tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65697214798594508962024-03-12T23:39:57.687+00:00Alternative EdenGarden | Lifestyle | Travel | InteriorMark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.comBlogger820125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-45047474254593829482023-01-20T17:11:00.002+00:002023-01-20T17:11:10.720+00:00Arab Baths in Palma de Mallorca<p> Whilst visiting Palma on the island of Mallorca, we had a visit to the Arab Baths in the old town. Dating to 10th or 11th century, these are the only arab baths remaining in the city. as well as the preserved baths, the former orchard is now a delightful garden.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_huGDMG0d293eJHKQmYA5cFWiron3ucvPscOxUZb125Rowc8bNxecLeMPNPqD_AfzNUDS4cCG0Ucz-uE0cjbtNaxsPMRejNnn_A3DUbiwaZOuEAYKpAsDzzQNkmYYYLYsSS7I8VNjiecRp7km4sCO9SU7560YsR1R-hN_kuT9wE0BA84qpCF3gpLTCw/s4032/IMG_0372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_huGDMG0d293eJHKQmYA5cFWiron3ucvPscOxUZb125Rowc8bNxecLeMPNPqD_AfzNUDS4cCG0Ucz-uE0cjbtNaxsPMRejNnn_A3DUbiwaZOuEAYKpAsDzzQNkmYYYLYsSS7I8VNjiecRp7km4sCO9SU7560YsR1R-hN_kuT9wE0BA84qpCF3gpLTCw/w640-h480/IMG_0372.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The former bath house, there would have been a rectangular pool in the centre which has been filled in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Cf_Bh8jjOuIkb68GWT22zv6PhWxSgCZdLIKH8Ol0klUhOnXoatRjyrho6Pw6bDlBzPP2KVoVDo1hhDrIuEXFkfuWTve8EOIr5TvLDS-XIYSSkjeOYZ1kk2U_P_pC6T_HHCv2P42wWdZroaupnZIdE1eMOrz3K2Vxx5FwMIoNS4gTr5pjsgeCAHjRQQ/s4032/IMG_0367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Cf_Bh8jjOuIkb68GWT22zv6PhWxSgCZdLIKH8Ol0klUhOnXoatRjyrho6Pw6bDlBzPP2KVoVDo1hhDrIuEXFkfuWTve8EOIr5TvLDS-XIYSSkjeOYZ1kk2U_P_pC6T_HHCv2P42wWdZroaupnZIdE1eMOrz3K2Vxx5FwMIoNS4gTr5pjsgeCAHjRQQ/w640-h480/IMG_0367.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsRnkCeEqkhXLaOVucVSST8rnaG1DCFHJs_1IVy2GwTWdaOuB9PTBz2Ot2BUwexvR43_skbjx01OrMgERGPMoazO4glwbUJaD7tNCiL0ddN15yPdo74itu9A02oWBVW4K2IHDdUXo0xW7nIzUkWR-_2RPh2CuONc--w9WBawBJyVhXxSZRKytsms2Bw/s4032/IMG_0368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsRnkCeEqkhXLaOVucVSST8rnaG1DCFHJs_1IVy2GwTWdaOuB9PTBz2Ot2BUwexvR43_skbjx01OrMgERGPMoazO4glwbUJaD7tNCiL0ddN15yPdo74itu9A02oWBVW4K2IHDdUXo0xW7nIzUkWR-_2RPh2CuONc--w9WBawBJyVhXxSZRKytsms2Bw/w480-h640/IMG_0368.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking up into the ceiling with small window/vents in the roof</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmDIKHO-CNUonpuvwU6aQlyVdE1mRkI2wSgc7q-DpcxF4uTtbkgVeCPyw_BGqJ7Poz_eHgvn_0k2ubVI6EFBPURCxmszea7wU9vB-QeDiEBQ5yC3kEPU-_r1iPy1lyf8N3NkoizixydvJPgVnp2JcZ3JSiqodqgqRkvUk8zyw6VkibVLD1pHPOj9jhg/s4032/IMG_0375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmDIKHO-CNUonpuvwU6aQlyVdE1mRkI2wSgc7q-DpcxF4uTtbkgVeCPyw_BGqJ7Poz_eHgvn_0k2ubVI6EFBPURCxmszea7wU9vB-QeDiEBQ5yC3kEPU-_r1iPy1lyf8N3NkoizixydvJPgVnp2JcZ3JSiqodqgqRkvUk8zyw6VkibVLD1pHPOj9jhg/w640-h480/IMG_0375.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stepping outside into a small but delightful garden filled with palms and other exotics</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7XK0g_ycFmgE0CiYNITH7ANwjXEtijYh_Map06JhfWVbjMHGs07CzBaqSNCXcJ-vdtLDeo0HMl5e2xGdHhWeKbCuFlp_U-oekTuSbHhuIDlm0BGIKRcgAV61y3eVbwXZ_D03g2FvRiUmYewLjTCU28uID3DUgOCY84pjqqffWqBf0nQYSUarozhh0A/s4032/IMG_0377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANsSS2X7KBdTdNqZFa9H3skNbS_g77iN0UQM-0uyeiSdnuuydd7Dx9gHkNju1oJA1HmshxTddj0lz8R_h8hW9W4uPZ5ddsmAtccq6nnVNwX0QxJ-gn4q7TgIpll525LPkcXDv4BjLev6zTLJWqreG9bsV-qnDpQDE_QiT2y2GeOzs0VXR7XHwLiWwZQ/s4032/IMG_0414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANsSS2X7KBdTdNqZFa9H3skNbS_g77iN0UQM-0uyeiSdnuuydd7Dx9gHkNju1oJA1HmshxTddj0lz8R_h8hW9W4uPZ5ddsmAtccq6nnVNwX0QxJ-gn4q7TgIpll525LPkcXDv4BjLev6zTLJWqreG9bsV-qnDpQDE_QiT2y2GeOzs0VXR7XHwLiWwZQ/w480-h640/IMG_0414.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A twin washingtonia, looks like this was probably two seedlings rather than a double header</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpD9R6wGPmdsdma_5_RNRyVBlIhbPriYqe3nrwJCZ6mDtRaPFOrHntTyCoX9C8gM32RHXTvfRxKfjMSJaxTiWjp7xoUHYo8Zq03BFmI2uDZkb6ZZ-u1FMJM-A_K0xT55M1ZgEXVMluRwvS5BrHxeGqZAKI9p9NtS75tfI6m2s-PAmQuRDW6NTURZlrw/s4032/IMG_0419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKC_6Ry_TyiIW3F-fcbsHVZ03x6Z72lH3Dtl1_2wgprM4AjXjWip2Ehovm-ycMLeqeeVRJYYH-oifjzVrjNRr7SUHr4TE16wD_Oju4rRgxBQWXPZY_4GYKcK0sAFC5wri4dKRDi51QZ5wO92h_lk64PWwZH5BSPh__OOB55-j-36my0_3D5cj09PZtg/s4032/IMG_0435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKC_6Ry_TyiIW3F-fcbsHVZ03x6Z72lH3Dtl1_2wgprM4AjXjWip2Ehovm-ycMLeqeeVRJYYH-oifjzVrjNRr7SUHr4TE16wD_Oju4rRgxBQWXPZY_4GYKcK0sAFC5wri4dKRDi51QZ5wO92h_lk64PWwZH5BSPh__OOB55-j-36my0_3D5cj09PZtg/w640-h480/IMG_0435.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bEUoVj4l1C5i3g6SMFhiXl7QxPkrz0Btt2MvtvBdBvahq_p1Nc3BmZOWnU8ayEYJ9dltWMmc-FrjbSvrM9uwMwPrAoPmshaa_S-7QUJv0IovNP06JkkaFBrU4-5cNGuzela-NP8ZanVg2e5O_YQthZ1-FqKrEDSyJVbc2x7AlpUX_XbJl7GLS-xOAg/s4032/IMG_0438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bEUoVj4l1C5i3g6SMFhiXl7QxPkrz0Btt2MvtvBdBvahq_p1Nc3BmZOWnU8ayEYJ9dltWMmc-FrjbSvrM9uwMwPrAoPmshaa_S-7QUJv0IovNP06JkkaFBrU4-5cNGuzela-NP8ZanVg2e5O_YQthZ1-FqKrEDSyJVbc2x7AlpUX_XbJl7GLS-xOAg/w640-h480/IMG_0438.JPG" width="640" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you visit Palma, then the Arab baths are worth finding, tucked away on a side street in the old town, close to the cathedral.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
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This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16360556804035922731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-80745548735778197772022-07-28T15:16:00.000+01:002022-07-28T15:16:45.259+01:00Heatwave!<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Growing up in the tropics the warmest temperature I've ever experienced was 34C (93F) in the depths of summer (albeit paired up with oppressive levels of humidity). Who would know then that I would experience 40C (104F) of all places in the UK? That's what just happened Tuesday last week when the heatwave that was all over Europe peaked here.</span></p><p>Thankfully from there temperatures have since dropped down to what are considered normal summer levels here, otherwise a lot of our plants would have been toast.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwIOTRcrJKggQ5iN3DkAmE-gtVS6VtbxmT0VMOsIaLg6C00cCeus0w22wQihiHiQVSqVipbNoZNnitNjunp5Ph9lvo_GVWx4BpNVaq2p07Bp1dHYl5cQiQ0wZMyu-7q6yWBitzS0hOKWQyju_9FLe1vswNYUrACb4x1BVJiarRhSS0K_EryZwdq5Jyg/s4032/IMG_2650.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwIOTRcrJKggQ5iN3DkAmE-gtVS6VtbxmT0VMOsIaLg6C00cCeus0w22wQihiHiQVSqVipbNoZNnitNjunp5Ph9lvo_GVWx4BpNVaq2p07Bp1dHYl5cQiQ0wZMyu-7q6yWBitzS0hOKWQyju_9FLe1vswNYUrACb4x1BVJiarRhSS0K_EryZwdq5Jyg/w640-h480/IMG_2650.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heat stressed <i>Schefflera taiwaniana </i>Tuesday 19th of July</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We think temperatures "only" peaked at around 38C (100F) in our garden but as I was working in central London that day, with the mostly concrete jungle that it is temperatures reached well above that even before midday. That made for a very unpleasant commute to and from work. </p><p>UK is not geared for such high temperatures as usually there is a lack of summer heat and both society and infrastructure here are geared for that, not the other way around. </p><p>The most dramatic manifestation of the high and relatively prolonged heat here was shown by our biggest Schefflera taiwaniana. It took a couple of days when the temperature went down to show recovery, unlike all other plants that showed distress during the same period but mostly recovered in matter of hours. Still a week on and you can now spot true damage on some plants with shrivelled new growth, and on bamboos with their aborted new shoots. Speaking of bamboos, some new shoots bent down at the worst of the high temperature but rectified themselves when the heat subsided, with some eventually aborting. But some damage is better than demise. If the heat persisted we could have lost many plants, including the Schefflera above.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5Nx18m4NKBcC0SKlnBqS2bskGtnibEUwlikrpRjR-GYON3Seee2Feyxp6wtggKUZDQRisdLswWg-eAEqNyE12eFXrP-q45cfDvfIFyv1ivfx9x-aqyAfEFwCuQW8xbffr3bmkZEjHMZ83ZWP6aNr_wdVwDULTol-jUskVKd9n4mCxPkJ4gqXYdufBw/s4032/IMG_2654.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5Nx18m4NKBcC0SKlnBqS2bskGtnibEUwlikrpRjR-GYON3Seee2Feyxp6wtggKUZDQRisdLswWg-eAEqNyE12eFXrP-q45cfDvfIFyv1ivfx9x-aqyAfEFwCuQW8xbffr3bmkZEjHMZ83ZWP6aNr_wdVwDULTol-jUskVKd9n4mCxPkJ4gqXYdufBw/w640-h480/IMG_2654.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Schefflera taiwaniana </i>Thursday 21st of July</td></tr></tbody></table><p>It's been a largely dry summer so far and now there is a threat that we may get a hosepipe ban in August if the lack of substantial rain persists. Let's see how it goes...</p><p>Mark</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
<br />
This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Mark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-38544161279895622042022-07-18T20:20:00.001+01:002022-07-18T20:20:50.957+01:00Front Garden Update<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">No gardening blog year would be complete (I know we did skip blogging a year or two) without us giving an update on our tiny front garden at least once. <a href="http://www.alternativeeden.com/2014/05/front-garden-makeover.html" target="_blank">It all started in 2014</a> when we finally sorted out our front garden and several changes have happened since. Fast forward to now, the plants are much bigger and we have added more pots to the mix</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVOdwvjj0cDyxKj4B2v4kvrVquJW38_-i9JyJZ85ZxpI4p0mE2IoqzaBJ0h9tK8hwXDe_bsOoCJYQG1bAFKLa-Pg-cLi0Z2BoEjDYibRzxBYH0mDk-RePhoex0uPDuUMm4aytgG6Z0Ck2orSHhNARdZhPojRZLqUqyakHZ5TgVQHMWhaivzZdRNg6cQ/s4032/IMG_1498.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVOdwvjj0cDyxKj4B2v4kvrVquJW38_-i9JyJZ85ZxpI4p0mE2IoqzaBJ0h9tK8hwXDe_bsOoCJYQG1bAFKLa-Pg-cLi0Z2BoEjDYibRzxBYH0mDk-RePhoex0uPDuUMm4aytgG6Z0Ck2orSHhNARdZhPojRZLqUqyakHZ5TgVQHMWhaivzZdRNg6cQ/w640-h480/IMG_1498.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Agave salmiana </i>is the star of the bunch, for obvious reasons</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The three nolinas have all done well but the one that remained in the smallest pot unsurprisingly had the slowest progress so we gave it a bigger pot earlier in the year and underplanted it with a few echeverias. We chose Echeverias that have done well and usually sail through winters in our garden unprotected and expect them to do even better at the front of the house which has the best microclimate for succulents.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAamYiVufL-leQO9I67YeJMNFqd-5d5MHaPgsglMHOLjKRwWCHeiq3Rk0okA2hO6bM4zDnYaA5ff8SdDQwDNkNdJ-72bvk-499Bn3lHyCqZbA50GAuuJoEF7fCRk0RhWC4L0glv0dZJov3AV_Xnu95qdoY7d60e9VR17lyiKNEnycIrPsZDSlYjnHLw/s4032/IMG_1452.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAamYiVufL-leQO9I67YeJMNFqd-5d5MHaPgsglMHOLjKRwWCHeiq3Rk0okA2hO6bM4zDnYaA5ff8SdDQwDNkNdJ-72bvk-499Bn3lHyCqZbA50GAuuJoEF7fCRk0RhWC4L0glv0dZJov3AV_Xnu95qdoY7d60e9VR17lyiKNEnycIrPsZDSlYjnHLw/w640-h480/IMG_1452.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nolina parviflora </i>in bondage</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdM5NQVd8gtO377F9JHN3ceNbpQKDIikk8bGw9hy8-aTplU_CF7GX52qX49xjkbiNeyI6SaGRUKsnBjUN6EPq-sEcFYfT_gQEprJ_53xsLYwzZJvd89wnN2N16MPh7bfUXhuvpddUkZff4dZkFq19gqjESuX5S0oTlPBejrALuP2kZa8FO0t2KinyYWA/s4032/IMG_1454.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdM5NQVd8gtO377F9JHN3ceNbpQKDIikk8bGw9hy8-aTplU_CF7GX52qX49xjkbiNeyI6SaGRUKsnBjUN6EPq-sEcFYfT_gQEprJ_53xsLYwzZJvd89wnN2N16MPh7bfUXhuvpddUkZff4dZkFq19gqjESuX5S0oTlPBejrALuP2kZa8FO0t2KinyYWA/w640-h480/IMG_1454.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pardon the bins on the background! <i>Nolina parviflora</i> and co.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">There used to be only three pots in this group but we added another pot and planted a small Agave geminiflora. The echeverias we used for underplanting are Echeveria pulidonis, agavoides, and rosea.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XY7JWXSd-fMFKIVt7HmIOceKaYK1qL-ePFYatUu39N1QsMNrSHfbuAGdGh8M-2WsZfHOb6a2HHUtMZoz7aTuAlMzhUlUJl4TAIavO1ZlEAX6Nbw5WqUWVZRdmRCRjxKsSrR7NezdZCWE/s4032/IMG_2576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XY7JWXSd-fMFKIVt7HmIOceKaYK1qL-ePFYatUu39N1QsMNrSHfbuAGdGh8M-2WsZfHOb6a2HHUtMZoz7aTuAlMzhUlUJl4TAIavO1ZlEAX6Nbw5WqUWVZRdmRCRjxKsSrR7NezdZCWE/w480-h640/IMG_2576.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like all the other agaves at the front, they started out small like this <i>Agave geminiflora</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9ykM9ev88RpNmAGMcMn8j8v_M1NDWNdIrbWCJcLz_csCwDK0ns63WNNPtMCveITvItwQz_KAArv6nMVwbNwW05PZ7XlbUIAxB_QPAE-ceVOxPL8IrIvYWvtPVlD_2plyKGcOKOwv3YuM5cc4w36wH900YJlGYq1zQOVn6JkZLHo4CKbPG-GWKCGe6w/s4032/IMG_2577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9ykM9ev88RpNmAGMcMn8j8v_M1NDWNdIrbWCJcLz_csCwDK0ns63WNNPtMCveITvItwQz_KAArv6nMVwbNwW05PZ7XlbUIAxB_QPAE-ceVOxPL8IrIvYWvtPVlD_2plyKGcOKOwv3YuM5cc4w36wH900YJlGYq1zQOVn6JkZLHo4CKbPG-GWKCGe6w/w480-h640/IMG_2577.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A more recent photo of this group</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIRLwdxTr9X1o_OCsS3X30ugZPQtsYqxqvsKUPhEgwJ8WF986v4xVpVCV_4STy0cCfTkccmuve3XnpqIGS5BPFK8tgf3TRCSWPufxGbr99otN81969XvxLThymb7N21OWKy1cWeNQc8u8M8coIWjtWCbnyF4Qh5XlYkYWFUkS67_NN9eNlV4ZKYyMLg/s4032/IMG_2575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIRLwdxTr9X1o_OCsS3X30ugZPQtsYqxqvsKUPhEgwJ8WF986v4xVpVCV_4STy0cCfTkccmuve3XnpqIGS5BPFK8tgf3TRCSWPufxGbr99otN81969XvxLThymb7N21OWKy1cWeNQc8u8M8coIWjtWCbnyF4Qh5XlYkYWFUkS67_NN9eNlV4ZKYyMLg/w480-h640/IMG_2575.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Trichocereus terscheckii </i>with oxalis weeds that I can't get rid off so reduce every so often. And you can spot a weed fern too</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Opposite this group on the other side of the door step are the big agave group. Not much recent changes here apart from the addition of a small blue pot with Echeveria pulidonis.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2B-hUC4JTiJZ9pECbsdp2ce7o7w5_HW0osnKZeog6GNnJQvloRSHFwU8NEUYaqsAigLgAp_25pscg3Y9cnzSL4AsJXtTawTZnb84LXkicldZBxkRMt8k4hqI0M3eRYj1iqdR9Sy6kdI9qXDGOGwQb4RZK6DUx6lceh55xcVeAns3bi7PbMjB9--9jQ/s4032/IMG_2574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2B-hUC4JTiJZ9pECbsdp2ce7o7w5_HW0osnKZeog6GNnJQvloRSHFwU8NEUYaqsAigLgAp_25pscg3Y9cnzSL4AsJXtTawTZnb84LXkicldZBxkRMt8k4hqI0M3eRYj1iqdR9Sy6kdI9qXDGOGwQb4RZK6DUx6lceh55xcVeAns3bi7PbMjB9--9jQ/w480-h640/IMG_2574.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Echeveria pulidonis</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftGr2fNxWCjd_TiizeCgqoyKCMsrBYqi6vo5Hq3H_GUYgAAWv9mRBpQpTDVCPdAzbY6JC9Sy7Syt4Mts1Lp17U_VfYUEBbajpCSweBj0Q1fiAXHRuhqI7pYyZ33opvPYHtS0cixp6WbYEpnZIlOf2lucKHgBSzsMC3qxxmA3AfNnlfSqnvuM-TNEuDA/s4032/IMG_2578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftGr2fNxWCjd_TiizeCgqoyKCMsrBYqi6vo5Hq3H_GUYgAAWv9mRBpQpTDVCPdAzbY6JC9Sy7Syt4Mts1Lp17U_VfYUEBbajpCSweBj0Q1fiAXHRuhqI7pYyZ33opvPYHtS0cixp6WbYEpnZIlOf2lucKHgBSzsMC3qxxmA3AfNnlfSqnvuM-TNEuDA/w480-h640/IMG_2578.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nolina nelsonii</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMjJX4kS8fzoI_7U_chS_IPGtXTVHR6ecgQid5764YChwNiYey0e3vpg1-W9i8bFjt4tCFZGccHPFLrHCVSCYI6Z8C8ECbUwDcc_raK2IwaClqGLsqkwzMIlZz0f6rXRyYibFPkkncfXoJfZfMdfUmmBMoyP_IRCkQK1aal_gsEBmRsHDbspH0BF0Vw/s4032/IMG_2573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMjJX4kS8fzoI_7U_chS_IPGtXTVHR6ecgQid5764YChwNiYey0e3vpg1-W9i8bFjt4tCFZGccHPFLrHCVSCYI6Z8C8ECbUwDcc_raK2IwaClqGLsqkwzMIlZz0f6rXRyYibFPkkncfXoJfZfMdfUmmBMoyP_IRCkQK1aal_gsEBmRsHDbspH0BF0Vw/w640-h480/IMG_2573.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stressed and pot stunted <i>Agave ovatifolia</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSloNv0XYHBdN5gMr8MHVAcoP5yDZYqMcjEvh-LxP7yT2050gdxj_8FSQuTS82KCoDKpS5QS8k_VesjOnoTK5Rmm9R6z5UWRRtQX78-NO8n-k5avpLeYFDH6pm18AUj6Kxf13vqBj-NSXMg1TlExxqkLm2r7snYQqPOSCQxNY5Im3RqpgfCHacNT8gw/s3020/IMG_2587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2537" data-original-width="3020" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSloNv0XYHBdN5gMr8MHVAcoP5yDZYqMcjEvh-LxP7yT2050gdxj_8FSQuTS82KCoDKpS5QS8k_VesjOnoTK5Rmm9R6z5UWRRtQX78-NO8n-k5avpLeYFDH6pm18AUj6Kxf13vqBj-NSXMg1TlExxqkLm2r7snYQqPOSCQxNY5Im3RqpgfCHacNT8gw/w640-h538/IMG_2587.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L-R <i>Agave ovatifolia, Agave salmiana, Agave montana, Agave parryi var. huachucensis </i>Back <i>Nolina nelsonii</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">On the other ide of the drive towards our neighbour is another group of succulents/xerics...</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFf-AKNMQIy6SjjE8oBAkhmyBbPjokIg3SrcZjEyH7WiyhK3BOyRP0vbQzmpF_e6bBbvZN95_leSe7OsA4g1bNFy0MMGu-k5s0CjRhgv8qxEBHwr683uz0CFPGQjGszKctDbApRf8cXOcS0JTXD4JiyxrVYlkcOqEl2PHqFLsI6Nx3PqqpxIJhAgucXQ/s4032/IMG_2570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFf-AKNMQIy6SjjE8oBAkhmyBbPjokIg3SrcZjEyH7WiyhK3BOyRP0vbQzmpF_e6bBbvZN95_leSe7OsA4g1bNFy0MMGu-k5s0CjRhgv8qxEBHwr683uz0CFPGQjGszKctDbApRf8cXOcS0JTXD4JiyxrVYlkcOqEl2PHqFLsI6Nx3PqqpxIJhAgucXQ/w480-h640/IMG_2570.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nolina nelsonii </i>at the back and above them all</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7D1AyDkoMFhml1ytEFPOG2ILq0BsRQdIUsDgABLS6H31069YKsjEduSQiGWv5SP63LH2bexb5bDmeS0McpII1whtVq4rVdWgN3koRLBtyU-1uIPNvRrzlc7xO3IJmi5erVQHQDMv8vS37zW9Lox7SIaUwkFqYeAl9WIrUib_vHNTXUD1gRKZgPpgqiA/s4032/IMG_2580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7D1AyDkoMFhml1ytEFPOG2ILq0BsRQdIUsDgABLS6H31069YKsjEduSQiGWv5SP63LH2bexb5bDmeS0McpII1whtVq4rVdWgN3koRLBtyU-1uIPNvRrzlc7xO3IJmi5erVQHQDMv8vS37zW9Lox7SIaUwkFqYeAl9WIrUib_vHNTXUD1gRKZgPpgqiA/w640-h480/IMG_2580.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Aloe polyphylla</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7m_TJiZltssB7ttpGM1XJv8M3kS_W_YNz7XZSkrqlX5svHZVzbldX1qobhvMX6f1IebWWd9j3xp6jL_EEruimiQEEviyKub0GXvOGNjsTTvzJfkn246ApvO9mklt6HdsqKkTbYSPJzvbq/s4032/IMG_2581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7m_TJiZltssB7ttpGM1XJv8M3kS_W_YNz7XZSkrqlX5svHZVzbldX1qobhvMX6f1IebWWd9j3xp6jL_EEruimiQEEviyKub0GXvOGNjsTTvzJfkn246ApvO9mklt6HdsqKkTbYSPJzvbq/w640-h480/IMG_2581.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Aloe polyphylla</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIneaZbDS_odyK7Uk9ugUzsL78uN1je72w7dElxFW9Wm-cvXQF-KsdpnI2QOoDxkAcEimVtFE8Ot2yKRlINAdE8a_bKeOFLDJ1oE6Dzdhv9PcDbWkQXxFyqCjJmVagHOiRXYmBYkagflHhfb4iVEsnqgeRN_M_TQqfOE31HShJ8fXONEE1FqCURGCcQ/s4032/IMG_2583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIneaZbDS_odyK7Uk9ugUzsL78uN1je72w7dElxFW9Wm-cvXQF-KsdpnI2QOoDxkAcEimVtFE8Ot2yKRlINAdE8a_bKeOFLDJ1oE6Dzdhv9PcDbWkQXxFyqCjJmVagHOiRXYmBYkagflHhfb4iVEsnqgeRN_M_TQqfOE31HShJ8fXONEE1FqCURGCcQ/w640-h480/IMG_2583.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Agave parryi var. truncata</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EOwV3vLiTKCyUrMOl1bIiCeL33KbfTHJzeIh-YipNPXX016dBC95VYK_KAzswD6yXt8CtnY8aBc9Ejapw2vYbpX4SWfMQ8UPIWxv3MMC7hMaCFHk36-wRQT7WZ0ikjIbJnrYobMvXPCpfI1M9bfpFkkDetDL1qK2cMq1-BSHv74yR1ow-cDKcTygSQ/s4032/IMG_2584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EOwV3vLiTKCyUrMOl1bIiCeL33KbfTHJzeIh-YipNPXX016dBC95VYK_KAzswD6yXt8CtnY8aBc9Ejapw2vYbpX4SWfMQ8UPIWxv3MMC7hMaCFHk36-wRQT7WZ0ikjIbJnrYobMvXPCpfI1M9bfpFkkDetDL1qK2cMq1-BSHv74yR1ow-cDKcTygSQ/w480-h640/IMG_2584.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cactus NOID (<i>Echinopsis sp.?)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSkBHX7FQsOYrdHd6zV3EgIv5YKLZIxMus_gCcgXwKmsxQyz1FJXl2JM6sMJP0U7bBSTWMZEqcGVEpR0nvjUfqRmdmO4W1CpMTInzrLT7ZC0_jzohhR3Di5mDZSXTsSu3aDqAY5Iiv8FqIRs_ntez71okAMeG3p4id4QxoGpgrDpWie85yUjk0rzBCg/s4032/IMG_2582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSkBHX7FQsOYrdHd6zV3EgIv5YKLZIxMus_gCcgXwKmsxQyz1FJXl2JM6sMJP0U7bBSTWMZEqcGVEpR0nvjUfqRmdmO4W1CpMTInzrLT7ZC0_jzohhR3Di5mDZSXTsSu3aDqAY5Iiv8FqIRs_ntez71okAMeG3p4id4QxoGpgrDpWie85yUjk0rzBCg/w640-h480/IMG_2582.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another <i>Aloe polyphylla </i>shot</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZ-FJDuyeQU56HV_QMVO7ZlSqcPRz0rJmt2iSS1xAE9xJSQz2_3CLirCP4uV5ZiYmeuCP2GYCIFDzg8wVRIACsuqcgF1CUpShJL9q0qfsXr3EyG53Lz3VOvOUB6xhfzSnaUNeQU32OpFsINqr2xdfCgdSolzn73Dmea0nYbWja0CIRm3D-V028E49fA/s4032/IMG_2586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZ-FJDuyeQU56HV_QMVO7ZlSqcPRz0rJmt2iSS1xAE9xJSQz2_3CLirCP4uV5ZiYmeuCP2GYCIFDzg8wVRIACsuqcgF1CUpShJL9q0qfsXr3EyG53Lz3VOvOUB6xhfzSnaUNeQU32OpFsINqr2xdfCgdSolzn73Dmea0nYbWja0CIRm3D-V028E49fA/w480-h640/IMG_2586.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And another group photo. Back <i>Nolina nelsonii </i>L-R Cactus NOID, <i>Aloe polyphylla, Agave parryi var. truncata, Agave parryi var. neomexicana, Aloe polyphylla</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Last but not the least are the group under the purple cherry tree Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra', underplanted with Mahonia eurybracteata 'Soft Caress' and two pots of Nerium oleander and a pot of Echeveria rosea.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sdADB7kouWe4JFyCjnZvh06IIQMvfP5y5jEBD3yzQXP58CGCKJaI7RddckXqm3CLIp5Vb9gPFMWH5ar7e5fQsQxitmajSpilvWNHlL5hmszsAHwNkzB9d59dm_XPtt0zDZImi37GbpN_5396buH4fUJFTQz3k3Mo-HOus0DzhA9Amoz4z7wXETksFQ/s4032/IMG_2585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sdADB7kouWe4JFyCjnZvh06IIQMvfP5y5jEBD3yzQXP58CGCKJaI7RddckXqm3CLIp5Vb9gPFMWH5ar7e5fQsQxitmajSpilvWNHlL5hmszsAHwNkzB9d59dm_XPtt0zDZImi37GbpN_5396buH4fUJFTQz3k3Mo-HOus0DzhA9Amoz4z7wXETksFQ/w480-h640/IMG_2585.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">As it's the front of the house none of them gets extra protection during winter, they stay as they are all year round. The plants that are sited here are chosen for their tolerance of heat and drought, as well as benefit from the special microclimate of this spot. The area gets winter sun and radiant heat from the bricks and paving.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Mark :-)</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
<br />
