As observed in 2010
6/11/2010
Pink perfection, white reflection
Of note in the Garden are two Sorbus species displaying berries worthy of attention. Both native to Sichuan Province, China but with a wider distribution through China and into Tibet. Both of these trees are young seed grown specimens eventually reaching five metres on a well drained organic soil.
Sorbus pseudovilmorinii has light pink fruit and will grow into a fine specimen for a small garden. The finely
divided deciduous foliage falls allowing the berries to stand out in the winter landscape.
divided deciduous foliage falls allowing the berries to stand out in the winter landscape.Sorbus aff. filipes in contrast, a slightly smaller tree at maturity. Its branches weighted down with the relatively large fruit trusses. Initially with a delicate pink shade these turn pure white as November passes.
23/11/2010
Lively Liriope’s 
Guaranteed to survive and thrive in the most inhospitable soil and shaded situation within a garden. Liriope is an evergreen clump forming genera belonging to the family Convallariaceae.
Liriope platyphylla 
reaches 300mm with its thin spear like leaves. The tightly packed flower spikes stretch up like coloured pencils at this time of year. Covered in tiny ball bearing buds, light purple in colour, these are occasionally followed by black seed.
reaches 300mm with its thin spear like leaves. The tightly packed flower spikes stretch up like coloured pencils at this time of year. Covered in tiny ball bearing buds, light purple in colour, these are occasionally followed by black seed. Native to China, Japan and Korea it has become a well used plant where an evergreen cover is needed 
as it bulks into vigorous clumps with a strong root system. The mass of root fibre is often accompanied by fleshy tubers. Minute to around 25mm in size, with an increase in size they elongate in form. These help to conserve moisture through the driest months. Especially important when growing through soil that is laden with roots from woody plants acting as the aerial canopy. This aerial canopy in turn, sheltering the ground flora from direct rainfall.
as it bulks into vigorous clumps with a strong root system. The mass of root fibre is often accompanied by fleshy tubers. Minute to around 25mm in size, with an increase in size they elongate in form. These help to conserve moisture through the driest months. Especially important when growing through soil that is laden with roots from woody plants acting as the aerial canopy. This aerial canopy in turn, sheltering the ground flora from direct rainfall.15/11/2010
Autumnal decay
This surreal image shows all that remains of the foliage of Gunnera manicata as the frost and stormy weather 
batters and weakens its structure. The fast growing South American bog lover is deciduous and reverts back to an herbaceous rootstock for the winter.
batters and weakens its structure. The fast growing South American bog lover is deciduous and reverts back to an herbaceous rootstock for the winter.The leaf stalk will be cut off soon and all the debris placed over the crown, adding organic matter to the soil. We do not see a need to add extra protection to the crowns they have always survived our 
Edinburgh winters unaided. Where we do notice damage is in early spring if the young leaves unfurl and a frost occurs there is a resultant browning to the foliage.
Edinburgh winters unaided. Where we do notice damage is in early spring if the young leaves unfurl and a frost occurs there is a resultant browning to the foliage.In contrast, the view to the city skyline at sunrise this morning over a frost laden lawn was spectacular.
9/11/2010
Bodnantense on the breeze
There is still plenty of colour in the deciduous canopy as we head for mid November.
Startlingly bright are the leaves of Enkianthus perulatus. This native to Japan is a small deciduous shrub, barely making two metres by two metres high in its lifetime. It has been observed growing in Gumma Prefecture, a mountainous, landlocked area of the country. Having a preference for moist but well drained soil with high organic matter content. In the garden it sits at the edge of a wooded area facing south where it regularly produces a range of red and scarlet leaf colour through the autumn. 
With the mild temperatures and gentle rain we have experienced over the last couple of weeks the scent from the flowers is travelling far from established mature plants. During visits to gardens make sure you appreciate these seasonal offerings from the plant kingdom.
