tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542854930287754122024-03-14T14:44:00.447+11:00Florez NurseryFor more information on plants featured here phone Ian on 0412 123 240 or email nurseryflorez@gmail.com
Mailing Address:
Post Office Box 143
Berkeley NSW 2506
Australia
Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.comBlogger1406125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-2783704248514921122022-04-06T16:06:00.000+10:002022-04-06T16:06:28.515+10:00Aloe distans 'Variegata'<div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3cAicYzkk1RJQ2te4BO611k1bFJil2ojA9iZESP9zZ3HZncOuulAzS7gTc0jwB8TwvFYfvfFNohsXhAfCU2VtmwSFzZgitfVj1JrmtR0TOOvHi4yY688l_PEvAAKWqkr_vGWijBBhK1Uq2WMzWA9ArY7V7fyFTBMMatyTIDxWkF88FgAMLRhkLGb/s3264/IMG_2033.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3cAicYzkk1RJQ2te4BO611k1bFJil2ojA9iZESP9zZ3HZncOuulAzS7gTc0jwB8TwvFYfvfFNohsXhAfCU2VtmwSFzZgitfVj1JrmtR0TOOvHi4yY688l_PEvAAKWqkr_vGWijBBhK1Uq2WMzWA9ArY7V7fyFTBMMatyTIDxWkF88FgAMLRhkLGb/w343-h257/IMG_2033.HEIC" width="343" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: arial;"><i><b>Aloe distans </b></i><b>'Variegata'</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Variegated forms of plants often have slower growth rates { It's a lack of chlorophyll in the leaves thing} which can be an advantage when growing succulents such as this one as the plain green form is more likely to sprawl over the sides of the pot and develop unsightly dead leaves along an elongated stem in no time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Avoiding a position full sun is probably advisable for this plant as it can be prone to leaf scorch but is otherwise easy care and can be left to its own devices with the occasional water as required.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As for the species name <i>'distans'</i> , it may also be known as <i>A mitriformis </i><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><b></b></i></span></div><p></p>Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-74422186483685313702021-11-14T14:28:00.006+11:002021-11-14T14:28:50.149+11:00Agave isthmensis<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p0Eb1h5-KOc/YYOIjWuLOkI/AAAAAAAAb40/3i2kv5ypcrEyKQtlZFjZiLU0rU7M15QUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/55385D8F-AA48-443A-AD89-90EC9BC127B3.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p0Eb1h5-KOc/YYOIjWuLOkI/AAAAAAAAb40/3i2kv5ypcrEyKQtlZFjZiLU0rU7M15QUQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/55385D8F-AA48-443A-AD89-90EC9BC127B3.heic" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>Agave isthmensis: </i>Dwarf Butterfly Agave</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Having a shadowy zigzag imprint on its powdery grey leaves gives this small 30cm Agave a distinctive look. It is easy to grow requiring little water and though slow growing, there are few congested "pups" around the base to detract from the neat rosette shape.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hardy to -3C and worth considering for decorative container growing or semi shaded garden position under trees. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p></p>Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-80032863180328912112021-11-04T18:12:00.000+11:002021-11-04T18:12:03.037+11:00Reseda odorata 'Machet Ruben' (Mignonette)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NxAhlPZ1070/YYNs7JtF0II/AAAAAAAAb4k/5_oqlpWm7rQhH1Zo4279iIfpCnWuAl3oQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/386E240E-D391-4D5B-B8EC-B212EDF0BF35.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NxAhlPZ1070/YYNs7JtF0II/AAAAAAAAb4k/5_oqlpWm7rQhH1Zo4279iIfpCnWuAl3oQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/386E240E-D391-4D5B-B8EC-B212EDF0BF35.heic" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>Reseda odorata </i>'Machet Ruben'</b></span></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(<b><i>Resedaceae)</i></b></span> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I have not grown this spring flowering annual for a number of years and came across it in a seed catalogue while ordering summer vegetables.</span> <span style="font-family: arial;">August here is the month when you can start seeds indoors in a bright location. Germination was quick and they were ready for potting on in no time. While most gardening books say it can be difficult to transplant into garden beds, I had success with placing three or four seedlings close together in 175 mm pots which was to be their flowering 'home'.</span></p></blockquote><p> <span style="font-family: arial;">I placed the pots along a low wall in full sun to help kickstart them during the normal cold early spring days. Growth was slow at first but they responded to some liquid fertilizer and they soon became bushy plants to about 30cm with flower spikes appearing in late September at which time I moved the pots to bench height to better enjoy the sweet perfume released from the flower spikes in late afternoon. You don't have to stick your nose up close either as the fragrance is in the air from a distance away. It is described as ambrosial so</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> no wonder the French in the southern perfume industry region called this plant Mignonette or 'little darling'. