PUSHING THE BORDERS

The Restios have loved the mild wet winter we have here.
Ischyrolepis subverticillata

The slugs have had a field day on Trillium chloropetalum Red Form

Cannamois grandis

Those Restios look very happy, I always admire Chris Osborne's stand at the shows, used to call himself "Churchtown Nurseries" not sure what he calls himself now he has moved sites, his Restios look wonderful but unhappily for me Liz doesn't like them so we are a Restio free zone here! Odd really as she like Bamboo.

Pity your garden is a Restio free area Charlie. I love them and at present have around 22 different species. Most of them grown from seed as it is impossible to buy plants of the more unusual ones here. I am hoping to grow them in Spain. Anyone out there with experience of growing Restios in Spain I would love to hear from you.

I was speaking to someone the other day about their restios as they had much more snow than usual and they lost quite a few well established ones this year. I'm not sure what the chances are they will come back or if they are just going to dig them up.

I keep meaning to try some as I would hope in London our winters are mild enough.

I have found that Restios do not like snow and frost. I lost many well established Restios in the big freeze. Some died off completely but others like Elegia capensis have come back but very slowly. The Australians seem to be hardier than their South African cousins.

I tried Thamnochortus insignis here a few years ago and it didn't get through its first Summer (too dry). I acquired an Elegia capensis last year at Abbotsbury (someone twisted my arm) and it didn't make it through the Winter. Shan't try again.