June 09 Catch Up

During this month I enjoyed the better weather and worked hard in the garden, my famous gardening shoes were put to good use.


Tetrapanax papyrifera 'Rex'
The Tetrapanax gained many new and enormous leaves and I wish now that I had not planted it so close to a path. The underside of the leaves are coated with powdery brown down which easily transfers to the clothing of a passing gardener.


Beschorneria yuccoides
In a previous post I said that the Beschorneria was about to flower and this it did in June. The flower stem was 10ft tall with numerous flowers attached:

The flowers lasted right through summer and were quite spectacular. Of course, as mentioned previously, the plant will die after flowering but at the time of writing (March 10) there are many new offset plants to take its place. I will try to transplant some of these offsets as I enjoyed the plant grown as a single rosette rather than what I suspect will be a muddle of many plants.

Succulents
The wall bed of Echeverias, Agaves, Aloes etc was very successful throughout the year. I think I’ll experiment with growing more succulents and may even create an additional wall garden. It is quite remarkable how the Echeverias, Aloes etc seem to be able to survive grown outside. They seem able to withstand very hard frosts but don’t like being wet. A simple covering of glass or plastic is all that is required.


Campanula
I must admit I don’t know the precise name of the Campanula pictured below. Campanulas have the most complicated species names, many sounding the same.

Anyway, I’ve included this image mainly because it is one of my favorite corners of the garden. I think the flowers of the Campanula go well with the blue/grey of the hosta and both go well with the ferns and bamboo of this quite shady area. I also very much like the chair, though, of course, I seldom get time to sit in it!

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Beschorneria yuccoides about to flower

It is with a certain amount of sadness that I have to announce that my Beschorneria yuccoides plant is about to flower.

I’ve grown this plant for a number of years and I really, really like it. It looks a bit like a Yucca but despite its looks, it does not have sharp spikes on it hence it can be grown close to a path. I like its geometric shape and its blue/grey/green leaves.

The flower bud looks enormous and I’m surprised that there are another two buds developing.

The flower spike should reach 6ft and, I’ve read, should be quite spectacular. I’ll probably (almost certainly) post a picture when it actually flowers.

So, why am I so sad? Because, after flowering the main plant will die! OK, so there are now small baby plants around the base but it will take some time for these to grow and I will need to separate them – I think the plant looks best growing as a solitary specimen.

Its been a good plant and I will miss it.

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Dicksonia antarctica, Beschorneria yuccoides, Adiantum venustum and pear tree blossom. Signs of Spring!

As I’ve been saying for the past few weeks, Spring is definitely making its mark. Here are a few examples of what’s happening in my garden with photographs taken this evening:

Dicksonia antarctica

In this photograph you can clearly see the new fronds of this Tree Fern ready to unfurl. After such a cold winter and all last year’s fronds dying off, it is good to see new growth.

 

 

Beschorneria yuccoides

The Beshorneria yuccoides is still looking a bit tatty but has come through the winter very well. I’m sure it will flower this year which will be a bit of a shame as the main plant will die. I read, though, that the flowering process is quite spectacular.

Adiantum venustum

This fern’s common name is the Himalayan Maidenhair. This photograph shows its bright green new fronds. It seems to be one of the first ferns to get going again in the Spring. I’ve planted this delicate-looking fern in a couple of place in the garden in quite sunny positions and it does very well, gradually spreading to form a low clump about 1 ft high, it is also fairly easy to control.

Pear Blossom

Finally, I’ve included this photo of the pear tree in full blossom, lit by this evening’s last rays of sunshine. We never manage to harvest much of the fruit but I’ve a mind this year to try brewing or distilling some ‘hooch’ from it!

 

 

 

 

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Beschorneria yuccoides

Another of my favourite plants and one that adds an exotic effect to the garden. As the name implies this plant has a resemblance to Yuccas and looks ‘spiky’ but it is actually very soft and hence can safely be grown next to a path. It grows a neat rosette of gray / green fleshy leaves up to about 3ft tall.

A sunny position and regular watering in dry summer weather is required. I give it no protection in winter and after this cold winter it looks a bit battered but is coming into new growth. It looks like it will flower this year which will involve a 6ft tall flower spike after which the rosette will die. Thankfully there are numerous new rosettes forming around the main base. I will try and transplant a few of these new rosettes to other areas of the garden but I’m not sure how they will like being moved.

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