Garden Bloggers Bloom Day November

Mid November and the weather is turning cold, damp and grey, and the majority of the tropical plants are starting to move into winter mode. I had hoped that when I wandered down the garden there would be several in flower, but alas the wet cold weather has taken its toll and we only really had a few Fatsia giving some colour. That colour, however reflects the weather - small white blooms that don't offer much in the way of tropicana!

Bloom day therefore is a little bit quiet for us, but thankfully not totally baron thanks to the humble Fatsia!

Gaz

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Higher at Lower Kenneggy Nurseries

Our frequent trips to Cornwall are never complete without a visit to the Lower Kenneggy Nurseries. For us, and for every plant lover for that matter, it is an absolute must to check out this place if you are in the area for it is a treasure trove of exotic, unusual, and rare plants from all over the world. And mostly grown from seed too by its lovely and enthusiastic owner Steve Mules.

As you arrive and enter the nursery the first stop will have to be its signature turquoise blue greenhouse, a greenhouse full of exciting plants...

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A Sunny Day at Hardy Exotics

As mentioned in my previous post it was sunny most of the time when we were in Cornwall, and sunny it was when we started our holiday by visiting one of the 'must visit' nurseries if you're into exotic and unusual plants - Hardy Exotics! 

The Canary Islands? Nope, Cornwall!

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The April Garden

April is usually the month where the garden springs back into life, and this year is no exception, despite the cool rainy weather everything is bursting back into life. So with a camera in hand I had a wander round the garden this evening, purely for the enjoyment of having a look at everything. Something just taking the time to look at the garden without having a job to do can be a rewarding experience.

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Focus on Fatsia



Fatsia polycarpa (centre)

 One of the staple plants to many British Exotic Gardens is Fatsia japonica, a glossy large leafed araliad from Japan. It is quite a tough and hardy plant with interesting foliage and flowers. There are several variegated varieties which are also reasonably hardy. Whist F. japonica is the most well known Fatsia, it is not the only member of the genus. Fatsia is a small genus with two other members, F. polycarpa and F. oligocarpella.


F. Polycarpa, native to Taiwan, is almost as hardy as F. Japonica and is an extremely ornamental and garden worthy plant, with often deaply lobed leaves.

Fatsia polycarpa leaf shape

All Fatsias have quite variable leaf forms and so it is worth ensuring that you select a plant with the leaf form you prefer. In the UK there are two readily available forms of F. polycarpa, Crug Farms collection and a separate collection by Edward Needham, (Crug Form and Edward Needham Form, respectively).


Edward Needham was widely regarded as collecting the most interesting and unique forms of a plant, looking for the best available form, and F. polycarpa Edward Needham form is no exception. To my eyes this particular plant is well worth tracking down fo its deeply lobed leaf shape.


Fatsia japonica has several different varieties available to the exotic gardener in the UK, other than the plain green form. Whilst the other types often have more dramatic colours the plain green is very robust and seems to be quicker and maybe slightly hardier.
 

Fatsia japonica 'Spiders Web'

 

Fatsia japonica 'Annelise'



Fatsia japonica 'Annelise' in flower



Fatsia japonica 'Variegata'



Fatsia japonica 'Spiders Web' with an unusual "snake skin" variegation,

Fatsia japonica  'Moseri'

Crug farm have an online shop http://mailorder.crug-farm.co.uk/
The Edward Needham form of F. polycarpa can be tracked down at Lower Keneggy Nurseries in Cornwall.

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