Diary of a weekend gardener

Feeling a bit tropical

I've never been in the least bit interested in tender houseplants. Why bother with all that intensive mollycoddling and nurturing when so many beautiful plants grow outside here quite happily? But having seen in Oz what fabulous plants can be grown if the temperature stays above 5-10C I'll admit I'm tempted.

I'm probably going to have a go at growing a Jacaranda tree (I seem to have acquired a few seeds, somehow....) but I can't ever imagine having a protected space big enough to bring one to maturity. I was also impressed with a huge Brugmansia in Sydney Botanic Gardens.

But what has really tempted me is a cycad. I thought the ancient ones in the rainforest were pretty impressive, but I spotted a young beauty near Mission Beach that was unfolding a new set of leaves. I might just have to have that hot house after all.

posted by Sue Beesley @ 3:38 pm