Garden Plants & Exotics

[Dzombo]

Hi All,

A group of plants that I am very interested in is Bamboo.
They are quite widely distributed over the tropical and temperate regions of most continents.

Has anyone seen the South African species - Thamnocallus tessalatus - the Berg Bamboe. Is found at altitude in the Drakensberg.

It is hardy in the UK, but gets tatty and doesn't look as good as the specimens I have seen in SA.

It gets up to a height of about 8 meters with a culm (cane) thickness at the base of about 5cm.
So if anyone goes hiking in the Berg, and sees this, some photos would be great - one of the overall plant, and the lower culms (canes).

[Lisbeth]

Where I live there are lots of bamboos, but I have never noticed their particularities. I will from now on and being able to take pics with the mobile phone, I might even remember to take a pic......maybe

[Dzombo]

Lisbeth,

The bulk of Bamboo in cultivation is from China. With the odd species from the East (Japan, Russia etc), South America (Chusquea), and SA (Thamnocallus)

The interesting thing with Thamnocallus is the rest of the genus is found in the Himalayas. How did this one end up in SA???? :?

[Dzombo]

My first "love" is Aloes. But in the UK climate I can only grow A stiatula, A aristata and A polyphylla (with a bit of protection in winter).

But a closely related genus that does do well here is Kniphofia, the Red Hot P0kers.

I have 3 species at the moment. K northiae (which hasn't flowered yet, and is struggling a bit), K uvaria and K sp ?, which I suspect my be as hybrid.

Yesterday I ordered another 4 species from an online nursery. I am extending one of the beds in my garden, so they will go in there.

Does anyone else grow these?
Any photos?

[Flutterby]

Would love to see some pics of your garden.

[Dzombo]

Would love to see some pics of your garden.

As I say, I am in the middle of redoing sections.
When I am done, I will post some photos. :D
At the rate I am going though, it will be a few weeks still

[Dzombo]

Some of my kniphofias.....




This is Kniphofia caulescens. Started for me about 3 years ago as a single head. I love the blueish leaves. It will flower later in the year. Perhaps August.



Kniphfia hirsuta. This species has fairly hairy leaves, hence the name.
You can see the flower stalk developing.

[Amoli]

My experience over the years was that I never used RHP as a front garden plant,

I normally planted it in the corner with the 'canna's' to make a bright orange/yellow splash in the corner.

... and of course, it attracts bees ??

[Dzombo]

My experience over the years was that I never used RHP as a front garden plant,

I normally planted it in the corner with the 'canna's' to make a bright orange/yellow splash in the corner.

... and of course, it attracts bees ??

Amoli,
Any photos??

I also love the variability of RHP. There are the standard orangish red ones, yellow ones, bicoloured ones.
I have one that has green buds that open white-ish. With my recent order, I am getting one with small brownish flowers which should be interesting.

[Flutterby]

Dzombo, Lis doesn't live in SA...she lives in Switzerland.