Re: the early summer blues, (and purples/lavenders)

Many thanks to David for detailed reply (and to Carol for supporting
my semi-senile attempts to fit names to plants!). 

One point I'm 100% in agreement with David about is most Francoas'
love of the rich but shady and moist life. Here they (and particularly
F. sonchifolia) seem to self seed by choice into just those sheltered
stone walls which are colonised by Canary Island geraniums, ferns,
etc.  Full sun here is a pretty loose (and dim) approximation to the
real Medit. or Calif. item, so it copes with such conditions, but it
certainly prefers it shadier and damper. 

And I also agree with Carol entirely about the genus' virtues. Lovely
evergreen foliage, lovely airy flowers, and a splendid plant for
adding height to a front-of-border situation without making a solid
barrier blocking the view of things behind.

David: Since at this point in the season I suspect Gary Dunlop will be
sold out of plants, I'd be delighted, please, to take you up on the
generous offer of D. intermedia seed, if and when they become
available (not that I've had much - any? - success growing dianellas
from seed in the past: is there a knack? or are they one of those
cases where the seed needs to be fresh?) - and (ahum) if a pinch of
your possible-hybrid pink-cum-lavender six-foot Francoa happened to be
going spare at the same time....?! This is purely in the interests of
scientific comparison, you understand - size in my conditions as
compared to yours - and absolutely nothing to do with sheer naked
lust. Perish the thought....
Tim Longville
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index