This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Mark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-85190429621604548742022-07-09T17:09:00.005+01:002022-07-09T17:09:47.585+01:00Mad About Mangave Update<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Last year we posted about out <a href="http://www.alternativeeden.com/2021/07/mad-about-mangave.html" target="_blank">little collection of Mangave</a> displayed on our top patio. Time for an update but first a little rescue story:</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRaFfD-3pqZrFNnfQ0DSj6VIG5O9lwMm6wZj_o1-PQcOP4n4WKk6AT2wTCT1CTG5KhUQyPlGnwKPSY38n9Mb4bO2_u8vOmj_iLvsbZ16n_F9o802hmHP0fL-U7kOkvloD9-z9fGdxr5TUzmOM3vMSwVe23X8buzzZI-WRKGZ8VTO7Tdik2N0T2D_zuA/s4032/IMG_2505.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRaFfD-3pqZrFNnfQ0DSj6VIG5O9lwMm6wZj_o1-PQcOP4n4WKk6AT2wTCT1CTG5KhUQyPlGnwKPSY38n9Mb4bO2_u8vOmj_iLvsbZ16n_F9o802hmHP0fL-U7kOkvloD9-z9fGdxr5TUzmOM3vMSwVe23X8buzzZI-WRKGZ8VTO7Tdik2N0T2D_zuA/w640-h480/IMG_2505.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mangave 'Mission to Mars'</i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Last weekend we spotted Mangaves on the clearance corner of our local nursery, sold for £1 each. There were several available but we only picked up three from the bunch. They were from a batch of Mangaves that were in their main sales polytunnel before, but they didn't fare well during the winter left in the same spot and didn't recover fast enough in the spring. So off to the clearance corner they went.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHDelA0AQDO6xaByayDoZRMImBfn-sgZTn6CNxLg6cVJLuAmdZJb-cbyxTCx2dOssPRRv0D0rZL8Av63ZToJZirlZ-V2dk9umtqqCFpiAr63OZOfluwlIr2X_ys6hBUSl8n2741zVmwWaVPs0YJeTXzyxlV1MSJwiQnfiS4HDfwr0Alqe_yktGE7x0g/s4032/IMG_2488.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHDelA0AQDO6xaByayDoZRMImBfn-sgZTn6CNxLg6cVJLuAmdZJb-cbyxTCx2dOssPRRv0D0rZL8Av63ZToJZirlZ-V2dk9umtqqCFpiAr63OZOfluwlIr2X_ys6hBUSl8n2741zVmwWaVPs0YJeTXzyxlV1MSJwiQnfiS4HDfwr0Alqe_yktGE7x0g/w640-h480/IMG_2488.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mangave 'Pineapple Express' </i>and two <i>'Mission to Mars'</i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Despite looking worse for wear they were still a very good deal and with a bit of extra care should recover nicely. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The Mangave 'Mission to Mars' we have already is the same age as these rescue ones we just acquired. But you can see on the photo below how much difference being cared for makes...</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZasQrqSKl6_5AKOFmFWLn5SUCJXeYJhjsFUzYoKm34fQn4meaRUWL-EAthhQXLppaZ88AIOmMnF1XCymO1k_XK7GwsiTTIY1zicy9si6S9oz3ZvOTOkKVpOQwoenS1rKbQ6Ba7BTAdmq1dLMyzlSISy1gApegaOtECD7J9l2H4dbDuac1q3o0LedoEg/s3830/IMG_2510.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2962" data-original-width="3830" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZasQrqSKl6_5AKOFmFWLn5SUCJXeYJhjsFUzYoKm34fQn4meaRUWL-EAthhQXLppaZ88AIOmMnF1XCymO1k_XK7GwsiTTIY1zicy9si6S9oz3ZvOTOkKVpOQwoenS1rKbQ6Ba7BTAdmq1dLMyzlSISy1gApegaOtECD7J9l2H4dbDuac1q3o0LedoEg/w640-h494/IMG_2510.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">So we gave them a good clean by brown biting, trimming off completely dead leaves, weeding, and removing the bark mulch. They were then re-potted on to bigger pots and re-mulched with gravel and presto, much better...</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ie6-iS3Avon9K1x_Q8KFL_XFsL7yZQ9nNFdie2QdyYrtsX9kxi0lH-xLiJBc0WKdyncHEQJCg94AfNH5-9-NLT4Px6wEUzZ6jwMrz_qLFhFrxwKfJd3wjCX4DUV_TPafhDwZ4kGu_6iFsNHESNWhg0IeyXzBkEjrCArSUflKKB4gu9DjpUThPYg_mg/s4032/IMG_2511.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ie6-iS3Avon9K1x_Q8KFL_XFsL7yZQ9nNFdie2QdyYrtsX9kxi0lH-xLiJBc0WKdyncHEQJCg94AfNH5-9-NLT4Px6wEUzZ6jwMrz_qLFhFrxwKfJd3wjCX4DUV_TPafhDwZ4kGu_6iFsNHESNWhg0IeyXzBkEjrCArSUflKKB4gu9DjpUThPYg_mg/w640-h480/IMG_2511.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>They are now in the greenhouse to be pampered for the rest of the summer and we're confident by the end of the year they would look really good again. Perhaps next year they will be part of the patio display.</p><p>So how do you care for Mangaves? Here are a few tips:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>As a group, they are generally not hardy for most parts of the UK bar the mildest areas. And even if they sail through permanently planted out, the other challenge is in keeping them looking pristine as the leaves are prone to marking. Repeated and heavy frosts, snow, and winter wet can easily disfigure their appearance. If planting out, a rain shelter is recommended to help them sail through winter alive and looking as good as possible.</li><li>Otherwise, keep them in a pot and shift undercover during winter, in a bright/sunny spot that ideally gets some supplemental heating during cold spells. They also seem to tolerate permanent indoor culture fairly well provided that they are in a bright/sunny spot (they are marketed as a houseplant too).</li><li>They do appreciate a free root run and grow really fast on the ground, an advantage of being planted out.</li><li>Or give them bigger pot to live in and they can still size up pretty quick.</li><li>You can obtain the best colouration and markings of the leaves if they are sited in full sun. In a shadier spot you may lose the markings and promote plain green leaves that are lax in habit.</li><li>Supplemental watering in the warmer months and a little bit during the winter (if kept indoors) will encourage them to grow and size up quick.</li><li>Keep an eye on slugs and snails, they love to graze on their succulent leaves and leave notches and cause scarring.</li><li>They are monocarpic and relatively short lived, lasting only several years before they send an inflorescence and eventually die. Some offset freely before the main plant flowers or just shortly after flowering, while some send out bulbils from the inflorescence. Be patient when they bloom, you can harvest the offsets and bulbils once the main plant has completely died off.</li></ul><p></p><p>The Mangaves we featured last year are all still doing very well and have sized up further, check them out:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbjZ-302597JSKMZayTjcZ6nSfu3CpTPw4hf8trbm0t9QECQEUHTnWHATT1D3KwqRRQ--ZFt1OP8ffBiaQKz0pRi5FIXlFlEH_75K33VMmPIRK25UgOiOGHQtXWTA0NsG0uBO6u3wzHvxYIfWtH0PZEj37gVmR7gj_HwvcZCzkt-zu8g-hnXrQMCnLA/s4032/IMG_2505.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mangave 'Mission to Mars'" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbjZ-302597JSKMZayTjcZ6nSfu3CpTPw4hf8trbm0t9QECQEUHTnWHATT1D3KwqRRQ--ZFt1OP8ffBiaQKz0pRi5FIXlFlEH_75K33VMmPIRK25UgOiOGHQtXWTA0NsG0uBO6u3wzHvxYIfWtH0PZEj37gVmR7gj_HwvcZCzkt-zu8g-hnXrQMCnLA/w640-h480/IMG_2505.HEIC" title="Mangave 'Mission to Mars'" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mangave 'Mission to Mars'</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUv-d4vDA4xDpn2b5PhL5gh3K9II0OesiOUZ2sfH__Ycnv1UuT6Zcx-K6EBZ35rWfFoJHM3FDdilRCuXcCu1EnNl8U4MQCktPw-HmEDOVDgt4sv61uGGWLRjNZJ7yElkhPKCGSA2HsQgqa0BRcuHcbw2N2389aMkJVyKmK3yeh6qxXvMD960BkvZmphw/s4032/IMG_2503.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mangave 'Lavender Lady'" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUv-d4vDA4xDpn2b5PhL5gh3K9II0OesiOUZ2sfH__Ycnv1UuT6Zcx-K6EBZ35rWfFoJHM3FDdilRCuXcCu1EnNl8U4MQCktPw-HmEDOVDgt4sv61uGGWLRjNZJ7yElkhPKCGSA2HsQgqa0BRcuHcbw2N2389aMkJVyKmK3yeh6qxXvMD960BkvZmphw/w640-h480/IMG_2503.HEIC" title="Mangave 'Lavender Lady'" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mangave 'Lavender Lady'</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXPQO0VsDu4K5fqUFNSuEuTL4CByMQuHxSpKoRxetkrgEXrYK1PlS6fFUC-WN5i9jHa3zJqKXMwjbr-xfTx1HbYXU8beek6Jh0VQJhOUae2zaCm11bLCmVcWkx5I_SOBCjm9Mi5kJcQxy1NlNHpce-M6E_gYgM9yO3ZYfTeEqfzc5nCF34ilNsJlOeA/s4032/IMG_2502.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mangave 'Red Wing'" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXPQO0VsDu4K5fqUFNSuEuTL4CByMQuHxSpKoRxetkrgEXrYK1PlS6fFUC-WN5i9jHa3zJqKXMwjbr-xfTx1HbYXU8beek6Jh0VQJhOUae2zaCm11bLCmVcWkx5I_SOBCjm9Mi5kJcQxy1NlNHpce-M6E_gYgM9yO3ZYfTeEqfzc5nCF34ilNsJlOeA/w640-h480/IMG_2502.HEIC" title="Mangave 'Red Wing'" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mangave 'Red Wing'</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBjzpHLVqNElGWDIaainmeUVMQ9ADNBZvXjpg269qVO1rvmsJJRh-X71Vt6FNWb6v-XKva10mufjfzufxle5Iz5PoiY9HtrkRPILk89mt3c8MDppXK1Y4aHZ-5aTgP93uaDa-LqKVYh7GktqH3BbzGR0aURuZOMTIoYM_Izj1hV9w6pMBoFaggnKObQ/s4032/IMG_2506.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mangave 'Lavender Lady'" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBjzpHLVqNElGWDIaainmeUVMQ9ADNBZvXjpg269qVO1rvmsJJRh-X71Vt6FNWb6v-XKva10mufjfzufxle5Iz5PoiY9HtrkRPILk89mt3c8MDppXK1Y4aHZ-5aTgP93uaDa-LqKVYh7GktqH3BbzGR0aURuZOMTIoYM_Izj1hV9w6pMBoFaggnKObQ/w640-h480/IMG_2506.HEIC" title="Mangave 'Lavender Lady'" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mangave 'Lavender Lady'</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDcmkmp_58_oqXGwDPNC18j9CJbhIg2v7DmrycBbx64U3yO2Nj5ZadK-Cnth2CwWxy0lgk9GZQRwO_8XP4HUMJxxbxvabX60F-1H7hZwkbT5snl2vNXNw_nEArZjZyNI5FXXujHj1HrDew2jmyUweVCnaU2bbyGoefc_rC-sA0kjpFk1X4mBEkd09Gw/s4032/IMG_2504.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mangave 'Inkblot'" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDcmkmp_58_oqXGwDPNC18j9CJbhIg2v7DmrycBbx64U3yO2Nj5ZadK-Cnth2CwWxy0lgk9GZQRwO_8XP4HUMJxxbxvabX60F-1H7hZwkbT5snl2vNXNw_nEArZjZyNI5FXXujHj1HrDew2jmyUweVCnaU2bbyGoefc_rC-sA0kjpFk1X4mBEkd09Gw/w640-h480/IMG_2504.HEIC" title="Mangave 'Inkblot'" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mangave 'Inkblot'</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUp2VAQappEEUWy97VugU1Kw5gOOT0gUAkRm8KT2zoiBYjBrhfOgxeMzjslvAxqrSYKSdN752P89_e3Re4UhmTicB0Hd0fWZRoH09aguI_tD71Mv_IZ7Qqsp-7LrsWGReyvW2S07MpdplIJELY26o_SkA6c4Ss1XyA6nekHN5qUyzhhEXaM8ldGdUNyg/s4032/IMG_2507.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mangave 'Inkblot'" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUp2VAQappEEUWy97VugU1Kw5gOOT0gUAkRm8KT2zoiBYjBrhfOgxeMzjslvAxqrSYKSdN752P89_e3Re4UhmTicB0Hd0fWZRoH09aguI_tD71Mv_IZ7Qqsp-7LrsWGReyvW2S07MpdplIJELY26o_SkA6c4Ss1XyA6nekHN5qUyzhhEXaM8ldGdUNyg/w640-h480/IMG_2507.HEIC" title="Mangave 'Inkblot'" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mangave 'Inkblot'</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhayl8homn7sFXT0UA3YsqPG7g75u9yhm_TRCnf_L0iKp41iePMsGZSJiVBvH4AXFUns2wLYe_wHq7-XeKB5r1zlqdQ4snraSHhGfJpOuSobr7wj7AIC-IZK7yVYKbC1crULOIgbNELOf9I3J66bkoPsZfSJHc1Thn8YYT_MJNpP1aZeJjny-QRPUTBA/s4032/IMG_2544.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mangave 'Pineapple Express'" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhayl8homn7sFXT0UA3YsqPG7g75u9yhm_TRCnf_L0iKp41iePMsGZSJiVBvH4AXFUns2wLYe_wHq7-XeKB5r1zlqdQ4snraSHhGfJpOuSobr7wj7AIC-IZK7yVYKbC1crULOIgbNELOf9I3J66bkoPsZfSJHc1Thn8YYT_MJNpP1aZeJjny-QRPUTBA/w640-h480/IMG_2544.HEIC" title="Mangave 'Pineapple Express'" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mangave 'Pineapple Express'</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>And a few new additions this year:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLB7NMRb7VFNG3KSTPPuUuftswlDCn3Kn88uIHffGuRoBF07XfBq-XWWY6ylD4XGZBVIgl1ma9or8Fg0GTzpm7yV-sSOSFz70Ah1S0qq1sEYnxDD1UR0rZtbNSlWBF1lmXfZixpjY9U3tfPSIY2jLh4zvvcSGcx2XoUk6v21H4w2uYjoNNoiQX4n_CQ/s4032/IMG_2499.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mangave 'Silver Fox'" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLB7NMRb7VFNG3KSTPPuUuftswlDCn3Kn88uIHffGuRoBF07XfBq-XWWY6ylD4XGZBVIgl1ma9or8Fg0GTzpm7yV-sSOSFz70Ah1S0qq1sEYnxDD1UR0rZtbNSlWBF1lmXfZixpjY9U3tfPSIY2jLh4zvvcSGcx2XoUk6v21H4w2uYjoNNoiQX4n_CQ/w640-h480/IMG_2499.HEIC" title="Mangave 'Silver Fox'" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mangave 'Silver Fox'</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3-Wqyjq1rMGFcJYoSPjGZIfMKkADwnH2uiD0ndhvXxW4jW1FJtr5_Igs2IQokR6_Vx4VKiI1TRZoHzD6T7A1gAS3Jr-FQB2XVjZlvCxBRU2sKIqzH9qe9cxoDObBByHdaxwJNsc8R0XKzPG3YEbYsAXTMkjMIIXLxKf_YsGQgGUqLq4ezerODJbXiQ/s4032/IMG_2500.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mangave 'Blazing Saddles'" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3-Wqyjq1rMGFcJYoSPjGZIfMKkADwnH2uiD0ndhvXxW4jW1FJtr5_Igs2IQokR6_Vx4VKiI1TRZoHzD6T7A1gAS3Jr-FQB2XVjZlvCxBRU2sKIqzH9qe9cxoDObBByHdaxwJNsc8R0XKzPG3YEbYsAXTMkjMIIXLxKf_YsGQgGUqLq4ezerODJbXiQ/w640-h480/IMG_2500.HEIC" title="Mangave 'Blazing Saddles'" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mangave 'Blazing Saddles'</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SPPDcIm5k-54cDiJWapRlyeh_k_W4PKXhMqTqtkoZ1Ssle5hHbaNmB_56ekrRRqWPmjYaMKLbPnSKP5IV1KaqRfmNjGsDzJoXNqdSFx-8eUNhBltyNa8CzJXJv0LUErYNyCfWjqp1TI9a-05t4rXSgrsrELJn9O654k-7ahwY8L308KWSWIzClLA5Q/s4032/IMG_2501.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mangave 'Snow Leopard'" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SPPDcIm5k-54cDiJWapRlyeh_k_W4PKXhMqTqtkoZ1Ssle5hHbaNmB_56ekrRRqWPmjYaMKLbPnSKP5IV1KaqRfmNjGsDzJoXNqdSFx-8eUNhBltyNa8CzJXJv0LUErYNyCfWjqp1TI9a-05t4rXSgrsrELJn9O654k-7ahwY8L308KWSWIzClLA5Q/w640-h480/IMG_2501.HEIC" title="Mangave 'Snow Leopard'" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mangave 'Snow Leopard'</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaKI7nObHFhApX5pSpySs11b6VOGx4-oj8mtuzbsCeW4wuJA9GpOi500rJQbKEdxBi8jlx8rkVgRQOmTp-y2ZjC0owTkOtrPBWngf1RkaWVXsZ9dIUdxdze_1iK2GRZV_8PC2qsGDj5eFtWryI2lo3gdilhYUBV4K0AwtZQr6VGzDUGmyJU9pg0g0vQ/s4032/IMG_2498.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaKI7nObHFhApX5pSpySs11b6VOGx4-oj8mtuzbsCeW4wuJA9GpOi500rJQbKEdxBi8jlx8rkVgRQOmTp-y2ZjC0owTkOtrPBWngf1RkaWVXsZ9dIUdxdze_1iK2GRZV_8PC2qsGDj5eFtWryI2lo3gdilhYUBV4K0AwtZQr6VGzDUGmyJU9pg0g0vQ/w640-h480/IMG_2498.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All three together now</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Mark :-)</p><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
<br />
This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Mark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-49950121220242439152022-07-05T10:49:00.002+01:002022-07-05T10:57:14.140+01:00When Self Criticism leads to Better Things<p> <span style="font-family: trebuchet;">A few days ago the photo below came up on my Facebook timeline, from around 2015/2016 (I think)...</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApkDzmr4poC4lBUp_hhqfP5fuLBBNQT4qTfuDSDy4xQiWpRUx_bTcvju6tEWEGFKpFNWbOxv501KZeX-g8L4wlHzXW2T0o5AJYiVk1xLeg2aoCno_US7GFOf0MfzwEC50tCXC59sFuCS6WGMiMgA3sBopzz-9mOajpMCwHLBIdk_INqFLpTCnxX_9zA/s1142/IMG_2428.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="1142" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApkDzmr4poC4lBUp_hhqfP5fuLBBNQT4qTfuDSDy4xQiWpRUx_bTcvju6tEWEGFKpFNWbOxv501KZeX-g8L4wlHzXW2T0o5AJYiVk1xLeg2aoCno_US7GFOf0MfzwEC50tCXC59sFuCS6WGMiMgA3sBopzz-9mOajpMCwHLBIdk_INqFLpTCnxX_9zA/w640-h480/IMG_2428.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">It's quite a significant photo in the sense that it led to the more familiar succulent pot display we do nowadays on our top patio.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The display above was fun to do, and perhaps quirky enough that it actually made it to a gardening magazine. However, it also made me cringe looking at it shortly after....can't believe I displayed two agaves so prominently in ordinary plastic pots, and to be published too!!</span></p><p>Perhaps it wasn't too bad, after all we had fun doing it then. But it led to several changes:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">To never ever display plants in plastic pots so prominently ever again.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">As I fell in love with Vietnamese pottery and other glazed pots shortly after, to use them instead. They are more robust and instantly adds colour (plus I enjoy looking at the pots itself).</span></li><li><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Instead of using a collection of small pots, use larger ones instead that can hold bigger specimens.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">And to make a more permanent year round pot display, by using hardier spiky plants that can stay out all year</span></li></ul><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcokboeWKSMr4OUzqa8ZHRdxN9OYqhWRumeI_lA-nNLfvnwJgHjxGD04AeqFV7MPljQxIM-a4m_D7Y5c-Ud-JG8i1FBt1x6e2bEocKNRrijk6G0s-AysPBT2-v8fRxOGFJ2DHpioQTyv7n8mV1rGT05XXnJdMV2tE-ZZ5NtJkHIJ2joJjfxYQtoZMXg/s4032/290478584_439468248087809_5477692821129612313_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcokboeWKSMr4OUzqa8ZHRdxN9OYqhWRumeI_lA-nNLfvnwJgHjxGD04AeqFV7MPljQxIM-a4m_D7Y5c-Ud-JG8i1FBt1x6e2bEocKNRrijk6G0s-AysPBT2-v8fRxOGFJ2DHpioQTyv7n8mV1rGT05XXnJdMV2tE-ZZ5NtJkHIJ2joJjfxYQtoZMXg/w640-h480/290478584_439468248087809_5477692821129612313_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How it looks this year</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">As with the last point, the display above consisted mostly of non hardy succulents that needed shifting under cover before the first frosts arrive. The sheer volume made moving them in and out very time consuming and impractical. So a more permanent display of hardier spiky plants made less work and provided interest on the top patio all year round.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">On a more poignant note, whatever happened to most of those succulents in those tiny pots? Most of them are gone now, they perished in the autumn that followed that summer. It was also a period wherein both of us became exceptionally busy at work then when the time came that they needed shifting, neither of us could do it before the first frosts arrived. It was a little heart breaking that they had to be sacrificed due to lack of time. So another important lesson: finding a balance between what spare time you have available with the kind/amount of plants you acquire. We have since moved on....</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQw1B8RaUl4lc74OHA6UIQ1wP1-oDHKyujd63i6c9VlgP0X1xwrVq0kDCr6rQsZ1irFUvpH38MgNRT5dlcWJ1LDxnmjzZMzLuGLJjFA2wAhg_M7pxSJZp2VDkKZzrvyeHFukcLq-soBUmFSx-y7ISuCySGUk29VTDkT1w8RcBuTRBDT2NGAAlNc_hzA/s4032/IMG_2497.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQw1B8RaUl4lc74OHA6UIQ1wP1-oDHKyujd63i6c9VlgP0X1xwrVq0kDCr6rQsZ1irFUvpH38MgNRT5dlcWJ1LDxnmjzZMzLuGLJjFA2wAhg_M7pxSJZp2VDkKZzrvyeHFukcLq-soBUmFSx-y7ISuCySGUk29VTDkT1w8RcBuTRBDT2NGAAlNc_hzA/w640-h480/IMG_2497.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Anyway, on a more contemporary note., I took the photo above yesterday of our 'spiky jungle' area. I thought it looked alright, but Gaz spotted the pot on top of the pillar, saying how much of a non entity it was. So he's thinking of replacing it with a bigger vessel/urn with a plant in it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I say go ahead, bring it on!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Mark :-)</span></div><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
<br />
This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Mark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-49029863101625842462022-06-27T19:44:00.005+01:002022-06-27T19:44:46.190+01:00Scheffleras from Taiwan<div>Let's have a quick look at a special group of Scheffleras with no ID growing in our utility/propagation area. Their background is explained below.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewIaxQYNnLadkgprJOAFnImmhKe4fKkZp6zLgV7g1dJazU14SjptHA01u5ofhdeNNw5KM7goFqO3Fo9Cj9CWVP6KeiYPLJnF017lKNLVCZ0i34aebk_92LSbo8q2HPxl2v9XaktSh6R1b2GBkUNifpq7AQRa1EmW6nWzoDjgRtKR7jMoDgG4FWgj1vQ/s4032/IMG_2372.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewIaxQYNnLadkgprJOAFnImmhKe4fKkZp6zLgV7g1dJazU14SjptHA01u5ofhdeNNw5KM7goFqO3Fo9Cj9CWVP6KeiYPLJnF017lKNLVCZ0i34aebk_92LSbo8q2HPxl2v9XaktSh6R1b2GBkUNifpq7AQRa1EmW6nWzoDjgRtKR7jMoDgG4FWgj1vQ/w640-h480/IMG_2372.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>A few years ago we visited Taiwan and had the chance to look around a few towns just outside the capital Taipei. The island is very accessible by car via their excellent road network but you can easily get a glimpse of rural life from nearby towns just outside the capital using their metro system. Taiwan has an amazing array of flora that has provided the world with so many interesting plants for the garden. The genus Schefflera (or now known as Heptapleurum) is just one of the multitude of beautiful group of plants that originated there.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCzPHaO5yAJaGBVTbonfpXSmltjs3PosVRgEn7oeHcvHshrsGdvT0Ws9FeHYJbT8E6aJwCBFCQZvB3AGUb4sPvAzj0MGXHvJOO7m5RZOoMLJQUAuouew-t8PNvCbnExdv3WvOkzp0MgiqbIdpl1oslhK2pYDn9iWV4geQMzrQOEi_f2zAXoABDiMDBg/s4032/IMG_2370.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCzPHaO5yAJaGBVTbonfpXSmltjs3PosVRgEn7oeHcvHshrsGdvT0Ws9FeHYJbT8E6aJwCBFCQZvB3AGUb4sPvAzj0MGXHvJOO7m5RZOoMLJQUAuouew-t8PNvCbnExdv3WvOkzp0MgiqbIdpl1oslhK2pYDn9iWV4geQMzrQOEi_f2zAXoABDiMDBg/w640-h480/IMG_2370.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>And Scheffleras are abundant indeed all over the island. You don't even need to venture out of the capital to spot them but of course more interesting and potentially hardy ones are best seen outside of it. </div><div><br /></div><div>I don't remember exactly where we got the seeds from (from different plants), it could be Jiufen area but I do recall a mental note that they were sourced around 200 meters above sea level. On the scheme of things when it comes to hardiness, that is relatively low elevation so unlikely to be hardy but interesting nevertheless. The seeds germinated like cress but getting them past this stage is very tricky as they are notoriously prone to dampening off which was the case. Of that batch only five remain which are fortunately rather vigorous and seems to be doing well. They seem to grow pretty quick and spend winters in an unheated greenhouse.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmgrYla6clQ4ZXvVJrTrnevayaIZ5RsTDBtvjkkmPFdXNW0wGo_fZel44AVfqI3COGTZR234XEd1Kh2oVRk0nzdQH0mvW0l7r-04WRqd26F4owFkM7gB_N8r4HOIN_UQeE8NCLud8o0knre8fboQSje7waaJFY8etKXfWbsjxO87RkLoUKe4h72ViWg/s4032/IMG_2368.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmgrYla6clQ4ZXvVJrTrnevayaIZ5RsTDBtvjkkmPFdXNW0wGo_fZel44AVfqI3COGTZR234XEd1Kh2oVRk0nzdQH0mvW0l7r-04WRqd26F4owFkM7gB_N8r4HOIN_UQeE8NCLud8o0knre8fboQSje7waaJFY8etKXfWbsjxO87RkLoUKe4h72ViWg/w640-h480/IMG_2368.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcg8uOeZzYu2vqRLytywuCjBl8p3m4TPV90qeRrzX80PO_Z0wqWgF0joSQs767g5gZdL0fYiCHQAvHs92Fv2dbVkVuwnmXaaA6Ksg609n3wlFos_QL457yfI4MhGzIVbLMdnwoXOeIvc0GscsVinNBijcPbguunLU04-7wL-UbA3-4viy6fpP-gQs9sQ/s4032/IMG_2374.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcg8uOeZzYu2vqRLytywuCjBl8p3m4TPV90qeRrzX80PO_Z0wqWgF0joSQs767g5gZdL0fYiCHQAvHs92Fv2dbVkVuwnmXaaA6Ksg609n3wlFos_QL457yfI4MhGzIVbLMdnwoXOeIvc0GscsVinNBijcPbguunLU04-7wL-UbA3-4viy6fpP-gQs9sQ/w640-h480/IMG_2374.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6a9Rfw1FYKW0nEEeF2mOgRvFgCs1k9NNKonmadGUSRw2qDr_v4MWUKm6Kas5SAtOu3lwOEX9_8khceane10JAZ2WfXCv7IJ8E2R2Qy2yRUbQt8-fwM3PP66IX_HFxyNvRpzO_5NcbiQZfp81ZPI-tkKDwQdvwPBo8_y77kJSUQLL4bKy3Z34_8-A5Q/s4032/IMG_2377.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6a9Rfw1FYKW0nEEeF2mOgRvFgCs1k9NNKonmadGUSRw2qDr_v4MWUKm6Kas5SAtOu3lwOEX9_8khceane10JAZ2WfXCv7IJ8E2R2Qy2yRUbQt8-fwM3PP66IX_HFxyNvRpzO_5NcbiQZfp81ZPI-tkKDwQdvwPBo8_y77kJSUQLL4bKy3Z34_8-A5Q/w640-h480/IMG_2377.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqL_okRwZQ0uQmplmsEz4wHgIdGK8tjgz_P2cGvkUbLuzjF-Bai3BHtGGSqCghu93vZ7z5tDD4e-2ODsJTb-tCtA-WUNZJRwJ-ILSTvpqubYBhrGDo-81Kn8DOFJe_AVh5jM_8YZcnHH_1r9PlzRrjb4VV614ucNJz5t5g0xHMBkU1WDEu9VWtAbKjA/s4032/IMG_2376.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqL_okRwZQ0uQmplmsEz4wHgIdGK8tjgz_P2cGvkUbLuzjF-Bai3BHtGGSqCghu93vZ7z5tDD4e-2ODsJTb-tCtA-WUNZJRwJ-ILSTvpqubYBhrGDo-81Kn8DOFJe_AVh5jM_8YZcnHH_1r9PlzRrjb4VV614ucNJz5t5g0xHMBkU1WDEu9VWtAbKjA/w640-h480/IMG_2376.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFa9HL6UmJUKZnQfjAZZvVN_HsrJx-27Q6ILuIi6GFav68mW0Pir4C4A1YuVqg_4JwecoVP4sCDB9BENP7XnKpgWxjfvvywndg7CbjCZCOc5sxr7ICJsmleWNukYSAX4QZUTQHCWXmVJKANVV-nQv6LJuAekphrnIdAr2Nwor5cJvDYgzUlJ8KoXWP4g/s4032/IMG_2378.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFa9HL6UmJUKZnQfjAZZvVN_HsrJx-27Q6ILuIi6GFav68mW0Pir4C4A1YuVqg_4JwecoVP4sCDB9BENP7XnKpgWxjfvvywndg7CbjCZCOc5sxr7ICJsmleWNukYSAX4QZUTQHCWXmVJKANVV-nQv6LJuAekphrnIdAr2Nwor5cJvDYgzUlJ8KoXWP4g/w480-h640/IMG_2378.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The seeds came from different plants and although one or two will look identical to each (those coming from the same parent plant) there are still subtle variation from each other at least. For now their exact identity remains a mystery and I haven't taken the proper time yet to investigate to find out. In a way, they are treated as novelty plants and make great part of our plant collection. And a prelude that maybe one day we'll do this plant collecting thing in a more organised fashion one day!</div><div><br /></div><div>Mark :-)</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
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This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Mark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-15249566434796707372022-06-22T08:06:00.007+01:002022-06-22T10:22:29.891+01:00Fixing What Ain't Broken<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span>The hard landscaping of our top patio has pretty much been unchanged since we moved into our place back in 2005. The paving is composed of mainly thick concrete paving slabs and bricks arranged to a pattern</span>. It's not the most elegant nor impressive of materials but they were laid solidly, aged well, and served the purpose. Having just moved into this property then, the priority for both budget and time was to sort out the house rather than the hard landscaping of the top patio. It wasn’t broke so why fix it?</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGwtiOALqKE8c8H1jo6tH-uvnju9KPRWpQSB3nFOr5jclMAj6q06hXBkIKWAW2kN-85UvwAeFn0uDCor_0AXmgW7xpjNViiNn3SuLRxMV392Ax5xbQ1Z2MClQKKV46XcQnaVYOx9lmoA7Y9CzdfUqGQ5y34UOIEIrs6WFUvdPPImjhYJaQDlEZvgWcg/s4032/IMG_2194.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGwtiOALqKE8c8H1jo6tH-uvnju9KPRWpQSB3nFOr5jclMAj6q06hXBkIKWAW2kN-85UvwAeFn0uDCor_0AXmgW7xpjNViiNn3SuLRxMV392Ax5xbQ1Z2MClQKKV46XcQnaVYOx9lmoA7Y9CzdfUqGQ5y34UOIEIrs6WFUvdPPImjhYJaQDlEZvgWcg/w640-h480/IMG_2194.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As it was until last weekend</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Through the years it had been playing in our heads to eventually upgrade the paving to real stone. But as it wasn’t changed early on, the patio has since filled with plants and pots as we also carried on sorting the rest of the garden. </p><p>It would be wonderful if we were to change the paving to all stone now (a herringbone pattern would be nice!). But the idea of shifting all those pots to one side and having to deal with the mess and disruption for months on end didn't sound appealing either. Plus you put all that stone down only to cover more than half of it in pots seemed counterproductive. So we decided on a compromise...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlU21gweLq0HTARBTdObPplevrsybqvVbD3gKmJjdnz2GNS2LddOKqCy-ARkG0Ju2BdV7TcE3Dw1u9oEkWGaWi5QNd24yMSXU8miUyVr0rhzUqcHpEdS8cBk5MhnOfVYdMrbktK1Z30Pl5yCc6Lv7ub00YaHvFdgR0987iz3LC86EZLoBGIH7njs0QA/s4032/IMG_2358.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlU21gweLq0HTARBTdObPplevrsybqvVbD3gKmJjdnz2GNS2LddOKqCy-ARkG0Ju2BdV7TcE3Dw1u9oEkWGaWi5QNd24yMSXU8miUyVr0rhzUqcHpEdS8cBk5MhnOfVYdMrbktK1Z30Pl5yCc6Lv7ub00YaHvFdgR0987iz3LC86EZLoBGIH7njs0QA/w640-h480/IMG_2358.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Instead of lifting and changing everything, we'll concentrate on the pathway of the existing layout instead. With a little dose of creativity, we opted to use mix shades of sandstone to replace concrete paving slabs along the pathway, laid out to look random and planned at the same time.</p><p>We already have a plan for the old slabs but that will be revealed in due course :)</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wLh3RBRSvrtLPSbdMpT8YmL88H7LQqEQDk7KUcqiY_pgAdkWbsb3Th-ucTGNVUzKzO4IRpC1WpWt6pTXPSWHm5NGbXmWXo7HBv9SJR4dr6Eob2uDPdWZlFTja_lW1Zq6FoiPEjUVTYpB3_ARWRQVTg_s_74E_vcruz23FaEJW-sfj7mYYHq-PCgLvg/s4032/IMG_2363.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wLh3RBRSvrtLPSbdMpT8YmL88H7LQqEQDk7KUcqiY_pgAdkWbsb3Th-ucTGNVUzKzO4IRpC1WpWt6pTXPSWHm5NGbXmWXo7HBv9SJR4dr6Eob2uDPdWZlFTja_lW1Zq6FoiPEjUVTYpB3_ARWRQVTg_s_74E_vcruz23FaEJW-sfj7mYYHq-PCgLvg/w640-h480/IMG_2363.HEIC" width="640" /></a></p><br /><p>It'll be a relatively easier job to do this way, with only having to lift a few paving slabs at a time and not having to shift so many pots along the way. It should give the patio a bit of an upgrade and provide extra interest.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldzWs5aIU_OpbUmEVHalROh2LAF5eCFan8CAIbQCL5QPKUju3VPLGt0mU_EBTRg8sjgoG7d4ioYrctCg6F0NJ0bn5_E__1UsjOPStL2F99VYe86POcsJ_eMWB60nuWfmgIQR-oQpf5okKD99227kTvBDSxek5xzsPq6IxLSRx3sll3N-3DI-fHodL0g/s4032/IMG_2362.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldzWs5aIU_OpbUmEVHalROh2LAF5eCFan8CAIbQCL5QPKUju3VPLGt0mU_EBTRg8sjgoG7d4ioYrctCg6F0NJ0bn5_E__1UsjOPStL2F99VYe86POcsJ_eMWB60nuWfmgIQR-oQpf5okKD99227kTvBDSxek5xzsPq6IxLSRx3sll3N-3DI-fHodL0g/w640-h480/IMG_2362.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>It's a work in progress at the moment and we’ll post photos once the work is finished, fixing what ain’t broken.</p><p><br /></p><p>Mark :-)</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