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Bill Simpson in his book <i>Growing Annuals </i>(Kangaroo Press 1988) described the flower as having orange red bell clapper stamens protruding like grapes from insignificant white-yellow 6mm wide flowers accompanied by smooth spoon shaped plain green leaves. The leaves wilt quite quickly on hot days or when the plants are lacking water so the ideal location is in a semi shaded garden position with moisture retentive soil.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">It is a North African plant in origin and it must have caught the eye of 19th Century naturalist Charles Darwin who used it to study self-fertilized plants published as <i>The effects of cross and self fertilization in the vegetable kingdom.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Mignonette is not showy but as perfumed flowers go it is up there with the best.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JCqykD2IgbQ/YYNtXM9H9CI/AAAAAAAAb4s/gcD2H7PscVQLH3PPgc8o4A7IhYHbwJ9mQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/313EC514-0BC4-441B-8D04-9BF114D3CBD3.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JCqykD2IgbQ/YYNtXM9H9CI/AAAAAAAAb4s/gcD2H7PscVQLH3PPgc8o4A7IhYHbwJ9mQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/313EC514-0BC4-441B-8D04-9BF114D3CBD3.heic" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-86052940431860557362021-10-21T11:58:00.000+11:002021-10-21T11:58:37.212+11:00Trichocereus bridgesii 'Monstrose'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-61nX6yY-JUY/WsHg2ttpnzI/AAAAAAAAPuU/atPZTxiDfmUy-IaQM_WuWKfZpHuqNYh0gCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5309.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-61nX6yY-JUY/WsHg2ttpnzI/AAAAAAAAPuU/atPZTxiDfmUy-IaQM_WuWKfZpHuqNYh0gCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_5309.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-style: italic;">Trichocereus bridgesii </span><span style="font-family: arial;">'Monstrouse'</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Given the common name in German <i>Frauengluck </i>or Women's Joy this small compact growing cactus has been in cultivation for many years and that common name is always a source of amusement for those who view the smooth cylindrical segments with their distinctive cleft for the first time. "Oh I see...."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">it was formally known as <i style="font-weight: bold;">Echinopsis lageniformis </i>and may be given a further taxonomic shift given the current advances in plant molecular DNA.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The lower sections of this cactus have quite long spines which make repotting or weeding close by a minor problem but it is otherwise very hardy and decorative.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I grow some in larger pots so it has more room to show off its interesting form.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zzxEjiIU_kk/YXC6XqJWSUI/AAAAAAAAb4U/TZhE9BFToNIVtwW_krwvwzgEhO74JV21gCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/IMG_8642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zzxEjiIU_kk/YXC6XqJWSUI/AAAAAAAAb4U/TZhE9BFToNIVtwW_krwvwzgEhO74JV21gCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_8642.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZdtAeysmq0/YXC6Xo4aMOI/AAAAAAAAb4U/YWW0_RPOjdIJeHz_wFjrjZhhRIzdiSOPgCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/IMG_8644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZdtAeysmq0/YXC6Xo4aMOI/AAAAAAAAb4U/YWW0_RPOjdIJeHz_wFjrjZhhRIzdiSOPgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_8644.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-55843465475220063552018-04-01T18:41:00.001+10:002018-04-01T18:41:12.598+10:00Finding the perfect chilli<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jr7dVAOTT1A/WsCX0pm8FvI/AAAAAAAAPtE/RrS4nSqrK5Yc26kLCiH63LjsMVt2C0V5gCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jr7dVAOTT1A/WsCX0pm8FvI/AAAAAAAAPtE/RrS4nSqrK5Yc26kLCiH63LjsMVt2C0V5gCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_5326.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last year I saved seed from what I thought was the perfect chilli. By that I mean one which has the right amount of heat for my taste and one which can be used either whole and green in say a vegetable curry or chopped and red in sauces and marinades.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bonus with this one is it dries well even on the bush and produces enough for year round use.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't know what variety or origin this one is but would be interested to know.</span>Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-24983098164758732272018-03-25T12:59:00.000+11:002018-03-25T12:59:38.613+11:00Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'George Harwood'<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-17Dwq9hFEB4/WpOT26ZR-sI/AAAAAAAAPaY/D2zxSdsvQLE20Xa-73WbRMn3GOwMnWezACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1119516366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-17Dwq9hFEB4/WpOT26ZR-sI/AAAAAAAAPaY/D2zxSdsvQLE20Xa-73WbRMn3GOwMnWezACHMYCw/s400/blogger-image--1119516366.