Going bananas

Went to a Facebook seller in Stretford, bought a Chinese Banana – Musa lasiocarpa.

Their garden was lovely, full of Hedychiums, Cautleya, and all sorts of cool plants.

We also visited David, he gave me some Hoya carnosa cuttings. I have looked up how to propagate from cuttings and there seems to be a few ways. I have tried potting one up in a gritting compost mix and the other in water.

He also gave me some more Solanum seedlings. I potted these up as soon as I got home. Even my David likes the dark stems and flowers.

It’s always lovely to see the flowers return on my Hibiscus syriacus ‘Oiseau Bleu’.

I finally got round to potting the Lithops in the lovely pot I bought from Village Plants in Hazel Grove.

I added some crocks and gravel to give plenty of drainage.

Here is the finished result. What do you think?

I don’t want to keep the labels in the finished result so I’ve made a note.

Still not managed to the bits that I’d like to do in my yarden. Hopefully soon I’ll be able to update you with these jobs!

Hidden treasures

An impromptu visit to Village Plants in Hazel Grove to see Kevin and Susanne.

It was lovely to see them and hear how busy they have been. That they are still well. And also that they have managed to supply great plants as always.

I managed to pick up a lovely pot for my recently bought Lithops but I also came away with these beauties.

This is a rare plant from Bhutan – Sulcorebutia violacidermis.

This is Sinocrassula yunnanensis.

I was lucky to also pick this baby up. Stapelia orbea variegata.

And believe it or not some more Lithops! I just couldn’t resist!!

I haven’t managed to do any more in the yarden but hope to have more to entice you tomorrow.

Collection growing!

Dare I say, more and more plants have joined my growing collection today.

When I was heading out I found my expected parcel, earlier than expected which was a nice surprise.

I’ve been looking for this plant for quite some time – Pandanus amaryllifolius. This is a plant that James Wong writes about in one of his books. They are used in Asian cooking to add a vanilla flavour.

I went to collect a Facebook find in a nearby area, to buy a white everlasting pea – Lathyrus latifolius ‘White Pearl’.

The lady was lovely and we chatted about plants and gardening for some time.

We were accompanied by her lovely dog, who seemed to enjoy the attention. I do miss having a dog.

She showed me round her lovely garden and also gave me some seeds for the everlasting peas to see if I could grow them myself.

Or only that she gave me some of these stunning little alpines. These are Rhodohypoxis. I’ve grown these before back when I lived at my parents. Sadly they don’t like being wet in the winter. This tends to kill them. They do form lovely clumps.

After leaving, I collected my friend Stella and we headed to Parker’s to look for some pots. Sadly they were a little expensive and not what we were looking for. I did manage to get a shelf that sits on top of my potting tray.

We headed to one of our favourites – Aqualife. The staff are really friendly.

I came away with an extra Cyperus longus aka Native Sweet Galangale (James Wong book) and a Zantedeschia aethiopica ‘Kiwi Blush’

A Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ which is another edible in James Wongs book!

I was also given this creeping plant – I believe it to be a Gunnera magellanica.

I was also given a cutting of a rarer form of Gunnera. This has a velvety touch to the leaf. I’m not sure of the variety on this one.

I got home late, ate dinner and started potting up the plants.

Looking forward to more gardening tomorrow.

Dare I say it…?*

Rain, drizzle and downpour. It’s not been the best day for gardening today.

These are some pots that my friend Chris brought back from Yorkshire for me.

It makes me laugh, some people say that Eucomis bicolour are hard to grow. It has self seeded in several places in my parents garden. One of which is growing our of a crack in the flat garage roof.

I’m seriously worried about my plant addiction. *More plants. Here are some new plants that arrived today. Tradescantia fluminensis ‘Maidens blush’.

I’m also expecting another plant to arrive tomorrow that’s been on my wish list for some time.

I’ll update you tomorrow.

Had a fairly relaxing day. Haven’t really done much in the garden.

This morning someone came round for a Japanese hardy ginger – zingiber myoga, she happened to mention it was in her book. Intrigued I asked her which.

She said it was the James Wong book ‘Homegrown Revolution’, I knew I had this book but had never read about myoga.

I knew exactly where it was. I read about the ginger and looked through and remembered how excited I was at growing edibles.

Needless to say I have a wish list … many of which are more or less impossible to find!

Been trawling the net for specialist plant nurseries.

I was lucky to receive this Pelargonium variegated Apple Blossom from my mother in law.

I’m looking forward to growing this one.

I hope to sow some seeds and make some comfrey tea tomorrow.

Precious plants

I have spent a bit of time in the yarden today.

If you’ve been following my posts of late, you’ll know I grow the more unusual and where possible rarer type of plants and flowers.