<br />
This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Mark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-55502734159228294252022-06-18T15:28:00.001+01:002022-06-18T15:28:00.234+01:00Palm House at the Garfield Park Conservatory<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Continuing on from our previous post regarding the <a href="http://www.alternativeeden.com/2022/06/fern-house-at-garfield-park-conservatory.html" target="_blank">Fern House at Garfield Park Conservatory</a> is a feature on the first section you'll see when you go in the conservatory: the Palm House.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The vignette of palms and related complementary understory planting that greets you is a fantastic preview of what else is in store...</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFoAPZWEhWm9XhuAvuCc75ePjZBsLDgVzZaCFuCbA52Ksk7r_OJweY3ecC6xyzQiJESEbjE6iThQ8nBEP0nI4wxidkdnXjTwC0dDr1dmo7SpDif5DwFy_maNo9ft_qM8MWnXKUAd8ztclP1yS4_3Vo_h29Og8pjgdtVKUdarJ7aHrdXsjnu3_rB_xQA/s4032/IMG_1767.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFoAPZWEhWm9XhuAvuCc75ePjZBsLDgVzZaCFuCbA52Ksk7r_OJweY3ecC6xyzQiJESEbjE6iThQ8nBEP0nI4wxidkdnXjTwC0dDr1dmo7SpDif5DwFy_maNo9ft_qM8MWnXKUAd8ztclP1yS4_3Vo_h29Og8pjgdtVKUdarJ7aHrdXsjnu3_rB_xQA/w640-h480/IMG_1767.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palm House at Garfield Park Conservatory</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpx5H6iaLaEUePDNzzC0zV6z9VSgUWAqqMiOGebcllEfqeykMQtRk62Nl7tKcjzfBNqT_dSJmj1AepoNdlC3TQLBv_JkUNu99PWyVOr-g6_wLo6T-3xc_nMFBJk1gge21YOv_jj1IKu5BPLq5xE6Nt_3fY-KFvp2UMM68aVwAnn9DUOe1IIEFlKGs4ww/s4032/IMG_1768.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpx5H6iaLaEUePDNzzC0zV6z9VSgUWAqqMiOGebcllEfqeykMQtRk62Nl7tKcjzfBNqT_dSJmj1AepoNdlC3TQLBv_JkUNu99PWyVOr-g6_wLo6T-3xc_nMFBJk1gge21YOv_jj1IKu5BPLq5xE6Nt_3fY-KFvp2UMM68aVwAnn9DUOe1IIEFlKGs4ww/w640-h480/IMG_1768.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKvHxeJf9iTp3x9wSIwXT5KFyTBTJgPNPm9L-ApSjOtK_6Hodei2IQsdBbnVyjqYYMuru_QmLXPOJpF1ESFdvg1J7T74EVFc_Z5gQ0rOXQMcC-_RKg14vRrCIic_AYgerAZZxftwt6-1UXqEKMOtCokMvkonl01omgLZ1VHX4GaopynoPObc3BJw6EA/s4032/IMG_1769.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKvHxeJf9iTp3x9wSIwXT5KFyTBTJgPNPm9L-ApSjOtK_6Hodei2IQsdBbnVyjqYYMuru_QmLXPOJpF1ESFdvg1J7T74EVFc_Z5gQ0rOXQMcC-_RKg14vRrCIic_AYgerAZZxftwt6-1UXqEKMOtCokMvkonl01omgLZ1VHX4GaopynoPObc3BJw6EA/w640-h480/IMG_1769.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnntzmcdJPcsnOsTc3Xh1IbOTy49xusK2SZSjgD7dPq8IHujgFmoCqsKjaYpKVw56YyCpqDoucrzinKqI_0waordR0p0rvbq7R_OR7c7VbyQxLV-Zb-9rUFqUlhXxVXaIti-9q1Iy9z6I-e-yMoFkrpSiGA3C9lD3k_RAs4YAgRKMobYdHTcOs4S7_g/s4032/IMG_1770.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnntzmcdJPcsnOsTc3Xh1IbOTy49xusK2SZSjgD7dPq8IHujgFmoCqsKjaYpKVw56YyCpqDoucrzinKqI_0waordR0p0rvbq7R_OR7c7VbyQxLV-Zb-9rUFqUlhXxVXaIti-9q1Iy9z6I-e-yMoFkrpSiGA3C9lD3k_RAs4YAgRKMobYdHTcOs4S7_g/w640-h480/IMG_1770.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kaCmO9Dga2oC03--HPwL9fyVIroN_OeLMMJO-bMCQeNszV8yG9OondM3y6GR-MWYKiRHO5rO-SRQAiWONdtwKTFJ6TstCUuj6pJGCJX1HsSZW8u-WErr4XLOrNumHQO-VVkWsba57c7nAPipgyagnus9ODf2vCT_ayVBSq6ZgQnWFoT4ZcQS45IZcQ/s4032/IMG_1772.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kaCmO9Dga2oC03--HPwL9fyVIroN_OeLMMJO-bMCQeNszV8yG9OondM3y6GR-MWYKiRHO5rO-SRQAiWONdtwKTFJ6TstCUuj6pJGCJX1HsSZW8u-WErr4XLOrNumHQO-VVkWsba57c7nAPipgyagnus9ODf2vCT_ayVBSq6ZgQnWFoT4ZcQS45IZcQ/w640-h480/IMG_1772.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Much like the Fern House, the path divides into two that will lead you into the other portions of the conservatory. The Palm House, as it's namesake suggests consists of a collection of tropical and subtropical palms of great architectural merit. Under the care of their horticultural team, they are all looking very healthy and for most towering with huge leaves.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfvMN2X6dWhDDf7zqeWeKeo1-U9qVXNdIJD_DKVwIh5ZX4YUtW_Nl9HBHRMtefJdeiM5ymc-DISWMYguD-cgY0hPyRKOypZRVeP7UzCftkTcvReN8zuaRx-s4ntew-eCaY8ta9umse0xmLtda1sve_AfDM4HmcX3WSVot-O6je1FzUJMDh8tttcS6_g/s4032/IMG_1777.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfvMN2X6dWhDDf7zqeWeKeo1-U9qVXNdIJD_DKVwIh5ZX4YUtW_Nl9HBHRMtefJdeiM5ymc-DISWMYguD-cgY0hPyRKOypZRVeP7UzCftkTcvReN8zuaRx-s4ntew-eCaY8ta9umse0xmLtda1sve_AfDM4HmcX3WSVot-O6je1FzUJMDh8tttcS6_g/w640-h480/IMG_1777.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbzFGo9IrnAKxM_36kcibByVkOciLv_WNOMogueSWIyUSSL0_8AjpOpqZozy7cbNxRD4epZTVRAA5iuiShez1VnMsCpTCiGh7RjnaF4yn7nJWjEZaRwEzops3LhbcXOcG01Aw63D4YjYI7KE3HZb9JUaidRCClXWLTEu0dlhfIJLYuZnIayIqX3YO6g/s4032/IMG_1852.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbzFGo9IrnAKxM_36kcibByVkOciLv_WNOMogueSWIyUSSL0_8AjpOpqZozy7cbNxRD4epZTVRAA5iuiShez1VnMsCpTCiGh7RjnaF4yn7nJWjEZaRwEzops3LhbcXOcG01Aw63D4YjYI7KE3HZb9JUaidRCClXWLTEu0dlhfIJLYuZnIayIqX3YO6g/w640-h480/IMG_1852.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBZuzkmI_vSP7krlgNiIehsr1ff9p0heL_4_GwrpDDoAuf3QjIeromjgXQ0f__NlnnxA0ok7Fu1Y-X3cDoJnqfecs95hqcIXQZRycz0R617tGJQWwNnWlYLxRn6w9p-r6UzELoQd0ksEX29KypQfRPD1TWGHVRVwEYKchFal77bEbgAjtsGn1fc1Xeg/s4032/IMG_1853.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBZuzkmI_vSP7krlgNiIehsr1ff9p0heL_4_GwrpDDoAuf3QjIeromjgXQ0f__NlnnxA0ok7Fu1Y-X3cDoJnqfecs95hqcIXQZRycz0R617tGJQWwNnWlYLxRn6w9p-r6UzELoQd0ksEX29KypQfRPD1TWGHVRVwEYKchFal77bEbgAjtsGn1fc1Xeg/w640-h480/IMG_1853.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3lFSXxrT7TT8VWKeYOZ19a5N67RSannATmAKG49e1zG6TzZv_cGHSBnPO9rJjYiKVW0jwoDZFkxNWoG8dGdwXwVv_ZEKG4ffGTUgkzPPXp2GUvhPQhjTqgGQ1X0-aic-8rguQSzvpNSArAtXnh14KwI2KLGoSjugMPlXRtmP8zBMus0lz3nWcb9JiA/s4032/IMG_1854.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3lFSXxrT7TT8VWKeYOZ19a5N67RSannATmAKG49e1zG6TzZv_cGHSBnPO9rJjYiKVW0jwoDZFkxNWoG8dGdwXwVv_ZEKG4ffGTUgkzPPXp2GUvhPQhjTqgGQ1X0-aic-8rguQSzvpNSArAtXnh14KwI2KLGoSjugMPlXRtmP8zBMus0lz3nWcb9JiA/w640-h480/IMG_1854.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DO0gvFj86uyyFudEnGhn6sO2S1xdSwLxcl1MzYi3_0oIExhH09GZUeBHN9qtsYVt3mx1FXOh777YZ4eh8FHCqhPscvspw0x59V3WEgeo67jMKIgShlYMjnKoPpg1Zoqgxc-123LBftIKcDk43lp7dJ5XjdidNNwFtOHK0rS_xNnyUqWn2XZoD9u4qQ/s4032/IMG_1856.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DO0gvFj86uyyFudEnGhn6sO2S1xdSwLxcl1MzYi3_0oIExhH09GZUeBHN9qtsYVt3mx1FXOh777YZ4eh8FHCqhPscvspw0x59V3WEgeo67jMKIgShlYMjnKoPpg1Zoqgxc-123LBftIKcDk43lp7dJ5XjdidNNwFtOHK0rS_xNnyUqWn2XZoD9u4qQ/w640-h480/IMG_1856.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">In contrast to the Fern House however, the understory planting is less naturalistic but more manicured and formal, much like what you'll see in private gardens, parks, and show gardens. They have generously used bromeliads and other colourful planting in a more coordinated fashion, to a stunning effect.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGcT6p0ZLNyZUOlqYK6AkuI0dXn2OaVP0UgQMPWcZHl3vSKgTygKrTx0qrdnPliPdywh-uVJX4KdAvd6JfAY0Ofa96B9p05iCY7yH5AQc749jrXOl5IokI8F8C5GXlqySxB7lhgs-F3p0oBHcyBYhQuJ9bonem1IaWRDGQKQNO31n5E_wBNVHwK1u1A/s4032/IMG_1857.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGcT6p0ZLNyZUOlqYK6AkuI0dXn2OaVP0UgQMPWcZHl3vSKgTygKrTx0qrdnPliPdywh-uVJX4KdAvd6JfAY0Ofa96B9p05iCY7yH5AQc749jrXOl5IokI8F8C5GXlqySxB7lhgs-F3p0oBHcyBYhQuJ9bonem1IaWRDGQKQNO31n5E_wBNVHwK1u1A/w640-h480/IMG_1857.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbc33dROQRfzNPlicWcXO0kfn0hVzI20DbD26PYfBd0zmoWIOaP0CFSR96BI0OlwQznzQZu4CsVfjsjenXkEXq_5tdiTnFYNnls-uGNNCEPjFgQpQO2Z_3m_YS2Lgl8XwXyAslfRjRFk8ms_KdzXujE7Ugb8k8JsI5APWTRWZvUsWxVi_isrNDwqbYQw/s4032/IMG_1860.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbc33dROQRfzNPlicWcXO0kfn0hVzI20DbD26PYfBd0zmoWIOaP0CFSR96BI0OlwQznzQZu4CsVfjsjenXkEXq_5tdiTnFYNnls-uGNNCEPjFgQpQO2Z_3m_YS2Lgl8XwXyAslfRjRFk8ms_KdzXujE7Ugb8k8JsI5APWTRWZvUsWxVi_isrNDwqbYQw/w640-h480/IMG_1860.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDfTU00_xMv0czlcfVmkezPUjpI0GhB7b3V0NE5Da5BR0Cxa2HN9X_cJdkSLGai6GqWbr9EbY2oLu7bBSxK4t2mRooQVWWSFR3V-dMssrE3jRhQ8Sg7fWj1x7YlOoOF_0JIuCCi87_281Rr_Nc3-D7u7KwTLyBrlncJHIiuVlR_tuNWoQoy1gRvszcg/s4032/IMG_1863.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDfTU00_xMv0czlcfVmkezPUjpI0GhB7b3V0NE5Da5BR0Cxa2HN9X_cJdkSLGai6GqWbr9EbY2oLu7bBSxK4t2mRooQVWWSFR3V-dMssrE3jRhQ8Sg7fWj1x7YlOoOF_0JIuCCi87_281Rr_Nc3-D7u7KwTLyBrlncJHIiuVlR_tuNWoQoy1gRvszcg/w640-h480/IMG_1863.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p>You can clearly see that this is a well maintained and taken cared of conservatory that is open to the public to enjoy.<p>Mark :-)<br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><span><!--more--></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
<br />
This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Mark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-88805492813517075352022-06-16T15:42:00.001+01:002022-06-16T15:42:00.263+01:00Aroid House at the Garfield Park Conservatory<p> <span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The Garfield Park Conservatory has several botanical sections with the Palm House and Fern House occupying the largest spaces. The smaller ones are no less remarkable and the best of the smaller sections is the Aroid House. Let's have a look:</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYud6d3iAZmN4k9nJGa0ldgyYewuTE7unjJr1PhoRwYiP4QiiKQiVamUY9n9lrqWdZkzhRUTHO60ZxmEHrDmLE_YHANbU9uOgddFYkaCve7PPttTRNroRp2CMgqXN3Nxubi9JukAAPsR6UD0IvK6i1PJKX8qlvgSEXffWhYipnRFrl1IbrMw7eGC26Q/s4032/IMG_1824.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYud6d3iAZmN4k9nJGa0ldgyYewuTE7unjJr1PhoRwYiP4QiiKQiVamUY9n9lrqWdZkzhRUTHO60ZxmEHrDmLE_YHANbU9uOgddFYkaCve7PPttTRNroRp2CMgqXN3Nxubi9JukAAPsR6UD0IvK6i1PJKX8qlvgSEXffWhYipnRFrl1IbrMw7eGC26Q/w640-h480/IMG_1824.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aroid House at Garfield Park Conservatory</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">As the name suggests, this section is all about different kinds of aroids, planted together for a beautifully naturalistic and cohesive display. It is a showcase of different leaf sizes of aroids, from the minute to the largest, together creating a lush, jungle feel.<span><a name='more'></a></span></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8S4dqYysVJb_JkMgFxmfLyNJJPwakcrEK06ELaidq18iJKtv9EWMjeQ9jUydwLSpWvIi1uRNqEGonMs-ZhNfMHrIw3RPpCd_jR6J8QkVyxJpoYchGz-vureyzhDFAhc6ShYIju0VhqdkAst3_MImf89yhipq12UZgtha_J-mnUmCE72zbTHAssKKsw/s4032/IMG_1823.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8S4dqYysVJb_JkMgFxmfLyNJJPwakcrEK06ELaidq18iJKtv9EWMjeQ9jUydwLSpWvIi1uRNqEGonMs-ZhNfMHrIw3RPpCd_jR6J8QkVyxJpoYchGz-vureyzhDFAhc6ShYIju0VhqdkAst3_MImf89yhipq12UZgtha_J-mnUmCE72zbTHAssKKsw/w640-h480/IMG_1823.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoxP9sOOlWNfKhwT8ZglEo96pMTPyb7IlgYnW-5K56oKHEdqMakoVeQZSVhbaiK9IBmI-HlpCVC01P-3X9xFBkIuA7cTjMdA4PaIrSWh0puqyiuw7bk8bevpsKroSUTL89HO6PBCrAvrUL_uPMKJD0u8oO9L_QjWTqO_QqjfYue5MWnIqjWX1Etjswg/s4032/IMG_1829.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoxP9sOOlWNfKhwT8ZglEo96pMTPyb7IlgYnW-5K56oKHEdqMakoVeQZSVhbaiK9IBmI-HlpCVC01P-3X9xFBkIuA7cTjMdA4PaIrSWh0puqyiuw7bk8bevpsKroSUTL89HO6PBCrAvrUL_uPMKJD0u8oO9L_QjWTqO_QqjfYue5MWnIqjWX1Etjswg/w640-h480/IMG_1829.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DdFOH8kisSfi8xgTkz7cisW_xnFQA2Qm4yO8_1CvD5CVu0huGb5hOACQmfMgTLKYFEemLaGBhgdCqCRjD2Wrj_mDlmRH34yzQS2Llb-bToq1h_bkSsVUFh5Tx9Y0lVBy0In5Hfe-54ORRVQ4fCZ8u2VgtF0PsZAlgVtlIrSdlY1Dx9m26ZD_SNX1Mw/s4032/IMG_1830.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DdFOH8kisSfi8xgTkz7cisW_xnFQA2Qm4yO8_1CvD5CVu0huGb5hOACQmfMgTLKYFEemLaGBhgdCqCRjD2Wrj_mDlmRH34yzQS2Llb-bToq1h_bkSsVUFh5Tx9Y0lVBy0In5Hfe-54ORRVQ4fCZ8u2VgtF0PsZAlgVtlIrSdlY1Dx9m26ZD_SNX1Mw/w640-h480/IMG_1830.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsujcFz0SLF9r9vqtWjImFdawfy6jYpC7WhdJfcGl8jYVemHmMTXktA0OudD-arc7-JwuSidHgXKpDqvhRzgf3-L2Lrhi_vetLeSnMQ5CtyQvYjNDnHkAKBwoL-LCFxkoYWxzS2um_X83mTIuRwRCSKECqWZ6vP2HRuXX7muOK2Imr8FI5s2Jf2XEmQ/s4032/IMG_1833.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsujcFz0SLF9r9vqtWjImFdawfy6jYpC7WhdJfcGl8jYVemHmMTXktA0OudD-arc7-JwuSidHgXKpDqvhRzgf3-L2Lrhi_vetLeSnMQ5CtyQvYjNDnHkAKBwoL-LCFxkoYWxzS2um_X83mTIuRwRCSKECqWZ6vP2HRuXX7muOK2Imr8FI5s2Jf2XEmQ/w640-h480/IMG_1833.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The section has a central pool, fed with a waterfall and pool itself has koi and some glass art installation by artist Dale Chihuly. There are also several areas to sit on to, to relax and immerse yourself in the jungle atmosphere.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAbxa_H5XzVeKk9N03k1AwlSZcdP4AfKsHe228FvsH5E4-Sp6FnPsn_XJO_PZ12YXK7kjA6pRB8si6Z9ZpTwafeMU_2KUTJNH3dmS134z4S5jBrYIoSs82gtSgs2kGpK4uknF9ZfAvwg8A3WxTZ6MdFCjheiQ_BGO22oTXs9g4Q4kiIwSOu_XcoA2fw/s4032/IMG_1836.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAbxa_H5XzVeKk9N03k1AwlSZcdP4AfKsHe228FvsH5E4-Sp6FnPsn_XJO_PZ12YXK7kjA6pRB8si6Z9ZpTwafeMU_2KUTJNH3dmS134z4S5jBrYIoSs82gtSgs2kGpK4uknF9ZfAvwg8A3WxTZ6MdFCjheiQ_BGO22oTXs9g4Q4kiIwSOu_XcoA2fw/w640-h480/IMG_1836.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJx5pOwNpIeeQbolWNuy5vBCufvn8bc-bUE5RKsT6Vj-UKrRWIBphehOj_8WOlBDi_dUJPcQkXKmbZn428vobViydo6CY0rvzz0Cty6hnWk1jfVcefL6U6-v5uFYnILn8A6h7quEEBFJEcZ-1BotXfbbATepTRpAElM2e0Rdo6sL1EYgsyVYRSKcQBg/s4032/IMG_1838.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJx5pOwNpIeeQbolWNuy5vBCufvn8bc-bUE5RKsT6Vj-UKrRWIBphehOj_8WOlBDi_dUJPcQkXKmbZn428vobViydo6CY0rvzz0Cty6hnWk1jfVcefL6U6-v5uFYnILn8A6h7quEEBFJEcZ-1BotXfbbATepTRpAElM2e0Rdo6sL1EYgsyVYRSKcQBg/w640-h480/IMG_1838.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbVq4IL1srYQeTgzIPw47AZCVXom3ZTBpy6ChF4SxnJScwz6GRw_P506PiX7VWjzGbz8dDtKo5LqSiVYliMKshfFGi1k7hXsFzszZUSG--vyNp8Zisd0Je-IrfqWIYKxGWr3uRrsJo1algxpkkEjWOekO-88PH5esHCEg28AqScvLFMvsufkkW0EmWg/s4032/IMG_1841.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbVq4IL1srYQeTgzIPw47AZCVXom3ZTBpy6ChF4SxnJScwz6GRw_P506PiX7VWjzGbz8dDtKo5LqSiVYliMKshfFGi1k7hXsFzszZUSG--vyNp8Zisd0Je-IrfqWIYKxGWr3uRrsJo1algxpkkEjWOekO-88PH5esHCEg28AqScvLFMvsufkkW0EmWg/w640-h480/IMG_1841.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Xz6PMy0JgcFRVEzZfeq453m-BVZusUNhgKPR_5stfI4n2RowjVRib0Hz1HtE89N4HTECXddIng0iONZegnBad7-dAYuOOyR7JadzNDWTFWUHMZ0ZrQDnN7_ORgQUW_dtteW7pyJ4zZSAwwUADmtfg1ASvIvokdRj-eXXIplWTy6vm1gjbqib00GUHA/s4032/IMG_1842.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Xz6PMy0JgcFRVEzZfeq453m-BVZusUNhgKPR_5stfI4n2RowjVRib0Hz1HtE89N4HTECXddIng0iONZegnBad7-dAYuOOyR7JadzNDWTFWUHMZ0ZrQDnN7_ORgQUW_dtteW7pyJ4zZSAwwUADmtfg1ASvIvokdRj-eXXIplWTy6vm1gjbqib00GUHA/w640-h480/IMG_1842.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vbUwKCpTiwlwoWOp0TyPdob9EiGuwNQSpkMrujp5ioyQNZ9g91oN3WtcR3CRBJrBf9WNVi2wX2NishSZcczIEvDMGTqXBSZdAldzuKWOtgS0D68-WDLBBbI2bDJ_AJdhuX2NHzX4HNP92OKv82EgDrZyhVjmOG-jdkYhXl5Q4wER3vNruBJO1sPd0A/s4032/IMG_1843.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vbUwKCpTiwlwoWOp0TyPdob9EiGuwNQSpkMrujp5ioyQNZ9g91oN3WtcR3CRBJrBf9WNVi2wX2NishSZcczIEvDMGTqXBSZdAldzuKWOtgS0D68-WDLBBbI2bDJ_AJdhuX2NHzX4HNP92OKv82EgDrZyhVjmOG-jdkYhXl5Q4wER3vNruBJO1sPd0A/w640-h480/IMG_1843.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">It is great how the conservatory has been designed to separate plant groups but at the same time interlink them together very well under one glasshouse. As mentioned on our first post about <a href="http://www.alternativeeden.com/2022/06/fern-house-at-garfield-park-conservatory.html" target="_blank">Garfield Park Conservatory</a>, if ever you find yourself in Chicago put this attraction high up on your list of places to visit. You'll be in for a wonderful plant treat!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Mark :-)</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
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This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Mark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-45933368889981134762022-06-15T18:03:00.002+01:002022-06-15T18:03:11.828+01:00Favourite Plant of the Week - Cyphomandra corymbiflora<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Cyphomandra corymbiflora, sometimes called a hardy tree tomato, has been growing in our garden for well over a decade, going through the poor winter of 2010. We have found it pretty tough, although a very late frost last year did it some damage. Fortunately it recovered - fairly late in the season - and a mild winter for 2021-22 has helped it on its recovery. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">At this time of year it starts to put on its display of blooms, one of just a handful of plants flowering in the garden despite the season, we missed this display last year as it was in recovery mode but its back.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEyxp66kyumw3X9uC7js67Q4xKX1Quljr0cPtFRf8nkfPbdlYfy5tnKiT0BGrApq6j5OHkPY0AKOr9qgzdVgjlHhor-bU_sncqKb8g85BPPljamj2GSWJ6soxQhIKWaudRI01kWzFyqapQrqRh7mT_SEDtyQdAXGC01ei4o0rygRU7FWUFml6HDSHzQ/s4032/287211822_5669663813078585_8069135889208254147_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><img alt="Cyphomandra corymbiflora" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEyxp66kyumw3X9uC7js67Q4xKX1Quljr0cPtFRf8nkfPbdlYfy5tnKiT0BGrApq6j5OHkPY0AKOr9qgzdVgjlHhor-bU_sncqKb8g85BPPljamj2GSWJ6soxQhIKWaudRI01kWzFyqapQrqRh7mT_SEDtyQdAXGC01ei4o0rygRU7FWUFml6HDSHzQ/w640-h480/287211822_5669663813078585_8069135889208254147_n.jpg" title="Cyphomandra corymbiflora flowers" width="640" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">We grew this one from seed, i think we had a fairly good germinations rate but only kept one plant for ourselves. Where its been planted in a relatively shady spot, with quite a lot of competition.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fceP4L-cApLSmVn-OnEHEzn12iU6FpOfnGwgn6pXZ-Sswf3Bbp0s9vmX4q0sfP6k76qkkHkp_VVMzD42iqTXOY2kBu-NwdCucaWjfd_afS1P9tJUtg1MnMxMgAxBTC0nAGq6Ij_Y36jwKPpTObb21JGwxor4aNZKjVNf4w9D0nT8ffA5zm4e9pUP9w/s4032/287023038_1167506160764039_2794349933401497439_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><img alt="Cyphomandra corymbiflora" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fceP4L-cApLSmVn-OnEHEzn12iU6FpOfnGwgn6pXZ-Sswf3Bbp0s9vmX4q0sfP6k76qkkHkp_VVMzD42iqTXOY2kBu-NwdCucaWjfd_afS1P9tJUtg1MnMxMgAxBTC0nAGq6Ij_Y36jwKPpTObb21JGwxor4aNZKjVNf4w9D0nT8ffA5zm4e9pUP9w/w480-h640/287023038_1167506160764039_2794349933401497439_n.jpg" title="Cyphomandra corymbiflora" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62AhouEPpguGboNmHwU4Lk0vBQybOTxb_3vPbvc3R80YjiiWEznjrHWEzdWB_06_bKe17ZIjIbI33Zy1SMa_FAP6jyCPTi_JNhgG0uC30BCAyViIV5Qh7ig4ukv6uhsd_vNQ9a1ABzz7sHhrEQfQiyYecy81dOUd4Du7a9ExQ6y70dAr4quftJEdCDA/s4032/286841590_1081223875812300_3571042890579301770_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><img alt="Cyphomandra corymbiflora" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62AhouEPpguGboNmHwU4Lk0vBQybOTxb_3vPbvc3R80YjiiWEznjrHWEzdWB_06_bKe17ZIjIbI33Zy1SMa_FAP6jyCPTi_JNhgG0uC30BCAyViIV5Qh7ig4ukv6uhsd_vNQ9a1ABzz7sHhrEQfQiyYecy81dOUd4Du7a9ExQ6y70dAr4quftJEdCDA/w480-h640/286841590_1081223875812300_3571042890579301770_n.jpg" title="Cyphomandra corymbiflora leaves" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKZ23BMJ7SsopUK5fuyoiQEKM54M48I4cv8dRTi1vnW_QDaNrfXnlstVFX2lWHymGVRWN6G6iUoyysxBNPVd_Hf-MMgSPHQ6azVauR_yDYYyLTdtaaN6QF6jBo2y7rX5NYDvfy4i_qsKMr5s2cccezWcJJ3vWvOM9DsiawFNhTri5vkF9gPjgjibpMg/s4032/286812764_528941851957003_8101575544085642702_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><img alt="Cyphomandra corymbiflora" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKZ23BMJ7SsopUK5fuyoiQEKM54M48I4cv8dRTi1vnW_QDaNrfXnlstVFX2lWHymGVRWN6G6iUoyysxBNPVd_Hf-MMgSPHQ6azVauR_yDYYyLTdtaaN6QF6jBo2y7rX5NYDvfy4i_qsKMr5s2cccezWcJJ3vWvOM9DsiawFNhTri5vkF9gPjgjibpMg/w480-h640/286812764_528941851957003_8101575544085642702_n.jpg" title="Cyphomandra corymbiflora" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSsMUJSQjECscUsq7V_31LO7FR4_1qb2jRSPHuN6e17qCYZOiNGHZQMIJKTBE_6rXb9nkAk_r11R2S3BYMkTLElE2zfxu7DMaDaNF26B5GkNxR907lzb3cNsS7DRBOd9sY_YaMTeiorZ9478A8m44s_qRk4O8jS970rC9AUeVMfqP1RRsPGhIpOvv7w/s4032/286737016_972897840060517_490922236010620573_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><img alt="Cyphomandra corymbiflora" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSsMUJSQjECscUsq7V_31LO7FR4_1qb2jRSPHuN6e17qCYZOiNGHZQMIJKTBE_6rXb9nkAk_r11R2S3BYMkTLElE2zfxu7DMaDaNF26B5GkNxR907lzb3cNsS7DRBOd9sY_YaMTeiorZ9478A8m44s_qRk4O8jS970rC9AUeVMfqP1RRsPGhIpOvv7w/w640-h480/286737016_972897840060517_490922236010620573_n.jpg" title="Cyphomandra corymbiflora flowers" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuiltTxVYQzocxWNLzkz86siHJ8YUvCEtnrynzgKjrsw-7hPqiIwAdm-LKoGOWJ0jiANsdDZlDseZUZ3F9RvAtmJ0rgaNQMvKIBaIEDCjQAf8Wm56xJM3-oIhZTK7WT8UzEiO_myqsTEGJdHC2KyftoCmUVoY0N8PcO3Ris3S8KXjH2J34vAF7sY-6w/s4032/286529213_725290672076670_3092192556679755108_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><img alt="Cyphomandra corymbiflora" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuiltTxVYQzocxWNLzkz86siHJ8YUvCEtnrynzgKjrsw-7hPqiIwAdm-LKoGOWJ0jiANsdDZlDseZUZ3F9RvAtmJ0rgaNQMvKIBaIEDCjQAf8Wm56xJM3-oIhZTK7WT8UzEiO_myqsTEGJdHC2KyftoCmUVoY0N8PcO3Ris3S8KXjH2J34vAF7sY-6w/w640-h480/286529213_725290672076670_3092192556679755108_n.jpg" title="Cyphomandra corymbiflora flowers" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">A long standing staple of our garden, and one we really wouldnt want to be without. This is a plant more UK exotic look gardeners should consider.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Gaz</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
<br />