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Hibiscus rosa-sinensis </i>'George Harwood'</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>photo by Arthur Gulliver (<i>Your Garden </i>magazine)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This full page colour photo of 'George Harwood' appeared in the second edition of the book <i>Garden Trees and Shrubs in Australia </i> by Harold Sargeant (Macmillan of Australia 1968) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first edition of this book was published in 1951 with the title including Asia as in Australasia. ( <i>Colorgravure Publications</i> )</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> 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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9LkbLtpkOfk/WpOTxuEqkVI/AAAAAAAAPaU/DSON5mojD4Iom7u42Byjc3jZmpS9t-eYQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1317269682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9LkbLtpkOfk/WpOTxuEqkVI/AAAAAAAAPaU/DSON5mojD4Iom7u42Byjc3jZmpS9t-eYQCHMYCw/s400/blogger-image-1317269682.jpg" width="323" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So where can this Hibiscus be found today?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While not available commercially it</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is probably still around in an old garden as Hibiscus are great survivors always flowering despite years of drought and neglect.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zf3yCPdZTdA/Wpzx7pUlSGI/AAAAAAAAPi4/x6bP5mbucuM2ccQdJRVt6Zc3eXemZ2szwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--487565279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zf3yCPdZTdA/Wpzx7pUlSGI/AAAAAAAAPi4/x6bP5mbucuM2ccQdJRVt6Zc3eXemZ2szwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--487565279.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Hibiscus rosa-sinensis </i>'George Harwood' ??</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will leave the question marks in place until someone can confirm my naming.</span></div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E3RkOwEw614/Wpzx2G9rnKI/AAAAAAAAPi0/8s8wiFghgVssTdoEavD1vR6hkqHsVZX0ACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-2023289214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E3RkOwEw614/Wpzx2G9rnKI/AAAAAAAAPi0/8s8wiFghgVssTdoEavD1vR6hkqHsVZX0ACHMYCw/s320/blogger-image-2023289214.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Margaret Lilian Flockton (1861-1953)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Botanical Artist</b></span></div>
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Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-30811872620399394802018-03-21T11:06:00.000+11:002018-03-21T11:06:35.266+11:00Epipremnum aureum 'Frosty'<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xCqkf7WDToM/WrGPW3U9TNI/AAAAAAAAPo4/7XHKa9Zhil8jrFoKa0T3FHcbxMJgUA4cgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--377703586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xCqkf7WDToM/WrGPW3U9TNI/AAAAAAAAPo4/7XHKa9Zhil8jrFoKa0T3FHcbxMJgUA4cgCHMYCw/s400/blogger-image--377703586.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>'Devil's Ivy' Frosty</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Epipremnum aureum </i>'Frosty'</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been growing this white variegated form of D</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">evil'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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Frosty......</b></span></div>
Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-45150819477110051692018-03-21T10:42:00.001+11:002018-03-21T10:42:55.084+11:00Cephalophyllum sp<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Cephalophyllum sp</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used 'The Timber Press Guide to Succulent Plants of the World' by Fred Dortort as reference.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pinning it down to a species is proving more difficult and at the moment it is a toss up between <i>alstonii, stayneri </i>or <i>framesii. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These flowers came out during the last few days and I like the way they stand above the leaves on short stems.</span></div>
Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-79598348566385105502018-02-27T22:07:00.000+11:002018-02-27T22:07:46.711+11:00Orthophytum gurkenii<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JioRKowBHrE/WpUvvo-1DyI/AAAAAAAAPfI/C57fOvCdcQIBv5XpNriJSqIJhd0aTgqrACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JioRKowBHrE/WpUvvo-1DyI/AAAAAAAAPfI/C57fOvCdcQIBv5XpNriJSqIJhd0aTgqrACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_5312.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Orthophytum gurkenii</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been growing this unusual Bromeliad for a number of years and it seems never to be without one or two flower stems. The 40cm tall arching inflorescence is a striking chartreuse green in colour which contrasts well with the bronze powder coated foliage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New plantlets appear at the end of these green bracts which have the unfortunate attribute of being edged with razor sharp spines and as they mature these spines can detach and lodge in the fingertips if you handle them without protection.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is one of those easy care plants however preferring a dry location in sun or semi shade.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apparently there are quite a number of different forms of this plant including ones with striped leaves.