Yesterday I went on a big Hardy Tropicals field trip to Akamba. And I dragged the Hubster along too. I bought LOADS. I am now better off to the tune of one Blechnum tabulare, one Cyathea australis, a Brainea insignis, and proteas a-go-go (Leucospermum "Scarlet Ribbons", Protea cynaroides, Protea neriifolia and Dryandra formosa).
There were swaps too, and even though I didn't have anything to give out myself, everyone was really generous! I have a couple of Canna, some aloes and other succulents, a Miscanthus (which is most definitely NOT Mesozoic but which will complement the Pennisetum "Paul's Giant - don't ask...), another Washingtonia robusta, a Trachycarpus wagnerianus and an Arbutus menziesii (really looking forward to trying that one out, although I don't think it'll take too kindly to being put in pots).
And then we went on to Cotswold Garden Flowers, where (thanks to some astute fellow forumers) I got myself an absolute bargain - Agave tequilana for £25 (should have been about three times the price apparently). And it already has two pups, which have already been claimed!
We managed to get everything in the car okay - in fact we got all the Akamba stash in the back seat and were able to put José the Agave on his own in the boot. I've already been spiked more times than I care to count (I can hear Usch's hollow laugh from here - we don't talk about the Great Agave-Ankle Interface Of 2001), but I'm hoping to find a couple of impaled squirrels on it tomorrow morning.
The garden is now nearly full. While in theory I could put more plants in, the Hubster would run out of means to access the washing line that has to hang above. I also spent £140 yesterday (the Brainea was the most expensive but oh so worth it). So for now I'm content to hold off on the rest of my to-buy list. The money will be better spent on going to the Chelsea Flower Show, Gardeners' World Live and/or Hampton Court Flower Show. And of course, my own garden is putting on a pretty decent display too.
There were swaps too, and even though I didn't have anything to give out myself, everyone was really generous! I have a couple of Canna, some aloes and other succulents, a Miscanthus (which is most definitely NOT Mesozoic but which will complement the Pennisetum "Paul's Giant - don't ask...), another Washingtonia robusta, a Trachycarpus wagnerianus and an Arbutus menziesii (really looking forward to trying that one out, although I don't think it'll take too kindly to being put in pots).
And then we went on to Cotswold Garden Flowers, where (thanks to some astute fellow forumers) I got myself an absolute bargain - Agave tequilana for £25 (should have been about three times the price apparently). And it already has two pups, which have already been claimed!
We managed to get everything in the car okay - in fact we got all the Akamba stash in the back seat and were able to put José the Agave on his own in the boot. I've already been spiked more times than I care to count (I can hear Usch's hollow laugh from here - we don't talk about the Great Agave-Ankle Interface Of 2001), but I'm hoping to find a couple of impaled squirrels on it tomorrow morning.
The garden is now nearly full. While in theory I could put more plants in, the Hubster would run out of means to access the washing line that has to hang above. I also spent £140 yesterday (the Brainea was the most expensive but oh so worth it). So for now I'm content to hold off on the rest of my to-buy list. The money will be better spent on going to the Chelsea Flower Show, Gardeners' World Live and/or Hampton Court Flower Show. And of course, my own garden is putting on a pretty decent display too.
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