This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16360556804035922731noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-53751175384279353442022-06-14T17:42:00.003+01:002022-06-14T17:42:48.675+01:00Side Passage Makeover<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Last weekend we took on a mini project by making over the side passage of the house that leads on to the garden. It had a partial makeover before, when we sorted out the planting halfway through this narrow passageway nearest to the house. But the area adjacent to the conservatory leading towards the top patio only received further attention in the last few days.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7c5lgHG35DwfH8uWBwjKvVLaNJOWTPhk6ZkheLEUjNFUMUF2kdhnYcvnPWeLyuV2Iq3_JycaNzmeFa4uKotqncdE2HOtyI4a6FYELA8W4ficwnHSJJ38Ulx3aKpjvPZ9rFHqlINrykRY4yqWW65eE51bqzH9xlbmUWccs9TE3rhgavFN5OC-AWZV-5A/s4032/IMG_2294.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7c5lgHG35DwfH8uWBwjKvVLaNJOWTPhk6ZkheLEUjNFUMUF2kdhnYcvnPWeLyuV2Iq3_JycaNzmeFa4uKotqncdE2HOtyI4a6FYELA8W4ficwnHSJJ38Ulx3aKpjvPZ9rFHqlINrykRY4yqWW65eE51bqzH9xlbmUWccs9TE3rhgavFN5OC-AWZV-5A/w640-h480/IMG_2294.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New planting on the garden side passage</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3dFwkUbOljUOddZ5KmpqNZeTSs9rN_Wv059v-QW2lQ_dbQXcvHcneqK99GKmSgw68hwdEwJNHW2jarKBUrhAtKxnAZCpHdxVQZJnc5dtt9AHq0pVj3U9KBg-3SB5oknwH_amC-9e9D3h7zvXiz6RRFxjTTtqfMTkCld_CKdiHYwyXNN2WQ2nmshQQg/s4032/IMG_2288.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3dFwkUbOljUOddZ5KmpqNZeTSs9rN_Wv059v-QW2lQ_dbQXcvHcneqK99GKmSgw68hwdEwJNHW2jarKBUrhAtKxnAZCpHdxVQZJnc5dtt9AHq0pVj3U9KBg-3SB5oknwH_amC-9e9D3h7zvXiz6RRFxjTTtqfMTkCld_CKdiHYwyXNN2WQ2nmshQQg/w640-h480/IMG_2288.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Existing planting on the side passage, done many years ago</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a>Long overdue to say the least, in a garden where space isn't that big and any space available is an opportunity for planting. Let's have a look...<p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIewlktPza52jVuuQ2CgNuJnz2IjtLRMCE4SxZEck86Q-ey2eQ918Eef2RnrRxcZ_IIMyjvDhtExmoe_4VrJdZrZHF5hkGgIP0_oofFom3B1TNGGqRfML2mlKie1Depc0qoIxCTVIluHT4FJ5iAK9iIaGSI5HDUUDfDhvKd4NAVuuwBnqxit0Z097P0A/s4032/IMG_2264.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIewlktPza52jVuuQ2CgNuJnz2IjtLRMCE4SxZEck86Q-ey2eQ918Eef2RnrRxcZ_IIMyjvDhtExmoe_4VrJdZrZHF5hkGgIP0_oofFom3B1TNGGqRfML2mlKie1Depc0qoIxCTVIluHT4FJ5iAK9iIaGSI5HDUUDfDhvKd4NAVuuwBnqxit0Z097P0A/w640-h480/IMG_2264.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0le0DFX9y3ZeB42UvTG5-Mi9zw95dK2AFLbuv7VoxqtMHfr25Ye9lQeA-sKBaRibAPu0RW6bYfZSEAwRskZJ2noa3ekI-D3C1GOaBzj0WOykGclyVHFN1a1nF9zQPb3LCxQ8kWkCUCLHgggFO_eQ_vkzEyRGFadQ0v1u7BX22OkkwKHtedTAfD9WWg/s4032/IMG_2266.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Phyllostachys aurea" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0le0DFX9y3ZeB42UvTG5-Mi9zw95dK2AFLbuv7VoxqtMHfr25Ye9lQeA-sKBaRibAPu0RW6bYfZSEAwRskZJ2noa3ekI-D3C1GOaBzj0WOykGclyVHFN1a1nF9zQPb3LCxQ8kWkCUCLHgggFO_eQ_vkzEyRGFadQ0v1u7BX22OkkwKHtedTAfD9WWg/w640-h480/IMG_2266.HEIC" title="Phyllostachys aurea" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;">Phyllostachys aurea</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Previously what was in this area are a row of pots with bamboos in them. Bamboos rarely do well long term in pots, in fact they show signs of protest very early so confining them in a pot long term is something we don't recommend. The first batch of potted bamboos went away quite awhile ago but we have stopped there, leaving only for several years. The main reason for leaving it there was that it also served as a privacy screen from our next door neighbour as a couple of their side windows directly overlook ours (they built their extension fairly recently). But that potted bamboo is getting tatty and could do with being passed on.</p><p>So out it went and the remaining pot prepared for a new resident.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5-u5QZizrEaXafFS8U4zgruGOzA422O5ieNHUUtldKMzSoaSqFvKWIsV6tSxjkNK_cCLXg1DWgpFjEMFxvgQnk9pim7UvSOpIpM4l1zoLEArwGGTE-ILgpt-y_PfAISArffNtYET9XtpLkBFiea4BEQvn-cwncyi3G6wvFypTkHNwH0BsVzODcwj9g/s4032/IMG_2269.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2077" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5-u5QZizrEaXafFS8U4zgruGOzA422O5ieNHUUtldKMzSoaSqFvKWIsV6tSxjkNK_cCLXg1DWgpFjEMFxvgQnk9pim7UvSOpIpM4l1zoLEArwGGTE-ILgpt-y_PfAISArffNtYET9XtpLkBFiea4BEQvn-cwncyi3G6wvFypTkHNwH0BsVzODcwj9g/w330-h640/IMG_2269.HEIC" width="330" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out it went, waiting for a new home</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>In this section there is a <i>Phyllostachys aurea</i> bamboo already on the ground so is providing some privacy already. The previously potted bamboo was to one side while a gap remained on its other side. This gap has been filled in with a row of new glazed pots, in keeping with the theme of the garden, which will be the home of some of our plants 'waiting in the wings'.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdHxSE-mhaoqaWqBxrXuslHhdP6iC9OeiDUXApwY5kxPcBt6-wzcTqT_oM-lWVCT76i-GFBEfGCqBeYi1bMUJ1iHf3UEHUlqCIbaWD7j00Sfh4GY3pW3JHVyuRs_FNSZNOKa_o1UMWggZmE7G2w6Vw0US7gvJ6JfOOl4wUTF5i2njA3drmXlBgm2ZxA/s4032/IMG_2282.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdHxSE-mhaoqaWqBxrXuslHhdP6iC9OeiDUXApwY5kxPcBt6-wzcTqT_oM-lWVCT76i-GFBEfGCqBeYi1bMUJ1iHf3UEHUlqCIbaWD7j00Sfh4GY3pW3JHVyuRs_FNSZNOKa_o1UMWggZmE7G2w6Vw0US7gvJ6JfOOl4wUTF5i2njA3drmXlBgm2ZxA/w640-h480/IMG_2282.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>This area is sheltered but also shady so we selected plants that should be fine with these conditions. Several trees went in to these pots, admittedly not the best place for them long term but they are better here for the next few years rather than remaining in small pots in the utility area. They should get taller and do well for awhile (that's the expectation anyway) to both provide greenery and privacy.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdS4GznzGWsp9M_waDnbXi-r72SeAUgDMjOfdhR3OCfCA9CusxNSv-XiNmnD0tRxvHJR_-rfRHKCo16yXv1-hWX4sh0UE5aZj4gmcFkUX_UeBUGG-tu2jvkxD7lHlMWNV7OLmsvHCmnVGFfIATDeH8AIxJ98tlzIR_a3MNmJgSDlr1pvbaL7fmzrq8Q/s4032/IMG_2280.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdS4GznzGWsp9M_waDnbXi-r72SeAUgDMjOfdhR3OCfCA9CusxNSv-XiNmnD0tRxvHJR_-rfRHKCo16yXv1-hWX4sh0UE5aZj4gmcFkUX_UeBUGG-tu2jvkxD7lHlMWNV7OLmsvHCmnVGFfIATDeH8AIxJ98tlzIR_a3MNmJgSDlr1pvbaL7fmzrq8Q/w640-h480/IMG_2280.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Viburnum awabuki</i> on the right hand side</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwshNEyh4dS2FwrF96-EBV1mxuA4cToES4JPwz77xLRULyikX4BfIUBhri9LP3fGuzDFRHKEXYL5JBaf1rliReJ322H2PL-ycPN9aKIjPp_9I0Y81VV-k4nnf-5xcB25ldy4oA_fm3mffz4NKewMGc5rf2AYDJmyTr8SwV93Nm4GXcHjtNRp5jLz-OKg/s4032/IMG_2279.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Magnolia officinalis" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwshNEyh4dS2FwrF96-EBV1mxuA4cToES4JPwz77xLRULyikX4BfIUBhri9LP3fGuzDFRHKEXYL5JBaf1rliReJ322H2PL-ycPN9aKIjPp_9I0Y81VV-k4nnf-5xcB25ldy4oA_fm3mffz4NKewMGc5rf2AYDJmyTr8SwV93Nm4GXcHjtNRp5jLz-OKg/w640-h480/IMG_2279.HEIC" title="Magnolia officinalis" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Magnolia officinalis</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CEfnJtMQtFCjGMHKAfXx0danVHEee5TWdws4ICkD9OgA-QCF4TCRmvSr8a5orz1Lx76EjWTGvl5bF0uYKjl3XQDEu_Zm-82_emSgvEeECRwxiB4UKmT8qrvaQOZaiuTK398Of4AHjlnExHizNmVz_3BL8oUmIlKhFgCh91RLcTrvb0V1SsV2ZcLXQg/s4032/IMG_2284.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CEfnJtMQtFCjGMHKAfXx0danVHEee5TWdws4ICkD9OgA-QCF4TCRmvSr8a5orz1Lx76EjWTGvl5bF0uYKjl3XQDEu_Zm-82_emSgvEeECRwxiB4UKmT8qrvaQOZaiuTK398Of4AHjlnExHizNmVz_3BL8oUmIlKhFgCh91RLcTrvb0V1SsV2ZcLXQg/w640-h480/IMG_2284.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cordyline australis</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBA9zZIb4pR2ChF8enexBUWE7tVWoynyf6dQbX9TRtIfKGR3xYDnjd0HT-AqRw0Fjdr5Dew1qkqig212GmyvixoZcuzmozg7od2VpMx1a-RAVckn-a0Jl0evSdyCcmT_GG7ux2Om7ZCzqNi4ia82ck9ueD44OBmWKSKbyAkDHJqUXzdAp_AjgjpOLX-Q/s4032/IMG_2283.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBA9zZIb4pR2ChF8enexBUWE7tVWoynyf6dQbX9TRtIfKGR3xYDnjd0HT-AqRw0Fjdr5Dew1qkqig212GmyvixoZcuzmozg7od2VpMx1a-RAVckn-a0Jl0evSdyCcmT_GG7ux2Om7ZCzqNi4ia82ck9ueD44OBmWKSKbyAkDHJqUXzdAp_AjgjpOLX-Q/w640-h480/IMG_2283.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Magnolia obovata</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The first pot has been planted with <i>Viburnum awabuki</i>, and the second pot where the bamboo was is now the home of <i><a href="http://www.alternativeeden.com/2022/05/big-leafed-magnolias-for-garden.html" target="_blank">Magnolia officinalis</a></i>. The three glazed pots have been planted with <i>Catalpa bignonioides 'Aurea'</i>, <i>Cordyline australis</i>, and <a href="http://www.alternativeeden.com/2022/05/big-leafed-magnolias-for-garden.html" target="_blank"><i>Magnolia obovata</i></a>.</p><p>Sticks in a pot don't look lush at all so the base of each pot has been underplanted too to add extra interest. We have used slivers of <i>Carex</i> grass, various <i>Aspidistras</i>, hardy ground ferns <i>Asplenium scolopendrium</i> and <i>Arachnoides simplicior 'Variegata'</i>, and a climber for the catalpa <i>Parthenocissus henryana</i>. They look sparse for now but they should expand further as the season progress.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1PTYIlbKzohcgDq4pooDFfeQrghau_MNlw6OIAXl8qY5w7JhOM9eHe7IoYWrLflPk8vN4CzJrJZA1GJUA4_BHjK8fbBhb1C7fGdojuOXO09Ss6w8F3uKJfV3v0Nm0SV9Qox6SUZdKOx7lFW-D9_xq_Lw_k0Qd-K5PpwuZl-2zphpngc4fRgh9LAR_g/s4032/IMG_2278.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1PTYIlbKzohcgDq4pooDFfeQrghau_MNlw6OIAXl8qY5w7JhOM9eHe7IoYWrLflPk8vN4CzJrJZA1GJUA4_BHjK8fbBhb1C7fGdojuOXO09Ss6w8F3uKJfV3v0Nm0SV9Qox6SUZdKOx7lFW-D9_xq_Lw_k0Qd-K5PpwuZl-2zphpngc4fRgh9LAR_g/w640-h480/IMG_2278.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A selection of understory planting</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Not the easiest of spaces to photograph due to being narrow so pardon the awkward shots but they should still give an idea. This side passage still has to serve a very utilitarian purpose hence the brick wall needs to remain clear and so is the overhead space, to easily shift things through especially tall/long plants and building materials.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6TcdVUanKqQZnKcjdZrDwb0Y3xf2EU5GPBvcBYsYhXHrQ9Ttpm7BZl9DKZCMmc6YPFj69viQwmX9RyQgJjk73jr-AhSVtbV5vLrdIjybZ-hG_8L7WdRJJ7BoZ9HHxMLPhCM8LcT_LPbfvvveuVm5g5--RHu7hJLDQHTR1Pyo0IjD9LoxBJXmbZ1A1Q/s4032/IMG_2275.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6TcdVUanKqQZnKcjdZrDwb0Y3xf2EU5GPBvcBYsYhXHrQ9Ttpm7BZl9DKZCMmc6YPFj69viQwmX9RyQgJjk73jr-AhSVtbV5vLrdIjybZ-hG_8L7WdRJJ7BoZ9HHxMLPhCM8LcT_LPbfvvveuVm5g5--RHu7hJLDQHTR1Pyo0IjD9LoxBJXmbZ1A1Q/w640-h480/IMG_2275.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzS7zMmAlL5Z_gZTzIyMRY76aYFcJcMoVPgC6zTcEy1vw-WFLHoNUZumaqLKXQfEJwvAE3vOnd7IRKKZfiUFVwGuXXcm6zkvU-hZXb0loeQO990sl26NskXhjCNTgs-I2iNH_vqDQhjl6OChN0hXNSgRdE2gLItjs0Q1j4c0EyaVib2P1VygqNbVZrZQ/s4032/IMG_2296.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzS7zMmAlL5Z_gZTzIyMRY76aYFcJcMoVPgC6zTcEy1vw-WFLHoNUZumaqLKXQfEJwvAE3vOnd7IRKKZfiUFVwGuXXcm6zkvU-hZXb0loeQO990sl26NskXhjCNTgs-I2iNH_vqDQhjl6OChN0hXNSgRdE2gLItjs0Q1j4c0EyaVib2P1VygqNbVZrZQ/w640-h480/IMG_2296.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXobCXrpX_exEjZqrIDh13NcY9pKR9Q9JRr3ScyjTChBn5tvaw_JtxT15fVDxM8_-wpS5GS0mlrDT8MEqsbJexsYsEYtriKG6dai8DWf4khlx0-BF5WufRlzVs3nmVV6sf3FbflSC4mYILZ8pAro-qewvQuOwRTVK-Mw6zG56n1o35BduIW-5D2ozww/s4032/IMG_2295.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXobCXrpX_exEjZqrIDh13NcY9pKR9Q9JRr3ScyjTChBn5tvaw_JtxT15fVDxM8_-wpS5GS0mlrDT8MEqsbJexsYsEYtriKG6dai8DWf4khlx0-BF5WufRlzVs3nmVV6sf3FbflSC4mYILZ8pAro-qewvQuOwRTVK-Mw6zG56n1o35BduIW-5D2ozww/w640-h480/IMG_2295.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>We're both really pleased with the results and looking forward to seeing how they get on from here.</p><p>Mark :-)</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
<br />
This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Mark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-3540149953923472432022-06-09T11:04:00.007+01:002022-06-09T15:25:58.073+01:00Fern House at the Garfield Park Conservatory<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">A glimpse of what Illinois may have looked like 300 million years ago. That was the vision of landscape architect Jens Jensen when he conceptualised the Fern House within <a href="https://garfieldconservatory.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Garfield Park Conservatory</a> in Chicago, Illinois. The plans were made in 1906 and opened to the public in 1908 much to the delight of locals and visitors alike. It was reported to have been a sensation...</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayWyLtFurRCFBKCl_zVOPz0ejWI4ZN-2OHYVCdikYcMkOWUvTLKdPX51R4Lkk9adIACFI_DsumfD6oO2WosDt5gvuIRfzvyfdVU7BBNIc1Hxp-4SMG_a6N14auEySIlU4OiXi5k-STei6_2Bdh2RCSWOqk6bBeTm8Jkkhx6L6ReTTy-Uy256biq78IQ/s4032/IMG_1864.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayWyLtFurRCFBKCl_zVOPz0ejWI4ZN-2OHYVCdikYcMkOWUvTLKdPX51R4Lkk9adIACFI_DsumfD6oO2WosDt5gvuIRfzvyfdVU7BBNIc1Hxp-4SMG_a6N14auEySIlU4OiXi5k-STei6_2Bdh2RCSWOqk6bBeTm8Jkkhx6L6ReTTy-Uy256biq78IQ/w640-h480/IMG_1864.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fern House at Garfield Park Conservatory</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><a name='more'></a></span>And it still looks sensational now. What we have seen is perhaps the best large scale indoor/glasshouse fernery we have seen so far, in maintenance and presentation.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">We recently spent several days in the city of Chicago, a trip dominated by admiring skyscrapers and architecture, and other things usually associated with a city break. But we also made sure to include a visit to a plant haven and the nearest large scale one from the city centre was Garfield Park Conservatory, within it's namesake park which is worth exploring too. It can be easily reached by taking the Green Line on the city's L Train system from the city centre, alighting at Conservatory - Central Park Drive station. From there you are in the middle of the park and the glasshouse is just a couple of minutes walk away.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">You enter the glasshouse (free of charge, with a suggested donation) and you are greeted by the Palm House section, and connected from there are other sections (Aroid, Desert, etc) which we'll feature on future posts. For now we'll feature it's most spectacular section, the truly outstanding Fern House.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Let's have a look around..</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_XBoRyeMXvbhrt5LAommatgUyotbzJ070WQuL4c5GCDBAX4uG_bv4BsUg38mB5PN251rKp_89Wd1P6ArS7RuDvKAxlwAFGm3WuAH3FE2vEQxhOmIGaDbkuBbZFnghPFkxsxFjAabfX9ex6AH9frocwkV2hU6K8fNTSJBudZBuzZKcAysFnVF3LmNYw/s4032/IMG_1865.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_XBoRyeMXvbhrt5LAommatgUyotbzJ070WQuL4c5GCDBAX4uG_bv4BsUg38mB5PN251rKp_89Wd1P6ArS7RuDvKAxlwAFGm3WuAH3FE2vEQxhOmIGaDbkuBbZFnghPFkxsxFjAabfX9ex6AH9frocwkV2hU6K8fNTSJBudZBuzZKcAysFnVF3LmNYw/w640-h480/IMG_1865.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK35KOWv8qwVtWrHo2UcdjG8IBMkU_BVYbLsBw-qVDWQ5doJdAzxyhwtEoxXGkdiORbR1QnEpNLolSNrcGEp_3xhv7FHOLKu12IwopU1PNlMEiGJ8NoXB0wWQQfiFXlLmW3AwmuFMrg0uFChuCNvPtZ_y46pPhPX8bldP6AMfPe46XCsP1PcEvv8dcjw/s4032/IMG_1866.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK35KOWv8qwVtWrHo2UcdjG8IBMkU_BVYbLsBw-qVDWQ5doJdAzxyhwtEoxXGkdiORbR1QnEpNLolSNrcGEp_3xhv7FHOLKu12IwopU1PNlMEiGJ8NoXB0wWQQfiFXlLmW3AwmuFMrg0uFChuCNvPtZ_y46pPhPX8bldP6AMfPe46XCsP1PcEvv8dcjw/w640-h480/IMG_1866.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9T3U_63AkWvcFJyXCtRNhWis4O9pnw_jVKWhYNTpvkGnvJsvHQalY8dHtyC5h43S181dgQVLAj-6_2GIp0xQtJb35aMUaQ8VmGJ2GfAIWvUQKi0w1aXo9yV4S-kS_VPPP6cuV2qv-I-mbIs3xupTdyDQQl9wJz5p1y7RmHNlmGo13vd4eLSI1XTPrQ/s4032/IMG_1867.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9T3U_63AkWvcFJyXCtRNhWis4O9pnw_jVKWhYNTpvkGnvJsvHQalY8dHtyC5h43S181dgQVLAj-6_2GIp0xQtJb35aMUaQ8VmGJ2GfAIWvUQKi0w1aXo9yV4S-kS_VPPP6cuV2qv-I-mbIs3xupTdyDQQl9wJz5p1y7RmHNlmGo13vd4eLSI1XTPrQ/w640-h480/IMG_1867.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Like most gardens and attractions, the pathways are interconnected and mainly goes around on a loop so it's just a choice whether go left or right first. Either way you'll be in a for a treat for a glasshouse that is very well planted and maintained.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSYAYFodw_0lgoR6NOy8jO-D-Gh1wCzFxwZNkANfaXFJi0RYRBXg63sNM8JwPjBpoZriNDWtXP5YAxmxN0mPTQOT4_HceimWhCooWE2pWZWG8-NP48DJMDZFNMFf6xf6Nqhx_4j_IJp6oUbAulBAc5UFYHNKuSQo4NGtfHge7EjZNphgu67QdCvAbtA/s4032/IMG_1868.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSYAYFodw_0lgoR6NOy8jO-D-Gh1wCzFxwZNkANfaXFJi0RYRBXg63sNM8JwPjBpoZriNDWtXP5YAxmxN0mPTQOT4_HceimWhCooWE2pWZWG8-NP48DJMDZFNMFf6xf6Nqhx_4j_IJp6oUbAulBAc5UFYHNKuSQo4NGtfHge7EjZNphgu67QdCvAbtA/w640-h480/IMG_1868.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJ8S8CDxAhSeJ-vC_NbsXLKfB8XQliM_YHpdi9iU4vwHR9B9szMgooY486cCk9GmNaVxgW9i-RwvjdE_B4tYiQRgqbHva2jVXGHugMC4CWcTUA5rs-17bBTTFINBZERL-UIBK9usEq9eiI1sVkElvurjkkmvCqnp266ArN_Sfb-3o1S0m1Kccknoi2Q/s4032/IMG_1869.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJ8S8CDxAhSeJ-vC_NbsXLKfB8XQliM_YHpdi9iU4vwHR9B9szMgooY486cCk9GmNaVxgW9i-RwvjdE_B4tYiQRgqbHva2jVXGHugMC4CWcTUA5rs-17bBTTFINBZERL-UIBK9usEq9eiI1sVkElvurjkkmvCqnp266ArN_Sfb-3o1S0m1Kccknoi2Q/w640-h480/IMG_1869.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjDVqTd-e08Y1ROkeesaeVtYPtvvMfaJkrG39vkLjp0VEu200rSsnW4IIv80oWW93v91XltSAgskQo-nMkG8yUxbT2vv8RInZ4XpMnz9GJMw5wj4TbcOdmnqX-BlJ7dg7QmSAafiHmcx2mmONAqgQ6GTOv2vSquUDY3zFfQJCviczOkZOIb0qsp8DkA/s4032/IMG_1870.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjDVqTd-e08Y1ROkeesaeVtYPtvvMfaJkrG39vkLjp0VEu200rSsnW4IIv80oWW93v91XltSAgskQo-nMkG8yUxbT2vv8RInZ4XpMnz9GJMw5wj4TbcOdmnqX-BlJ7dg7QmSAafiHmcx2mmONAqgQ6GTOv2vSquUDY3zFfQJCviczOkZOIb0qsp8DkA/w640-h480/IMG_1870.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzomtTjnUjOuGmCnBB7Mp33Ll8mucqhRrPaohe7zqyobZ2rDumXrpWB0tpLWmSWoqaI-_kLBtRg5Yl3QSSlIAM21lrtTdSiitCF19yQf0zyfhSiTPMFMZBKgmUQxavRLG1LflMyjhLJAILgRac4DNtKpSVGJKCaz9K_gAuW9xpq_OMSDozRCn-ABC3qA/s4032/IMG_1874.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzomtTjnUjOuGmCnBB7Mp33Ll8mucqhRrPaohe7zqyobZ2rDumXrpWB0tpLWmSWoqaI-_kLBtRg5Yl3QSSlIAM21lrtTdSiitCF19yQf0zyfhSiTPMFMZBKgmUQxavRLG1LflMyjhLJAILgRac4DNtKpSVGJKCaz9K_gAuW9xpq_OMSDozRCn-ABC3qA/w640-h480/IMG_1874.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6YZ-fCFqNobPSERs31hZcjAQkdvHRtGD6BAVRoSYBCdxcXi8zGmVLz7b92GfNMC4Z8p_FW05_9qy1RuLsCgViGxlQAg0TdrrGE8WXbGpcfcHxtmN2wgf9gZer5n8FrGWic_xL2UsGOaZewzhc0Ev41jEG_1BQF5Sc7iD9zzdXZU3picBAB5fwx2lGg/s4032/IMG_1875.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6YZ-fCFqNobPSERs31hZcjAQkdvHRtGD6BAVRoSYBCdxcXi8zGmVLz7b92GfNMC4Z8p_FW05_9qy1RuLsCgViGxlQAg0TdrrGE8WXbGpcfcHxtmN2wgf9gZer5n8FrGWic_xL2UsGOaZewzhc0Ev41jEG_1BQF5Sc7iD9zzdXZU3picBAB5fwx2lGg/w640-h480/IMG_1875.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">As you can see, the planting is mature, dense, and well maintained. Plenty of use of rocks and crevices with suitable ferns established on them. The variety of their fern collection is outstanding as one would have expected of an old glasshouse. </span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAam1bp3aJ6xkjz1wwiHRD2WnCwRtAlZWLt_fGyElVBSmCWDDeHLfR0SvtFjm1QkbJkhRfboY0NuUPiu4r6Y6--vI-V4tLaNLRriKpNxGMk_io5OHQ68eWSy_RksxCQeg_w5hE6lOHUT7m_Knw1c6UHXJJItxayBGRBNdUil-8muQe6zNKrI1_gMW0g/s4032/IMG_1877.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAam1bp3aJ6xkjz1wwiHRD2WnCwRtAlZWLt_fGyElVBSmCWDDeHLfR0SvtFjm1QkbJkhRfboY0NuUPiu4r6Y6--vI-V4tLaNLRriKpNxGMk_io5OHQ68eWSy_RksxCQeg_w5hE6lOHUT7m_Knw1c6UHXJJItxayBGRBNdUil-8muQe6zNKrI1_gMW0g/w640-h480/IMG_1877.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3s3auHPxNwID--ktaXo046iIJuJrWT8NqggOXFmRox43dH4Sq-xUoPSD7QX8D4uKXkEARTnzKLp9kedtYczeO49ATnRKlr9m9IxdfCn3reHoPoDLzJcuaQn1zRcD8Es2ZZn--I9Q7ajAsvG-tkY5VeUO3s5CsEs3pOYKMSNu0HSZ1jhkfgOC42KdYg/s4032/IMG_1876.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3s3auHPxNwID--ktaXo046iIJuJrWT8NqggOXFmRox43dH4Sq-xUoPSD7QX8D4uKXkEARTnzKLp9kedtYczeO49ATnRKlr9m9IxdfCn3reHoPoDLzJcuaQn1zRcD8Es2ZZn--I9Q7ajAsvG-tkY5VeUO3s5CsEs3pOYKMSNu0HSZ1jhkfgOC42KdYg/w640-h480/IMG_1876.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMkOL5JwfZq_NEiqSmfm6A8xd3akYXcH_d6O7fXbVSAPouN3dUjH24V7p2XM1rSfQucpZhxC30olLl05EIgp7NHbDstzs6qHi7pW_tkKw4sl2ZB_cwDu-pY-zSSRTb2GhW0UTbC6mxbuIOlOmC8fPKbszZyho7D0zUj4cK22pxbt0kH5I7XNuLSuSuA/s4032/IMG_1878.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMkOL5JwfZq_NEiqSmfm6A8xd3akYXcH_d6O7fXbVSAPouN3dUjH24V7p2XM1rSfQucpZhxC30olLl05EIgp7NHbDstzs6qHi7pW_tkKw4sl2ZB_cwDu-pY-zSSRTb2GhW0UTbC6mxbuIOlOmC8fPKbszZyho7D0zUj4cK22pxbt0kH5I7XNuLSuSuA/w640-h480/IMG_1878.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHL5fXvoBXSDpcLydLi61205gzrESYLet-Bq79VPmW0C46zMn4VeEZKn6GwxwMS4ESCUNHMRZroraxvbKCfntcaqSrOp_S9ZUWWVjo7irjd9tZAgQgOX3daMuLM1kpb1e1FRa-mghAJjp3HMPj2-a8hJH-J30PPUyqzr9O0--jvuin7V_Zi6249XkeQ/s4032/IMG_1879.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHL5fXvoBXSDpcLydLi61205gzrESYLet-Bq79VPmW0C46zMn4VeEZKn6GwxwMS4ESCUNHMRZroraxvbKCfntcaqSrOp_S9ZUWWVjo7irjd9tZAgQgOX3daMuLM1kpb1e1FRa-mghAJjp3HMPj2-a8hJH-J30PPUyqzr9O0--jvuin7V_Zi6249XkeQ/w640-h480/IMG_1879.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dOllFCjefmH1h30-S55qtF_OYesxsx4F6d9ncBod0XMI4vGvM1EkdmV4Q62WeMzJBfWKen-Aj20mlyS6d_zcM4np3TdXIQDDLk290V2oLzw-81Yzx976PZl8foe0Atx6HShAzyqlw595H-Er_d2YwGQnCtJeR5xAvJ4AD2EHj_84tpEQ0g-MjiUzCA/s4032/IMG_1880.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dOllFCjefmH1h30-S55qtF_OYesxsx4F6d9ncBod0XMI4vGvM1EkdmV4Q62WeMzJBfWKen-Aj20mlyS6d_zcM4np3TdXIQDDLk290V2oLzw-81Yzx976PZl8foe0Atx6HShAzyqlw595H-Er_d2YwGQnCtJeR5xAvJ4AD2EHj_84tpEQ0g-MjiUzCA/w640-h480/IMG_1880.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Despite the namesake, ferns are not the only plants found in this section, but plenty of cycads too which complements them, to imbibe that Carboniferous era feel as visualised by Jens Jensen. </span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtW0kCbHg6LyxsDJVRNMkc_J_sBiMHmhRZwfIKq2noqKjbA5EGql9DNjFS9xNFJStb9weIK__VVOc9hcN19PhD5_Hwp-PUp2SBds5iicuiXfetYQsPmrr2wVayYQmNMr1NZwJ2bBJr6q9mG0MLvTi7sKWsIY_i6ZYF-zMngXJRAlKOeZG6ygDFdiUuw/s4032/IMG_1881.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtW0kCbHg6LyxsDJVRNMkc_J_sBiMHmhRZwfIKq2noqKjbA5EGql9DNjFS9xNFJStb9weIK__VVOc9hcN19PhD5_Hwp-PUp2SBds5iicuiXfetYQsPmrr2wVayYQmNMr1NZwJ2bBJr6q9mG0MLvTi7sKWsIY_i6ZYF-zMngXJRAlKOeZG6ygDFdiUuw/w640-h480/IMG_1881.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFfNAlHfdLbiOsDBxCQCZgUVONn7WOBDtMDomaY3sapdVgakauRKwx_18a2V8F0a8gkO86Pk8yeyqcM_QvM_EpH3kcEU0cdnj43apkfh3qT9BdC3nVnFLO4er8KKi-RK9chdNN0KnvWV328jdUpynjsfuTcxdf3GAL_cOspgz52un7pS-MMi9wRDfwg/s4032/IMG_1882.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFfNAlHfdLbiOsDBxCQCZgUVONn7WOBDtMDomaY3sapdVgakauRKwx_18a2V8F0a8gkO86Pk8yeyqcM_QvM_EpH3kcEU0cdnj43apkfh3qT9BdC3nVnFLO4er8KKi-RK9chdNN0KnvWV328jdUpynjsfuTcxdf3GAL_cOspgz52un7pS-MMi9wRDfwg/w640-h480/IMG_1882.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLK3pHUQRC0XstJDkTez-3wRQ6tAtqXeOQm5tvzG6CATa95c6ziuAVuAtMp9-7NXXlq-taH2o3rvTYIIr-qV4dXrppQZ9WbY0403pg7Rwv1oqwAPV62m9CZ6i_hRYKkB01oDYLnxpvk3pzB4caTpCNl0LeVNROYq3UDwaB4vE6FLlZ2QU091U1HhjHuQ/s4032/IMG_1883.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLK3pHUQRC0XstJDkTez-3wRQ6tAtqXeOQm5tvzG6CATa95c6ziuAVuAtMp9-7NXXlq-taH2o3rvTYIIr-qV4dXrppQZ9WbY0403pg7Rwv1oqwAPV62m9CZ6i_hRYKkB01oDYLnxpvk3pzB4caTpCNl0LeVNROYq3UDwaB4vE6FLlZ2QU091U1HhjHuQ/w640-h480/IMG_1883.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAH5dPmESOkSZWAjJ2BxNtLbSGjPyeKetLJw115BGPJ2qZ1mRDS5MJWrvLfdvtgc4KehwsERZrY8GCwJcIM2sivR_c2XTidhc8FAC1PKhEP1cUHrdJkCdtqbP9F_pHPpKVAGfxtDGXvEN1TMnoIVoIJos0qfg-7kKNxQcp8LFim_rqbkTRZ02q6cFww/s4032/IMG_1884.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAH5dPmESOkSZWAjJ2BxNtLbSGjPyeKetLJw115BGPJ2qZ1mRDS5MJWrvLfdvtgc4KehwsERZrY8GCwJcIM2sivR_c2XTidhc8FAC1PKhEP1cUHrdJkCdtqbP9F_pHPpKVAGfxtDGXvEN1TMnoIVoIJos0qfg-7kKNxQcp8LFim_rqbkTRZ02q6cFww/w640-h480/IMG_1884.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkIn9z3yeu5yL2K1iwWw202sOYomTXZoXotKL9iZnLUOcPr0wD8kzZx1EkFbxsHUhesHBPoKWBx82TA5u69mvW-DOKcMFyUwO3aJ4zaxgf2ft3RRh6KBiOZc26Cs4hy7X5xISoGwq_r2kxzGwB_8LK2S7TgDklPoNAE4Q4TGNRr9c1WRMiW6rH6wzRg/s4032/IMG_1885.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkIn9z3yeu5yL2K1iwWw202sOYomTXZoXotKL9iZnLUOcPr0wD8kzZx1EkFbxsHUhesHBPoKWBx82TA5u69mvW-DOKcMFyUwO3aJ4zaxgf2ft3RRh6KBiOZc26Cs4hy7X5xISoGwq_r2kxzGwB_8LK2S7TgDklPoNAE4Q4TGNRr9c1WRMiW6rH6wzRg/w640-h480/IMG_1885.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">And then of course, no fernery would be complete without majestic Tree Ferns. Plants on the ground are usually planted straight on to Illinois soil rather than raised beds.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBhiZ_mFGUvYIFmPev0zGkPfFhFcVqxnO1NPWIKkxy6WEtE0x3SyI2HPOUesRuiNnUTp8k0x44kBopUURxvUKXjNHXNCGOIDX5z-ivCWxR4O3kUMo1yjU5JilUweO-_aOzKuQgXUjAZl26pzL9XsJNoYup8CULw2rVl92lfv6ZWuoXibDxEwLHaQOQw/s4032/IMG_1892.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBhiZ_mFGUvYIFmPev0zGkPfFhFcVqxnO1NPWIKkxy6WEtE0x3SyI2HPOUesRuiNnUTp8k0x44kBopUURxvUKXjNHXNCGOIDX5z-ivCWxR4O3kUMo1yjU5JilUweO-_aOzKuQgXUjAZl26pzL9XsJNoYup8CULw2rVl92lfv6ZWuoXibDxEwLHaQOQw/w640-h480/IMG_1892.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ty05ZRs1-PUKns8NafuRZKpiOPAfvOsKB2G_us1P_DhyNfiCTa_5K3s1t4ufMFZsQXwdRKvI-9iS3axQqBzUhzPs1r07AOxUnOAQgPUq5hvprTfjg0-aq44zFuc2p-RJn1Ey4HGx35t9zVRjs03UujXvs8GxqUHONxueXjkHZanjyuJ-V9ab1Og-kw/s4032/IMG_1891.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ty05ZRs1-PUKns8NafuRZKpiOPAfvOsKB2G_us1P_DhyNfiCTa_5K3s1t4ufMFZsQXwdRKvI-9iS3axQqBzUhzPs1r07AOxUnOAQgPUq5hvprTfjg0-aq44zFuc2p-RJn1Ey4HGx35t9zVRjs03UujXvs8GxqUHONxueXjkHZanjyuJ-V9ab1Og-kw/w640-h480/IMG_1891.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndYUMLldLECIOkNMrTfVaP-_jogKCr8la18yHbUrj-aWQgTEZDT4fik9gc8Lg83F4tuGe19RpKXW58EbuegE79chZXli7_xw4_G5ZOHoVqYjcZaqMXk6P82TEH3osSV_u-8-b2IJLkpqeo2F1vdkIO-YlwaRlYFP38aOaTUR9VCr3buUGPQWQZppMog/s4032/IMG_1890.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndYUMLldLECIOkNMrTfVaP-_jogKCr8la18yHbUrj-aWQgTEZDT4fik9gc8Lg83F4tuGe19RpKXW58EbuegE79chZXli7_xw4_G5ZOHoVqYjcZaqMXk6P82TEH3osSV_u-8-b2IJLkpqeo2F1vdkIO-YlwaRlYFP38aOaTUR9VCr3buUGPQWQZppMog/w640-h480/IMG_1890.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7Hsy2hj9o3oEW1bzLouzK3BOOBsw7k1JNN6wM1aR_CsvUm7RekCFby-DqfaAA0qa-TVgFnV7yb_9DWsMCeUmrPAtCr4nA0UAREed54R5j-VdcfhjMDlNdE0WNCjQcgmIXFs9QOKSmOGy0SqXiapn4k5mJE-DSmblMrtOLYlwpSlqEeIU7aFPYX4T5A/s4032/IMG_1889.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7Hsy2hj9o3oEW1bzLouzK3BOOBsw7k1JNN6wM1aR_CsvUm7RekCFby-DqfaAA0qa-TVgFnV7yb_9DWsMCeUmrPAtCr4nA0UAREed54R5j-VdcfhjMDlNdE0WNCjQcgmIXFs9QOKSmOGy0SqXiapn4k5mJE-DSmblMrtOLYlwpSlqEeIU7aFPYX4T5A/w640-h480/IMG_1889.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36gPPZTfTEwhU_yw4l1Sa91FvKNd-LHVmfK8lcRYp6pHUKGBxmdn7YGBYaxPs7h2UFQ19jwjnKyCrpsB8jbCzRBnD5yrWHC1h8Mcv9vW4cmD3uUgX-EH8sNM0Ce4W73yjPdgkpQNoBAeKFi14ZZHOtvdk1-AgSokkXkPEjUAIboCEJFWMaSAEFtswQg/s4032/IMG_1886.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36gPPZTfTEwhU_yw4l1Sa91FvKNd-LHVmfK8lcRYp6pHUKGBxmdn7YGBYaxPs7h2UFQ19jwjnKyCrpsB8jbCzRBnD5yrWHC1h8Mcv9vW4cmD3uUgX-EH8sNM0Ce4W73yjPdgkpQNoBAeKFi14ZZHOtvdk1-AgSokkXkPEjUAIboCEJFWMaSAEFtswQg/w640-h480/IMG_1886.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVsbDfpH6yVxk0BE4Cu_oFxcL9xG2VWsPjWJmYcB7a6n1M3wHIT_h6uBaXfjtandVCudHHclIubj53d774P7PuHSb7oq7Vl-nav0QszAh8WH7al-Z1hAJeGkauH7q5uDQp_ywMMYrw3GzQ-uPEQHOLvDfFRdklXfen_YwJWbOFp4AgWZDNWUqDcYbQQ/s4032/IMG_1894.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVsbDfpH6yVxk0BE4Cu_oFxcL9xG2VWsPjWJmYcB7a6n1M3wHIT_h6uBaXfjtandVCudHHclIubj53d774P7PuHSb7oq7Vl-nav0QszAh8WH7al-Z1hAJeGkauH7q5uDQp_ywMMYrw3GzQ-uPEQHOLvDfFRdklXfen_YwJWbOFp4AgWZDNWUqDcYbQQ/w640-h480/IMG_1894.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQj6t9tko-RFc5B7Ajr0qLLYaUNQE6om1pzaLcMdN7GIQsqSTLzJmHqdXKc5czqmFpOThHdDjOiN-03GOUzw7mIoOmt3ElyGjWLDu4vMpSv3nAt72rjNdMRQb1nnUuqmEKxqO1HhBY3PB4o9ykVORmYLieACyUdtcx-KYMOrftQ04lCIByUe7o1ErPvA/s4032/IMG_1895.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQj6t9tko-RFc5B7Ajr0qLLYaUNQE6om1pzaLcMdN7GIQsqSTLzJmHqdXKc5czqmFpOThHdDjOiN-03GOUzw7mIoOmt3ElyGjWLDu4vMpSv3nAt72rjNdMRQb1nnUuqmEKxqO1HhBY3PB4o9ykVORmYLieACyUdtcx-KYMOrftQ04lCIByUe7o1ErPvA/w640-h480/IMG_1895.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwI0jMIOtJ9l6wRqTx-bE9c4BYVVcNaJWL8Eo6g5k2AzwwvWBcljxM1150ET-KdkD-VwQijAYkHqNScAsYXmAYy2QkZcdzBXV2dSyTVxNADpX68MM17HP7a3fRKarnIL0lGERWU9MJA0KJvhzgMdUOrKSuFP4JPRzyUZLwjS1tB8fZkLSNioaSar-3DA/s4032/IMG_1896.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwI0jMIOtJ9l6wRqTx-bE9c4BYVVcNaJWL8Eo6g5k2AzwwvWBcljxM1150ET-KdkD-VwQijAYkHqNScAsYXmAYy2QkZcdzBXV2dSyTVxNADpX68MM17HP7a3fRKarnIL0lGERWU9MJA0KJvhzgMdUOrKSuFP4JPRzyUZLwjS1tB8fZkLSNioaSar-3DA/w640-h480/IMG_1896.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The Fern House also has waterfalls and several small interconnected ponds that leads on to the spectacular main pool. Truly beautiful staging.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZXE0hmEJ7vKOt9gG02eSPHvMgWgVVC-sDK4n5DpXE_GBDxUQGfGezzt1rWfrui_l9NPi3asO6o9jEJ0Q_f8BBXHZO0nQwLEUwEHgUkc7rJ3y_xWBCEHSyUMkJdDRIP2qZeGnT9FNfDta2D_HN3hSs0zXZD1BR2bLfviel4kId_fiESIbEs0wplg1wQ/s4032/IMG_1898.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZXE0hmEJ7vKOt9gG02eSPHvMgWgVVC-sDK4n5DpXE_GBDxUQGfGezzt1rWfrui_l9NPi3asO6o9jEJ0Q_f8BBXHZO0nQwLEUwEHgUkc7rJ3y_xWBCEHSyUMkJdDRIP2qZeGnT9FNfDta2D_HN3hSs0zXZD1BR2bLfviel4kId_fiESIbEs0wplg1wQ/w640-h480/IMG_1898.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwHmzlavJD8zJbJuaL3umXhFZZf3IR3oiZgj_PIilGIvvNTUdIaPZj8VbvAaZbv5xtM0HMGvw8INTSnQ-hGIJFz5Fjn4mTgljoAGsguTIEA9NXRNDNqhi4aCCI8Yt5wugS7ycTCi1qA7pE4-U_hkz0PjXdsYfLjzYM0nhI7WyNpewKLRGNayRBMVCHg/s4032/IMG_1901.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwHmzlavJD8zJbJuaL3umXhFZZf3IR3oiZgj_PIilGIvvNTUdIaPZj8VbvAaZbv5xtM0HMGvw8INTSnQ-hGIJFz5Fjn4mTgljoAGsguTIEA9NXRNDNqhi4aCCI8Yt5wugS7ycTCi1qA7pE4-U_hkz0PjXdsYfLjzYM0nhI7WyNpewKLRGNayRBMVCHg/w640-h480/IMG_1901.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7nrU4NnRGhsW8ezoxXBYLyEobc5evSToMd8jxSjH2hA4rOq4jTv11v1J4KhriHe2EZPi_WC2V1RngpEK1QNU35JrUFRgXIpV3h8hiJQTrRKjnoLHPyWi5Zw4B3MGi1ucP9ZP2QDvLGg9KEH41p0CJb5z8K10_-YoxkTLZFxSTQLyayAQ8hDOypqohw/s4032/IMG_1904.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7nrU4NnRGhsW8ezoxXBYLyEobc5evSToMd8jxSjH2hA4rOq4jTv11v1J4KhriHe2EZPi_WC2V1RngpEK1QNU35JrUFRgXIpV3h8hiJQTrRKjnoLHPyWi5Zw4B3MGi1ucP9ZP2QDvLGg9KEH41p0CJb5z8K10_-YoxkTLZFxSTQLyayAQ8hDOypqohw/w640-h480/IMG_1904.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVK-qsnHgOoJJzFkupCfwyyIrWRGKNcxTZKsWGxveo09pUPCRftxZYFdrcAfIW2lvD-eusdKMRXxOY_0-tWBEQOv_voeXlviHgu7MVsPurC-A8YoDsDbgo2DnPzPpfAAy8YYbY91g1JQRHIjiiYjP7sY_8wQ_jsz69dy89sJO0tNi75lOH9m9z6u7_GQ/s4032/IMG_1905.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVK-qsnHgOoJJzFkupCfwyyIrWRGKNcxTZKsWGxveo09pUPCRftxZYFdrcAfIW2lvD-eusdKMRXxOY_0-tWBEQOv_voeXlviHgu7MVsPurC-A8YoDsDbgo2DnPzPpfAAy8YYbY91g1JQRHIjiiYjP7sY_8wQ_jsz69dy89sJO0tNi75lOH9m9z6u7_GQ/w640-h480/IMG_1905.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjah7bibSjs-DtE4cV_kNEBc2e4sJPNRsu9wbLh78KKuE2xwGY5VOQFbFt2J4PyjhubYBg7uKErzzpdPm5e_UsVk_dY0mC2nsfT9VLAJDc9IVXAFPtMS1gdYPnq491lsvMiS7niLEfwW-RXG9LdDsCiBaeJeuJ0_aHqN9SBlXkuo3cz1ZxrR61gwjrE2g/s4032/IMG_1908.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjah7bibSjs-DtE4cV_kNEBc2e4sJPNRsu9wbLh78KKuE2xwGY5VOQFbFt2J4PyjhubYBg7uKErzzpdPm5e_UsVk_dY0mC2nsfT9VLAJDc9IVXAFPtMS1gdYPnq491lsvMiS7niLEfwW-RXG9LdDsCiBaeJeuJ0_aHqN9SBlXkuo3cz1ZxrR61gwjrE2g/w640-h480/IMG_1908.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-oNgpQ3b87lPis6RqHRVtpbwYXCck2wAwCVFsEfwo4K_fbZP7yvxZYjmuwl4laFthvjIDPwg2DoCO3BektAkZN4Wpo2R2K09wObRoyr-M5ixY4qVHoZlagjU36CvW2R1mypeO15CpEkGJbUYH3WOCJQ8n14jj8J32u5umx4ODP4QD2nCvwireqqsqA/s4032/IMG_1906.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-oNgpQ3b87lPis6RqHRVtpbwYXCck2wAwCVFsEfwo4K_fbZP7yvxZYjmuwl4laFthvjIDPwg2DoCO3BektAkZN4Wpo2R2K09wObRoyr-M5ixY4qVHoZlagjU36CvW2R1mypeO15CpEkGJbUYH3WOCJQ8n14jj8J32u5umx4ODP4QD2nCvwireqqsqA/w640-h480/IMG_1906.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Such a magical place that both satisfies in presentation and botanical interest. If you ever find yourself in the vibrant city of Chicago and you are into plants, put Garfield Park Conservatory very high up your list of things to do in the city. Visit and be prepared to be amazed!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Mark :-)</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