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SkK8bEKV0Z0/WpUvvuZCtRI/AAAAAAAAPfI/73DRr47XTUsLq-ygt5YWITXKZ7_xaN3twCKgBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1138" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SkK8bEKV0Z0/WpUvvuZCtRI/AAAAAAAAPfI/73DRr47XTUsLq-ygt5YWITXKZ7_xaN3twCKgBGAs/s400/fullsizeoutput_6.jpeg" width="283" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K7AirGaSLMg/WpUvvusIbWI/AAAAAAAAPfI/d25Z9D6Rmj8aqXhspdIgQhpi2cFI_SQ7wCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K7AirGaSLMg/WpUvvusIbWI/AAAAAAAAPfI/d25Z9D6Rmj8aqXhspdIgQhpi2cFI_SQ7wCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_5316.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From a couple of flower stems I cut more than a dozen new plants though they probably would have been quite happy staying attached to the mother stem for many months to come.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a20d4cniKaQ/WpUvvnSvqrI/AAAAAAAAPfI/f41aOxV0rFQ2R9CPTIoDslSeDRc89IKgACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a20d4cniKaQ/WpUvvnSvqrI/AAAAAAAAPfI/f41aOxV0rFQ2R9CPTIoDslSeDRc89IKgACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_5318.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now comes the tricky part. Underneath these dried razor sharp bracts at the base of the plant tiny nobbly roots are forming and need to be exposed to give them a good start in life. With gloved hand I hold the top and peel away using small flower snips all the while taking in a lung-full of white fluff being shed form the leaves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will plant them into small pots using an open bark/Perlite mix and by the end of the year they should be ready for a new home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-90892713029126136682018-02-25T15:38:00.000+11:002018-02-25T15:38:26.271+11:00Dracaena deremensis 'Janet Craig Limelight'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FwhZKWFGVGA/WpIZfTXoLwI/AAAAAAAAPZA/KktaFGb0-dU_gaEYWBG2XCo54_f1GhCjQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FwhZKWFGVGA/WpIZfTXoLwI/AAAAAAAAPZA/KktaFGb0-dU_gaEYWBG2XCo54_f1GhCjQCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_5303.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Dracaena deremensis '</i>Janet Craig Limelight'</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9BDGTdAm8Gs/WpIZfQB-3JI/AAAAAAAAPZA/SZQKqbddTaUIsRCBe5rr17Qb5bEg1PZ2wCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9BDGTdAm8Gs/WpIZfQB-3JI/AAAAAAAAPZA/SZQKqbddTaUIsRCBe5rr17Qb5bEg1PZ2wCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_5298.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The multi-branched garden planted specimen of this plant is now about three metres tall and growing under house eaves in a shady spot. It does not look half as good as the potted specimens I have pictured here which are in a greenhouse and sheltered from the elements.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> A few years back a large branch of the garden one toppled over in a storm so I cut it up into 30 cm lengths so I could propagate some new plants.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stems cuttings from a mature plant take root quite easily though they require a free draining mix </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">with lots of Perlite as part of the propagation mix. After a couple of years they have now grown to about 120cm in a 200 mm pot and I can almost say they thrive on neglect as they don't seem to mind a low water and fertilizer regime.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I placed one of these indoors several months ago and though it has lost its very bright yellow leaves it still has attractive shiny pale green foliage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With a bare trunk it has an elegant palm tree like appearance in a red ceramic container.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Outdoors the leaves rarely stay unblemished by strong winds or insects.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I am reminded of that other </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Dracaena (fragrans) </i><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">which gets shredded by grasshoppers when grown outdoors in a warm climate. Many so called indoor plants just don't make the transition well when planted as garden specimens ,though some rejoice in their freedom and turn into monsters such as Ficus/'Rubber Plants'.</span></div>
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<br />Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-52797586850118219082018-02-25T12:59:00.001+11:002018-02-25T12:59:34.164+11:00Platykelba insigne<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CdQOKZgQAjo/WpIT5UAou-I/AAAAAAAAPYo/9LbAuvq6jbcMUk3IRz0YdQjONz6s6ZOsgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CdQOKZgQAjo/WpIT5UAou-I/AAAAAAAAPYo/9LbAuvq6jbcMUk3IRz0YdQjONz6s6ZOsgCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_5300.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Platykelba insigne </i>(<i>Ascelepiadoideae</i>)</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zQANNoGpmr0/WpIUVBgImbI/AAAAAAAAPYs/4kDgodDTlUk1lmR6GPWulTu_bmVrvbQJQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zQANNoGpmr0/WpIUVBgImbI/AAAAAAAAPYs/4kDgodDTlUk1lmR6GPWulTu_bmVrvbQJQCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_5301.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simplicity itself is the appeal of a plant which goes through life as a mass of cascading stems while producing (allegedly) perfumed flowers. I have yet to see any flowers so I can't comment on that and it is always a little annoying when you read about a perfume with no description of the fragrance. Coconut? Vanilla? Honey? keep me guessing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is an easy care hanging basket or vertical garden plant and probably better in shade as mine has thrived under shade cloth. The hanging basket version is a bit lopsided as it was kept on a shelf for too long.</span></div>
