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Seed lists, AGS, Euphorbias, Banksias etc



I have just received my annual allocation of seed from the Alpine Garden
Society (AGS) seed distribution. Despite the name the AGS focus is broader
than just real alpine plants and includes any plant that can be grown in a
rock garden - so not only do Mediterranean plants get discussed - they are
also included in the annual seed list. Because both my husband and I are
members we have just received 36 packets of seed. Not all were our first
preferences - but we are very happy with what we received. If you are
interested in knowing more about the society they have a web site at

http://www.alpinegardensoc.demon.co.uk

I was particularly happy to receive seeds of Euphorbia acanthothamnos. In
Roger Turner's book on Euphorbias he says that it is a dwarf shrub from
Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and the Aegean Islands where it is common on dry
rocky limestone slopes but can be found from lowland scrub up to alpine
levels. Has anyone grown this and if so in what conditions? Are there any
tricks? Turner says that it is not invasive - does anyone have contrary
experience? Hopefully it is not too difficult as the picture and
description look and sound interesting and I like some of the planting
combinations suggested (E. characias subsp. wulfenii, Asphedoline lutea,
Bellavalia dubia, Muscari comosum, Campanula rupestris and Asphodelus
fistulosus).

On the topic of seed lists either commercial or plant societies - does
anyone have any favourites that they could recommend as good for
Mediterranean plants? Any suggestions gratefully received.

In response to the earlier emails about banksias - no I haven't grown B.
coccinea but I do grow B. integrifolia, my locally indigenous banksia
(Mornington Peninsula, Vic, Aust) commonly called the Coastal Banksia. It
is not spectacular but it does grow into a substantial tree and has nice
candles (not showy) and wonderful long narrow (9x1cm?) serrated leaves that
are silvery white underneath. Does anyone grow B. robur? I have only seen
photographs but the candles (a metallic green) look great. Apparently it
likes water.

Also thanks to all those involved in the Glyphosate discussion - I learned
a great deal. My front yard is covered in kikuyu which is very difficult to
remove ( I have to get rid of it to continue making garden beds!!). I would
prefer not to use poisons but I have tried covering it with both thick
newspaper and plastic and nothing seems to kill it. I am now considering
Glyphosate (probably Round up).  Does anyone have experience in
successfully killing kikuyu?

Susan
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