<br />
This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Mark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-27637038173834752732022-06-06T23:42:00.000+01:002022-06-06T23:42:52.466+01:00Hosepipe and SecateursThere was an occasion before where a photographer came here and my role as she took photos was to trail behind, with a towel and dust pan to hand. Every time she identified a subject or frame to photograph, I had to swoop in first to sweep up, wipe, remove a leaf, or rectify a flaw that would have made that shot less perfect. The main reason for rectifying things on the spot was to make each shot as less likely to need photo editing later as possible. Photo editing costs money, and they want to minimise that by correcting things as we went along.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KmuKl3ReKitH_ueO6A9gd8yFw5Wpr44q9_tYayL-ZwYQqDcV4hHY8G3JBReLyKKQcNkiARzfyYlcVD6Nneq0L40ID4DK77oCZKbcVzKS6E6u0enE5u3p2qUZiO7xifv1Nig4uEG8DiV4Yaq78TeInP6xPuy1RMon5Cv3q3qOU8QBgsMNl-oEqQSsWg/s4032/IMG_2207.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KmuKl3ReKitH_ueO6A9gd8yFw5Wpr44q9_tYayL-ZwYQqDcV4hHY8G3JBReLyKKQcNkiARzfyYlcVD6Nneq0L40ID4DK77oCZKbcVzKS6E6u0enE5u3p2qUZiO7xifv1Nig4uEG8DiV4Yaq78TeInP6xPuy1RMon5Cv3q3qOU8QBgsMNl-oEqQSsWg/w640-h480/IMG_2207.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>That exercise made me realise how much fakery and over preparation are involved to get most of those perfect shots seen on books, magazines, and television shows.</div><div><br /></div><div>Which conveys an unrealistic expectation to some, especially beginners that gardening is about the build up to that one perfect moment, like you see in published photos. And that perfect moment lasts a very long time. Both far from truth.</div><div><br /></div><div>The truth is that gardening is a process to be enjoyed, and so many perfect moments happen within that process to enjoy and savour while they lasted, for some will be fleeting. It could be a moment of perfect lighting, or when plants happen to be all looking good at the same time within the same area, just to name a couple. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVS9_pi-0-RO7jJw_SHLpSK23vA3xO6clusMZ3mJgavzfn5rhdA8En1gWCs6KwTHXjDbj2Y5wwcskmbzNM-gFB2VcFurt5MLWM0_1AYnw15UawEBbJwJdTZymuSk3ToV-j2qDteXGUc-ZhJpUmEMrThY44MmfWDhGSGYESuJEQfJVkYDrec6j54c0EdQ/s4032/IMG_2188.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVS9_pi-0-RO7jJw_SHLpSK23vA3xO6clusMZ3mJgavzfn5rhdA8En1gWCs6KwTHXjDbj2Y5wwcskmbzNM-gFB2VcFurt5MLWM0_1AYnw15UawEBbJwJdTZymuSk3ToV-j2qDteXGUc-ZhJpUmEMrThY44MmfWDhGSGYESuJEQfJVkYDrec6j54c0EdQ/w640-h480/IMG_2188.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>So when I take photos of such enjoyable moments, if there is a hosepipe, a secateur, leaf litter here and there, etc I tend not to bother tidying them away to get that 'perfect shot'. They are part of the process, they are the truth and they contribute to making that moment perfect.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mark :-)</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
<br />
This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Mark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-34955677050550614022022-06-04T13:27:00.000+01:002022-06-04T13:27:06.837+01:00Quick Trip to The Palm Centre<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">On our way to Kew Gardens last Thursday we popped round to <a href="https://palmcentre.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Palm Centre</a> first as we always did in the past. We haven't been to Kew Gardens for four years and even more so to The Palm Centre, as our last Kew visit was by train not by car as we tend to do. So we were extra curious as to how it is looking now after not seeing it for so many years.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UHKjzYctpczZAubxUoenOjXSzQqqgrjJnPKDJsOKy5WksPx5uN02IVl0C63yM2zGLWFpHegQubmo00e3DTCQ5ZdgjIB7Y9qCM2XVB-bKbh8kWBB_7tAi79aGezibCaSfED5LrOekjLT2OXbVaameoGT8YjfnAVsMJIMCvzZIEMt_1gvekZlivfMw7w/s4032/IMG_2094.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UHKjzYctpczZAubxUoenOjXSzQqqgrjJnPKDJsOKy5WksPx5uN02IVl0C63yM2zGLWFpHegQubmo00e3DTCQ5ZdgjIB7Y9qCM2XVB-bKbh8kWBB_7tAi79aGezibCaSfED5LrOekjLT2OXbVaameoGT8YjfnAVsMJIMCvzZIEMt_1gvekZlivfMw7w/w640-h480/IMG_2094.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span><p></p><p>Turns out it still pretty much the same but as expected there have been some rearrangements of display areas and they stock a lot more houseplants than they used to. Let's have a look...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxz0abImH1b3h_s5j6xoE1kAd0sI16JPIh8NC0I9EesZAVy6QpYK45LKDzolPN7IrCOgwvO3lMFBMRLAPL-uLhNmQcx_aIKsY0luOqiZ7ykKdDOWSQIOVFU6BWn4ownhRydqN07uJjH5cAz-4keggqIYCGbc3_KrZ1JkbZZU3CVPbdttr9LDXsDHxzg/s4032/IMG_2089.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxz0abImH1b3h_s5j6xoE1kAd0sI16JPIh8NC0I9EesZAVy6QpYK45LKDzolPN7IrCOgwvO3lMFBMRLAPL-uLhNmQcx_aIKsY0luOqiZ7ykKdDOWSQIOVFU6BWn4ownhRydqN07uJjH5cAz-4keggqIYCGbc3_KrZ1JkbZZU3CVPbdttr9LDXsDHxzg/w640-h480/IMG_2089.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuASHuURQh8hV614GancOZr3r3hO68tXUVcY-TFBWUM2tQbK-hQx_JDW_fe922yqc_5oBYGXKKiHT6p7lbbZd0n1Pfc1s2VgI8rYE-x3VD355IyaG4KSIEGETAxbi9V4LboFQ_C7iaE3j5bq7vdaPQ2sQPi-Hto6f7FcF6dgZiCk3z9QsKg6GoLPh7aQ/s4032/IMG_2090.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuASHuURQh8hV614GancOZr3r3hO68tXUVcY-TFBWUM2tQbK-hQx_JDW_fe922yqc_5oBYGXKKiHT6p7lbbZd0n1Pfc1s2VgI8rYE-x3VD355IyaG4KSIEGETAxbi9V4LboFQ_C7iaE3j5bq7vdaPQ2sQPi-Hto6f7FcF6dgZiCk3z9QsKg6GoLPh7aQ/w640-h480/IMG_2090.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Trachycarpus oreophilus</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYdMhx1FL_p_W2AstZy_EX9yLoM5sTluJ660WARipSZhyYKf4TJET0UpYBiphyb6XxLLa0_04MbJ0FZjgGRnmz3CuZb8mc4yDulhlWwFMsLEIQlyRQfTHD32bkR2Ux1P0ONE61c6dcz36eaZACu4-phfyJnERkYnAN-gPQZo_xwgcYdaL1LGzUV0BJg/s4032/IMG_2091.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYdMhx1FL_p_W2AstZy_EX9yLoM5sTluJ660WARipSZhyYKf4TJET0UpYBiphyb6XxLLa0_04MbJ0FZjgGRnmz3CuZb8mc4yDulhlWwFMsLEIQlyRQfTHD32bkR2Ux1P0ONE61c6dcz36eaZACu4-phfyJnERkYnAN-gPQZo_xwgcYdaL1LGzUV0BJg/w640-h480/IMG_2091.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0Mc9R9kmJwVMSvaPQuqg3KjsmNbgPpGJkr0wiDEsjvcHrDC4hdaF1dngw1DFAIaTr2ZmHq87S8R4LkkFHgPnrjXwKJGqhbEFiPZth-LLXIWInUNar67ZFLRrfHUHuaM9pHiF_gX_mlXpQx6FjLN2XPfrtLTXeHiU44kC3619jELaSyzr8aAJhiU2JA/s4032/IMG_2092.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0Mc9R9kmJwVMSvaPQuqg3KjsmNbgPpGJkr0wiDEsjvcHrDC4hdaF1dngw1DFAIaTr2ZmHq87S8R4LkkFHgPnrjXwKJGqhbEFiPZth-LLXIWInUNar67ZFLRrfHUHuaM9pHiF_gX_mlXpQx6FjLN2XPfrtLTXeHiU44kC3619jELaSyzr8aAJhiU2JA/w640-h480/IMG_2092.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3-n_jRmhuhuZKX2LTeoIL1kChnWD-yjjHoOaBgfRm0yAXsY17mixKGxx1174LnPs77cziXQTs8azfj5cXszO9pwVMZHZdApiILkJNOBquRo7TSN8OSAyd708dhLKVWBfqGGpU2C1F3oaJm8f4jzfOCEdFC0sQsjV1UcExlQ6Fe26nBDjL9KcBgKJOQ/s4032/IMG_2093.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3-n_jRmhuhuZKX2LTeoIL1kChnWD-yjjHoOaBgfRm0yAXsY17mixKGxx1174LnPs77cziXQTs8azfj5cXszO9pwVMZHZdApiILkJNOBquRo7TSN8OSAyd708dhLKVWBfqGGpU2C1F3oaJm8f4jzfOCEdFC0sQsjV1UcExlQ6Fe26nBDjL9KcBgKJOQ/w640-h480/IMG_2093.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQCF2we5K-RfL5bke2hNwI_NrUAnHMvtsAgjGtpjOLR21uFLzpRr2sqiyWvIhpGv_1Yq5hjW-twPDpVBZFA62H43tczt5BPcuqOuzIHzemvSAWby4xM6FX-hqXWKff7pnkvTaIKD2zGWRALo2Dp6TczXn7awkqpbYNnF-beiZIqhEkUIke4Fj7FiAJw/s4032/IMG_2094.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQCF2we5K-RfL5bke2hNwI_NrUAnHMvtsAgjGtpjOLR21uFLzpRr2sqiyWvIhpGv_1Yq5hjW-twPDpVBZFA62H43tczt5BPcuqOuzIHzemvSAWby4xM6FX-hqXWKff7pnkvTaIKD2zGWRALo2Dp6TczXn7awkqpbYNnF-beiZIqhEkUIke4Fj7FiAJw/w640-h480/IMG_2094.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jubaea chilensis </i>to the left, planted out here for over two or even three decades already</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">As you come in on the driveway you are greeted with specimen palms for sale. They are geared for both the public and landscape gardeners needing specimen planting. As you can see from above they have a range of large Butia capitata, Jubaea chilensis, Chamaerops humilis, Chamaerops humilis var. cerifera among others. They also have a Trachycarpus display bed to the left of the driveway showing the different species in their collection, and the second photo above is Tracycarpus oreophilus.</span></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8rM43fPiE_FJU5Et3CwtWaTblisZ9svyYGgWrDi-NvhUJi6queae68pDpGPjUcEkbXXJnZHT_09asTCrnCsbNvtXYvEBNVsMvNRk15WADbP-WC-b4aa1f6EfyOclR_8gA5j6nUF2SVzGm7Sw6CUMTpTb45J3MSbtgwUS12-pCqicvlio0yYNkZZu1A/s4032/IMG_2100.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8rM43fPiE_FJU5Et3CwtWaTblisZ9svyYGgWrDi-NvhUJi6queae68pDpGPjUcEkbXXJnZHT_09asTCrnCsbNvtXYvEBNVsMvNRk15WADbP-WC-b4aa1f6EfyOclR_8gA5j6nUF2SVzGm7Sw6CUMTpTb45J3MSbtgwUS12-pCqicvlio0yYNkZZu1A/w640-h480/IMG_2100.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYnOUAwEkJGDeEg9TUKJwJbIja6ZY89sHYJO4aV1oV_tLQf4RBMt3gieQ08RMDy1o5RdbzKLNJY1MWZyDbsEgALHeGpF7_mUGVFsj0xkG6mV_0bQc5be0DnLS7B37GxRrPhIVYfubYMJfs1oPQLsebLBF5ITVMWldK7qwiWzmhW9V49x9lTVKEIqCQA/s4032/IMG_2099.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYnOUAwEkJGDeEg9TUKJwJbIja6ZY89sHYJO4aV1oV_tLQf4RBMt3gieQ08RMDy1o5RdbzKLNJY1MWZyDbsEgALHeGpF7_mUGVFsj0xkG6mV_0bQc5be0DnLS7B37GxRrPhIVYfubYMJfs1oPQLsebLBF5ITVMWldK7qwiWzmhW9V49x9lTVKEIqCQA/w640-h480/IMG_2099.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEdJULaoqrh9BIK8sxmk77RJy5vMJ4q9GWPVHMJ6iCNIuxi1i9uCwPfKNke_ZyBZO2fcaYcEHDFtjbZjAgBfDQWYIHuGL_6Sx6H58Z98_O-mTTlS2dcNgoAvX_GGHBzpBhADK7zLjg8GaVCbzzeqn8wuwHC-4Q7aCDyQEQPTZcGO42Wrg1Wm2UMmZdg/s4032/IMG_2098.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEdJULaoqrh9BIK8sxmk77RJy5vMJ4q9GWPVHMJ6iCNIuxi1i9uCwPfKNke_ZyBZO2fcaYcEHDFtjbZjAgBfDQWYIHuGL_6Sx6H58Z98_O-mTTlS2dcNgoAvX_GGHBzpBhADK7zLjg8GaVCbzzeqn8wuwHC-4Q7aCDyQEQPTZcGO42Wrg1Wm2UMmZdg/w640-h480/IMG_2098.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1HYwhlN8q1vkVLonQPwuAh-1cdEXeJETPHl4-Q2LWg8n-1GDlFCSAt1DeVk4UYLYQql-fv0uINO8V5gdILx6GZxqm-wjUB8nI73B__On_YbjVtabiGT3Xqv4H8BG23uK5v2T4sZa0SzXqHdS-GibWUNilTCfNR7n5Vt3NRMvQB0PmBls-WQFKizIbQ/s4032/IMG_2097.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1HYwhlN8q1vkVLonQPwuAh-1cdEXeJETPHl4-Q2LWg8n-1GDlFCSAt1DeVk4UYLYQql-fv0uINO8V5gdILx6GZxqm-wjUB8nI73B__On_YbjVtabiGT3Xqv4H8BG23uK5v2T4sZa0SzXqHdS-GibWUNilTCfNR7n5Vt3NRMvQB0PmBls-WQFKizIbQ/w640-h480/IMG_2097.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>There is a large outdoor retail section at the back where more specimen palms for sale can be found, as well as a range of bamboos, trees, shrubs, and some Dicksonia antarctica tree ferns (rounbd £90 per foot)</p><p>On the borders of this section are also a range of exotic plants permanently planted out to showcase how they behave with a free root run, established, and thriving outdoors.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zgqIF73Bl20BF6mdtarw0oyPVJ8T1SurjAFskntp8jZssdj8a4ycwst00il3DDMheeJkMTsF99-JHxUamZmHcTZPEBmM4lINFRUuxVF6W5Uop9e-NomRV2thOWlhJpjYlCuL7xGvpsODpIugWhwx3u-EgUybngNr-KboxaO5pTJ2i4e6OwtYbu1ZlQ/s4032/IMG_2095.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zgqIF73Bl20BF6mdtarw0oyPVJ8T1SurjAFskntp8jZssdj8a4ycwst00il3DDMheeJkMTsF99-JHxUamZmHcTZPEBmM4lINFRUuxVF6W5Uop9e-NomRV2thOWlhJpjYlCuL7xGvpsODpIugWhwx3u-EgUybngNr-KboxaO5pTJ2i4e6OwtYbu1ZlQ/w640-h480/IMG_2095.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOROj6-0KSdT9TZKj_fXPWC7DcNeKpSyXGCm3svW3MNz2xe58O0rMSDNKyM-1RKlfNH0LKq5uDJ4wb6QT-9tmHOeAQAIAxqhErNahP_IspPc7Uo8tvwJccK3sk0fZLbV_GUbRMuOq7r4Gyy21369qfV_mS4_taJ-uvSSUBSThl6vOdtbqh_rAQFB7yg/s4032/IMG_2102.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOROj6-0KSdT9TZKj_fXPWC7DcNeKpSyXGCm3svW3MNz2xe58O0rMSDNKyM-1RKlfNH0LKq5uDJ4wb6QT-9tmHOeAQAIAxqhErNahP_IspPc7Uo8tvwJccK3sk0fZLbV_GUbRMuOq7r4Gyy21369qfV_mS4_taJ-uvSSUBSThl6vOdtbqh_rAQFB7yg/w640-h480/IMG_2102.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Trichocereus terschekii</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DAa2z5dRtutR16TruZPQjlC7BAJXig0MJnTwq1W5hsyG19svu15nEZKv9_iGl4nwADcKoKrypPlNXMmPdeYVTptVwbOIdLYA0sNHzH4UrNMb0XXvPMyyGKEhh3JUHElOt1nLQRtr7uaYW3d3ssdxOt3liHcEnZp4BDuRkV_fa8MP4TEMvoCPEYQ_zw/s4032/IMG_2103.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DAa2z5dRtutR16TruZPQjlC7BAJXig0MJnTwq1W5hsyG19svu15nEZKv9_iGl4nwADcKoKrypPlNXMmPdeYVTptVwbOIdLYA0sNHzH4UrNMb0XXvPMyyGKEhh3JUHElOt1nLQRtr7uaYW3d3ssdxOt3liHcEnZp4BDuRkV_fa8MP4TEMvoCPEYQ_zw/w640-h480/IMG_2103.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDaxk3kc2_kMd0taM4i-qlvfWJkNhTa_GFqiXbSaAhQGkXSPWwqCxv2UdS4V22pi68Cg6efW5gWycc0O7neEYrqvRPgyiGpT1aFJeHmo-n5nv5xkaO7mq3FHT3f9y5zpkCqaS9hlWb9GUcSCPh1B6n1oedVVU7n7jPCzcNd4PhV_KNGmCA4GUftSr3w/s4032/IMG_2105.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDaxk3kc2_kMd0taM4i-qlvfWJkNhTa_GFqiXbSaAhQGkXSPWwqCxv2UdS4V22pi68Cg6efW5gWycc0O7neEYrqvRPgyiGpT1aFJeHmo-n5nv5xkaO7mq3FHT3f9y5zpkCqaS9hlWb9GUcSCPh1B6n1oedVVU7n7jPCzcNd4PhV_KNGmCA4GUftSr3w/w640-h480/IMG_2105.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>On to the greenhouses and above are their range of cacti and succulents for sale. Most notable above are the Trichocereus terscheckii which seemed reasonably priced at that size for £99. This is te same cactus growing permanently outside by our front door and I'm aware of several private exotic gardens in the UK have this permanently planted out all year round.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwtC1hbqEnK9CAwDOuzDCc4fyNNB0gAMkmDFh4bzMqUCwR31mI7Sn6JLe_KqvbwnWhgHPQIyamUwgfFwxIhKxpEQIGFwTlcW5qv0xurJGTdvp5a0Vrr1yCglJk1O0Q9YDUvehml9ynj7Nc2aPf9fCDE-IHUcDMBMJ8xcEIxoucgZ04kLZN6ZMid_5IA/s4032/IMG_2114.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwtC1hbqEnK9CAwDOuzDCc4fyNNB0gAMkmDFh4bzMqUCwR31mI7Sn6JLe_KqvbwnWhgHPQIyamUwgfFwxIhKxpEQIGFwTlcW5qv0xurJGTdvp5a0Vrr1yCglJk1O0Q9YDUvehml9ynj7Nc2aPf9fCDE-IHUcDMBMJ8xcEIxoucgZ04kLZN6ZMid_5IA/w640-h480/IMG_2114.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8myrVUuy52m_RvQbzQj6plC5RdL51vwA5uqLaNmph8EqgSkM2_WxPQKBnt4YfJ0TIbJAIvv6OBwnB8-wpKCsdBamSLOFHK4y3pr4l4K9pk2YJDjIGN8zgTe0n9j21-xilL-vcDK-04Of8nmEvbBkZM-xRC_-ZFKNzjZGBiqcABX0SabqNSLn2BlctA/s4032/IMG_2115.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8myrVUuy52m_RvQbzQj6plC5RdL51vwA5uqLaNmph8EqgSkM2_WxPQKBnt4YfJ0TIbJAIvv6OBwnB8-wpKCsdBamSLOFHK4y3pr4l4K9pk2YJDjIGN8zgTe0n9j21-xilL-vcDK-04Of8nmEvbBkZM-xRC_-ZFKNzjZGBiqcABX0SabqNSLn2BlctA/w640-h480/IMG_2115.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Trichocereus terschekii</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvc1AK8KeyqKZZlj6Km-MpWSFOGBfEJyvIO5VgfusoNFjBUGXj4rpj9KAxYjcjCnJax4NoHwx97dmER5bq5w7vzRBEgb0VKRKE-nbfMZpPT9yfoGM8hnLglbocUGj7Ovo1emYEYhXCQpzYtvsmD7_L8WmT0fTzFSQzocsC6AOqbO8lhtZN90UQOQFJQ/s4032/IMG_2110.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvc1AK8KeyqKZZlj6Km-MpWSFOGBfEJyvIO5VgfusoNFjBUGXj4rpj9KAxYjcjCnJax4NoHwx97dmER5bq5w7vzRBEgb0VKRKE-nbfMZpPT9yfoGM8hnLglbocUGj7Ovo1emYEYhXCQpzYtvsmD7_L8WmT0fTzFSQzocsC6AOqbO8lhtZN90UQOQFJQ/w640-h480/IMG_2110.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NJrKQvwm-2JLOsEHG-3kC5JW40cbXQTGY0iwg7-u3sjfbj63I_7vtaTAhTfAaMRChRUm_3ijR582tpvLf82HKW1dP4xJsRiXo6eOLVbeEj5xerxDlnEAdKTqU15I9ut-fr3h6SiiZANIszDChMYOAb0q7XW4CGHh0gIo5IRX3HJuBtBTCfTxYPTI5g/s4032/IMG_2113.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NJrKQvwm-2JLOsEHG-3kC5JW40cbXQTGY0iwg7-u3sjfbj63I_7vtaTAhTfAaMRChRUm_3ijR582tpvLf82HKW1dP4xJsRiXo6eOLVbeEj5xerxDlnEAdKTqU15I9ut-fr3h6SiiZANIszDChMYOAb0q7XW4CGHh0gIo5IRX3HJuBtBTCfTxYPTI5g/w640-h480/IMG_2113.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>And even more Trichocereus terscheckii spotted along the way, this time bigger specimen plants for instant impact. They also a range of tree aloes with Aloidendron barberae on the third photo above and some other agaves and other succulents.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1abcdTF6K_scvdWBWtu4cZXcvJe0PjeV3ZeDdJYGECrh-0PUHnx6Gs98d_c9vdScT3ztjP8msZOaRdSFoY_8ReMSxZEz9tMhvvAq6GjqM44NjawHJWAsRDo7dRgbYuenJjsWooErvMa8Xa7fqY79nMNSL8VyUH8dWqLrwdCabN1wIOpkjMpn3Ey-0A/s4032/IMG_2111.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1abcdTF6K_scvdWBWtu4cZXcvJe0PjeV3ZeDdJYGECrh-0PUHnx6Gs98d_c9vdScT3ztjP8msZOaRdSFoY_8ReMSxZEz9tMhvvAq6GjqM44NjawHJWAsRDo7dRgbYuenJjsWooErvMa8Xa7fqY79nMNSL8VyUH8dWqLrwdCabN1wIOpkjMpn3Ey-0A/w640-h480/IMG_2111.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwI2csyo6pI1epoGiainyjHYP9C98Nc-beveCmRqzd08LCYcjAjiIF-7dLaXT8w5rrXH5SaAKJ1F7Tv0APwuM3A4j7CGq57uR_ERRuCkRmVmcPZE_Qyu6RCnLv2zT4GlZgPsyN9mFUPwhvyzaLcSyjFAG1OwK1_QOqeK6fHU1PUc3XXBqw9rJtwSdxA/s4032/IMG_2109.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwI2csyo6pI1epoGiainyjHYP9C98Nc-beveCmRqzd08LCYcjAjiIF-7dLaXT8w5rrXH5SaAKJ1F7Tv0APwuM3A4j7CGq57uR_ERRuCkRmVmcPZE_Qyu6RCnLv2zT4GlZgPsyN9mFUPwhvyzaLcSyjFAG1OwK1_QOqeK6fHU1PUc3XXBqw9rJtwSdxA/w640-h480/IMG_2109.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbs9p2JeLD7KHg4X_aJmtX3s8WxRH8HvnTGD0p-NukFuW5j4myRTtCsjIvrMSVXuv1lkjz2rxc4SCB8yhCzIB4-SVYCtexz3_WlY_8bVhaYWJ3ZUKqj1APiGL5HL2k-GIzoMdLkj5ipXNFx-BCdQd3uaV6TajRiGGoHstd57gt51E_Hx1zN9wsvnMCBg/s4032/IMG_2119.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbs9p2JeLD7KHg4X_aJmtX3s8WxRH8HvnTGD0p-NukFuW5j4myRTtCsjIvrMSVXuv1lkjz2rxc4SCB8yhCzIB4-SVYCtexz3_WlY_8bVhaYWJ3ZUKqj1APiGL5HL2k-GIzoMdLkj5ipXNFx-BCdQd3uaV6TajRiGGoHstd57gt51E_Hx1zN9wsvnMCBg/w640-h480/IMG_2119.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /> And as seen above, they have a much bigger range of houseplants for sale than ever was years ago. It is very trendy now and there are a lot of flats/apartments in the area so is a lucrative market for them to tap in to.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdG3uqE80jrtfSQZM1brN6q0KbKyxNZ9wByT0H4Pk3Ng0W0r501GP5NWgC1Jx7z-zndeMRMsf1zoL-yg-Vbq8ky6IcqwnAK7S4fka2VNT2ddT-q9ubv7nHABufgd_vP5oa3-nMsuAmBEgTdiD4f-ilLOJIJOJZN3AG7GWhHKH8rpTQYA8sVWOdqhWAbg/s4032/IMG_2108.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdG3uqE80jrtfSQZM1brN6q0KbKyxNZ9wByT0H4Pk3Ng0W0r501GP5NWgC1Jx7z-zndeMRMsf1zoL-yg-Vbq8ky6IcqwnAK7S4fka2VNT2ddT-q9ubv7nHABufgd_vP5oa3-nMsuAmBEgTdiD4f-ilLOJIJOJZN3AG7GWhHKH8rpTQYA8sVWOdqhWAbg/w640-h480/IMG_2108.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1Au19vAQYzE7UTBqCPAXvjLeDdky5Sn17oFkBqYPfCq6bbobsmTs2wB2PaU14Pejf5QLBLH1IBy43joedXNPyOKBt0A12RCv9A9XK6N6d_gJ5-l_WHE9JGakHy3_U0OW-1amuoobn67XqOfspaU1gODe16PnnuRsuGrJXaSCZXxIQNVAD7lnptLkRQ/s4032/IMG_2106.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1Au19vAQYzE7UTBqCPAXvjLeDdky5Sn17oFkBqYPfCq6bbobsmTs2wB2PaU14Pejf5QLBLH1IBy43joedXNPyOKBt0A12RCv9A9XK6N6d_gJ5-l_WHE9JGakHy3_U0OW-1amuoobn67XqOfspaU1gODe16PnnuRsuGrJXaSCZXxIQNVAD7lnptLkRQ/w640-h480/IMG_2106.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznpIsOY0hITPaX76cn9TFRlkezsoyUncW38B1mms8V9T6JfayCy33mS85PclNtwXpaQgHuAVi_wPUaXjA13QGizMCzFFFzWxFAZJWaIgeG8d12S0uEChS2RhFA6UBHzKVHzyB6NF0RacAMsNrDKliq2LszKQqbsQ81vqJjQbNYdf-bUUzfODQnCk5Kg/s4032/IMG_2117.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznpIsOY0hITPaX76cn9TFRlkezsoyUncW38B1mms8V9T6JfayCy33mS85PclNtwXpaQgHuAVi_wPUaXjA13QGizMCzFFFzWxFAZJWaIgeG8d12S0uEChS2RhFA6UBHzKVHzyB6NF0RacAMsNrDKliq2LszKQqbsQ81vqJjQbNYdf-bUUzfODQnCk5Kg/w640-h480/IMG_2117.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBUD_RrCqxUs-wbCAOJozx4o2amNrfpfnA1V1f-QEk_UEqX0wO923z4LwKckoqqDPre_e4tZeinHywcreHEFxn3hmL3KOhxzDowVX4gf_NCk5zCJK0-v-PYupW-oQCURRfNAxI46uvQefmvrU4uryhXPef7vhfyh2PCRAEHHSsrS8u1Vv86GM7aQz2w/s4032/IMG_2120.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBUD_RrCqxUs-wbCAOJozx4o2amNrfpfnA1V1f-QEk_UEqX0wO923z4LwKckoqqDPre_e4tZeinHywcreHEFxn3hmL3KOhxzDowVX4gf_NCk5zCJK0-v-PYupW-oQCURRfNAxI46uvQefmvrU4uryhXPef7vhfyh2PCRAEHHSsrS8u1Vv86GM7aQz2w/w640-h480/IMG_2120.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyaTYNckOjQOAVwbXqeZv02nU6NB332EYn5XTNXw1HPpl47smbqDsjrNBS_obxaGIDQVNC1VehomgFsgV1aYZ6JjsrXEJEn27oaoephKx_x3MQHoB4a9mGG0RsfXK5_hgdUEZxelrjjlFSvCirYVU3BuDlYwIdeZ5BKvQjZt5L681EbDEs3tA8uLytaw/s4032/IMG_2121.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyaTYNckOjQOAVwbXqeZv02nU6NB332EYn5XTNXw1HPpl47smbqDsjrNBS_obxaGIDQVNC1VehomgFsgV1aYZ6JjsrXEJEn27oaoephKx_x3MQHoB4a9mGG0RsfXK5_hgdUEZxelrjjlFSvCirYVU3BuDlYwIdeZ5BKvQjZt5L681EbDEs3tA8uLytaw/w640-h480/IMG_2121.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>And a few more odds and ends as seen above, including a glimpse of their outdoor herbaceous perennial retail area.</p><p>So what did we buy? Not much really but you can't walk out of the Palm Centre after so many years without buying a palm so we bought a small Butia odorata (ex. capitata) for growing on, an Asplenium bulbiferum for the jungle veranda, and Nandina domestica in their bargain corner as a filler plant.</p><p>So off to Kew Gardens we go which will feature in a future post.</p><p>Mark :-)</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
<br />