<br />Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-86277190109223863672018-02-25T10:35:00.000+11:002018-02-25T10:35:16.018+11:00Orbea variegata<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_7wUxryNYSw/Wo_xEGzv2pI/AAAAAAAAPXM/2A15arphbO4pMgTB50w0qPeXepnjvLonQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_7wUxryNYSw/Wo_xEGzv2pI/AAAAAAAAPXM/2A15arphbO4pMgTB50w0qPeXepnjvLonQCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_5291.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Orbea variegata </i>syn <i>Stapelia variegata</i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2QAO_S_-8Qc/Wo_xEIJym1I/AAAAAAAAPXM/Gz4vmrcS0OAudR2D5ucsHMtYfjJjmp41gCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2QAO_S_-8Qc/Wo_xEIJym1I/AAAAAAAAPXM/Gz4vmrcS0OAudR2D5ucsHMtYfjJjmp41gCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_5292.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Developing seed pods in "V for Victory" mode</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This spreading ground cover succulent has fleshy stems which resemble in size and shape crinkle-cut potatoes. Container grown plants quickly fill the space with these stems/leaves and new growth tends to hang upside down over the edge of the pot. These can be trimmed off and used to propagate new plants if required.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have not tried growing it in a garden bed but I imagine it would form a dense weed suppressing mat and would be ideal to grow in a dry spot under trees particularly ones providing summer shade and winter sun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 8cm diameter flowers resemble puffed balloons in bud and when open exude the characteristic carrion smell to attract flies as pollinators. Working close by to them I often forget this unfortunate aspect of their being and assume there is a dead rat somewhere under the bench.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The purple striped seed pods produced even while new flowers are still in bud are most attractive. Eventually they turn brown and scroll back to release fluffy seeds in much the same way as its cousin the Oleander does, both being in the family <i>Apocynaceae.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Container grown plants can be brought indoors and placed in a bright location though this is not recommended during the summer flowering season. It is definitely a winter thing especially if you live in a frost prone location.</span></div>
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<br />Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-38170630560451540262017-05-20T18:05:00.001+10:002018-02-15T16:55:38.408+11:00Senecio barbertonicus<div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-245jioEr7XA/WR_4skj0FfI/AAAAAAAALdQ/qJnBW5sqTXAYnaYcH0no0mA-odAXQo7rwCHM/s640/blogger-image--1273302962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-245jioEr7XA/WR_4skj0FfI/AAAAAAAALdQ/qJnBW5sqTXAYnaYcH0no0mA-odAXQo7rwCHM/s640/blogger-image--1273302962.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><b><i> Senecio barbertonicus</i></b></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I have been growing this succulent sub-shrub for about a year now and it has reached posssibly its mature height and spread of about a metre. The pointed leaves are an unusual colour green, changing from chartreuse in winter to olive green in summer. The daisy like flowers are said to be perfumed though I will have to wait and see as none have been produced as yet. Senecio flowers tend to be fairly insignificant daisies which end their life as balls of fluff at the end of the stems. </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The species name relates to the region of South Africa where it hails from, with its more famous cousin being the Barberton daisy or Gerbera.</font></div>Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-71220532450209173162017-05-20T18:04:00.001+10:002017-07-15T18:21:09.488+10:00Sedum adolphii 'Firestorm'<div><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BSiU1EWBtfQ/WR_4ewrc9pI/AAAAAAAALdM/lA2ycr-TF7E0m3f1m56be0-TfnoqL8hCwCHM/s640/blogger-image-1677589638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BSiU1EWBtfQ/WR_4ewrc9pI/AAAAAAAALdM/lA2ycr-TF7E0m3f1m56be0-TfnoqL8hCwCHM/s640/blogger-image-1677589638.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i> </i><b><i>Sedum adolphii </i>'Firestorm'</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This Mexican groundcover succulent is putting on a display of intense orange and red leaves at the moment. The other two forms of this Sedum, the more familiar 'Golden' and 'Pat's Pink' are equally appealing but just not quite so bright.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As a trailing plant, leaves are prone to drop off exposing bare stems as it matures. If this is not appealing pruning back closer to the centre of the plant will result in a more compact specimen. New plants can be propagated from these stems or from the leaves themselves if placed on the surface of potting soil.