I was really happy that these petunias survived the winter and have started to re flower.

I don’t normally grow petunias, but when I saw these silky black flowers I couldn’t resist and bought a couple of plants.

These pictures do not do these flowers justice.

I have grown black violas before but sadly they were no longer. I found these at weekend, I must try and propagate these to ensure I don’t lose them again. They maybe small but aren’t they stunning?

Viola ‘Molly Sanderson’.

Another plant I’ve grown before but sadly not been able to keep alive are these dark leaved ipomoea. sadly they have never flowered for me but still. How delicate are the leaves?

Another amazing plant that is a must in my yarden is Aeonium Swartzkopf

This year I also have these stunning but highly poisonous Ricinus New Zealand Purple. I’m hoping that those leaves will grow huge!

Another amazing plant that is showing itself is this Arisaema ciliatum var liubaense. I can’t wait until it’s flower comes out more.

Since we moved here I have tried to encourage wildlife by adding plants, water, food and different habitats. I am pleased to say we have regular visitors, bees and birds mainly however today I saw this stunning black and red moth – The Cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae).

Whilst pottering about I tidied up some areas and also decided it is about time I made a ‘feature’ out of my lovely piece of art that I bought off eBay some years ago.

Let me know what you think of it.

It reminds me of my travels around Asia and how they have such ornate pieces of art. Also how water is often placed at the front door – I believe that this is meant to ward of evil spirits but I may be wrong.

What do you grow? I’d love the hear back from you.

I have to give special thanks to my friend David who has given me many unusual plants and who is teaching me more about the rarities out there. He actually gifted the aeonium, Arisaema, Hedychium and ricinus in these pictures.

Gardening frenzy

Today I have been fairly busy with gardening things.

I found that the wood is used to make a frame for my climbers had rotted in a section and fell off landing on hostas and veg. Thankfully the climbers seem to have had little harm.

I went to a fire salvage company and was surprised to see they had named hostas, healthy and cheap! Needless to say I bought a few.

I also managed to get some gold dust – aka Compost.

My friend and I headed to a garden centre that I haven’t been to in years. I can happily say it will be many years until I return … if ever.

I popped to my parents and drilled a hole to add the newly bought tap to convert a bin into a water butt.

I’m happy to see my yucca flowering so well.

Back home I took a look at my indoor plant nursery. Here are some pilea that I am growing. Roots are coming in nicely. I want to see if any additional grow. Last time I did this nothing happened.

Here is my Alocasia macrorrhiza ‘Borneo Giant’, it’s growing slowly and as with many of my plants this year has an attack of aphids! Let’s hope it grows stronger.

Here is my luffa. I grew this from seed but doesn’t seem to be doing much.

I also potted on the grape and bomarea that arrived recently as they both had roots growing out of their pots.

A quick water of some plants and then time for a shower!

Another delivery

I’m happy to receive this parcel today. It was sent on Monday, it arrived today.

This delivery was from Roseland House Nursery.

I have the following:

Bomarea hirtella syn Edulis. An interesting climber that is meant to have a long summer flowering period.

Tropaeolum tricolour. This is the pot that appears empty. This is an inhaler form as it is dormant in the summer. It’s grows and flowers when most other plants are dormant for winter.

Vitis vinifera ‘Muscat of Alexandria’. I have chosen this one with help from David. He sells wine and he is also interested to see how the grows and fruits. You can already see fruit on the vine.

I’m also really grateful to David for replacing my dead Tetrapanex, I can’t wait for it to grow big and give the exotic feel.

Until tomorrow’s plant adventure.

Houseplant day

Not done lots today.

Here are some of my houseplants.

Ponytail palm. I’ve had this for many years.

A recently bought Rhipsalis.

I bought this plant from an NGS, believe it to be an epiphyllum. it cost £1.50 and I’ve had it for a few years too. Waiting for it to flower …

I bought this tradescantia zebrina recently and looking forward to it trailing more.

My friends Gemma and Nicola gave me some lavender plugs today, potted up straight away.

I also potted on some more plants.

Some iresine, impatiens, pineapple and a fuchsia.

Beauty in the garden

Another scorching non stop day.

I have amazing friends, my friend Jamie has loaned me this mechanical riddle to make lighter work of emptying the compost bin.

Look at the quality of this!! It’s so light yet full of life and healthy!! Can’t wait to use this with my plants!

Another friend, Helen, gave me these sweet peas, they are growing really well and I can’t wait to see the flowers and more scent in our yarden.

I had forgotten how beautiful some iris are and these are no exception. I will need to move these to a place that they are appreciated much more!

I am so happy with my caladium collection. I now need to move them to make best of their display!

I have more to do tomorrow and no doubt I’ll keep you updated.