2/11/2010
Growing on - the next generation.jpg "Salvia corrugata")
.jpg "Salvia corrugata")
Salvia corrugata shows intense blue flowers as the growing season comes to an end. Surviving a few degrees of frost but gradually the cold and wet of an Edinburgh winter will rob it of the will to live. I noticed the plants survived – 3.5°C unscathed, but a subsequent drop to -6°C blackened the foliage and darkened the colour of the flowers. Native to high altitude South America, for an interesting story on how the progeny from a few seeds of the original introduction came to populate gardens in Britain read Betsy Clebsch account in The New Book of Salvias.
Semi ripe cuttings were taken in late September and have now rooted successfully. Take 100 – 125mm long shoots, remove any flower initials. Use a sharp knife to make a clean cut at the leaf nodes. Place in an open cuttings compost and water well. Don’t be tempted to pull the shoots from the compost to see if rooting has occurred. This disturbs the process and slows down rooting..jpg "Salvia corrugata rooted cuttings")
Occasionally lift the pot or seed.jpg "Salvia corrugata cuttings")
tray and you will see signs of white roots protruding through the base – success.
.jpg "Salvia corrugata rooted cuttings")
Occasionally lift the pot or seed.jpg "Salvia corrugata cuttings")
tray and you will see signs of white roots protruding through the base – success.As observed during November 2009
3/11/2009
Mouldering mass of Hosta
What better example than the decaying remains of a group of Hosta rectifolia foliage to remind us that a good edge to a lawn needs an annual renovation? Continuing to provide a splash of autumnal beauty, these leaves soon shrivel and disintegrate with the wet inclement weather we will now experience. These leaves are low on lignin and the cellulose content decomposes rapidly.
As for the lawn edge renovation, choose a dry day. Cut out the damaged section of the turf edge, ideally 20mm thick so that the root growth binds the turf together making handling easier. Make the piece you lift as long as manageable. Turn so that the good edge now forms the border edge. Lightly cultivate the exposed soil to a fine tilth. This will allow roots to grow down and bind the turf into the soil.
Back fill the exposed soil and sow with grass seed. Alternatively re turf the whole patch if enough turf is available.
If dry, water in.
Back fill the exposed soil and sow with grass seed. Alternatively re turf the whole patch if enough turf is available.
If dry, water in.
Alternatively you could widen the width of the border or lift and divide the offending material. Replant with a fresh eye to the mature dimensions of the group.
Whatever you decide; act now. If not you will spend the winter months looking out of the window at the situation and sighing with despair that you did not act sooner!
Whatever you decide; act now. If not you will spend the winter months looking out of the window at the situation and sighing with despair that you did not act sooner!
6/11/2009
Buds a plenty
Prolific flowering with multiple buds held in reserve. This Clematis akebioides is covering one of the balustrades on the rock garden bridge. 
Providing a mass of flowers since late October and with the potential to keep flowering for at least a further two weeks.
Providing a mass of flowers since late October and with the potential to keep flowering for at least a further two weeks. A native of Western China where it was found growing on a gravelly slope at c.2400m. Showing sturdy evergreen foliage held on ruddy brown shoots that are strong and rigid like wire. The flowers are composed of four small off white sepals and a multitude of stamens splayed apart and down. A welcome addition to the woody garden flora at this floristically bleak time of year.
10/11/2009
Late season canopy colour
Catch this canopy with the low sun and you will understand why Reginald Farrer grabbed a handful of berries and returned with the seed from Gansu Province, China on his first major expedition. The foliage has remained on the tree through the rain and wind of the previous week. Sorbus alnifolia is well worth growing for the russet browns and deep reds of autumn colour. 
The leaves are deeply veined; this prominent venation is enhanced with the seasonal colours. A slow growing species reaching seven metres tall with an equal width of canopy.
The leaves are deeply veined; this prominent venation is enhanced with the seasonal colours. A slow growing species reaching seven metres tall with an equal width of canopy. Additionally there is a prolific crop of berries throughout the tree. As yet the pigeons have not started their acrobatics gaining a toe hold and eating as their weight and wing momentum allows on the flexible twigs.
