Agave desmettiana 'El Miradore Gold'

Agave desmettiana 'El Miradore Gold'

During the recent long years of drought this Agave from Mexico became very popular adding a striking focal point and great form to large and small gardens alike. It is also frost tolerant so has a broader appeal and can be used by gardeners away from the coast. These pants are only a couple of years old and have reached 1 metre across in that time and have started to form "pups" around the base. They were rescued as throw away plants because the owner did not like the fact that the ends of the leaves have quite long thorns on them. Planted under the eaves of the house, they receive no water except when the rain blows in that direction. I imagine the roots of this Agave have gone off in all directions underground in search of water anyway.
I also like to plant Agaves amongst floppy perennial plants or grasses as they help give structure to a soft and light planting scheme.
2017 update: I have stock available.

Broccoli

Broccoli, Brassica olerarcea (Cymosa group var italica)

This year I decided to space my Broccoli plants a little further apart in the veggie plot and as a result the 'flower' heads have grown to an enormous size. I already have a fridge full and have been eating it almost every night so these will go into making some soup which at least can be frozen for later use. Broccolli was apparently "civilized" by the Italians in the 17th century having found its way there from the eastern Mediterranean , Cyprus and Crete. It slowly became more well known in the northern parts of Europe where it was initially called Italian asparagus.
The other variety of Broccoli I grow is a sprouting variety, 'Purple Sprouting' ,which does not form a central head but has plentiful side shoots which can be picked over a longer period. The stems are tender enough to eat as well as the florets . It is often sold now as a bunch under the name of 'broccolini'. The 'Romanesco' Broccoli is one of the most decorative types to grow and certainly the most colourful. The heads are bright lime green with the floret buds arranged in spirals like a minaret. I have yet to grow this type though the seed is readily available. Next year perhaps.

Growing Citrus

A good year for Mandarins

Right now you can buy Navel oranges for about 50 cents a kilo such is the plentiful supply of citrus fruits this year. I have a similar "problem" with backyard grown Mandarins. They are perfect and sweet and the ground is littered with fallen fruit. No special fertilizer given to the tree, but it had a fantastic supply of good steady rain over the growing season Likewise the lemon tree which also has a terrific crop this winter. The lemon tree would completely fail all garden magazine "how to grow the perfect lemon" advice. I decided not to fertilize it at all because I am tired of getting a crop of those humongous lemons which weigh the branches to the ground. This season I have plenty of juicy small fruit .......perfect really. The leaves however would surely send a citrus expert into a state of shock as they all pale yellow. And then there is the bark which is covered in scale. Just don't tell anyone.............

My Snowdrops are disappearing

Snowdrops all but covered by an Iresine

The problem with growing bulbs which go dormant for part of the year is that after they do their disappearing act you are often left with a big gap where weeds or some other plant is only too willing to take advantage of the empty space. So this is what has happened to the spot where my clumps of Snowdrops are normally flourishing. Fortunately they are such tough bulbs they are not adverse to being lifted and being moved even when in flower. I'll just add that to the list of garden jobs to be done on these way too brief days of winter when I'd rather be in front of the fire and reading a book.
I think the best place for Snowdrops is on the edge of a lawn area. The turf doesn't need constant mowing at this time of year and the Snowdrops are tough enough to push their way through the grass, and by the time they have finished flowering, the lawn is ready for mowing again. Snowdrops are hardy over a range of climates and are a delightful addition to the winter garden scene.

The Pre-Raphaelites

Espaliered trees in the Bower Garden
Dante Gabriel Rossetti

D.G.Rossetti (1828-1882)

The Rose leaf (Portrait of Jane Morris) 1870
D.G.Rossetti

A major exhibition of artworks by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood has just opened at the Art Gallery of New South Wales on loan from Birmingham City Art Gallery and Museum:

The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, founded in 1848, lasted only five years but its style, popularity and influence on art and design has remained consistent in the ensuing years.Their inspiration, helped along by one John Ruskin, was found in medieval simplicity and purity which they considered had been lost in the pagan luxury of High Renaissance art courtesy of Raphael. The proclaimed leader of the group was Dante Gabriel Rossetti who portrayed women rebelling against Victorian convention and showed them with unpinned hair and unstructured medieval gowns flowing with lyrical freedom. His main squeeze was one Elizabeth Siddal, a melancholic consumptive who died of a laudanum overdose soon after they were married.

Gardens ,trees, and flowers especially thorn laden roses or poisonous foxgloves are an integral part of Pre Raphaelite artworks. The works themselves often avoid pictorial focus such as on the human figure, so the eye is able to wander over the often brilliantly coloured flowers and blades of grass shown in microscopic detail. Ophelia (1852) and The Blind Girl (1856) by John Everett Millais spring to mind as good examples of this exquisite detailing in their landscape painting.

I look forward to checking out this exhibition soon.

Penstemon 'Pink Cloud'

Penstemon 'Pink Cloud'

This is one of the large flowered summer blooming Penstemons which I have growing amongst some roses. I cut this one back yesterday and took lots of cuttings from the pruned stems. Penstemons often produce new roots at the nodes of the side shoots along the flowering stems. This makes it a very easy plant to propagate and cuttings will strike readily at any time of year. The larger flowering Penstemons are best replaced after a couple of years if they become to woody or straggly.
2017 update: I no longer grow Penstemons.

Penstemon 'Blackbird'

Penstemon 'Blackbird'

Penstemons are good plants for beginner gardeners as they are very hardy and undemanding as to their requirements . As long as the soil is well drained and they are given the occasional cutback of spent flowers, they will thrive across a range of climates. Here on the warm coast Penstemon 'Blackbird' thinks it is an English summer day and it is flowering better now than in January. This one was bred by professional gardener Ron Sidwell (1909-1993) of Evesham, Worcestshire in the UK around 1960, and is notable for the fine narrow stems which bend over under the weight of the rich dark maroon purple bell flowers. Each flower has a fine white stripe in its throat. The name Penstemon is derived from the Greek pente meaning five and stemon , stamen.
2017 update: I no longer grow Penstemons.