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Re: A sub-tropical garden in a temperate climate

David Poole wrote:
> 
> Finally, after what has seemed like an interminable wait, summer
> arrived properly here in the UK., just over a week ago and every
> brilliantly sunny day, temperatures have continued to rise well into
> the 80's.   Cool, very humid weather early on, has encouraged
> phenomenal growth on many plants, although some of those which prefer
> hot arid summers, have tended to suffer from a variety of bacterial
> and fungal rots.  (snip)
> Today, has been the hottest day of the year, with temperatures down on
> the exposed and somewhat windy sea-front hitting the mid 80's, whereas
> in my more sheltered, walled garden, it has been a good 10 degrees
> hotter for much of the day.  I have just come indoors after doing the
> evening watering rounds and it is still in the upper 70's out there
> ( 11.00pm ) and the sheer power of fragrance is flooding in through
> the open windows and doors. (snip)
> There are times when I envy those of you in warmer climates, but
> looking out on my little patch, I'm reminded of the remarkable
> diversity of plants which we can grow over here and suddenly, southern
> England doesn't seem too bad at all.
> 
Hi David

Your mouthwarming description of your sub-tropical garden shows what a
funny old place the world is with its unexpected microclimates. I
actually live at a lower latitude than you ( our antipodes is around
Madrid) yet I would be hard put to grow about half of the species you
mention unless they had winter cover, and even then most years our cool
summers (rarely higher temperatures than 25C even at the height of the
season) would prevent them flowering properly. I should have to move
north at least as far as Auckland and preferably further north still to
be able to enjoy the most tender of these beauties.

This is all because we are right out in the middle of a cool ocean with
no Gulf Stream to temper it for us, and furthermore right in the Roaring
Forties, which have dashed unimpeded round most of the globe before they
strike us. Very impressive they can be at times, especially around the
Spring Equinox!

An additional source of colder temperatures is the altitude of the
mountain valley in which I live, which lies some 300ft above the main
valley. Down below they can grow, for instance, Strelitzia, some of the
hardier gingers and also something you may not have as you do not
mention them- the quite hardy Fijian Hibiscus cultivars. They might even
manage your new Impatiens which sounds delightful.

Of your list the only plants which would succeed routinely in Wainui are
the Auratum lilies (more commonly called Oriental lilies here) and
cannas (though I do not know the species you mention - the scent sounds
nice). The  popular one here at present is one with highly ornamental
leaves. I can't just bring its name to mind at present (Sunset maybe).
Oleanders will grow in the local region all right, but only in the main
valley will the flowers mature properly every year.

To each his own, eh!

Moira
-- 
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
(SW Corner of the Pacific Ocean)
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