13/11/2009
Shrimps and feather dusters
Danthonia cumminsii collected on the Guang Ho Ba meadow in the vicinity of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yunnan Province, China. A tussock forming perennial producing fine leaves that has sent out several attractive flower heads. These panicles glisten white but under a light microscope the colours deepen to silver. From the attached light microscope images the detail of the separate shrimp like anther and the highly distinctive and decorative feather duster shape of the stigmas can be appreciated.
17/11/2009
Ginkgo gold
The group of three Ginkgo biloba are exhibiting a good show of golden colour this late into the autumn. Slow to change from green to a golden yellow the distinctive fan shaped leaves are holding on, falling gradually to form a delicate carpet around the base.Fossil records show Ginkgo was present around 150 million years ago. Our plants date from the last century. Slow growing, as the foliage drops observe the stubby buds with their compression rings. These occur from branch tip to trunk allowing foliage to develop tight into the trunk. Native to Northern and Eastern China it was introduced to Britain via Japan in the mid 1700's. The plant can sit producing leaf but minimal growth until successfully established. Once this happens the compressed buds will send out long vegetative growth. Trees often develop a pyramidal outline radiating from a single main trunk.
23/11/2009
A scandent scrambler with rocket like leaves.
Provide this sub shrubby woody composite with a supporting crutch and it will thrive. A native to south and East Asia; Senecio scandens is looking colourful at this time of year. Masses of bright yellow star like flowers are held as paniculate corymbs at shoot ends. Each individual flower composed of eight or more ray florets which provide the colour. Now fading to produce seed the calyx turning raw red and enclosing the mass of soon to be air borne seeds.
The foliage resembles that of the wild rocket with deeply indented, blunt toothed margins. These convert the sunlight energy into growth powering the shoots up through the supporting Philadelphus. Its native habitat is mixed coniferous and deciduous broadleaved forest at 2855m south of the Gang Ho Ba in Yunnan Province China. Here it will reach in excess of five metres in height with supporting vegetation. In the nursery it has vigorously grown to two metres. 30/11/2009
Red hot chilli pepper
The seed pods on the Berberis chitria at the Palm House are colouring and developing to give an added attraction to this large ungainly semi evergreen shrub. Plants are found growing as understory within Pinus wallichiana and Rhododendron arboreum forest in the Himachal Pradesh area of Northern India. Introduced to Britain in 1818 the plant is not ideal for garden use due to its ultimate size and spread; 5m tall by 7m wide. It is also furnished with vicious spines at the leaf axils.
The prolific production of fruit and the decorative look of these narrow elongated glossy capsules do give it some merit for cultivation. The fleshy pods are a good source of dye. Smeared on white paper someone with an artistic flair would simulate a water colour painting.
As observed during November 2008
3/11/2008
The Japanese maple season
The true Acer palmatum is not often seen in gardens as there are a plethora of cultivars in the trade that are marketed well. Acer palmatum is native to China, Korea as well as Japan. A mature specimen of the species can be seen in full autumn colour to the west of the Garden. Where room is available, this species produces reliable colours for autumn. For smaller gardens there are a myriad of slower-growing, smaller forms to choose from.
In 2005, seed was collected from a plant growing at 935m on a west-facing slope of Mount Hokkada in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. This plant was 8m x 10m in size growing in dry stony medium loam in dense broadleaved woodland. Associated flora included Acer tschonoskii, Betula ermanii, Sorbus commixta, Viburnum furcatum. The resultant seedlings from this expedition are now planted at Benmore Botanic Garden in Argyll. 
Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki' is a red-colouring cultivar that forms a 4m wide rounded, shaped canopy typical of the species to a height of 5m. The leaves have fine toothed edges with deeply cut lobes. On dropping, the leaves curl and shrivel, so they are not a weighty problem to collect and compost. Remember, leaf mould is the gold of the composting cause. Left to rot, it produces the best top dressing mulch of all organic material. On a glorious autumn day there is no finer exercise than leaf raking. 10/11/2008
A willowy evergreen
Eucryphia moorei produces attractive four-petalled white flowers. In the centre are a multitude of soft paintbrush bristle stamens. The flower is produced on the current season's growth. From this the flower stalk emerges. Developing in two stages there is a small bract at the mid point. This is formed by the sepals fusing together. The plant is set in the sheltered courtyard to the north of the Front Range. Mid green pinnate leaves clothe the plant, these have a grey colour to the reverse.