</div>Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-60296047663104392662017-05-17T18:56:00.000+10:002018-02-14T16:18:26.272+11:00My seed packet history<br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Seed Merchants of yesteryear.........</b></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to confess to being something of a gardening hoarder. If by definition that refers to someone who has kept all packets of seed, plant labels, gardening magazines and newspaper clippings, as well as an assortment of rusting no longer in service tools that have ever crossed my path during the past forty years or so. </span><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then you wake up one day and ask yourself why am I keeping all this? So before the old seed packets went into the recycle bin I took a few photos of a range from various companies some of whom are no longer trading. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not much changes however......</span></div><div><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">It is impossible for me to walk past a seed rack in a Nursery or Hardware store without picking out a couple of packets of something I would like to try. As well, </font><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">these days it is seeds saved from cross pollinated prize shrubs which hold my attention. What will the resulting seedling turn into?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These lines from the V Sackville-West poem <i>The Garden </i>convey the wonder and reward of growing plants from seed.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'<i>He is a millionaire for a few pence.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Squandering nature in her gift exceeds</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Even her own demands.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Consider not the lily, but her seeds</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>In membrane tissue packed within the pod</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>With skill that fools the skill of human hands;</i></span></div><div><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><i>The poppy with her cracking pepper-pot</i></font></div><div><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><i>That spills in ripened moment split asunder;</i></font></div><div><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><i>The foxglove with her shower as fine as snuff.</i></font></div><div><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><i>Consider these with thankfulness and wonder.'</i></font></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><div>
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</div></div></div>Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-60856584642393662502017-05-17T18:04:00.001+10:002017-05-17T18:04:09.103+10:00An Autumn Gazania<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This <i>Gazania</i> was in flower a few weeks back which surprised me as they normally do their thing in spring and summer. It is an American bred variety whose name escapes me. What was most unusual about it was the number of flowers which appeared, forming a crown across the entire top of the plant growing in a squat six inch pot. Now if only I had a hundred or so they would have been a sure fire winner in the plant markets. Definitely one to set aside and try to build up the numbers of.</span></div>
Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-24435626299439895232017-05-17T17:53:00.000+10:002017-05-17T17:53:50.462+10:00Agave weberi 'Arizona Star'<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-10iwOIIYK3Y/WQ5oeYbe-XI/AAAAAAAALb8/fppo_rOpp2IOtcogR8N6rOQYqkyXYdNdgCHM/s640/blogger-image--592078594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-10iwOIIYK3Y/WQ5oeYbe-XI/AAAAAAAALb8/fppo_rOpp2IOtcogR8N6rOQYqkyXYdNdgCHM/s640/blogger-image--592078594.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b> Agave weberi </b></i><b>'Arizona Star'</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This Agave was in need of a repot which also gave me the opportunity to remove some of the smaller plants growing around its base. Easier said than done when it comes to handling Agaves as it is often difficult not to damage the soft succulent leaves and get spiked in the handling process. The plain green form of this species has always been a slow grower for me so I was surprised at just how quickly this variegated form filled out the pot. Though it looks similar to an <i>A americana</i> the leaves are certainly much thinner and have that 'Grey Nurse' shark skin texture to them.<b> </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This cultivar originates in the United States as the name suggests.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't have any plants of it for sale at present but will do at some stage in the future. </span> </div>
Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-46405965958905159232017-05-17T17:39:00.001+10:002017-05-17T17:39:35.739+10:00Two Autumn Hibiscus<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Go_671ZdASo/WRv7tylaVmI/AAAAAAAALcc/phpDe0Mof0EDiKUEeWiIoWMpYPgcLmAdgCHM/s640/blogger-image-1808066006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Go_671ZdASo/WRv7tylaVmI/AAAAAAAALcc/phpDe0Mof0EDiKUEeWiIoWMpYPgcLmAdgCHM/s640/blogger-image-1808066006.jpg" /></a></div>
