In search of 'The Holy Grail'

[Chad]

Paul,

Good luck, I hope your N. parryi grows to fulfil your wildest dreams.

Andy,

Remind us of the situation you want recommendations for.

Full sun?

And even then I'll defer to others who actually grow succulents!

Chad

[Paul S]

Thanks Chad :)

Yes, Andy - if you could flesh out the detail a bit re your lower gravel bed other than it is colder than you'd expect for Falmouth (which is probably still pretty mild).

That said I start off by saying pretty much any sedum you can find for sale in a garden centre is going to be hardy, so the choice is then down to your personal preference.
Delosperma cooperi is probably the hardiest, big purple flowers. D. nubigena is another hardy one. Smaller yellow flowers. In full sun and stressed the usually apple green leaves turn red. Beyond that there are scores of others.

[Dominic B]

Hello all. New to the forum but glad to be here.

Eclectic holy grails for me as I am a sucker for architectural plants, but also for flowers. I would love to try Dendroseris Pinnata. Also, Kniphofia Laxiflora Kunth. Vellozia Gigantea, or indeed other Vellozia. Bergonia Luxurians x Parviflora. Finally some of the Dahlias that never seem to be available like eg D Brevis or Scapigera.

By the way Charlie, I have a well established aIsoplexus Sceptrum in the garden so hopefully seed will be available drekkly

[Paul S]

Is that Mr Black? I may have a plant for you. I found a Euphorbia royleana for sale on eBay and have taken a couple of cuttings :)

[Dominic B]

Hi Paul. Well spotted. That is very kind and well remembered. I also found a Royleana on EBay this winter! It is only small, but I am going to risk putting it out this spring. But thank you anyway.

I am trying a new Sonchus this year - leptocephalus, very finely cut, feathery foliage and wants it dry. Would suit your environment better than mine. Shall I save you one?

[AndyC]

Remind us of the situation you want recommendations for.

Full sun

Chad

There is a large cherry tree to the east of the bed so not much sun until mid day, then full sun. The position was determined by the removal of an old decking platform and discovery of crap soil and many tree roots, The soil has been built up with more crap soil and rubble.
I've also created a new bed (4M x 4M) in an all day full sun position lower down the garden. It will have a Chamaerops humilis (expensive birthday present to self) in the centre but nothing else determined for the remaining space so any suggestions welcomed.

[Paul S]

If you have a spare, yes please! Assuming Tom's plant fair goes ahead I'll most likely see you in spring.

[Paul S]

Andy, your choice is bewildering for such a large area and I'd say needs a lot of thought when planning plant combinations etc.

A few years ago I wrote a series of articles for an online magazine called, then, the Essex Succulent Review - now the Cactus and Succulent review 'cos it doesn't just apply to Essex. :D
The back issues are online, 6 articles starting in 2015 and finishing in 2016 https://www.cactusandsucculentreview.or ... -2015.html
If you trawl through those you'll probably find all the plant suggestions you'll need.

I have them condensed down into a single pdf on my pc but I can't upload that.

[Chad]

I had S.leptocephalus for a few years.

I was disappointed when it flowered, very small flowers in an open panicle.

I had it for sale at one of the Tregrehan events and some one said it looked just like fennel.

Somehow that altered how I saw it and I haven't felt the need to replace it since I sold the last one.

Having worked my way around most of the dendro-Sonchus I am reluctant to admit it but, Sonchus fruticosus is the only one that is 'garden worthy' and reliably hardy in my damp and green climate. I imagine others will look better in a 'dry' setting.

I'll still grow some others in the tunnel from time to time though. I like the Dr Seuss effect some of them do with pachycaulus stems adn a shock of laves at the top. Most of them do good heads of giant 'dandelions' as well.

Do you expect it to be hardy for you outside Dominic?

Chad

[Dominic B]

I hope it will be hardy. Fruticosus is definitely the hardiest, however Acaulis and Canariensis are both doing well in the garden but were “bruised” when we touched 0C a couple of weeks ago. Fruticosus untouched yet from Madeira - counter intuitive.