PUSHING THE BORDERS

A few bright colours for a showery day
Opuntia humifusa


I have two forms of Lobelia tupa, this one with larger orange/red flowers I acquired at Tregrehan last year


I've grown this Canna for a very long time but have never been able to identify it. Comes true from seed.


I think this is one of the Canna tropicana series


I've just noticed a smudge on the left hand side of my recent pictures. Now I've cleaned the lense I might take better pictures in future :roll:

Hi Andy, I think lobelia 'tupa' is a fantastic plant..mine has grown into a beast despite being transplanted when we moved almost four year's ago, it originally came from lower kenneggy.
I have not had any luck taking clumps off it & normally end up with large tuber cuttings instead of something with a nice rootball.
I think once it goes dormant I'll have to dig near the center of the plant for more success.
For me the foliage is as stunning as the flowers.

Hi Karl,

How tall are the stems on your L. tupa?
Mine is growing in too much shade and rather light free draining soil, not ideal so they only reach max 4ft, I've seen them well over 6ft in more ideal conditions.

I've not attempted to split my clump of the red flowered L.tupa, perhaps I should do that and pamper it a bit more.

Andy, mine is just coming into flower & approx 4ft tall at present, it's in full sun in a south/east position.

I'll post another pic when it's in full bloom.

You have a very good looking plant there Karl, mine pales in comparison, the red/purple Lobelia to the right of it looks very good too. Do you have a clay soil?

Thanks Andy, yes the lobelia queen Victoria to the right of it compliments it well.
Yes were on clay but it's surprisingly Free draining.

Managed to have a stroll around the garden today in between the showers, its amazing how stuff changes in only a week that we were away

Lillium speciosum always delivers, the Lilly Beatles seem to leave them alone if they have other Lillies they can attack!

DSC_0002 by charliepridham, on Flickr

Hedychium spicatum, its a shame it doesn't flower for longer but I rather like the habit/foliage of this one

DSC_0003 by charliepridham, on Flickr

Our new shady bed starting to get overgrown now - wish I could learn not to over plant

DSC_0007 by charliepridham, on Flickr

DSC_0006 by charliepridham, on Flickr

The Clematis are continuing to enjoy the wet, this one is 'Little Bas'

DSC_0005 by charliepridham, on Flickr

Hoheria sexstylosa, will need a trim with the chainsaw again this winter or it may fall over

DSC_0001 by charliepridham, on Flickr

Nice to see you grow Hoheria Charlie, I have grown different varieties and species in several different gardens, and think they are rather underrated. I would grow more here if I had the space.
I love the way sexstylosa sits in the background unnoticed until early July before bursting into flower, when nearly everything else is having a midsummer snooze.
Currently I only grow 'Stardust', it was very easy to train as a standard and the branches less likely to flop over as 'Glory of Almwch' tended to for me.

Love the Clematis btw, gorgeous colour.

A few plants in flower at the mo






The Sinningia is new to me, an oddity i picked up from PGP on my last visit.