Postage : Seeds only $4 / Plants $20
A spectacle.
From a stiff brooding mound of feathery, dark green, waxy leaves, radiating on stout stalks, thrusts a towering asparagus like stem, 3m or more, bearing large globular clusters of tiny, acid yellow flowers followed by clustered whorls of flattened seeds. This startling display requires three or four years of growth, accumulating energy in its fleshy taproot, before it is produced after which the plant, having exhausted itself, typically dies. Adventitious seedlings usually appear the following winter and you once again get to admire the fabulous foliage while anticipating the next hurrah.
From limestone soils in the Mediterranean, summer dormant and utterly drought loving it tolerates richer and moister garden conditions but is perhaps most enjoyable and spectacular in barren, well drained, exposed sites where other less impressive plants have failed.
Quite toxic, unlike its less bold but more commonly encountered cousin Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare).
A clumping winter dormant perennial. Large attractive lobed leaves are produced on slender stems. In late summer heads of pink fairy floss flowers are produced on tall straight stems. Spectacular among Miscanthus or other deciduous grasses. Keep Moist.
One of the worlds most unique and amazing plants, fittingly named to honour a queen and native to sandplains on our own southern coast.
Broad, leathery, prickly edged leaves (scratchy rather than dangerous) hug the vertical branches and borne among them during spring are creamy white pincushion like flowers, followed by woody fruit. The true spectacle however is that upon flowering all the leaves flush with amazing shades of red, yellow and orange with the whole plant appearing like a gaudy artists impression of some long lost prehistoric life form.
Low summer humidity and poor sandy soil are likely to bring out the best colouration and most likely chance of survival. Not suitable for the east coast but a possibility perhaps in drier, less humid, inland areas.
It does have a reputation for being challenging to grow. I suspect largely due, as is so often the case, to overwatering and too rich a soil. As young plants they have been vigorous and perfectly heat tolerant in the nursery and would appear to have the utmost chance of success.
Offered here so that you may experiment too. Report back with results.
A winter dormant, clumping perennial with large (20cm) leaves.In summer tall spikes of pendant, purple, trumpet shaped flowers rise above the foliage. Provide with light shade, moisture, food and plenty of organic matter. Protect from slugs and snails. Can break dormancy as late as December.
A winter dormant, clumping perennial with large (35cm) leaves.In summer tall spikes of pendant, lavender, trumpet shaped flowers rise above the foliage. Provide with light shade, moisture, food and plenty of organic matter. Protect from slugs and snails. Can break dormancy as late as December.
A winter dormant, clumping perennial with large (35cm) leaves.In summer tall spikes of pendant, greyish lavender, trumpet shaped flowers rise above the foliage. Provide with light shade, moisture, food and plenty of organic matter. Protect from slugs and snails. Can break dormancy as late as December.