Attention should be drawn to the seed capsules. Those from the previous year are retained on the plant. Soft brown in colour when dry, the covering of bristly white hairs can be appreciated under a hand lens. Eucryphia moorei is native to the New South Wales area of Australia, where it grows on hillsides in cool, temperate rainforest. It has been in cultivation in Britain since 1915.
17/11/2008
An African autumn
Standing sentinel to the last days of autumn sunshine is Kniphofia linearifolia.
This strong-growing member of the genus is native to southern and eastern Africa, where it has a wide distribution. Though usually growing in marsh and on the banks of streams at altitudes of 300m and above, it also colonises grassland on mountainsides.
The flower spike varies in length from 1m to 1.6m. It is topped by an inflorescence of tubular flowers which are orange in colour to yellow at the open end. The flower parts protrude and spots of nectar can be detected at the base of the corolla tube.
Kniphofia linearifolia is pollinated by nectar-feeding birds in its native home; here it is often stripped of bloom as our song bird population decimate it to access the sweet nectar. The long linear evergreen leaves are arranged in a tangled mass at the base.
21/11/2008
Retro plant
A plant of 60's suburbia. With the housing boom in the 1960's the Pampas grass became a popular feature of British gardens. The images are of a compact cultivar of this South American giant; Cortaderia selloana ‘Pumila'.
Found growing on the flat plains of South America, the pampas, several cultivars have been introduced. These are tolerant of many soil types and conditions. Best planted in an open sunny situation where over years the initial shoot will clump up to two metres in height and can be as broad.
The evergreen nature of the plant and the sharpness of the leaves make it best approached with care. The panicles are composed of a dense mass of individual flowers. Silver in appearance and of great merit as a specimen plant or in the mixed border at this time of year.
25/11/2008
A fish bone to pick over
A good form of Cotoneaster horizontalis will present a main shoot from which a series of parallel lateral shoots branch from in herringbone fashion. At this time of year the whole plant is covered in autumn colour. The small rounded leaves mainly startlingly bright red in colour. Yet the leaves towards the end of the shoots retain their growing season green colour. With a cold snap of freezing nights these leaves will also drop.
Native to China it has been cultivated since the end of the 19th Century. Now one of the most common of Chinese plants in our gardens it berries and sets viable seed. The resultant seedlings are often seen around the parent plant or further afield, readily spread by birds. Ideal as a plant to cover ground or grow against a wall. Easily pruned to shape and form. Once established this plant is invincible. It will gradually increase in height to 1 metre yet maintaining a broadly horizontal form.
28/11/2008
Blowing in the wind
The male cones of Cedrus deodara are shedding their pollen.
The trees are wind pollinated and the prevailing westerly winds we experience send the pollen grains a great distance to the east of the parent tree in the air currents. The monoecious male and female cones are both produced on the same tree.
The trees are wind pollinated and the prevailing westerly winds we experience send the pollen grains a great distance to the east of the parent tree in the air currents. The monoecious male and female cones are both produced on the same tree.
The images show how the quantity of wind blown pollen has marked the "tide line" of a puddle after heavy rain and it subsequently draining.
Growing into magnificent trees they are native to the Himalayas. It is the national tree of Pakistan from where specimens growing at Dawyck were collected. Growing in the North West Frontier Province in pure Deodar forest on the sides of the Kalam Swat valley at 2743m.
Other collections were made in India where the trees often dominated the steep dry slopes of the Himachal Pradesh.
For previous years' highlights during this month, see the November Garden Highlights Archive page.
As observed during November 2007
2/11/07
These two xerophytic members of the Bromeliaceae withstand neglect as long as they are in direct sunlight. Both native to Chile, central and southern respectively where they colonise large areas of ground that then becomes impenetrable.