This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Mark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-85568627278958661722022-05-30T18:54:00.002+01:002022-05-30T18:58:13.202+01:00Big Leafed Magnolias for the Garden<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">As I look at the plants in our utility and greenhouse area, I found myself admiring three of the big leafed magnolias there waiting to be planted. I seem to have inadvertently collected them, finding myself gravitating towards them at nurseries, buying them, and figuring out where to plant them as an after thought of the purchase. These are big trees and our garden isn't exactly big enough to accommodate them all. But hey, there is fun in not being too sensible!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9RvSBy4jbeuIDoa7TKzdVS6GnVTMrzPphijgNMDQuKX4zcXBmaMm9AD2Yt7APkWgKgbj5Cv_ji46hXCSMdP4v6THlNyGYTNUQqLlxGRUg4x6QYyimX_8QLYtIZWiaXs49MiADWcysEQLCx2Olmee1354-kmvkLY9eWClxrTgrltrwfCEH44vdaFZYg/s960/IMG_2062.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9RvSBy4jbeuIDoa7TKzdVS6GnVTMrzPphijgNMDQuKX4zcXBmaMm9AD2Yt7APkWgKgbj5Cv_ji46hXCSMdP4v6THlNyGYTNUQqLlxGRUg4x6QYyimX_8QLYtIZWiaXs49MiADWcysEQLCx2Olmee1354-kmvkLY9eWClxrTgrltrwfCEH44vdaFZYg/w640-h480/IMG_2062.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Magnolia macrophylla </i>blossom</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Big leafed Magnolias are still underused for domestic back gardens in the UK to create a tropical and jungle style garden. With their big, tropical looking leaves they also have the bonus of good hardiness and providing structure and backbone to the garden.</p><p>I won't go much into detail about their cultural requirements but broadly mention that they do prefer a neutral to acidic soil and dappled shade to full sun (especially when they start to tower over everything else, not much choice when that happens). What I do find is that most of them seem to tolerate chalky conditions a lot more than usually perceived. Our garden has an acidic pH but over a foot down it sits on alkaline, chalky subsoil and most seem to do fine and thrive away. Perhaps they'll do even better if we had neutral to acidic soil all the way but I can only offer what we've got....</p><p>Here's a guide to hardy (always with caveat to this word), big leafed Magnolias for the domestic garden to help create a tropical/exotic/jungle style garden in the UK....<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Magnolia macrophylla (American Bigleaf)</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvc55pZfnT7jvlioYskSYAtAxFs3uQvFfnINtFbbQ2NmqK8Fi_onGs6yHxoB0y92Nx75ZWBRwpj-extCM3skUsGDJmn6N9_DM2im-l_SHfirenSP8Cz5GcaD6r-enMDZ2ggeq8RlEvgnnrvkVtIqVBMh6G4Po4KkAgGVXU8SR3I8dQSqlfJ9cpTmolqw/s4032/IMG_2061.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvc55pZfnT7jvlioYskSYAtAxFs3uQvFfnINtFbbQ2NmqK8Fi_onGs6yHxoB0y92Nx75ZWBRwpj-extCM3skUsGDJmn6N9_DM2im-l_SHfirenSP8Cz5GcaD6r-enMDZ2ggeq8RlEvgnnrvkVtIqVBMh6G4Po4KkAgGVXU8SR3I8dQSqlfJ9cpTmolqw/w640-h480/IMG_2061.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Magnolia macrophylla</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44fo3yaOcGA9RbHaaemoM3POb9tOtAlMp0p8mKUR_DmnJPduKKOmi-IV9RK3kgJySE_BCHb0xhHO005VPEJS18Yu1znfxvvNJVeHEbsB77MSBqlelffeHdD8D3UpuFvS58_jbEo9XlRtN62UrbX1r6LjlABIrocKF8y33lr-rLuFarQpp6V6i65xDkw/s4032/IMG_2060.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44fo3yaOcGA9RbHaaemoM3POb9tOtAlMp0p8mKUR_DmnJPduKKOmi-IV9RK3kgJySE_BCHb0xhHO005VPEJS18Yu1znfxvvNJVeHEbsB77MSBqlelffeHdD8D3UpuFvS58_jbEo9XlRtN62UrbX1r6LjlABIrocKF8y33lr-rLuFarQpp6V6i65xDkw/w640-h480/IMG_2060.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><p>Also known as THE Bigleaf Magnolia, the grand dame or the queen of them all, with it's huge leaves measuring between 25-80cm long and 11-30cm wide, with reports of leaves sometimes reaching a metre long. It is such a showstopper of a plant and deserves a pride of place in a garden. Ours is several years on the ground already and around 15 feet in height. It's a good one too for underplanting once the tips are up and out of the way. We have another one waiting in the wings as seen on the photo below</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKv_qsrVhSTqiqI4FKOYRz7Pltvnfhw2TPfM8C4Yk56V9meNR3Ctycr1hcYdIQyLmuUPncIeRGoOaHkWguTYCKOJEGH4-FcWIhmKaQbFu0yOIsbm2nX3jGz_LZqCw2V_SNVRP8CnWINkjOS_EJYm7zC1ZR83a1j9Y8FP-H1kyNxnItgeYvH0__MrpatQ/s4032/IMG_2051.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKv_qsrVhSTqiqI4FKOYRz7Pltvnfhw2TPfM8C4Yk56V9meNR3Ctycr1hcYdIQyLmuUPncIeRGoOaHkWguTYCKOJEGH4-FcWIhmKaQbFu0yOIsbm2nX3jGz_LZqCw2V_SNVRP8CnWINkjOS_EJYm7zC1ZR83a1j9Y8FP-H1kyNxnItgeYvH0__MrpatQ/w640-h480/IMG_2051.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our waiting in the wings <i>Magnolia macrophylla</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Magnolia macrophylla subsp. ashei (American Dwarf Bigleaf)</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIRBEjgvipmOR5ml6gW20AVIGItJfuItf5_P6yRAy8sXXrJlydZ6ng7xDl3NoG6TyT3le1gjTxPgoeqrGJvM4f12p2qX-WxFRE-4PY7AlsZC9-RAv3oho6rEpMcigrCGsbmdNLd17wIiQjQzkjwUvlXeS_KuLSrfwzLrGUOQAbw6GDmHmz_hjZAaimQ/s816/IMG_2063.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="816" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIRBEjgvipmOR5ml6gW20AVIGItJfuItf5_P6yRAy8sXXrJlydZ6ng7xDl3NoG6TyT3le1gjTxPgoeqrGJvM4f12p2qX-WxFRE-4PY7AlsZC9-RAv3oho6rEpMcigrCGsbmdNLd17wIiQjQzkjwUvlXeS_KuLSrfwzLrGUOQAbw6GDmHmz_hjZAaimQ/w640-h480/IMG_2063.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Throwback pic of our <i>Magnolia macrophylla subsp. ashei</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>A smaller version of the above that is also considered a species on it's own right by some botanists (Magnolia ashei). Despite it's more compact habit it still produces relatively big leaves, has an elegant form and holds it's own right as a thing of beauty. Due to it's smaller size, more suitable for smaller gardens. We used to have one thriving for many years in front of our jungle veranda but alas went terminally backward last year but it was a joy to have while it lasted. I'm sure I'm bound to get a replacement sometime very soon, too nice not to have again.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aHkP8kFrV15zkbGTjSqEchbnyuzguI7EM_IQCPHZmE5Nxjz4FGNeNnM38_9WN5nEhyT5v_BpPImCvB4JgBHFa7xXx4Rz34pXEe77UPufPewQ8SgFT7yZMk1yY2X6-ErJokBH0ROsnsf4XW7509wtKTQNVKckuzJ4jAVcCjo-8pOvvPe_TK-rRywF-w/s816/IMG_2064.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="816" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aHkP8kFrV15zkbGTjSqEchbnyuzguI7EM_IQCPHZmE5Nxjz4FGNeNnM38_9WN5nEhyT5v_BpPImCvB4JgBHFa7xXx4Rz34pXEe77UPufPewQ8SgFT7yZMk1yY2X6-ErJokBH0ROsnsf4XW7509wtKTQNVKckuzJ4jAVcCjo-8pOvvPe_TK-rRywF-w/w640-h480/IMG_2064.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Magnolia delavayi (Chinese Evergreen Bigleaf)</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZBcF6FNDElMsv7NiR0qBLhIiXLeCcrzbnQes2zHZlAnmgOncl819kzVFLBHV8wmkMQ52zrdGH-hFX26dwEdV8bXHFr1POmPMBANm67LNE9B425h3hzBykuzQ3lsKW3uW29VbdfcFs4IweNMGBMOW6sKISR6KR08zW8zLVftaiEOy5ICl2xS-Zf5FHQ/s4032/IMG_2069.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZBcF6FNDElMsv7NiR0qBLhIiXLeCcrzbnQes2zHZlAnmgOncl819kzVFLBHV8wmkMQ52zrdGH-hFX26dwEdV8bXHFr1POmPMBANm67LNE9B425h3hzBykuzQ3lsKW3uW29VbdfcFs4IweNMGBMOW6sKISR6KR08zW8zLVftaiEOy5ICl2xS-Zf5FHQ/w640-h480/IMG_2069.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Magnolia delavayi</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Fancy having a plant with that tropical, big leafed green ficus look to it and yet remains looking like that all year round, even in the depths of winter? Then this Evergreen Bigleaf Magnolia is for you. Can't sing this plant enough praises and would have been towering in our garden by now had if we didn't lose our original and well thriving plant in the garden fire of 2013. It has large, deep green and leathery looking leaves with the tree itself having a graceful habit. </p><p>Since then we have replaced it with another one on the exact same spot and is doing really well. It was already too dark to take a photo of it whilst writing this so instead the photo above is a much smaller, newly planted one in another part of the garden.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Magnolia dealbata (Mexican Bigleaf)</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3qpDZL3SgieeoThgN1aDdkTnr4ZJqVuigdhzKB38jqNMIPWoD5H824WZeNaCPVOxdSTULYsKNdzeMmVgA9p-Sg9QQAGW4t96zdUFwtNHwROqayVEcrf4GYm5TAGTghI5RqAuuTKkLfwoSC_-1wvjLTakv7xCvtlx46k3E0h4HbTmmc305PQFZX6rbA/s960/IMG_2066.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3qpDZL3SgieeoThgN1aDdkTnr4ZJqVuigdhzKB38jqNMIPWoD5H824WZeNaCPVOxdSTULYsKNdzeMmVgA9p-Sg9QQAGW4t96zdUFwtNHwROqayVEcrf4GYm5TAGTghI5RqAuuTKkLfwoSC_-1wvjLTakv7xCvtlx46k3E0h4HbTmmc305PQFZX6rbA/w640-h480/IMG_2066.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Magnolia dealbata</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>A stunning big leafed Magnolia from Mexico whose leaves seems to be a bit more rigid and held with more structure and has very silvery undersides. I love the habit and form of this Magnolia and the fallen leaves in autumn retain their silvery colour so well that they almost glow in the dark as they reflect moonlight on a clear night. So not one for leaves to be tidied away quickly once they have been shed.</p><p>Some botanists also consider this as a subspecies of macrophylla so can also go by the name Magnolia macrophylla subsp. dealbata but much like Ashei holds it's own right. We have this planted among tree ferns and one of the few plants that doesn't seem to protest being surrounded by their matted roots. May need staking and training to encourage very upright growth but I'd say well worth the effort.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESY-qVfGkRKdbWQFahtzU3XKZ4OufxTvy7sqcx4X8iBKsoG9lycWQRfBJx19dC_RLjpxOJF-C04DLdAqKJ21U8NrJBPedddehuh3y1H5ptWQZoGcKEdg71vAcEY09STNzm6A4jJo51bTLRwm3NerzwvQ-uBg0qBiSqXwdktLJH7sG4TqlaetyUW3f9Q/s960/IMG_2065.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESY-qVfGkRKdbWQFahtzU3XKZ4OufxTvy7sqcx4X8iBKsoG9lycWQRfBJx19dC_RLjpxOJF-C04DLdAqKJ21U8NrJBPedddehuh3y1H5ptWQZoGcKEdg71vAcEY09STNzm6A4jJo51bTLRwm3NerzwvQ-uBg0qBiSqXwdktLJH7sG4TqlaetyUW3f9Q/w640-h480/IMG_2065.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Magnolia rostrata (Himalayan Bigleaf)</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6n6u77KQZd9xPrSx05Wn65LCK6lZMtg6XXsWu1CzwC5rVPSk6SGw3wuXy22UalXE0t7h5WM8rGijj_L1Wo04FxVZJHO0tiUzQ6Mu9acg1BW4PdBw-HIQh4Y7s-dTDdJhsvwrO1pRMTriESSuAiPDrUZL_5qGJ-SnEGEWurgyEMc1qc_xQaBFL8fwuw/s1280/IMG_2073.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6n6u77KQZd9xPrSx05Wn65LCK6lZMtg6XXsWu1CzwC5rVPSk6SGw3wuXy22UalXE0t7h5WM8rGijj_L1Wo04FxVZJHO0tiUzQ6Mu9acg1BW4PdBw-HIQh4Y7s-dTDdJhsvwrO1pRMTriESSuAiPDrUZL_5qGJ-SnEGEWurgyEMc1qc_xQaBFL8fwuw/w200-h400/IMG_2073.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Magnolia rostrata </i>(photo by Dieter Albrecht)</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Also known as the Beaked Magnolia with its large leaves with distinctive coppery bronze tinge to the new growth that persists for awhile. If dealbata is silver, this would be bronze (just a personal term). And it's also the only one I don't have, on the basis that it's not that hardy and would require a sheltered spot. Do I really need another borderline plant to molly cuddle in the winter? Probably not but like that has ever deterred me. But every time I see those large, brownish leaves I am tempted, very tempted. Photo above borrowed from the internet.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Magnolia obovata (Japanese Bigleaf)</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIpSkO6mz_PbaqOqLSAOMqUUPl1LBBVDcmw00qpJkrnN80ChgQhMg9sVtX8f9gMOM_jAdoqGyXeNxWStkyPd1PrfeIICtFxB3693rUZshPoW9P41G2yXdzdDIR2OoYXGBJjYUc9Ls30jttMFy6XdRZaHT59plfQmjmznWeZ2rA3Sfg4neAaan_kQ4mQ/s4032/IMG_2053.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIpSkO6mz_PbaqOqLSAOMqUUPl1LBBVDcmw00qpJkrnN80ChgQhMg9sVtX8f9gMOM_jAdoqGyXeNxWStkyPd1PrfeIICtFxB3693rUZshPoW9P41G2yXdzdDIR2OoYXGBJjYUc9Ls30jttMFy6XdRZaHT59plfQmjmznWeZ2rA3Sfg4neAaan_kQ4mQ/w640-h480/IMG_2053.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our baby <i>Magnolia obovata </i>near centre of the photo</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Supposed to be one the easiest to grow big leafed Magnolias that has good tolerance for slightly alkaline soil. This has grown really well in our garden and attained height relatively quick too, already 15 feet tall planted out from a three feet plant four years later when alas, we also lost it to the garden fire of 2013. We haven't replaced it since but finally managed to get a new one last year as seen on the pic above.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Magnolia officinalis (China)</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK80KBezdI3zngDA0ZjUFlKoTL4xKdFcLsJWKs-wmhBgIoUZFu-ZGqfXBJ2j13CgEBXxVCGt27oJ6DKM04gLnGJRwm9dEDXUU1vpQmG2uwfRUn57hW6clkgzckOo5E8QORDbkmE0DMOdhWitMBxwD2JOdlAUQETzDXz2YqJkhpwwfBTqZKUojYJ7eJaQ/s4032/IMG_2052.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK80KBezdI3zngDA0ZjUFlKoTL4xKdFcLsJWKs-wmhBgIoUZFu-ZGqfXBJ2j13CgEBXxVCGt27oJ6DKM04gLnGJRwm9dEDXUU1vpQmG2uwfRUn57hW6clkgzckOo5E8QORDbkmE0DMOdhWitMBxwD2JOdlAUQETzDXz2YqJkhpwwfBTqZKUojYJ7eJaQ/w640-h480/IMG_2052.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Magnolia officinalis</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Officially not classed as a 'bigleaf magnolia' as such, but it has big leaves and botanically differs very little from Magnolia obovata which is a 'bigleaf magnolia' (go figure). Some botanists believe this might actually be a subspecies of obovata altogether. A new one for us and waiting in the wings for placement so watch this space...</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Magnolia tripetala (American Umbrella Tree)</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHq2tYv2HlMWuPbKDafKc0eLaHWpcmH5pX70OQZ5HidAt3uDCMAWhok0e-_VLceRrP4Qh54wsG3CUe2mjbWWYO4ztRfGjAfCE6hYFsBP8fXeda_fXlF8pX6DB_0FA228udZjHohnY7_ANxKLcqzK1CUsrgzCpegEMVeNYZetG9y_rf7XxO2dThrwA0TQ/s4032/IMG_2072.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHq2tYv2HlMWuPbKDafKc0eLaHWpcmH5pX70OQZ5HidAt3uDCMAWhok0e-_VLceRrP4Qh54wsG3CUe2mjbWWYO4ztRfGjAfCE6hYFsBP8fXeda_fXlF8pX6DB_0FA228udZjHohnY7_ANxKLcqzK1CUsrgzCpegEMVeNYZetG9y_rf7XxO2dThrwA0TQ/w640-h480/IMG_2072.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Magnolia tripetala </i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>A bigleaf magnolia with, as the name suggests, large leaves that are clustered at the tip of the branches having an umbrella like character. A hardy tree that is supposed to be the easiest to grow and most tolerant of slightly alkaline conditions. We have found this true ourselves by our plant growing away nicely with very little extra attention and is now the tallest magnolia we have in the garden. A stalwart of a plant that we highly recommend!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9j2s1P7BEH-nRdN3F8csbSPghj8eSuqhZYXOYoev1ncdjLTNQ-gg02nrfcGD2k6_W2mZTVNnkZJ9S0Xo0_EekURIu301BwsNOPYaJCbyIygea3aB4KSHHZBOvtNRQKQGs9YWB4XbTYZBoLDy9Xr1RMWmyEYuj0IUkGDAyrsAMMhI0H51nXHVrRRkdFg/s1305/IMG_2067.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="1305" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9j2s1P7BEH-nRdN3F8csbSPghj8eSuqhZYXOYoev1ncdjLTNQ-gg02nrfcGD2k6_W2mZTVNnkZJ9S0Xo0_EekURIu301BwsNOPYaJCbyIygea3aB4KSHHZBOvtNRQKQGs9YWB4XbTYZBoLDy9Xr1RMWmyEYuj0IUkGDAyrsAMMhI0H51nXHVrRRkdFg/w640-h426/IMG_2067.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An older photo of our <i>Magnolia tripetala</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Mark :-)</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. 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This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Mark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-79008425265967340952022-05-30T01:39:00.003+01:002022-05-30T01:39:34.448+01:00Variegated Beauty<p style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: trebuchet;">It took it's time but finally it's getting going again, this variegated Brassaiopsis hispida...</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6yt30ZZ9Nshv9FrvB3OotM7uIG0JhrbQqRhDFIcqqQrFucOvZTbtYnpyq8zHyMvjje4u0xz_BlavAngNckvk4M_1HnVrjsfg18PTnVcNEEGL03vVTGZWdLjAo-IrWxFO_4R6kE4Bpt6TSQCLMcAD0HlwgR2THqb3PQuxwQP5I444GS7Bpf9gU4Ya_g/s4032/IMG_2056.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6yt30ZZ9Nshv9FrvB3OotM7uIG0JhrbQqRhDFIcqqQrFucOvZTbtYnpyq8zHyMvjje4u0xz_BlavAngNckvk4M_1HnVrjsfg18PTnVcNEEGL03vVTGZWdLjAo-IrWxFO_4R6kE4Bpt6TSQCLMcAD0HlwgR2THqb3PQuxwQP5I444GS7Bpf9gU4Ya_g/w640-h480/IMG_2056.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Brassaiopsis hispida </i>variegated</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I sh<span style="font-family: trebuchet;">ouldn't have been surprised that it was slow to get going, owing to it's variegated character. With less 'green' to play with by nature it would be much less vigorous than the plain green species.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The new growth is also prone to being nibbled by slugs, snails, aphids, and scale insects so we have to keep an extra eye on it. Earlier today I spotted some scale insects so had to spend some time manually removing them before they do further damage.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">We need this to further bulk up so can propagate and have back ups, and even distribute from there. Fingers crossed!</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Mark :-)</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
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This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Mark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-62053518606052638552021-07-17T15:02:00.001+01:002021-07-17T15:02:00.317+01:00Mad About Mangave<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Well not quite but have spent some time recently potting up some of the ones we have...</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmcyoEX-5Zz8WvIj_2ylrA5QkTyPiFbUFjopUVk2GK97ErU9eITSag1AxQR9LCZ4uAqzUWNXcAU8GGoNyf3cOU-4bhyTVwSLF7MklCOyoC3R2XK3tyRArveFbBn0b5k7AJTniyJnZb3oT/s1280/D1A1B486-B67B-4C74-8B14-8BADD09434D5.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmcyoEX-5Zz8WvIj_2ylrA5QkTyPiFbUFjopUVk2GK97ErU9eITSag1AxQR9LCZ4uAqzUWNXcAU8GGoNyf3cOU-4bhyTVwSLF7MklCOyoC3R2XK3tyRArveFbBn0b5k7AJTniyJnZb3oT/w640-h480/D1A1B486-B67B-4C74-8B14-8BADD09434D5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangave 'Inkblot'</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">We've only every grown Manfreda before with moderate success and two Mangaves, 'Bloodspot' and 'Macho Mocha'. The former has done incredibly well for us in the conservatory until it bloomed a few years ago, while the latter struggled by being constantly nibbled by snails to the point of demise. This cross between an Agave and a Manfreda is monocarpic so once it blooms it can take awhile for resulting offsets and/or bulbils to be good enough to take over the mother plant.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNuffjYvl1q1aykYW70eJj-mVOYRK5OFP4fDLTnL0a1OZWliJXe1z2u5Mg7Ah73FJpC9VPkrbmRfJCcBdLjhnEGPviE_5Wk1S7aq4FcyI3rqeK27pRbLcUa40od6QOJ7by80GJ2p_Q6bn/s1280/658FE816-F716-4D59-A8ED-BA268A13EDEE.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="986" data-original-width="1280" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNuffjYvl1q1aykYW70eJj-mVOYRK5OFP4fDLTnL0a1OZWliJXe1z2u5Mg7Ah73FJpC9VPkrbmRfJCcBdLjhnEGPviE_5Wk1S7aq4FcyI3rqeK27pRbLcUa40od6QOJ7by80GJ2p_Q6bn/w640-h492/658FE816-F716-4D59-A8ED-BA268A13EDEE.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangave 'Lavender Lady' and 'Red Wing'</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">There are plenty of varieties out there, some I find more attractive than others and it's easy enough to get into collecting them. With space a premium in our garden we have to be selective and just go for the ones that really appeals to us. Fortunately they are not that hard to come by here in the UK these days as they are well distributed in garden centres here now. They have a very good marketing team and are appealing to both the garden and houseplant brigade. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXv0LCOuPA5P9vK2qZL_rns_rUpgt89Ki4aqwqjkO3PbRSiRsQ1Ypm-40ojQ9L6kXaXTP4JmNHN1A9jG0Udc_0WJARaqN69oKs0nqrHh24Ig7pNvA6JKCNyVYefLLYW-bcc6hrG9Stk9eA/s1280/013F1A27-C994-47EF-A10A-B8FBB8E61C56.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1280" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXv0LCOuPA5P9vK2qZL_rns_rUpgt89Ki4aqwqjkO3PbRSiRsQ1Ypm-40ojQ9L6kXaXTP4JmNHN1A9jG0Udc_0WJARaqN69oKs0nqrHh24Ig7pNvA6JKCNyVYefLLYW-bcc6hrG9Stk9eA/w640-h550/013F1A27-C994-47EF-A10A-B8FBB8E61C56.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangave 'Mission to Mars'</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">From our limited experience they do well as houseplants too, for a sunny spot otherwise they lose the distinctive markings. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRff2NKWtYCt0l5AGVQLzxCu6KCXRDWd_IlT-HmTdpk9o6PbnXH7qNI_GCM38z6TQWKBcC9Tvkwr7FRwlDMUNYD8M-j08_5HX11EMcAhVT-vx1erz9INXKAWLuWZ5bHJxUzUg4xmaKVOBW/s1280/1C3F3BBA-049B-4A37-9650-E463220ADC0E.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRff2NKWtYCt0l5AGVQLzxCu6KCXRDWd_IlT-HmTdpk9o6PbnXH7qNI_GCM38z6TQWKBcC9Tvkwr7FRwlDMUNYD8M-j08_5HX11EMcAhVT-vx1erz9INXKAWLuWZ5bHJxUzUg4xmaKVOBW/w640-h480/1C3F3BBA-049B-4A37-9650-E463220ADC0E.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangave 'Pineapple Express'</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">They also make for a great pot plant so matching them with an appropriate colour and shape of pot add to the fun of repotting them.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvGdPWZ4iLuMbUUFQv87bwxdrsD7vBs3aHtuSrN8URXaZd9Y3Qp4ywpufpipmohgbfOgxYBDUpPrS4MwNgycuSY0vefMDvTUkmcLIAKQOFssesixOiZ3LKqEyPLUqsdII54IdTR19u5B7/s1280/5C408C88-47B3-45EC-BF99-B6C8BD481F23.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvGdPWZ4iLuMbUUFQv87bwxdrsD7vBs3aHtuSrN8URXaZd9Y3Qp4ywpufpipmohgbfOgxYBDUpPrS4MwNgycuSY0vefMDvTUkmcLIAKQOFssesixOiZ3LKqEyPLUqsdII54IdTR19u5B7/w640-h480/5C408C88-47B3-45EC-BF99-B6C8BD481F23.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another Mangave 'Inkblot'</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpdfZajCmLL8L7OvmtLq0eB6w0UDrosnSFwsPKw9lkurl38HwdDo5z3ZNaWeqbsfNRbPznRW3lMmXrxZzIpvPR5kDvv6xzX_zUaufNm1fsVM5qUwuxcfqvEa-m08RkUPBugV8IVp0dVVP/s1280/96CB8125-E081-479D-8C76-95F78815E9FE.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1086" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpdfZajCmLL8L7OvmtLq0eB6w0UDrosnSFwsPKw9lkurl38HwdDo5z3ZNaWeqbsfNRbPznRW3lMmXrxZzIpvPR5kDvv6xzX_zUaufNm1fsVM5qUwuxcfqvEa-m08RkUPBugV8IVp0dVVP/w544-h640/96CB8125-E081-479D-8C76-95F78815E9FE.jpeg" width="544" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangave 'Lavender Lady'</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Are you into mangaves too, and if so which ones are your favourite?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Mark :-)</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
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This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Mark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-7518898438869839372021-07-15T19:30:00.001+01:002021-07-15T19:30:00.323+01:00Surprisingly Doing Fine<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">There's a couple of plants in the garden I want to highlight on this post that are doing fine despite our expectations of just being summer bedding due to their reputation of being only borderline hardy for our location.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9R5sWZgrGN8RFKVA17QuFY2SqBDBo3liuUxqUPVe6nO_9drCIoK_O9VPff4XuL2C-Aj0BCpl2hSylXOur9DiBuTKtbRbjfNf-nnhGvSn5FROixjA4aaBmhIaLlqooaL6Q2unXRJwSJR7q/s1280/32576DA9-82A6-42EB-9715-7FBE9E2A2AA7.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9R5sWZgrGN8RFKVA17QuFY2SqBDBo3liuUxqUPVe6nO_9drCIoK_O9VPff4XuL2C-Aj0BCpl2hSylXOur9DiBuTKtbRbjfNf-nnhGvSn5FROixjA4aaBmhIaLlqooaL6Q2unXRJwSJR7q/w640-h480/32576DA9-82A6-42EB-9715-7FBE9E2A2AA7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pteris cretica</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><i>Pteris cretica</i> is popular here as a houseplant but we have been growing it under the eaves of our jungle hut for several years now. Granted that it does have extra protection being under cover all year round, it doesn't exempt it from experiencing minus temperatures in the depths of our winter. It's main problem though is that it is one of the many favoured snack of slugs and snails in the garden, making it tricky to keep pristine but what's left behind remains attractive with its variegated leaves.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibSi9TWLipdSkSPoP3SBSF74C39t1-H1xuf5tPSQYsC9haI6DaoX7QZBiTjCGJLSh4ebD3CT_daZIt6glXHRaDOpha7X4K2u_GEvvoSJAOTXGyETkYNluFvehm-ZYhypr4sXP0LVxbvxD/s1280/20880DC7-BE34-4629-97C0-0787C43B9D19.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibSi9TWLipdSkSPoP3SBSF74C39t1-H1xuf5tPSQYsC9haI6DaoX7QZBiTjCGJLSh4ebD3CT_daZIt6glXHRaDOpha7X4K2u_GEvvoSJAOTXGyETkYNluFvehm-ZYhypr4sXP0LVxbvxD/w640-h480/20880DC7-BE34-4629-97C0-0787C43B9D19.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Calliandra surinamensis</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Next one would be <i>Calliandra surinamensis</i> which is mainly grown for its fluffy pink flowers but we love it for its delicate pinnate leaves reminiscent of Shy Mimosa leaves. This South American plant has always been reputed to be only borderline hardy but we grow it outside all year round, sited next to a Yucca rostrata that died this spring after going through a late cold spell here last April (20C one day then -4C the following day can do a lot of damage). A little mystery here, a cold spell that killed a hardier Yucca and yet this plant remained fine and doing very well now.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEius5kRhpNbWulrq80esklnp2c0FfaOERwXNrHE-31olNkTyLCsAlJ9NF_gSaDXMhDkHNFLyHEFVh-G23Mqs9RxSWSemT7JFb3dSb96TDPh06NmcaZs4WI5JY2WKGTYZt9IeW4e4EMZ5DBv/s1280/7066F5B4-C325-475C-A6DB-DB40B6BCCFD6.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEius5kRhpNbWulrq80esklnp2c0FfaOERwXNrHE-31olNkTyLCsAlJ9NF_gSaDXMhDkHNFLyHEFVh-G23Mqs9RxSWSemT7JFb3dSb96TDPh06NmcaZs4WI5JY2WKGTYZt9IeW4e4EMZ5DBv/w640-h480/7066F5B4-C325-475C-A6DB-DB40B6BCCFD6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Calliandra surinamensis</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Perhaps time to revise it's reputed hardiness??</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Mark :-)</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
