Bomarea hirtella..........



This is about 15 months old now. Something had a nibble out of it the other night.

 

I am very envious. I have a couple of Bomarea of the same age - but both are struggling.

 

PeterS - I'm cheating and growing it in the greenhouse!

 

I was going to ask about that. Mine are outside, which is doing them no good. I must move them.

 

Next year I'll split the tubers up and try some outdoors, but this year is more about growing them on. Any blooms is just a bonus.

 

Nice to wake up to this this morning - Clerodendrum ugandense...................





Very late this year, but the weather has not been great.

 

That's lovely LongK. I understand that it can grow to 9 feet - if you have the space.

 

Easily kept in check though. Mine stands about five feet including the pot.

 

I love the "Garden of England" flower. It almost doesn't look like a flower at all! It looks like it has a very interesting texture and complements cacti well.

 

5 feet is a real good size LongK - mine hardly stands 12 inches.
How old is it?

 

This will be its third summer with me Peter.

Here's a snapshot of some of it last September...............

 

There is supposed to be a hardy plant that looks almost identical - I saw it mentioned on another forum. But I can't find the reference now.

 

I've heard reference of this too.................