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hibiscus rosa-sinensis </span></b></i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Shelley'</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bpPRGyCoLMo/WRv7z_6hzKI/AAAAAAAALcg/E_6-UBA6-xczRY1wFaVXWo6BJkXhrW7bwCHM/s640/blogger-image-994176836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bpPRGyCoLMo/WRv7z_6hzKI/AAAAAAAALcg/E_6-UBA6-xczRY1wFaVXWo6BJkXhrW7bwCHM/s640/blogger-image-994176836.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Hibiscus rosa-sinensis </b></i><b>'Spring Song'</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of iPhone pics in passing and a nice reminder that Hibiscus blooms can be found at almost any time of year. The flower colours are often more distinct now compared to mid summer when they can fade in the strong sun.<b> </b></span> </div>
Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-8335670947388778972017-05-07T09:51:00.001+10:002017-05-07T09:51:01.702+10:00Salvia involucrata 'Bethelli'<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M_tUvBe2_rU/WQVCifSfocI/AAAAAAAALZc/EeFWuWLlB6kgcIly6L6bwvOnZNoE-L79QCHM/s640/blogger-image-1442993411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M_tUvBe2_rU/WQVCifSfocI/AAAAAAAALZc/EeFWuWLlB6kgcIly6L6bwvOnZNoE-L79QCHM/s640/blogger-image-1442993411.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gXC30QZca9I/WQVCobUbB4I/AAAAAAAALZg/Z8JYESpGeZk_jTQH2GZ6ImKswNFniXc2QCHM/s640/blogger-image-1752245156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gXC30QZca9I/WQVCobUbB4I/AAAAAAAALZg/Z8JYESpGeZk_jTQH2GZ6ImKswNFniXc2QCHM/s640/blogger-image-1752245156.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b> Salvia involucrata 'Bethelii'</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some Salvias turn into monsters overnight and before you know it they have covered three metres of ground and have even taken on the likes of a big clump of <b><i>Miscanthus </i>'Cosmopolitan'</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> </b>Bethelli is doing its thing most succesfully at the moment and is producing loads of bright cerise pink flowers on the ends of long arching branches. It must be all the rain we had a month or so ago that set off on this growth spurt. Once flowering has finished it can be trimmed back and even given a harder prune next spring so the whole process can start again. It's a ten out of ten shrub for quick growth, hardiness and brilliance of flower.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span> </div>
Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-70531170229323097322017-05-07T09:24:00.000+10:002017-05-07T09:24:07.233+10:00Senecio haworthii<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oJzFYVG-EP8/WP2yzX5AGHI/AAAAAAAALY8/NEZrNef6rkoHCDAedMY6IALtjBj_y1Z_gCHM/s640/blogger-image-547438597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oJzFYVG-EP8/WP2yzX5AGHI/AAAAAAAALY8/NEZrNef6rkoHCDAedMY6IALtjBj_y1Z_gCHM/s640/blogger-image-547438597.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Senecio haworthii</span></b></i> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some succulent plants refuse to budge and are very slow growing. This <i>Senecio</i> is one of them and it is probably the reason it is rarely offered for sale except as a collector's plant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A common name given to it of 'Cocoon Plant' refers to the resemblance the leaves have to silk covered insect pupae cases. This 'silk' has a traditional African use of being collected to use as tinder and it does peel off the leaves revealing a pale green underside (just visible in this photo).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Silver foliage plants can be tricky to keep going during periods of high rainfall or humidity so I have incorporated lots of grit and perlite into the potting mix of this plant to make sure it is free draining.</span></div>
Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-41528882841389405432017-05-07T09:05:00.000+10:002017-05-07T09:05:40.340+10:00Plectranthus 'Cape Angel Pink'<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A7eJNhCInQ8/WPR3-RGMpOI/AAAAAAAALYA/VgZL20D8dUg/s640/blogger-image--567630395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A7eJNhCInQ8/WPR3-RGMpOI/AAAAAAAALYA/VgZL20D8dUg/s640/blogger-image--567630395.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Plectranthus </b></i><b>'Cape Angel' with a pale pink <i>Malvaviscus penduliflorus</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 'Cape Angel' <i>Plectranthus</i>, of which there are white, purple and pink flowering forms as well as the dark foliaged 'Mona Lavender' variety, have been around in the garden scene for over ten years now and have become a real highlight of the autumn garden scene. Long flowering and tolerant of drier shade locations they can be grown in pots or garden beds and reach a height of about a metre. Their 'shelf life' is only around five years however as they can become woody with age and lose vigour and they are susceptible to being disfigured by the dreaded flea beetle which damage the foliage leaving it permanently pock marked. I find the use of a granular systemic insecticide breaks the life cycle of this pest if caught when the first sign of damage occurs. Replacement plants are fairly easy to produce by cuttings and the old method of sticking a stem in the ground where required may suffice such is the ease of propagation of this plant</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Cape Angel' a hybrid between two South African species, P. saccatus and P. hilliardiae, the former which is also in flower now has delightful flowers resembling the Jacaranda.<b><i> </i></b></span></div>
