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New Year stuff


Fortunately I don't grow any Clivias. However, perhaps the name Kaffir
lily should be ditched for practical as well as PC reasons, since I have
always associated it with Schizostylus coccinea. 

When I think of it, there are quite a few offensive plant names. A type of
cabbage known as 'Niggerhead' springs to mind (this is actually a variety
name rather than a common name, and is surely much more offensive). Plant
names have often had other connotations - Linnaeus named the genus Bartsia
(a group of rather insignificant semi-parasitic labiates) after another
botanist who he didn't like. I dare say there are other examples around
the place.

As for Christmas presents, I had not one but both volumes of Phillips &
Rix's Conservatory Plants for Christmas. They are beautiful volumes - I
don't know if the group should have a recommended text, but I would have
though that these two would be superb candidates. Although the title
obviously aims it at readers from colder climes who would have to grow the
plants under glass, many of the plants listed will just about survive the
winter in S. England, and most would probably grow in (for example)
California. As with all Phillips & Rix books, the photography and range of
plants shown is superb - I have been able to look up some of the plants
discussed in the group recently which I hadn't heard of. However, cultural
information is limited, as with previous books in the series.

I also received a surprise when I went back home - a Salvia buchananii
which had been inadvertently left outdoors has survived several degrees of
damp frost unharmed. I had always though that this was one of the more
tender Salvias, but it looks fine at the moment, although S.guaranitica
and S.involucrata have been partially cut back. I don't expect it to
survive the whole winter (Janurary and February are generally colder). Has
anyone else tried this plant outdoors?

Happy New Year to everybody on the list!

Tristan Hatton-Ellis
South West England (zone 8ish)
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