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Fascicularia bicolor is the less vigorous of the two species growing in the garden. A plant in the south bed of the rock garden has the most intense red colour to the leaves of any I have seen in cultivation. This is a propagule from Combers original introduction in 1927, during his second visit to South America, collection number 1015. H.F.Comber found it growing 800 - 2000ft near the Indian village of Calafquen in central Chile. On departing Comber "then travelled by the worst road he has ever encountered". Harold Frederick Comber was born at Nymans Garden where his father was a noted gardener. He studied at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh from 1920 and in 1925 was asked by the Andes Syndicate, comprising amongst others; The Hon. Henry D. McLaren; later Lord Aberconway of Bodnant Garden; A.K.Bulley of Ness; Col. Messel of Nymans to visit Chile and Argentina on a collecting expedition. As a student on the DHE course he obtained very good marks: 100% in Cryptogrammic Botany, 96% in each of Botanical Nomenclature and Classification of Plants showing him to be eminently suited to this opportunity.
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F. pitcairniifolia can be seen as a dense clump in the border to the south of the Front Range glasshouse. Don't be tempted to reach into the rosette of leaves; each is edged with saw teeth that will rip the skin apart. Conversely gently running your fingers up the length of the leaf will not cause any damage as the teeth all face in the one upward pointing direction. Comber described the leaves as scurfy. The flowers appear in a packed domed inflorescence in the base of these recurved leaves. Initially dusted with grey farina the petals are a lurid shade of blue. Opening from the outer circumference towards the centre of the inflorescence then fading brown. Fruits if produced are juicy, sweet and edible.
5/11/07
Not to be missed while walking around the Garden are two spectacular treats providing autumn colour.
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In the lower woodland is Carya cordiformis, native to E.N. America. It has light brown bark that is fissured in a regular but off hand pattern reminiscent of the Walnut family, Juglandaceae, of which it is a member. The towering golden yellow canopy is visible from many angles. It is here I shall refer you to W.J.Bean, Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles where Bean makes a passionate case for planting "Hickory". From preserving the tap root at the seedling stage thus ensure good establishment to appreciating the beauty of the genus as a mature specimen.
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Mespilus germanica also produces a golden effect through the turning leaf. These leaves are soft, downy to the touch. The "Medlar" is opposite the east end of the herbaceous border; regularly producing a good crop of its unusual shaped fruit. The pointed protrusions from the eye are the persistent remains of the sepals fused to form the calyx.
9/11/07
Take a walk behind the glasshouses to appreciate a late flowering wild collected Hoheria from North Island New Zealand. Naturally a variable species which has resulted in several cultivars obtainable in the trade. This specimen was collected in the summit area of Mt. Donald McLean within the Tamaki Ecological Region, North Island. Hoheria populnea has rigid evergreen leaves of a chlorotic green. Their beauty is in the good vein structure, deep green above and below a drought induced, cracked earth appearance in a silvery hue. The flowers are borne on short stalks individually or in groups in the leaf axils of the current season's growth, opening from a globular bud encased in a crown of sepals to a flat face of petals with a profusion of anthers. Once open the triangular shape of the sepals is more evident as they reflex back at this stage.
Ideally planted in this sheltered location this tender species has made good growth in a decade. The older bark on the trunk is infused with lenticels giving weight to the common name "Lacebark".
12/11/07
Growing on the Chinese hillside is a fast growing woody plant. Collected as part of the Lijiang Project Expedition in China and introduced to the garden in 2003 as Desmodium. Labelled only to Generic level it has flowered well this autumn. The image shows Lesley Scott comparing it to type specimens of the Genera held in the Herbarium.
We now know it to be D. elegans from the free filament in the floral structure of the anthers. Leguminous, light purple flowers with red oxide sepals are borne in terminal racemes. Followed by multi seeded pods in a bow shape originally green, ripening brown. The trifoliate leaves are soft to the touch, mid green in colour. The linear markings on the young wood are a multitude of silver hairs. These fade with age.
Following last night's freezing temperatures and bright sun early this morning much of the canopy is exhibiting frost damage. Slightly tender for Edinburgh it will survive due to its falling and rooting habit rapidly making a thicket of growth.
