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Re: Xanthorrhea

Jim,

I cannot provide you with places in the British Isles (or Ireland, for that
matter) to obtain plants of Xanthorrhea species. Also, I think seed is
probably the only way they are propagated. However, if you are prepared to
purchase seed from an Australian company that specializes in worldwide seed
of 'unusual', warm-temperate plants I would suggest a Fax to Ellison
Horticultural, Nowra, NSW 2541, Australia would be able to help (Fax 044 23
0859). They certainly stock Xanthorrhea australis and a few other species
and probably can make the complexity of importing seed much easier because
of their worldwide experience.

As Rod Randall pointed out they do grow very slowly initially. However,
after they get a few leaves the growth rate increases a bit. Here (in
California) growth has turned out to be much faster than in their native
bush. There are specimens of X. australis and X. preissii that already have
trunk heights of three meters after about thirty years. It shows what
cultivation and water will do. Australians visiting the area are sometimes
taken aback by these plants. In 'foggy Limerick' do not expect a dramatic
growth rate. Nevertheless, they are such wonderful plants that a risk is
worth taking. Since I hail from those parts, Jim, I can tell you that Rod's
idea of frost tolerance may be a little different than what you or I may be
more familiar with! Months of cold, damp weather are somewhat different
from clear, cold nights followed by days of brilliant sunshine and warmth
of the outback. But, you never can tell till you try. Good luck!


Andrew
San Diego, California
awilson@fda.net
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