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Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-9751462779624735772017-04-23T09:02:00.000+10:002017-04-23T09:02:49.483+10:00Plectranthus cremnus<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--J_IRQ0Wdyc/WPR3TNBVwII/AAAAAAAALX0/2TJng1RgEic/s640/blogger-image--1402194524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--J_IRQ0Wdyc/WPR3TNBVwII/AAAAAAAALX0/2TJng1RgEic/s640/blogger-image--1402194524.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b> Plectranthus cremnus</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I call this the Byron Bay <i>Plectranthus</i> as it is from that part of northern New South Wales. Like a lot of native plants it has failed to cross over into the general garden scene despite having these extraordinary deep marine blue flowers and lovely velvet soft heart shaped leaves. The problem is that it is an untidy plant and a bit of a sprawler. Along the way it sheds its stem leaves so you are left looking at a mass of bare stems with leaves and flowers at the terminal. I have tried tip pruning in the hope of making it more compact but this has not made a difference to the overall appearance. Nevertheless it is a hardy plant and does not have any special water or fertilizer requirements.</span></div>
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Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-81194481172035743072017-04-23T08:40:00.001+10:002017-04-23T08:40:37.021+10:00Salvia microphylla 'Pink Blush'<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j9-GtGEfrZc/WPR4tZqLkxI/AAAAAAAALYM/wd__eCNpCPU/s640/blogger-image--817395626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j9-GtGEfrZc/WPR4tZqLkxI/AAAAAAAALYM/wd__eCNpCPU/s640/blogger-image--817395626.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b> Salvia microphylla </b></i><b>'Pink Blush'</b></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is nothing blushing about the flower colour of this Salvia. It is a strong dark cyclamen pink which really stands out in the garden. Like others in the 'microphylla' group, such as the ever popular 'Hot Lips', this is a tough long blooming plant which forms a small rounded shrub to about a metre. If it gets too untidy it can be sheared off almost to ground level and it will return with renewed vigour in no time. </span></div>
Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-44871736145571125402017-04-18T08:11:00.000+10:002017-04-18T08:11:32.898+10:00Philodendron 'Gold Bullion'<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pDVau658NLY/WPR5N6y2AJI/AAAAAAAALYU/7HukCWPAg-Y/s640/blogger-image--1978073111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pDVau658NLY/WPR5N6y2AJI/AAAAAAAALYU/7HukCWPAg-Y/s640/blogger-image--1978073111.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Philodendron </span></b></i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Gold Bullion'</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been growing this for about a year now in a pot on the deck in a semi shaded position and noticed this week that some of the leaves are cha</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">nging colour in response to cooler weather. The leaf veins are developing a delightful pink</span><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">tinge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This Philodendron is related to 'Xanadu' and is just as hardy as long as it is given some protection from frost. In a garden situation 'Gold Bullion' could be mass planted under trees as it is able to cope with dry shade and the leaf colour would certainly add brightness and vigour to the garden picture.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is equally at home as an indoor or balcony plant and its low water requirements means means it can be left unattended for a period of time without looking back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There does not seem to be any insect or disease problems associated with it either. Ten out of ten. </span> </div>
Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854285493028775412.post-39208222206210466002017-04-18T07:49:00.000+10:002017-04-18T07:49:55.582+10:00Salvia muelleri<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lbOmNsJ8ByE/WPR4eOiaamI/AAAAAAAALYI/yMv0kZlgeGM/s640/blogger-image--345538925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lbOmNsJ8ByE/WPR4eOiaamI/AAAAAAAALYI/yMv0kZlgeGM/s640/blogger-image--345538925.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Salvia muelleri '</span></b></i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Royal Purple Sage'</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is much debate among Salvia enthusiasts</span><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as to whether this species is the real deal or an </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">imposter.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> There is certainly nothing very 'Royal Purple' about the flower colour. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Native to Mexico and thus one of the dry hardy small twiggy plants, it is certainly one of the bright sparks in an autumn garden. It is a useful filler in front of taller shrubs or half hidden with just the bright magenta purple flowers poking out from surrounding foliage.</span></div>
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Florez Nurseryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675642756554004737noreply@blogger.com0