26 December 2024
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Inspiration from one rainy spring climate to another
Hello dear readers , I ’ve had a very fussy February . The best minute has definitely been spend some metre in the USA with our editor Kim , as we were both invited to mouth at the Northwest Flower Show in Seattle ! We even took part in a Container Wars contest , where Kim won ( something I still warmly dispute ! )
As a self - confessed plant life eccentric person , I lie with visit all the exhibitioner in the independent Hall , and so I ’m going to share some of my most interesting finds for you . Where possible , I ’ve given a UK seed for these flora gems .
Gloxinia ‘ Akira ’
I expend a lot of time on the stand of Dew Violets with a sorcerous gentlewoman , who seemed to have some of the human beings ’s most beautiful gesneriad . These Gloxinia really prompt me of those that my Grandma used to grow , but ‘ Akira ’ stood out in particular . It had a cost shred of nearly $ 50- but I ’d say deserving every penny . Dibley ’s in North Wales extend some pick Gloxinia cross if you fancy grow a few .
Hydrangea ‘ First Editions Eclispe ’
I first meet this Hydrangea in the USA last summer , where it had even darker foliage , so much so that you could confidently call it black . Selected by Bailey Nurseries in Minnesota , it is congeal for European launching imminently . The picotee prime pair up absolutely with those seductive , coloured leafage .
Kalanchoe ‘ Chocolate Soldier ’
I eff this plant with its precious , furry yet succulent leafage . Common in the UK in its eloquent form , this bronze eccentric is deserving hunting down if you’re able to . Easy to grow , and really simple to propagate and share with friends . Plants might even surprise you with a flower from time to time !
Streptocarpus ‘ Kaleidoscope ’
I ’ve already declared Streptocarpus as the ‘ flowering houseplant of the year ’ , and if this one does n’t get you reaching for your purse , I do n’t be intimate what will . fabulously choice and unlike anything I ’d ever seen before , this is another gem from the Gesneriad mob . It turns out there are a raft of Gesneriad enthusiasts in the Pacific North West !
Dracaena ‘ Stardust ’
There ’s a goodish set of houseplant shops in Seattle , and this spark Dracaena was displayed by Seattle - found , Plant Daddy . A adorable robust specimen , with vibrant speckled foliage . A quick lookup in the UK narrate me we might be look a few more years to get our hands on such a choice houseplant unfortunately .
Euphorbia ‘ Firesticks ’
I have get laid these Euphorbia tirucalli cultivars for years , and get very jealous how they ’re used in outdoor landscape gardening around California . It ’s deserving finding a nice big specimen for a houseplant though , it ’s trouble liberal and does n’t postulate much watering . Plus , the foliage exchange colour with each season , crescendo in deep red for the winter months .
Begonia foliosa
A begonia that look like a miniature tree ? Yes please ! hone for terrariums- they ’ll wash up the moist surround ! I was very lucky to see it in blossom , the very moment where you’re able to identify that it ’s a plant in the begonia family- looks so familiar !
I did n’t pick out this in the Northwest Flower show though , but as part of a very particular tour of the Amazon Spheres in Downtown Seattle – which I ’ll write about soon in my Substack !
you could find out more athttps://mrplantgeek.substack.com/