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This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Mark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-44748265213193064632021-07-13T18:54:00.001+01:002021-07-13T18:54:38.692+01:00Wollemi Pine<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">We have grown the Wollemi Pine (<i>Wollemia nobilis</i>) in our garden for over a decade now and despite the set back it experienced in winter 2010, it has recovered albeit slowly to become an attractive specimen that it is now.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbc9vEbMvdKPm6THa41GJdgwBdFV5AacOB4isIk8sauhC94qXALrTO_uLKfjxW4HutaNFufgV-XviRb1dKIwz-O5_PbivCj929a9INQ97-pJpeZGNO_kG1EKW78isLauAKg3VWMd0cUWa/s1280/C157E317-EE13-447A-9BAC-DCF3894A4770.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbc9vEbMvdKPm6THa41GJdgwBdFV5AacOB4isIk8sauhC94qXALrTO_uLKfjxW4HutaNFufgV-XviRb1dKIwz-O5_PbivCj929a9INQ97-pJpeZGNO_kG1EKW78isLauAKg3VWMd0cUWa/w640-h480/C157E317-EE13-447A-9BAC-DCF3894A4770.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wollemia nobilis</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Not the fastest of growers but well worth the perseverance to grow. One amusing anecdote about the Wollemi Pine is that for many years it had the story attached to it of being very rare, or rather one of the rarest plants in the world. It was even grown inside a cage on several botanic gardens including Kew Gardens. And yet you can buy them in the gift shop even then, albeit with a hefty price tag ramped up with its romanticised back story.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9jrz0WFYgE6y_j8jr4ArSYKbM4KnJROjpehMLK6ESxO3bSrkICH28JUpRAgFaG8OcAtyG0cSR6ze2dJrWX7ItlktyNH_3UTPrrlFvs4cINnd1VYROD7y7PnNC4DDPlH5wnJS5PNwbRYy/s1280/71AA41D6-B24D-4C71-9146-7BA38C863F6C.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9jrz0WFYgE6y_j8jr4ArSYKbM4KnJROjpehMLK6ESxO3bSrkICH28JUpRAgFaG8OcAtyG0cSR6ze2dJrWX7ItlktyNH_3UTPrrlFvs4cINnd1VYROD7y7PnNC4DDPlH5wnJS5PNwbRYy/w640-h480/71AA41D6-B24D-4C71-9146-7BA38C863F6C.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wollemia nobilis</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Fast forward to more recent times, its rarely seen in a cage now and readily available in garden centres in the UK. It has seemed to have also shed off of its 'rare' back story, which it can only hang on to for a limited time to begin with. Saying that recent feedback via Instagram indicates that they are still hard to come by across the pond, I wonder why...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The two photos above were taken two weeks apart, with it's 'weeping' habit the latest one, showing it's graceful change in habit as it grows out new leaves.</span></p><p>Mark :-)</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
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This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Mark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-89923676618322440772021-06-26T16:17:00.002+01:002021-06-26T16:17:00.360+01:00Cordyline Australis<p> A staple "exotic" plant, and one that we use fairly sparingly in the garden. With a selection of common names such as Cabbage palm or Torbay palm making reference to the word palm, it is often confused as such. </p><p>Hailing from New Zealand, and pretty hardy in most of the UK, in all but the harshest of winters they are a fairly common sight.</p><p>One of ours is in flower at the moment and the sweet heady scent fills the air by the koi pond. People often say they smell like cat pee, so I'm rather pleased we don't seem to get that scent. Regardless of how they smell, the bees appear to love it at the moment.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLs_C1pe5Ma4tJGIEkaevRy6l6SfrbTPwGJLskpSQQmFVNyoR_YNH1t_RB3X9xsujTkZ4p8ca-Womp0KNXnMCUGeml5BTph9wZ6FJxuoGS7NBg_mlr-q3tag7spZ2PP1-vNMCVJ9u4KqfM/s2048/202861210_503249060725472_2333126695078711418_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Cordyline australis in bloom" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLs_C1pe5Ma4tJGIEkaevRy6l6SfrbTPwGJLskpSQQmFVNyoR_YNH1t_RB3X9xsujTkZ4p8ca-Womp0KNXnMCUGeml5BTph9wZ6FJxuoGS7NBg_mlr-q3tag7spZ2PP1-vNMCVJ9u4KqfM/w640-h480/202861210_503249060725472_2333126695078711418_n.jpg" title="Cordyline australis in bloom" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HXA8afmy-NAi8v95Hi7EX3oRNmqNnzAR7P5DnyOy-g355I31O0R5FHd2qruo3OyBS71pteQG3Vww4QLc0LGj81lMWN8Squ0rwyeS-7oI3THTtJWE5M21DrvMTz-MxadnsafbDVMRmQxP/s2048/201878644_3075945316017019_6402910380376852969_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cordyline australis in bloom" border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="2048" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HXA8afmy-NAi8v95Hi7EX3oRNmqNnzAR7P5DnyOy-g355I31O0R5FHd2qruo3OyBS71pteQG3Vww4QLc0LGj81lMWN8Squ0rwyeS-7oI3THTtJWE5M21DrvMTz-MxadnsafbDVMRmQxP/w640-h478/201878644_3075945316017019_6402910380376852969_n+%25281%2529.jpg" title="Cordyline australis in bloom" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlV2GhKoLxoR42-vae19bPWddV_hRJQz2zNCwI7gEx3UF3DgXCqCzP0JZtIQvooEyFb1nz2oH2YdKAXCChWXwfkVSRhbS4hm8WBJCwXuNn4JMFy47rpheyTkoBWo8QbypR_GKLe2QdXIe/s2048/203024997_503144747580704_6026443501603952278_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Cordyline australis in bloom" border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="2048" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlV2GhKoLxoR42-vae19bPWddV_hRJQz2zNCwI7gEx3UF3DgXCqCzP0JZtIQvooEyFb1nz2oH2YdKAXCChWXwfkVSRhbS4hm8WBJCwXuNn4JMFy47rpheyTkoBWo8QbypR_GKLe2QdXIe/w640-h510/203024997_503144747580704_6026443501603952278_n.jpg" title="Cordyline australis in bloom" width="640" /></a><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5D9RVHpOVhVh0uKovdmPBR0dyyY5ADjZXZ24aG_3Z0VB2ZbUHzf6wAlj3e-6FjbvV5s9m9yz_u8NgDp3OY7oaX1AwlgXC5cTY7AJmNVdiKOO4srFWMPZNU5LBrLzdgoMoSz8FE2ytl9AD/s2048/202556025_4044632992282218_6891712731318489942_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cordyline australis in bloom" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5D9RVHpOVhVh0uKovdmPBR0dyyY5ADjZXZ24aG_3Z0VB2ZbUHzf6wAlj3e-6FjbvV5s9m9yz_u8NgDp3OY7oaX1AwlgXC5cTY7AJmNVdiKOO4srFWMPZNU5LBrLzdgoMoSz8FE2ytl9AD/w640-h480/202556025_4044632992282218_6891712731318489942_n.jpg" title="Cordyline australis in bloom" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How do you find the scent, heavenly or cat pee?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gaz</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
<br />
This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Mark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-61736134905340859332021-06-25T13:27:00.005+01:002021-06-25T13:27:00.363+01:00A Short trip to North Wales<p>We recently visited North Wales - see earlier post about <a href="http://www.alternativeeden.com/2021/06/a-trip-to-crug-farm.html">visit to Crug Farm Plants</a>, staying in Llandudno. I had visited many times as a child, but I don't think I have been back since my teens. </p><p>Often when you revisit a place from your childhood, it fails to live up to memories, and I must admit to being slightly apprehensive as to whether visiting with Mark would live up to expectations. Fortunately we really shouldn't have worried with Llandudno, the resort town was so clean and tidy, with signs of work and fresh paint everywhere as it gears up for the summer season. A typical Victorian holiday resort, with rows of hotels and guest houses facing the sea, that by and large haven't fallen victim to conversion to budget living accommodation or poor flat conversions. We opted for a traditional guest house a couple of roads from the promenade.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZRXGlkz1FpN2n50bkgof0pMANw1mzvZ6k2N2TchI0VgrrD-Ehl_YnQl223CLL2Wt7O2nh_wa38-Sb5UM3Uy8xIqAa1ASHRAE1Wjx13CH_imZoGgp4mql4KyJrvwr85a934UH0TCYZuo8/s2048/203744763_1162080310976719_3729952863460678193_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Llandudno" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZRXGlkz1FpN2n50bkgof0pMANw1mzvZ6k2N2TchI0VgrrD-Ehl_YnQl223CLL2Wt7O2nh_wa38-Sb5UM3Uy8xIqAa1ASHRAE1Wjx13CH_imZoGgp4mql4KyJrvwr85a934UH0TCYZuo8/w640-h480/203744763_1162080310976719_3729952863460678193_n.jpg" title="Llandudno" width="640" /></a></p><p>Sunset with the Victorian Pier and Grand Hotel (although the Hotels Tripadvisor reviews would suggest its glory days are well behind it).<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7BV_bOOCW2kHV0hx1J7jIVFsoneJ7UFYuzKEsAq89oBC7mTuuLWwfBmMEbhDbcpKsb7bKr9SaJMkmSrd2XUCAt8hp4DEb84Qj_ctmu3G1-D0OUqeKg8AibWYsFu_spolFyXIEtqGrMY3/s2048/203217173_206733994651782_4444513623819464476_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Llandudno" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7BV_bOOCW2kHV0hx1J7jIVFsoneJ7UFYuzKEsAq89oBC7mTuuLWwfBmMEbhDbcpKsb7bKr9SaJMkmSrd2XUCAt8hp4DEb84Qj_ctmu3G1-D0OUqeKg8AibWYsFu_spolFyXIEtqGrMY3/w640-h480/203217173_206733994651782_4444513623819464476_n.jpg" title="Llandudno" width="640" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicE5_TOQA2N7SbRTvE36B_WP9xg5K2rNC5oy07VcPWNrhEj4fiWvOUWkD8exPGKCRMkU3FPvHQ9japSwvD1N8E6aBk_kDpYOgEjiscpf_uXKl-4PcAUPh63Gbsc3fIUipEKA1V_xa-OV-/s2048/201878485_974699219942912_2186076764970827420_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Llandudno" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicE5_TOQA2N7SbRTvE36B_WP9xg5K2rNC5oy07VcPWNrhEj4fiWvOUWkD8exPGKCRMkU3FPvHQ9japSwvD1N8E6aBk_kDpYOgEjiscpf_uXKl-4PcAUPh63Gbsc3fIUipEKA1V_xa-OV-/w640-h480/201878485_974699219942912_2186076764970827420_n.jpg" title="Llandudno" width="640" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSWoVEbkOh_IM4wVHtybkn9U_u1GJD3Nd6Tq5Kdva9I19fM_TafxN0Ydn6jRUGCcvOqR3KBj6C9SWJfIjnFvCpY5mT3U257aGnqgssXKSWmg69nnnu0Gnr2TbR2kSqzJhQoCWDf9ZUS94/s2048/202316673_221365176498006_8541262190801783435_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Llandudno" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSWoVEbkOh_IM4wVHtybkn9U_u1GJD3Nd6Tq5Kdva9I19fM_TafxN0Ydn6jRUGCcvOqR3KBj6C9SWJfIjnFvCpY5mT3U257aGnqgssXKSWmg69nnnu0Gnr2TbR2kSqzJhQoCWDf9ZUS94/w640-h480/202316673_221365176498006_8541262190801783435_n.jpg" title="Llandudno" width="640" /></a></p><p>Llandudno even has small gardens within one of the parks, the aptly name "Happy Valley", with a bust of Queen Victoria close to the entrance. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPT2hkJON0okoS-x5UWVc5wmhCk6DURFFXtgWqAERg4cLq8Cc11-_w_NgTzuZZHX08ROM2ieOd6H5LysGojNdM1a-mWnidy1jtDxt8gtn8Ef9VrZ0Ek-d5vmGOIOKZhndEq66woUOX04c/s2048/201795591_994620828014339_4554065408898278353_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPT2hkJON0okoS-x5UWVc5wmhCk6DURFFXtgWqAERg4cLq8Cc11-_w_NgTzuZZHX08ROM2ieOd6H5LysGojNdM1a-mWnidy1jtDxt8gtn8Ef9VrZ0Ek-d5vmGOIOKZhndEq66woUOX04c/w480-h640/201795591_994620828014339_4554065408898278353_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTovGgoBRhR-c1PUwbu2KaKZDFGbLnx_qhqjN7WW3tn69aRtrsYvlwb0toolr3EITIug1wIkUa4YNJgpef6C7CTjcK-4rCUfolPD5RQzdJHKmwnKJ_4lkAyQ6JgUZkmy9bms8C4P1LQHaH/s2048/203201707_190333973011520_1132215029958424561_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTovGgoBRhR-c1PUwbu2KaKZDFGbLnx_qhqjN7WW3tn69aRtrsYvlwb0toolr3EITIug1wIkUa4YNJgpef6C7CTjcK-4rCUfolPD5RQzdJHKmwnKJ_4lkAyQ6JgUZkmy9bms8C4P1LQHaH/w640-h480/203201707_190333973011520_1132215029958424561_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>Botanically the gardens are fairly ordinary, but the location over looking the sea, makes them a pleasant enough visit.</p><p>As well as the fabulous coast, it wouldn't be a trip to Wales without a visit to a castle. In our case we prebooked slots at two, Conwy and then Caernarfon. Both Castles date to 1289, as part of King Edward I of England defences against the Welsh Princes. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6ctqkUTel4ZIwBr83Zhjk623eFJfMOzsTyQSxpYwfc7UA1hgB3rVj1Xv76u_cZMG-lGvEAugpK-ZDgaQmVspd7TW_0pyIxsPCl1Stpco2iGClgfgDSFYz5QuXkhouej4FTs8K6ZTA4nq/s2048/200291475_344520870399315_7742430142316753105_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Conwy Castle" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6ctqkUTel4ZIwBr83Zhjk623eFJfMOzsTyQSxpYwfc7UA1hgB3rVj1Xv76u_cZMG-lGvEAugpK-ZDgaQmVspd7TW_0pyIxsPCl1Stpco2iGClgfgDSFYz5QuXkhouej4FTs8K6ZTA4nq/w480-h640/200291475_344520870399315_7742430142316753105_n.jpg" title="Conwy Castle" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conwy Castle</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNRGxL5fiKYRglES1vT0YVXajtieH6vHqN2Va5gaqJsiLjwSe7O_B8AUxLEgqZXTlT0H5juTlGM5Uj_FfzjqdzDhHgYuY4-6pTm0VTHdED6gzXVTeF6aDjIUWEvO3TYlEv0zzF4wLBiDy/s2048/202217051_334817531353776_4877525526085256669_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Conwy Castle" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNRGxL5fiKYRglES1vT0YVXajtieH6vHqN2Va5gaqJsiLjwSe7O_B8AUxLEgqZXTlT0H5juTlGM5Uj_FfzjqdzDhHgYuY4-6pTm0VTHdED6gzXVTeF6aDjIUWEvO3TYlEv0zzF4wLBiDy/w640-h480/202217051_334817531353776_4877525526085256669_n.jpg" title="Conwy Castle" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conwy Castle</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQjqrLtv5uKrZDiULoJ4dUtd4ML7w5Av6jhA2zNnxLhiLfZpkgruAXFuG9s26NbjjQ6Z3cpG8ES1DttwxHP3zL9BkRwiuW1NlBfIObUkJ1I7ZdF0KUfKHphQw3dy2xQlbbkXNKGWHGU0S/s2048/202316672_303045481468914_2004460709791201174_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Conwy Castle" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQjqrLtv5uKrZDiULoJ4dUtd4ML7w5Av6jhA2zNnxLhiLfZpkgruAXFuG9s26NbjjQ6Z3cpG8ES1DttwxHP3zL9BkRwiuW1NlBfIObUkJ1I7ZdF0KUfKHphQw3dy2xQlbbkXNKGWHGU0S/w480-h640/202316672_303045481468914_2004460709791201174_n.jpg" title="Conwy Castle" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conwy Castle</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwrP7FgqQhbwSnuolC_Awr5bizQOVXhfybYCiO-dPtal6IhSlncb-7Lz3jCxbKKZrpi48Qg18qsGOeIYoRBi8wZB8cBVQbnJBdmhQw1k7wPvmb1l4MaZUeUtiYZcTyCKqVxmaTrDSBu9P/s2048/203370737_1960902437397732_3894827249672960956_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Conwy Castle" border="0" data-original-height="1869" data-original-width="2048" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwrP7FgqQhbwSnuolC_Awr5bizQOVXhfybYCiO-dPtal6IhSlncb-7Lz3jCxbKKZrpi48Qg18qsGOeIYoRBi8wZB8cBVQbnJBdmhQw1k7wPvmb1l4MaZUeUtiYZcTyCKqVxmaTrDSBu9P/w640-h584/203370737_1960902437397732_3894827249672960956_n.jpg" title="Conwy Castle" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conwy Castle - look up through one of the towers - sadly now lacking a roof.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6CXD4tPDVa8HVBZoQu3_tk1DatblFmBVvfBFUOpKU4NzaDf-BAFQjknHf91DftX0tM5U4Xi1elmL6rLo8omn-ldPodG08TVl2W6EhyLvOFboLLeMgYjt7xY5hXoMTmgQ8rXS0Y7E-PV5/s2048/201997928_787595688615464_618171526167418060_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="Conwy Suspension Bridge" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6CXD4tPDVa8HVBZoQu3_tk1DatblFmBVvfBFUOpKU4NzaDf-BAFQjknHf91DftX0tM5U4Xi1elmL6rLo8omn-ldPodG08TVl2W6EhyLvOFboLLeMgYjt7xY5hXoMTmgQ8rXS0Y7E-PV5/w640-h480/201997928_787595688615464_618171526167418060_n.jpg" title="Conwy Suspension Bridge" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conwy Suspension Bridge, built in 1822 by Thomas Telford</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDet2aaIZ1bedRcvAgvxuOlzqp_c3pNf-D7MOh1EGOXQXbabMsc8JINAbEZuR517we46umvKYp22_29InLAsTfzGkJC4W1LE1GdH4p2Rs0UohHDV6GglqNK4vy_Z75z19fpq7KIA1ZtDt/s2048/201582669_329629355356659_4295589429898521953_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1682" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDet2aaIZ1bedRcvAgvxuOlzqp_c3pNf-D7MOh1EGOXQXbabMsc8JINAbEZuR517we46umvKYp22_29InLAsTfzGkJC4W1LE1GdH4p2Rs0UohHDV6GglqNK4vy_Z75z19fpq7KIA1ZtDt/w526-h640/201582669_329629355356659_4295589429898521953_n.jpg" width="526" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also in Conwy is the Smallest House in Great Britain.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p>From Conwy we headed over to Caernarfon.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QJyiR12USeCGa0SCEV7whdfLeWZtrSfKWqDBKf0l8S2yHicycUCd0Ibm7wCYVhs5og6jS9tRI5UlPmKAzz_wd8XBjF_owi9Xrb7iE4A9eoUjfUkpULTP1UODTduszPJJgdvFsl8KRYb4/s2048/202593455_343633077130934_7457031402952822222_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QJyiR12USeCGa0SCEV7whdfLeWZtrSfKWqDBKf0l8S2yHicycUCd0Ibm7wCYVhs5og6jS9tRI5UlPmKAzz_wd8XBjF_owi9Xrb7iE4A9eoUjfUkpULTP1UODTduszPJJgdvFsl8KRYb4/w640-h480/202593455_343633077130934_7457031402952822222_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1x-KPUIijE-t7VNa888zhRdBG50dWCMMinvn_mH5f90rTT8vLejXjjtScKRMrYOxH8906Yzz7IeWQOVT_y_76WUcQ-JwV9mUX0XbyuKF2O2OnnxCEWzkeKStGZq2gCWW0Fq0WwS-N-YC/s2048/202667196_398538178108390_3672868948372098634_n+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="Caernarfon Castle" border="0" data-original-height="1545" data-original-width="2048" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1x-KPUIijE-t7VNa888zhRdBG50dWCMMinvn_mH5f90rTT8vLejXjjtScKRMrYOxH8906Yzz7IeWQOVT_y_76WUcQ-JwV9mUX0XbyuKF2O2OnnxCEWzkeKStGZq2gCWW0Fq0WwS-N-YC/w640-h482/202667196_398538178108390_3672868948372098634_n+%25282%2529.jpg" title="Caernarfon Castle" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Caernarfon Castle</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I didn't actually take many photos at Caernarfon, despite its impressive size and history. </div><div><br /></div><div>Having had a lovely long weekend, I dont think we will leave it quite so long before returning to North Wales.</div><div><br /></div><div>Gaz</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
<br />
This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Mark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-74523915083741292472021-06-24T12:02:00.003+01:002021-06-24T12:02:00.365+01:00The Never Ending Task<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">At this time of the year one of the regular garden jobs is to hunt the wayward bamboo rhizomes, we grow a number of <i>Phyllostachys </i>species, and most have been seen to wander in our garden (ignore any nursery or garden centre that claims they clump - they dont!).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">But by and large we are able to keep them where we want them, usually with a little gentle persuasion from a trusty pickaxe or in todays case a mattock. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">In todays example a <i>Phyllostachys aurea</i> that was one of the early plantings in our garden needed a little attention. this is growing in a planting hole chipped out from crazy paving a former owner had long since buried under a layer of gravel that we see today. Fortunately this has helped contain this one. and when it does wander, the initial exploration is though a gravel layer - not that that deters the bamboo of course. But it does make it easier to get our once it starts to loosen.</span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQvRgTFfopxHXVz3akeoWaUR1XMqHzD-gUQRBUKdkPrlKHdMPk5NQ9wCupHJsGhNT2IhXVGhXdr5RnIQ1qe397qoCekN62yW8i7SAh_ZoCPGWOAl6wjj2fDbp8q_qSDmLbmiDZuPSSTnD/s2048/202793945_324761995967644_3150430468414544965_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQvRgTFfopxHXVz3akeoWaUR1XMqHzD-gUQRBUKdkPrlKHdMPk5NQ9wCupHJsGhNT2IhXVGhXdr5RnIQ1qe397qoCekN62yW8i7SAh_ZoCPGWOAl6wjj2fDbp8q_qSDmLbmiDZuPSSTnD/w640-h480/202793945_324761995967644_3150430468414544965_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">How we went so long in our gardening life without a mattock is anyone's guess, but really it is an essential tool, easily chops through a matted mass of bamboo roots, and helps lift those wayward rhizomes for subsequent disposal.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5aBrsvEB94jfh-qcRsMjP79ZcTJ1aje1aOzKb3lzofdPmoT8R2Y4pWm3YTJTAPqX-ulvx-mluVuHXrmDjKz7wdOyGoiHVdt5QhyEQIelUPw3uJFyEs2XvpNt9i9k9DM9RyUsrkm9XARj/s2048/202436332_331355478713692_330440782289076849_n+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1462" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5aBrsvEB94jfh-qcRsMjP79ZcTJ1aje1aOzKb3lzofdPmoT8R2Y4pWm3YTJTAPqX-ulvx-mluVuHXrmDjKz7wdOyGoiHVdt5QhyEQIelUPw3uJFyEs2XvpNt9i9k9DM9RyUsrkm9XARj/w456-h640/202436332_331355478713692_330440782289076849_n+%25282%2529.jpg" width="456" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">All of which brings me on to Danger Gardens <a href="http://www.thedangergarden.com/2021/06/palm-trees-are-so-depressing.html" target="_blank">recent post about palms and bamboo,</a> where Loree had been involved in a discussion where a participant commented about bamboo, "<i style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">As a screening plant, it screams “I am entirely unable to think outside the box”.</i></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="background-color: white;">Whilst I wouldn't agree with this exactly, perhaps I do have some sympathy for this view point, we have been removing bamboo over the last couple of years, funnily enough several <i>Phyllostachys aurea </i>have had the chop. When we started the garden, limited budgets and a desire for some instant height meant this was a regular repeated plant. It was readily available and relatively inexpensive, screening the neighbours or in the case of the plant above, hiding the shed. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="background-color: white;">Perhaps, one could argue we lacked some knowledge to think outside the box, but really it was that desire for a garden that wasn't all under 30cm tall that meant we headed in that direction.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">We have never fallen out of love for bamboo, but we have limited space, and ejecting repeat bamboo gives us a little more space. They are of course quite messy plants at some times of the year, so a little less summer leaf litter isn't a bad thing either. From memory I think eight </span></span><i style="color: #222222;">Phyllostachys aurea</i><span style="color: #222222;"> clumps have been removed over the last few years, with a further one on the radar for a new planting space later this year. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">But as to the future for this particular plant, thats a little more safe for now, its location works, and I have no great desire to have to get rid of the crazy paving around it to stand any chance of removal. So for now its future is secure... </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Gaz</span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></p><p><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></i></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