We now know it to be D. elegans from the free filament in the floral structure of the anthers. Leguminous, light purple flowers with red oxide sepals are borne in terminal racemes. Followed by multi seeded pods in a bow shape originally green, ripening brown. The trifoliate leaves are soft to the touch, mid green in colour. The linear markings on the young wood are a multitude of silver hairs. These fade with age.
Following last night's freezing temperatures and bright sun early this morning much of the canopy is exhibiting frost damage. Slightly tender for Edinburgh it will survive due to its falling and rooting habit rapidly making a thicket of growth.
16/11/07
Fuchsia arborescens. A native to Central America with lush foliage. The leaves are arranged in a whorl, three at each node. Each carefully positioned around the stem from the base up, to gain maximum benefit from the sun's energy. A conspicuous terminal panicle of miniature, light purple flowers gives reason to grow this tender member of Onagraceae. Take a moment to look closely at these individual flowers, their shape is composed of curved and angular lines topped by a prominent stigma also light purple in colour. Be quick to appreciate this specimen growing in the border to the south of the front range with the added benefit of residual heat from the glass houses before it succumbs to the combination of a clear sky, frosty temperature and bright sunshine in the early morning.
The weather conditions during the past two months have been exceptional for late autumn colour. Make the most of the remaining blooms on Salvia, Tulbaghia, Nerine and other representatives of South Africa's flora. Future frosts and shorter days will cull much of this prolonged floral display.
19/11/07
A plant that will revel in deep gloom conditions that would be deemed not suited to plant growth by many horticulturalists is Fatsia japonica. It will put on a decent spurt of growth each year once established in low light habitats. The sturdy stems are populated with visible leaf lesions remnants of the palmate, leathery evergreen leaf shedding. A native to Japan, our specimen is planted at the steps on the pathway leading up to the front lawn. Planted in 1968 when the front range was opened and the front lawns graded and landscaped it is now reaching its 40th year.
It is a showy plant while in flower. Teminal panicles composed of globose flower buds. The creamy green buds open with extended stigma and style, then resembling a moon landing craft. There is a delicate central boss containing the anthers. The whole exudes an interesting smell that attracts flies.
Growing large and lank the growth appears to enjoy mutual support within the framework due to the weight of foliage carried. It will regenerate from the base if heavy pruning becomes necessary.
It is a showy plant while in flower. Teminal panicles composed of globose flower buds. The creamy green buds open with extended stigma and style, then resembling a moon landing craft. There is a delicate central boss containing the anthers. The whole exudes an interesting smell that attracts flies.
Growing large and lank the growth appears to enjoy mutual support within the framework due to the weight of foliage carried. It will regenerate from the base if heavy pruning becomes necessary.
23/11/07
Much needed at this cool, damp, darkening time of the year. A reminder of warm climes in the Southern Hemisphere. Cordyline australis is established in the beds south of the glasshouse foyer. The brown trunk is covered in a plating bark of corky appearance. The single trunk splits and branches at a height of approximately two meters once flowering age is reached. At each leaf base is a dormant auxiliary bud, essential to the plants survival. You can see regenerative ability in one of the cut trunks. In New Zealand where these grow as native flora the Maori used to grow and fell C. australis on a four year cycle to produce fructose. Steamed from cut stem sections this sweetening syrup has a biter aftertaste. Crowning the top of the plants is a mop of sword shaped leaves. Initially erect, with age and weather they bend and over time turn brown and fall against the trunk. Growing from some of the trunks are remnants of auxiliary aerial roots. These appear beneath the brown leaves gathered around the trunk where a moister atmosphere pervades. They soon dry and wither as this protection falls to the ground.
The plants are now all producing abundant quantities of small white berries each containing several black seeds. These are held in large panicles that droop down through the foliage. In warmer areas of Britain, often planted in seaside towns, self sown seedlings will result.
In the nursery are seedlings from an Unwin, father and son, collecting trip to New Zealand. The image shows the adventitious root system and more interestingly the vertical rhizome acting as the tap root growing down from the base of the shoot. The base of the mature trunk spreads concentrically to form a supporting base to the aerial growth. This is one of the few monocotyledonous trees that has secondary thickening, which differentiates the genera from most other monocotyledons.
