Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'George Harwood'

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'George Harwood'

photo by Arthur Gulliver (Your Garden magazine)

This full page colour photo of 'George Harwood' appeared in the second edition of the book Garden Trees and Shrubs in Australia  by Harold Sargeant (Macmillan of Australia 1968) 

The first edition of this book was published in 1951 with the title including Asia as in Australasia. ( Colorgravure Publications )

 Described as 'a new pink variety' for Melbourne gardens, it had made its way south from Sydney where it made its first appearance way back in 1902 having been bred by the George Harwood who at the time was a propagator, overseer and superintendent at the Royal Botanic Gardens. His tenure there was from 1883 to 1914. 

Of note is the watercolour painting of it now in the Mitchell Library (State Library of NSW) by Essex born Margaret Flockton who would go on to be described as 'the most accomplished botanical artist in NSW'. Her legacy is ongoing and today she inspires a new generation to pursue botanical illustration.

So where can this Hibiscus be found today?
While not available commercially it is probably still around in an old garden as Hibiscus are great survivors always flowering despite years of drought and neglect.
Recently I thought I might have found it in a 1960's/1970's planted garden growing just a metre away from a huge peppermint gumtree which was probably planted at the same time.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'George Harwood' ??

I will leave the question marks in place until someone can confirm my naming.

Margaret Lilian Flockton (1861-1953)

Botanical Artist

Epipremnum aureum 'Frosty'

'Devil's Ivy' Frosty

Epipremnum aureum 'Frosty'

I have been growing this white variegated form of Devil's Ivy for several years now and find it more appealing than the yellow/gold form which has much larger leaves. I have several plants of it growing in different positions both indoors and out and at this time of year it is looking at its best, responding well to warm humid days.

The leaves are somewhat stiff in appearance and when unblemished it could be said the whole plants looks plastic or artificial. Perfect! Of course it does not stay that way for long and during winter many leaves develop burnt edges or drop off as a response to cold.

This is when the plant needs a rest, given minimal water and kept in a warm sheltered location, preferably out of sight as the temptation to bin a tired looking plant may overtake you.

Frosty......

Cephalophyllum sp

Cephalophyllum sp

This small South African "pigface" family succulent came to me with a wrong name and after a bit of searching I came across a good match as to what it might be.

I used 'The Timber Press Guide to Succulent Plants of the World' by Fred Dortort as reference.

Pinning it down to a species is proving more difficult and at the moment it is a toss up between alstonii, stayneri or framesii. 

There are about 30 species in the Genus and they display a wide range of jewel like flower colours. Growth occurs mainly in winter, no doubt as a response to rainfall.

The parent plant has spread to about 30 cm across and is quite decorative even when not if flower as the leaves resemble small grey green birthday candles with bright pink tips.

These flowers came out during the last few days and I like the way they stand above the leaves on short stems.