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This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Mark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-11253754192115465212021-06-23T17:35:00.000+01:002021-06-23T17:35:51.984+01:00A Trip to Crug Farm<p>Crug Farm Plants are well known for their large selection of unusual plants, and despite having been buying plants from Crug for many years we had not managed to visit until recently. Our lack of visiting had long passed being embarrassing, as Sue and Bleddyn usually reminded us each time we saw them at a show or exhibition. However finally, we made the trip to North Wales. </p><p>We had opted to stay for a few days in the area, having a break at the coast, and of course enjoying visits to some of the world famous castles that Wales is renowned for.</p><p>But more about castles and coastline later, our first (and also last) stop on our trip was to Crug, we had selected a number of plants, and as we were staying in a hotel, left the plants until our final afternoon, when we went back to collect - and saw more of the growing areas, picking out a handful more plants of course. </p><p>We started our visit with a tour round the gardens, packed full of fabulous plants, many collected by Sue and Bleddyn, and showing that if thy can thrive in North Wales, then they should be hardy and thrive elsewhere. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgev-FMlfK5nWZtwkDpgOjSRuQNJmpYGYgBYwtqBX7oUOBPekWWNuEpPg1PBjIZ_PFIUbpktcXXnYSJzIdLitwEIK_xa-gWcMGS2LlypDAaFBohYK5boGwZp9ecKt0K8DfgcuRMl4q09PJc/s2048/202899178_533353044476424_8876764903606875370_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgev-FMlfK5nWZtwkDpgOjSRuQNJmpYGYgBYwtqBX7oUOBPekWWNuEpPg1PBjIZ_PFIUbpktcXXnYSJzIdLitwEIK_xa-gWcMGS2LlypDAaFBohYK5boGwZp9ecKt0K8DfgcuRMl4q09PJc/w640-h480/202899178_533353044476424_8876764903606875370_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_TbE-lbg9BSS9bmDgP5GwreYnIhlw-U9OzrhIkDlp07dfOEl4Z6kL8_E8CcBqll89CuJXeNH-B52jQ6HOIRDbTkOHy-VceLLaD8tRBrzbgeSYpDOiAgPNoZ3omzb1Yk1_3GgZMvovKzb/s2048/201138746_1462372574103760_9181900958888897793_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_TbE-lbg9BSS9bmDgP5GwreYnIhlw-U9OzrhIkDlp07dfOEl4Z6kL8_E8CcBqll89CuJXeNH-B52jQ6HOIRDbTkOHy-VceLLaD8tRBrzbgeSYpDOiAgPNoZ3omzb1Yk1_3GgZMvovKzb/w480-h640/201138746_1462372574103760_9181900958888897793_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rubus sp.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZit_Z1gabGGpQv3KzDkqMjmpqqvjB3Ml9vgIy4h9m9wMSFJaj7HIeB1iP47qUFgEPPl0Wzf8L-fWYXLgDGu3lqORlQflO2Pzsots0sfXynfJC11kp_2v0OhhV0c2od9n78ykKwEloXpC5/s2048/201452376_208975351078041_8977516584065938366_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZit_Z1gabGGpQv3KzDkqMjmpqqvjB3Ml9vgIy4h9m9wMSFJaj7HIeB1iP47qUFgEPPl0Wzf8L-fWYXLgDGu3lqORlQflO2Pzsots0sfXynfJC11kp_2v0OhhV0c2od9n78ykKwEloXpC5/w480-h640/201452376_208975351078041_8977516584065938366_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblbEiEXSJBkG2R08IBIfTNCVczvEKQg_GuvfT9t7Z9CnqhWmVQJLGHf6t-sg5ayPL1wd8XzULHzgBKyPOszvESTOhkSu3ZA-iB0IXKlgUQi7t-ALfrQonj6appKzFPM_Cys2N0ZDrBP_O/s2048/201792431_4209003292497883_4717133969832750715_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblbEiEXSJBkG2R08IBIfTNCVczvEKQg_GuvfT9t7Z9CnqhWmVQJLGHf6t-sg5ayPL1wd8XzULHzgBKyPOszvESTOhkSu3ZA-iB0IXKlgUQi7t-ALfrQonj6appKzFPM_Cys2N0ZDrBP_O/w480-h640/201792431_4209003292497883_4717133969832750715_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Veratrum sp.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTDy8PaBet8nf45UlZYa4Lua0uzpK0e5Wh7rR-X7jYGtk0dYhpmHvka5-KMUheMGyHH2I7TVy-yLqbPvZZJ88NCEdK6GIId8-hZOtMkZx7UE6K5vyjr-_7jI_MN020LZJpIdDLlBTnEvk/s2048/201944119_717817638920855_7728272682331513878_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTDy8PaBet8nf45UlZYa4Lua0uzpK0e5Wh7rR-X7jYGtk0dYhpmHvka5-KMUheMGyHH2I7TVy-yLqbPvZZJ88NCEdK6GIId8-hZOtMkZx7UE6K5vyjr-_7jI_MN020LZJpIdDLlBTnEvk/w480-h640/201944119_717817638920855_7728272682331513878_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the very many Schefflera in the garden</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAeiMmfHe2pa4OMZdMki7mR8EzlgecV7lyoYEgdkiyqz2_CFoTVAflADhiob9hi94V28evAhX5WKK8YJ9lPdWS7cG_4tfZUhzNZd2vRmqRM9rFAZI7TFwUdRTDtnRSkvZvM_ZzJ-u0wRe/s2048/202009774_366217488549690_1315571021814065154_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAeiMmfHe2pa4OMZdMki7mR8EzlgecV7lyoYEgdkiyqz2_CFoTVAflADhiob9hi94V28evAhX5WKK8YJ9lPdWS7cG_4tfZUhzNZd2vRmqRM9rFAZI7TFwUdRTDtnRSkvZvM_ZzJ-u0wRe/w480-h640/202009774_366217488549690_1315571021814065154_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzt3SPXZOus2zK4w9gwYofGla-ao8vphLXDICAcWXmMPW0mHw05Q3MI1SOiS8Wlmpa4SEL4vOfcJ1ab_FMgcWHmf-qpcLOjIS-qxKEUH2RuJT6CqEKatJvnBlViKfWDqZfiD11S1hvF3vL/s2048/202412438_131011495794568_9116462470123115201_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzt3SPXZOus2zK4w9gwYofGla-ao8vphLXDICAcWXmMPW0mHw05Q3MI1SOiS8Wlmpa4SEL4vOfcJ1ab_FMgcWHmf-qpcLOjIS-qxKEUH2RuJT6CqEKatJvnBlViKfWDqZfiD11S1hvF3vL/w640-h480/202412438_131011495794568_9116462470123115201_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark listening intently to Bleddyn</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Lrn2l0Kp8aXwyqelXbsfq2xt_lbheMv1f5ZuTHb0L1HFisZ3a4Pq1P9N2PTz8zs-ZQBWI86KGyRqMScHW0UBuRdApDl4NqTWa6CBOQ0Lrw-BG6te3iRnUMzvr8qN9oNU4VP2cr3X3mTr/s2048/202634104_1224323701355826_6712935898585702540_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Lrn2l0Kp8aXwyqelXbsfq2xt_lbheMv1f5ZuTHb0L1HFisZ3a4Pq1P9N2PTz8zs-ZQBWI86KGyRqMScHW0UBuRdApDl4NqTWa6CBOQ0Lrw-BG6te3iRnUMzvr8qN9oNU4VP2cr3X3mTr/w640-h480/202634104_1224323701355826_6712935898585702540_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rodgersia sp.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXC_6fjgCpET48SeWopBlG4msnUW8kU4kW75FfVW6jQOjv1dFli2oliOwMtGROMORAoucxtkE5r9hRvnCXjqPrKdb13L89xi8D-KIs9EjJ2Qz-5geBqgzsH_92OYes9BboK4Elpa1eMz5/s2048/202785557_937661593689999_4463330650490917062_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXC_6fjgCpET48SeWopBlG4msnUW8kU4kW75FfVW6jQOjv1dFli2oliOwMtGROMORAoucxtkE5r9hRvnCXjqPrKdb13L89xi8D-KIs9EjJ2Qz-5geBqgzsH_92OYes9BboK4Elpa1eMz5/w480-h640/202785557_937661593689999_4463330650490917062_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very tall and slender Schefflera</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DG1q60tzwYqaN7Ca7UACcPN47wODeAG6fvik_0gD8OHv6YiECbQ-jpGqurUsKtCd9jNS5htYhnE9cqych8YL2-7MUykWr3B2KXiwURFpyVv14kuOL5SgSEPCR-3Gj_535x6QByK-pM8e/s2048/203004672_845970776297530_2172555627103788412_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DG1q60tzwYqaN7Ca7UACcPN47wODeAG6fvik_0gD8OHv6YiECbQ-jpGqurUsKtCd9jNS5htYhnE9cqych8YL2-7MUykWr3B2KXiwURFpyVv14kuOL5SgSEPCR-3Gj_535x6QByK-pM8e/w480-h640/203004672_845970776297530_2172555627103788412_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidv8ZKzZVgJrIjxX2ZOIpbpQdHBGGLHDfX-GJck0KtBH0l_pt1tqaV0jT9ij5hJYQIWw1H8zj0Yieonyge5wscl6Bgabrdq5ygCG0Ad9se4SbISUePjGry8OQOrS6i8I7ZiYnkbC5geVhb/s2048/203598021_338012747704216_7637480052470268334_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidv8ZKzZVgJrIjxX2ZOIpbpQdHBGGLHDfX-GJck0KtBH0l_pt1tqaV0jT9ij5hJYQIWw1H8zj0Yieonyge5wscl6Bgabrdq5ygCG0Ad9se4SbISUePjGry8OQOrS6i8I7ZiYnkbC5geVhb/w480-h640/203598021_338012747704216_7637480052470268334_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Podophyllum pleianthum</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_ZaaCl82n19MRIJl5bgG2uIzCgdQKeDF7dIRFF47Tujb00pcGkZ8OWHhIymUe8veKgEJITwWy17d0Wsr00D8YzJNQj8fFLuQiscP53Czxj4yIzAyOgXeJ0kkhUeW_iK3mvzZ17sZsa4f/s2048/204908286_1394460357602521_7452038751839300027_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_ZaaCl82n19MRIJl5bgG2uIzCgdQKeDF7dIRFF47Tujb00pcGkZ8OWHhIymUe8veKgEJITwWy17d0Wsr00D8YzJNQj8fFLuQiscP53Czxj4yIzAyOgXeJ0kkhUeW_iK3mvzZ17sZsa4f/w480-h640/204908286_1394460357602521_7452038751839300027_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">schefflera macrophylla</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ETSYFXfrkFnaz22CeMVjgwdsMLn9roanefw3USXc0FtR_U1MCvF0N-5AJaodOULbWaM0GWbtkWfHRQ-S6bPvhnUp_kK4OpdmRwFYlQfO6MszvCFqjBN0VQGFXquweMJ9Hsyq2qV8rRb2/s2048/196332656_534278964421013_4659730588278117598_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ETSYFXfrkFnaz22CeMVjgwdsMLn9roanefw3USXc0FtR_U1MCvF0N-5AJaodOULbWaM0GWbtkWfHRQ-S6bPvhnUp_kK4OpdmRwFYlQfO6MszvCFqjBN0VQGFXquweMJ9Hsyq2qV8rRb2/w640-h480/196332656_534278964421013_4659730588278117598_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schefflera chapana</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1qRJriuylOWCoar_Z2WsJ7AxgJVF2mJOq9Gq6Vi5lBTTMH6bp4SLJBKbdgnNHgBo4Xk6PyqVlQzKGxvm6TUAsO_T23NkN9EKI6R9XvZHa4liLBNEYuvtdwtyVLOoBygAA7TGsXo_PfF7/s2048/199208057_521711362354960_6357698247712043663_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1qRJriuylOWCoar_Z2WsJ7AxgJVF2mJOq9Gq6Vi5lBTTMH6bp4SLJBKbdgnNHgBo4Xk6PyqVlQzKGxvm6TUAsO_T23NkN9EKI6R9XvZHa4liLBNEYuvtdwtyVLOoBygAA7TGsXo_PfF7/w640-h480/199208057_521711362354960_6357698247712043663_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schefflera taiwania</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpIGPxdDCqM_dNUn2gORrG4Hn5ZblkLClTXlj84hQAdHiIP5548x3Xfe8uAFW0el341DsVkfD3mqcuOgLQ6Hh_6x7Eu7txSAL81LqxXgS3RE4oUZro0_Lnybuo_X8VweVLCO8MVb_TzG9/s2048/202449971_242367643942016_5953763397336991578_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Exbucklandia populnea" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpIGPxdDCqM_dNUn2gORrG4Hn5ZblkLClTXlj84hQAdHiIP5548x3Xfe8uAFW0el341DsVkfD3mqcuOgLQ6Hh_6x7Eu7txSAL81LqxXgS3RE4oUZro0_Lnybuo_X8VweVLCO8MVb_TzG9/w640-h480/202449971_242367643942016_5953763397336991578_n.jpg" title="Exbucklandia populnea" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Exbucklandia populnea</i> growing up against the house. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7FmIyzTNyx7QP6z-8rWWOTVX52gmZmiXoK45J_P6ebNh_B9QzpK0gstpkz5JRU7dyfj0J2JEi5c0ZKwb2e-RIVZt_hgKysRToaGbP86JhZy9xTr3D9NpVrc6DqRA2oU7F_EvPEgbRNa-/s2048/203266073_848134966057224_8539251425060654750_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="sinopanax formosanus" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7FmIyzTNyx7QP6z-8rWWOTVX52gmZmiXoK45J_P6ebNh_B9QzpK0gstpkz5JRU7dyfj0J2JEi5c0ZKwb2e-RIVZt_hgKysRToaGbP86JhZy9xTr3D9NpVrc6DqRA2oU7F_EvPEgbRNa-/w640-h480/203266073_848134966057224_8539251425060654750_n.jpg" title="sinopanax formosanus" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sinopanax formosanus</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>After the garden tour, we headed in to the various polytunnels and it was time to start shopping. Packed full of even more amazing plants, we had to control ourselves as we were somewhat like kids in a sweet shop. At several points we spotted a gem, only to learn that it was a propagation plant ns sadly not yet available - even more reasons to visit again.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuY0LOEQ7ZOvdJHJ01O4qUvc62etVRn-6sHvMVp0PPanlzcFjmBpX-KJ6KVqoERaJMUeBvO3qiRJNUZMYtxqBbPWHX7gyaPs4cbbIzuWFZwNV3c0P-sq_0HmTMHKtSS97iKi2-Ub4uEHx4/s2048/201111517_315484156579075_5753168425484825877_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="schefflera bodinieri" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuY0LOEQ7ZOvdJHJ01O4qUvc62etVRn-6sHvMVp0PPanlzcFjmBpX-KJ6KVqoERaJMUeBvO3qiRJNUZMYtxqBbPWHX7gyaPs4cbbIzuWFZwNV3c0P-sq_0HmTMHKtSS97iKi2-Ub4uEHx4/w480-h640/201111517_315484156579075_5753168425484825877_n.jpg" title="schefflera bodinieri" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schefflera bodinieri</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiqmgYYKVkS2KygfbZ51wvWtx0jcERhxUuIr3m5EMmwMPDOmjUYOr3BY2uxw6Hm_SileaCwtILZebsVGm0FE3J54QvcwVdl1qGCUk8qCIMlCbnAJsmaj7_ME5evNyLYESkwivVFUBmR99/s2048/201187390_185049266959668_3120516472425487641_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiqmgYYKVkS2KygfbZ51wvWtx0jcERhxUuIr3m5EMmwMPDOmjUYOr3BY2uxw6Hm_SileaCwtILZebsVGm0FE3J54QvcwVdl1qGCUk8qCIMlCbnAJsmaj7_ME5evNyLYESkwivVFUBmR99/w640-h480/201187390_185049266959668_3120516472425487641_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2ah9nh62nCREh7YeUu1W80Cn1c5hJoqzwHSHsv187-jJDOuxeFVL4eDyzMa2vzh7QH68Qs9Pi0gzJ5g70LC1C_Jtt6uq_XTnq8LLdF_Pzs7iYNyUshKpRiwMBkYZL_zV-7-lJ1foR03M/s2048/202210926_387982999309769_2676861482173782078_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2ah9nh62nCREh7YeUu1W80Cn1c5hJoqzwHSHsv187-jJDOuxeFVL4eDyzMa2vzh7QH68Qs9Pi0gzJ5g70LC1C_Jtt6uq_XTnq8LLdF_Pzs7iYNyUshKpRiwMBkYZL_zV-7-lJ1foR03M/w640-h480/202210926_387982999309769_2676861482173782078_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picking out aspidistra</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNootINvPEh9i5HlURdX6-HF8UGzcRIONFeOG4m95EKXgX9mvVAPsRVkrUPMkAces3X8lTExYsOFFmL-6aggTXTLnZVvuztEhH9Me-1NImrCRz5MrH4aSGmv7xE6yfRwEA3kEDinEsp0ws/s2048/202700364_270159961565031_6573310663039459999_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNootINvPEh9i5HlURdX6-HF8UGzcRIONFeOG4m95EKXgX9mvVAPsRVkrUPMkAces3X8lTExYsOFFmL-6aggTXTLnZVvuztEhH9Me-1NImrCRz5MrH4aSGmv7xE6yfRwEA3kEDinEsp0ws/w480-h640/202700364_270159961565031_6573310663039459999_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5ycwl0ncFCfE4jx7h41wdgVnqv8ijYw66XOj_jsWx6cbJ56y7lChViDFYfeiGCYqFC1aSQHZsa3hvMq5AG7hief2Zl-jYsAAUgZJ9Yx2OwvUz7nneZdPnRLNy_kPT9MoY-S4-xVOc_2h/s2048/202767641_864531240820458_4492267188959201362_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5ycwl0ncFCfE4jx7h41wdgVnqv8ijYw66XOj_jsWx6cbJ56y7lChViDFYfeiGCYqFC1aSQHZsa3hvMq5AG7hief2Zl-jYsAAUgZJ9Yx2OwvUz7nneZdPnRLNy_kPT9MoY-S4-xVOc_2h/w640-h480/202767641_864531240820458_4492267188959201362_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuubO8vWT_yMV_u9j5CwZ6w3X3fS_3nEOSOcaM9x9zxVTfIDIr8pVPnFGWDk4slXlHE56d-CVr1eK86FLU0UYu0MrpxYQPFFdVLaSL9TUJSzTthC45YV8h5hjf0DtgukhK1hC5MLk7s-qb/s2048/202793943_956487901584494_8259231438542540119_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuubO8vWT_yMV_u9j5CwZ6w3X3fS_3nEOSOcaM9x9zxVTfIDIr8pVPnFGWDk4slXlHE56d-CVr1eK86FLU0UYu0MrpxYQPFFdVLaSL9TUJSzTthC45YV8h5hjf0DtgukhK1hC5MLk7s-qb/w480-h640/202793943_956487901584494_8259231438542540119_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oreopanax sp.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVj02c8yOF6s6Mu-ABi_g04OkQluWYfqrCiH9jCGlaHY2i1jsPMGxVHDmo5YDJHzd9x55-Xp-CAdKp_36r9erCoEfeuuW4zjN7VHj6TnsPHTMkFMf-0-TIV7CrW6-lhrZjeuwDcCIO_Or/s2048/203412401_1556899731187179_6282198574732512575_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVj02c8yOF6s6Mu-ABi_g04OkQluWYfqrCiH9jCGlaHY2i1jsPMGxVHDmo5YDJHzd9x55-Xp-CAdKp_36r9erCoEfeuuW4zjN7VHj6TnsPHTMkFMf-0-TIV7CrW6-lhrZjeuwDcCIO_Or/w640-h480/203412401_1556899731187179_6282198574732512575_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fZmrwpArF7WU4115IhV8v_z_Qvju-HCgYOD3NJKHfaki6PJ1ln3ieKevzkqgH6ZHFHC76vFKApkFMERZEJNwKolsSIPKLpG8SPRavPNs0G4_ZhYEA19AqpPOaSM4qBRVQ9cp72EIholq/s2048/203449077_423924228597839_8312617166514176620_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fZmrwpArF7WU4115IhV8v_z_Qvju-HCgYOD3NJKHfaki6PJ1ln3ieKevzkqgH6ZHFHC76vFKApkFMERZEJNwKolsSIPKLpG8SPRavPNs0G4_ZhYEA19AqpPOaSM4qBRVQ9cp72EIholq/w480-h640/203449077_423924228597839_8312617166514176620_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6C4u2cXB1JbrBXwbbQ4bQx8dUYZXk4bGRi41kXv0OItzePzC9E2Ttg6AhnskLzwPN28tfM49o4QTGRuJHuXRkT5u-RcOHpTcYINMhet8nnzWzcrRD863oRi2TEjd1q3QQPV4sfp735hMe/s2048/203981926_507816173605624_6593689409406158106_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6C4u2cXB1JbrBXwbbQ4bQx8dUYZXk4bGRi41kXv0OItzePzC9E2Ttg6AhnskLzwPN28tfM49o4QTGRuJHuXRkT5u-RcOHpTcYINMhet8nnzWzcrRD863oRi2TEjd1q3QQPV4sfp735hMe/w640-h480/203981926_507816173605624_6593689409406158106_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piper heydei</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gdGiz-ilAupVWc9-9YmLfG4qLKgGj1Va6fKrZ1j7SoCQiBHCE55h35tG_OGME_q7d4wLk1KxxMk68xvdNuvuXtoEfGB833_hpu9s-S1EVYvXAjNaNGtMOpHYyPBPZ5aA7yYFudv_dp1a/s2048/202855436_1181264819015059_178994314200298470_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gdGiz-ilAupVWc9-9YmLfG4qLKgGj1Va6fKrZ1j7SoCQiBHCE55h35tG_OGME_q7d4wLk1KxxMk68xvdNuvuXtoEfGB833_hpu9s-S1EVYvXAjNaNGtMOpHYyPBPZ5aA7yYFudv_dp1a/w480-h640/202855436_1181264819015059_178994314200298470_n.jpg" width="480" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kMmER25rmmyDCjCWK35BNcnH_ohW7QN9-4DQnP46bPXKuUWb0H6hV5lIf5cuUO6uNk09c78JwvZGJxhttOdvhMg_oioUk15SS-4iGtjqWQPN45YaD-XLCCtt-_bdqFq8zFwn8ieJxM4C/s2048/203078345_4013098155440194_2221931191812157881_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kMmER25rmmyDCjCWK35BNcnH_ohW7QN9-4DQnP46bPXKuUWb0H6hV5lIf5cuUO6uNk09c78JwvZGJxhttOdvhMg_oioUk15SS-4iGtjqWQPN45YaD-XLCCtt-_bdqFq8zFwn8ieJxM4C/w480-h640/203078345_4013098155440194_2221931191812157881_n.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><p>Finally, and this was on the second visit a tour round the growing fields - I didn't take as many photos as would normally do, getting caught up in the plant discussions as well as hearing the stories first hand about how and where particular plants came from, or the trial and tribulations of trying to prop a particularly fickle plant. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPt8_OQz4dvbXwh9CpH2vQ_xzze4mVCurjX_yZnflOxWbifjvT6xBoK5qQ-tCWdLqnhYSvaRFbmYZp9Jtyk2CBEVZWg84MKH4t1WGmGIuF2FZ0MhUYlDQ9vN6p4_2v6h-6hy2dGeQyIKtW/s2048/200784327_859206481337912_8985997981975443914_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPt8_OQz4dvbXwh9CpH2vQ_xzze4mVCurjX_yZnflOxWbifjvT6xBoK5qQ-tCWdLqnhYSvaRFbmYZp9Jtyk2CBEVZWg84MKH4t1WGmGIuF2FZ0MhUYlDQ9vN6p4_2v6h-6hy2dGeQyIKtW/w480-h640/200784327_859206481337912_8985997981975443914_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorbus hedlundii</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznYB3bggxCxetLR7kf4Eh_QoqhPvWLrMlL5pNtVUt5_FFqLf8EBaGM50E5U3J-bXadS6DMtjEV-quD5Y_neDfDbjfyWvAzELSUDAYRSsvzgophNaUXB2qE3Y_668mEp4abo6HPvUusrS6/s2048/201494591_3016386645308134_5971603457844596245_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznYB3bggxCxetLR7kf4Eh_QoqhPvWLrMlL5pNtVUt5_FFqLf8EBaGM50E5U3J-bXadS6DMtjEV-quD5Y_neDfDbjfyWvAzELSUDAYRSsvzgophNaUXB2qE3Y_668mEp4abo6HPvUusrS6/w480-h640/201494591_3016386645308134_5971603457844596245_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tlQ9B34M2Zu-kzHeaF8TdGeAHV3UylD1yZznlgjBwZ7Kc0fIQUEFjPyCPyADysoC9P36vkAHXSvDK8uwQpb3-RDOw6xJZhSPWYYToJKvikztmchE85612MG2yL48Wu4s6Y138LsoDU9H/s2048/201624070_884393775491993_3687732138242051352_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tlQ9B34M2Zu-kzHeaF8TdGeAHV3UylD1yZznlgjBwZ7Kc0fIQUEFjPyCPyADysoC9P36vkAHXSvDK8uwQpb3-RDOw6xJZhSPWYYToJKvikztmchE85612MG2yL48Wu4s6Y138LsoDU9H/w480-h640/201624070_884393775491993_3687732138242051352_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iris chrysograohes</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">And then there is that view, across to Mount Snowdon. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7w4jOAF1wk7sOh7c-HBM9aQEQQtr2vlkc9Ah4uey0SW7BrKonJouVFaDkVEL2GBFWQPXXo5oeublOh3BXjdbu99DQZXSHKBItRpl2znPw3yEI58dH5A7kTy2cNuvr6mrgpyWKlLx7WyJ3/s2048/200602510_345600510462053_8342139843077376433_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7w4jOAF1wk7sOh7c-HBM9aQEQQtr2vlkc9Ah4uey0SW7BrKonJouVFaDkVEL2GBFWQPXXo5oeublOh3BXjdbu99DQZXSHKBItRpl2znPw3yEI58dH5A7kTy2cNuvr6mrgpyWKlLx7WyJ3/w640-h480/200602510_345600510462053_8342139843077376433_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>We managed quite a car full, although perhaps there was space for a few more. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpBaFk7QV-PhsYgzlCl2LgVUQRpNEn3mNYRN7g2vXhSn3HVt3w-oogzDQJSyfUDhuyYXBuNT7uAivNDQFiqKGHvSTDQ5Ssq4H-wFnGuKAboRSZSlDdx7wD8ZjPsS-x-l8tqKtfw9dwRri/s2048/196149577_1167144077121202_6254927214679080572_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpBaFk7QV-PhsYgzlCl2LgVUQRpNEn3mNYRN7g2vXhSn3HVt3w-oogzDQJSyfUDhuyYXBuNT7uAivNDQFiqKGHvSTDQ5Ssq4H-wFnGuKAboRSZSlDdx7wD8ZjPsS-x-l8tqKtfw9dwRri/w640-h480/196149577_1167144077121202_6254927214679080572_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2UfG0ZEEUR7eNSVSjX6HQOv5CAPqik1DeujpT9JBMbiZN06qrkoLqMImASA-ODEf5ZCVeN4NqyScoPhZlDo4s2TunHUZMat2aS3CQAqEj5NJy-nzNxlftABROjx31afr0uVo_NaOt-C3/s2048/196808551_514770336631847_275617362379952765_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2UfG0ZEEUR7eNSVSjX6HQOv5CAPqik1DeujpT9JBMbiZN06qrkoLqMImASA-ODEf5ZCVeN4NqyScoPhZlDo4s2TunHUZMat2aS3CQAqEj5NJy-nzNxlftABROjx31afr0uVo_NaOt-C3/w640-h480/196808551_514770336631847_275617362379952765_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Lots of reason to go back again, now we have the bug.</p><p>Gaz</p></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
<br />
This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Mark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.com8Crug Farm Plants, Caernarfon LL55 1TU, UK53.1627354 -4.232107399999999424.852501563821157 -39.3883574 81.472969236178841 30.9241426tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-29410406586745029242021-06-22T18:55:00.006+01:002021-06-22T18:55:00.302+01:00What's in the Box and Bag?<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Through the years we've had blog posts before answering the question '<a href="http://www.alternativeeden.com/2012/10/so-whats-in-box.html" target="_blank">What's in the box</a>?'. This time we've added a paper bag for good measure...</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwVXk9gfCYlt7pOZSdOBiil0Xs3OsWn3ylkAsEnsAXFo1ZcimRrEGx10EB0UlC1XNYQ59viz-h7Sk3TZ5pK9qiTYJfkMsdpig712sUUTa5UKLQddVK5wkdvCQCbWd6oQ8jmb14woRBgPD/s1280/079C4AB1-918C-4872-BB79-956599DA196B.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1280" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwVXk9gfCYlt7pOZSdOBiil0Xs3OsWn3ylkAsEnsAXFo1ZcimRrEGx10EB0UlC1XNYQ59viz-h7Sk3TZ5pK9qiTYJfkMsdpig712sUUTa5UKLQddVK5wkdvCQCbWd6oQ8jmb14woRBgPD/w640-h478/079C4AB1-918C-4872-BB79-956599DA196B.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>First one was something I spotted at a garden centre near where I work. It's not that unusual anymore but I was instantly drawn to it's standard habit and very fine cut leaf form.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tK2d7y4yHMBnByHwNuqK4cviYbQ5BFCL8elkwsLizk0brXwjlQcdHXxzN7AzDsg22d5K9SfBL9UrztxQD95wlptII3F9t5d4b1Dzl7hxL2DLwuU3Rdkb0kzxk3AASrCaSoKKhBBNES8U/s1280/23FF763B-64F0-4266-A8EF-47AD132926E9.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tK2d7y4yHMBnByHwNuqK4cviYbQ5BFCL8elkwsLizk0brXwjlQcdHXxzN7AzDsg22d5K9SfBL9UrztxQD95wlptII3F9t5d4b1Dzl7hxL2DLwuU3Rdkb0kzxk3AASrCaSoKKhBBNES8U/w640-h480/23FF763B-64F0-4266-A8EF-47AD132926E9.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhfcUQJ5nwWhiIt0pTZy6kkE3REFOQjPcuA3ICF6lgjHEFbLMLfCief9R6pY6SHcC9mBEl6Dw6C8JsHxrYEsOSHL9peNG-XtTbSxRMWQakigVLdRtj5vo4R7IyFrJ1Eei-RYjlrUHduhZ/s1280/C6DBDEA4-6061-4529-A498-715D61D11725.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhfcUQJ5nwWhiIt0pTZy6kkE3REFOQjPcuA3ICF6lgjHEFbLMLfCief9R6pY6SHcC9mBEl6Dw6C8JsHxrYEsOSHL9peNG-XtTbSxRMWQakigVLdRtj5vo4R7IyFrJ1Eei-RYjlrUHduhZ/w640-h480/C6DBDEA4-6061-4529-A498-715D61D11725.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Fatsia polycarpa 'Green Fingers'</i></div><p>I suspect it's standard habit is a result of being grown in a small pot for quite some time, and that the fine cut leaves won't stay as is as it gets bigger but we shall just have to wait and see.</p>The next one is <a href="http://www.alternativeeden.com/2011/12/my-first-david-austin-rose.html" target="_blank">something we have grown before but lost after a few years</a>. Looking at photo archives last year I was reminded that I must have this plant again. It took awhile to find a nursery that had them in stock but search was eventually rewarded. Loree over at Danger Garden featured this a few years ago as her <a href="http://www.thedangergarden.com/2013/05/wingthorn-rose-my-favorite-plant-in.html">plant of the week</a> with the reminder to cut it back regularly to keep it under control and be rewarded with the fabulous red stems. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOKoyf0RqBTHU8FcuuVKnE1MEQfk2hA1l6_DkI2GvQN1h4Z8E1aHRVNB4-SonaT3N9xhms3WP8KDfGCZrw7QZcFRnsGVkhEDrP_vwdDMYX9c_gD8AZnEjcJIT33QoDs7etG7fTIOO1zII/s1280/5F922C61-5E77-45EA-B452-6EB12202B5AC.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1280" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOKoyf0RqBTHU8FcuuVKnE1MEQfk2hA1l6_DkI2GvQN1h4Z8E1aHRVNB4-SonaT3N9xhms3WP8KDfGCZrw7QZcFRnsGVkhEDrP_vwdDMYX9c_gD8AZnEjcJIT33QoDs7etG7fTIOO1zII/w640-h478/5F922C61-5E77-45EA-B452-6EB12202B5AC.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0o2DfQQq5yWqJ0N1TGSOJuEAra9NfHUnizDM_DVcrduh8zTejVW78TseqzxMsAkbd-2HWgd0L2begvv-QOyeA7srjJASnC4aJsgmNKv-SPAiSocFu0TWZ4amSs1UJ11FxRZJLp8QmZSZx/s960/6DBE951D-498D-4CAD-A164-7D3DD1C1EFD8.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="960" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0o2DfQQq5yWqJ0N1TGSOJuEAra9NfHUnizDM_DVcrduh8zTejVW78TseqzxMsAkbd-2HWgd0L2begvv-QOyeA7srjJASnC4aJsgmNKv-SPAiSocFu0TWZ4amSs1UJ11FxRZJLp8QmZSZx/w640-h628/6DBE951D-498D-4CAD-A164-7D3DD1C1EFD8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Rosa sericea subsp. omeiensis f. pteracantha (Chinese Winged Thorn Rose)</i></div><p>So what's in the box and bag? Two not so new additions to the garden.</p><p>Mark :-)</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
<br />
This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Mark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569721479859450896.post-46243422480662216492021-06-21T19:23:00.000+01:002021-06-21T19:23:07.063+01:00Two Unusual Gunneras<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Large leaf Gunneras seem to be extra popular in the UK this year, and there are a lot of questions and discussions floating around forums and Facebook groups about them. Mainly the discussions are centered around how to tell the difference between Gunnera manicata and <a href="http://www.alternativeeden.com/2014/01/the-potted-life-of-gunnera.html" target="_blank">Gunnera tinctoria</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I won't go in that direction as personally I've found such topics tedious, however I will highlight instead two lesser known and relatively obscure large leafed Gunneras that are starting to get into the exotic plant circulation here:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><i>Gunnera insignis</i> - from Costa Rica and the photo below was taken earlier this year at <a href="http://www.alternativeeden.com/2012/01/treasures-of-tregrehan.html" target="_blank">Tregrehan Gardens</a> in Cornwall</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kJoF0LVoEC85VeB8yKYdEIruwpGXvtQ_vVCMFqkoLNnvROm1dG4tI87NQFlgwegn36X3F3ywAKeOVgHPi-B2hC6fTgfd539csDCDG4Kgbuis6IJoBApcTLNRy8KQCKMZzpatDBIkmCJq/s1280/343D2683-8E5A-4703-9D4B-411673114842.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="1280" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kJoF0LVoEC85VeB8yKYdEIruwpGXvtQ_vVCMFqkoLNnvROm1dG4tI87NQFlgwegn36X3F3ywAKeOVgHPi-B2hC6fTgfd539csDCDG4Kgbuis6IJoBApcTLNRy8KQCKMZzpatDBIkmCJq/w640-h526/343D2683-8E5A-4703-9D4B-411673114842.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Gunnera insignis</i></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><i>Gunnera killipiana - </i>from Costa Rica and was collected at high altitude elevations by Bleddyn and Sue Wynn-Jones. Photo was taken at their nursery <a href="https://www.crug-farm.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Crug Farm Plants</a> and was also featured in previous editions of Chelsea Flower Show</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLo5ZSELfvSx6IgLLrusY5oUtktk8S0z7BorZQDpzkvrNcxGIDByin5EZ6U4MRRpqoGUY9BrlRcQtSt3XPt9kO1DdLOY5DLC0n-xaT6aPa7vE0nD3XvMSLgBnuk_iAHtBibdc47m2oJgSS/s1280/DB785C5C-E20F-4FF6-9396-48013BAA8C81.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="1280" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLo5ZSELfvSx6IgLLrusY5oUtktk8S0z7BorZQDpzkvrNcxGIDByin5EZ6U4MRRpqoGUY9BrlRcQtSt3XPt9kO1DdLOY5DLC0n-xaT6aPa7vE0nD3XvMSLgBnuk_iAHtBibdc47m2oJgSS/w640-h508/DB785C5C-E20F-4FF6-9396-48013BAA8C81.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Gunnera killipiana</i></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Both stunning big leafed plants and much more ornamental than their well established but hardier Brazilian (<i>Gunnera manicata) </i>and Chilean (<i>Gunnera tinctoria) </i>cousins.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Mark :-)</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post you can read more at <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>. Or follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/markngaz">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://facebook.com/alternativeeden1">Facebook</a>.<br />
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This content is (c) <a href="http://alternativeeden.com/">Alternative Eden</a>.</div>Mark and Gazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.com6