In the nursery are seedlings from an Unwin, father and son, collecting trip to New Zealand. The image shows the adventitious root system and more interestingly the vertical rhizome acting as the tap root growing down from the base of the shoot. The base of the mature trunk spreads concentrically to form a supporting base to the aerial growth. This is one of the few monocotyledonous trees that has secondary thickening, which differentiates the genera from most other monocotyledons.
26/11/07
From Ecuador to Argentina, Colletia spinosissima will defeat any grazing predator with the angled vicious green spines. These plants are often found as single specimens in grazed land, due to this growth habit, companion vegetation is often rich and diverse. The spines and young stems are green, photosynthesising in the absence of leaves. On maturing they striate brown.
A member of the family Rhamnaceae, the flowers, held beneath the spine axis, are pink in bud, opening white and delicately scented, if the flower is picked and pulled apart this scent deepens, reminiscent of a washroom hand soap. The corolla is tubular, folded back at the end, star like. The protruding anthers are covered in yellow pollen which once dispersed reveals the black surface. The filaments are fused to the side of the corolla tube, running up the centre of which is the translucent style. Seed pods are mahogany brown in three parts with a seed in each. In a moment of warmth these open and the seeds, (shiny dark purple), are projected a distance. In Chile they are parasitised by a Chalcid wasp so fertile seed is not often produced.
The specimen growing to the east of the Orchid house is in need of dead wooding, who will volunteer for this task?
Tucked to the back of a bed north of the Linnaeus memorial is C. paradoxa, the leaves modified to cladodes, flat, angled and also vicious with terminal spines.
Tucked to the back of a bed north of the Linnaeus memorial is C. paradoxa, the leaves modified to cladodes, flat, angled and also vicious with terminal spines.
The second image shows C. hystrix with pink flowers, collected in Chile and thriving at (costa del) Musselburgh in the garden of Pete Brownless. This area to the east of the city often registers overnight temperatures several degrees warmer than those experienced here in the garden making this type of planting more successful.
30/11/07
This week, succumb to the warmth of the Wet Tropics and seek out the stunning Hoya imperialis. Native to Malaysia and Indonesia, this tropical gem produces the largest flowers of the genus.
Growing in a pot of open bark/cork/charcoal mix, our 2003 introduction is currently in flower. The thick supporting stem is twining above head-height in the north east corner of the Wet Tropics glasshouse. Hanging down from the horizontal growth is a crown composed of eleven individual flowers attached by long flexed pedicles.
Each solid, waxy bloom is composed of green sepals, petals; rusty red inside, creamy white above and with very prominent (also creamy white) corollas. The ants seen moving all over the flowers are attracted to the nectar held within the floral parts. Reports say that there is a sweet fragrance in the evening and early morning, but there is no evidence of it from this flower.
Below is a section from the report Glasshouse Supervisor Louise Galloway wrote on her return from Sabah, Borneo in October 2006. Note the last sentence. The result can be observed in the successful flowering of our specimen.
"En route to Mt. Kinabalu we stopped off for a break at the home of orchid enthusiast Ben Chai. His garden was a riot of colour with many species of orchids; Oncidium, Paphiopedilum and Phalenopsis, an epiphyte lovers' delight with Hoya and Aeschynanthus literally dripping off purpose built posts. He had an innovative way of growing Hoya (Asclepiadaceae family), that he assured me guaranteed flowering. This really intrigued me as we have a large collection of Hoya sp. at the RBGE and many are not yet formally identified so I really want to get them to flower to allow for scientific verification. Large pots were placed at the bottom of an upturned tree fern trunk filled with an epiphytic mix comprising chunks of Asplenium nidis, sustainably sourced of course, alongside sections of tree fern and charcoal chunks for the potash content, therefore it was incredibly free draining. As soon as the plants had reached the top of their pole they are trained horizontally along wire that links all the poles together - as soon as they start to grow horizontally they start to flower! Proof of the pudding as they say.....I have tried this method since returning home with great success."