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Century
Plant - 'Agave
americana' |
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This
architectural plant makes a fabulous focal-point in a cool temperate
greenhouse or conservatory or even as a summer patio pot plant. It
has rosettes of thick,
spiny-margined, spine-tipped, grey-green, succulent leaves. Towards the end of the plant's life a towering
yellowish-green flower-spike of up to 8 metres appears, after which
the plant dies, leaving small side-shoots to grow on. |
| Origin: Mexico. |
| Hardiness:
Frost Tender. |
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Agave
- 'Agave ferox' |
| Superb
rosette-forming succulent with thick, pointed grey-green
leaves viciously edged with hooked spines. Ideal for
growing in a cool conservatory or temperate greenhouse
where they make fine specimen plants. Towards the end of
the plant's life a towering greenish-yellow flower spike
of up to 10 metres appears, after which the plant dies,
leaving small side-shoots to grow on. |
| Origin: Mexico. |
| Hardiness:
Frost Tender. |
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Sea
Holly - 'Eryngium
agavifolium' |
| Unusual
sea holly that closely resembles an agave. Sword-shaped
leaves are produced from basal rosettes and the spines are
softer so less likely to scratch. In late summer branched
stems produce bracts of greenish white flowers. Grown for
its interesting and architectural foliage. |
| Origin: Argentina. |
| Hardiness:
Hardy. |
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Aloe
- 'Aloe
mitriformis' |
| Neat succulent
that produces rosettes of fleshy, bluish-green leaves up
to 45cm long that become red-flushed in poor soils. In
winter dusty scarlet red flowers are produced on tall
branched stems. An ideal plant to add a Mediterranean look
to the garden but it will need to be moved in to a
frost-free place, such as a conservatory in winter. |
| Origin: South
Africa. |
| Hardiness:
Tender. |
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Tree
Ferns - 'Dicksonia' |
| With a thick mass of roots forming a trunk, up to 3m (10ft) long,
mid- to dark green fronds. These impressive tree ferns are one of
the oldest plants in the world and their fascinating appearance will
soon catch the heart of any gardener. They add drama and style to a
semi-shady spot, and will happily grow in any soil as long as the
trunk is kept moist. |
| Origin: Australia,
Tasmania & New Zealand |
| Hardiness:
Half Hardy - Protect crown in winter from frost. |
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Bougainvillea
- 'Bougainvillea
glabra Sanderiana' |
| Magnificent
clouds of magenta-pink floral bracts from July to
September are the highlight of this strong-growing,
evergreen climber. Great for growing inside a conservatory
or in a tub on a sunny patio. While it can be moved
outside during the summer months, it must be moved to a
frost-free spot, such as a conservatory or temperate
greenhouse in autumn. |
| Origin: Brazil. |
| Hardiness:
Tender. |
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Bottlebrush
- 'Callistemon' |
| Splendid
crimson-red, brush-like flower spikes borne on in June and
July. This crimson bottlebrush plant makes an eye-catching
specimen for a sunny shrub border with is silky,
pinkish-red young shoots which turn dark green with age.
In frost prone areas it's best grown in a container in a
cool greenhouse or conservatory. The leaves release a
delicious lemon scent when crushed. |
| Origin: Australia. |
| Hardiness:
Half Hardy. |
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Dwarf
Fan Palm - 'Chamaerops
humilis' |
| Dense clusters
of yellow flowers from May to August almost completely
hidden by large, lustrous, fan-shaped greyish-green leaves
up to 1m (3ft) long. This bushy, dwarf fan palm makes a
handsome and easy-to-grow plant. While it can be moved
outside during the summer months, it must be protected
indoors from harsh, winter frosts. |
| Origin: Morocco. |
| Hardiness:
Half Hardy. |
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Pineapple
Lily - 'Eucomis' |
| Spectacular
spikes of purple-edged, pale green flowers on
purple-spotted stems in July and August, topped with a
pineapple-like tuft. This distinctive, summer-flowering
bulb is perfect for a large, well-drained container in a
sunny, exotic-style garden. Since it's not fully hardy in
frost-prone areas it's best over-wintered indoors or
covering with a thick mulch of straw. |
| Origin: South
Africa. |
| Hardiness: Borderline
Hardy. |
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Chinese
Yellow Banana - 'Musa
lasiocarpa' |
| Thought
to be extinct only a decade ago, this gorgeous banana was
found growing in remote regions of the Himalayas in
southwest China. This clump-forming banana has dramatic
leaves and long-lasting yellow, summer flowers. As the
flower develops the original plant will start to die but
it will produce off shoots and will continue to thrive in
the garden. Although a cold snap will brown the foliage
the plant will come back and continue to grow. |
| Origin: China. |
| Hardiness:
frost hardy (needs winter protection). |
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Passion
Flowers - 'Passiflora' |
| Wonderfully
exotic climbing flowers from June to September. Passiflora
Caerulea
is one of the hardiest passion flowers. Perfect for a tropical garden, it grows
best at the base of a sheltered wall in full sun. |
| Origin:
Brazil
to Argentina. |
| Hardiness:
Hardy to tender depending on cultivar. |
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Red Hot Poker Plants
- 'Kniphofia' |
| Tall bright and
imposing, kniphofias lend height, vibrancy and drama to
any garden. Originally from South Africa, the elegant,
torch-like flowers of kniphofia make vertical accents in a
sunny border and look particularly good as part of a
scheme based on 'hot' colours. They also look great with a
background of ornamental grasses. An easy and undemanding
plant. |
| Origin: South
Africa |
| Hardiness:
Hardy |
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Sago
Palm Cycad - 'Cycas Revoluta' |
| Cycas
revoluta, one of the most primitive living
plants, are very unusual and popular
ornamentals. A rugged trunk, topped with
whorled feathery leaves has lead to the
common name ''Sago Palm'', however it is
actually related to conifer and Gingko trees - all cone bearing plants which
trace their origins back to the ancient
flora of the early Mesozoic era.
|
| Origin: Japan |
| Hardiness:
tender |
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Canary
Island Date Palm - 'Phoenix
canariensis' |
| Slender, mid- to
deep green leaflets on a stout, columnar trunk and
clusters of cream or yellow summer flowers. This
medium-sized spiky palm prefers a sunny site with
protection against the fierce midday sun. An excellent
focal point for an exotic or Mediterranean-style garden,
in frost-prone areas it's best grown as a temporary summer
focal-point but must be moved indoors in autumn. |
| Origin: China |
| Hardiness:
tender |
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