Crinodendron & Melianthus

Interesting to see varying accounts of Crinodendron's tolerance (or otherwise) of wind. In my former garden, half a mile from the sea, it was on a south-facing slope, sheltered from the north wind by the numerous tall pines the other side of the main road, but very open to the predominant south-westeries. The wind damage to the foliage was so severe and continuous that I actually got rid of the plant after about 5 or 6 years since the, admittedly gorgeous, flowers were displayed against such a messy plant. I now restrict myself to admiring it in other people's gardens!

Melianthus: M. major is currently a sorry sight here, as I dug it up in mid-summer during a major upheaval of the front garden, and it's still in a pot, waiting for me to find it a new home. It reacted to being dug up by shrivelling, but I would be amazed if it doesn't produce new growth in the spring. A frost of -7C here a couple of winters back killed it to the ground, after which it produced new growth from the roots. Frankly, it makes a better-looking garden plant thus, rather than as an increasingly gaunt and leggy creature; to this gardener anyway. M.villosus (a donation from Tim!) is hardier, and never fails to carry its wood through each winter, as well as producing new shoots from underground as well. It has flowered here the last two summers, and l'm sure there will still be some seeds in the pods on it, if you're interested. Again, like M. major the flowers are interesting rather than attractive - the first time it bloomed I kept wondering when the flowers were go! ing to open, before I realised that they had been open for several weeks. Another good foliage plant, though.

Einion,
Rhyl

PS: the story about the garden centre will, I suspect, surprise few - I remember once enquiring, one March, about autumn-flowering crocuses, to which I was told that crocuses only flower in the spring..!
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