Re: Aristea, Anyone?
- To: Medit plants
- Subject: Re: Aristea, Anyone?
- From: G* B*
- Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2000 08:37:04 +0200
Tim Longville wrote:
I wondered if people on the list grow aristeas and if so which species
> they've found most desirable/successful? A. ecklonii and A. major
> (also in its pink form, ex Kirstenbosch) have been hardy here in
> coastal NW UK for several years. I'm now trying several other spp from
> Silverhill seed. Easy germination and vigorous growth but too soon yet
> to say how they're going to cope with our winters. Any notions of
> hardiness of other spp would be gratefully received.
Dear Tim,
Aristea ecklonii grows extremely well here, flowers over a long period
throughout the summer, and makes a lot of seed which as you said
germinates well. Here it should be grown in full shade. We grow it in
a shadowhall where it resisted to -5°C. Now we have a good stock of it
we shall try it next winter outside without any protection. So I
cannot say anymore for the moment about its hardiness.
I am very interested to know how you get on with A major which seems to
be a much superior species to A ecklonii.
Kind regards
--
Hi
A nice bit of synchronicity here. I was hiking in the Kogelberg yesterday &
the Aristea major has just pushed into flower. Spikes standing about 2m high
of an exceptionally vivid blue. Lovely. I would associate the Aristeas with
semi-marsh or soak conditions - I have A ecklonii in my bog garden - though
there is a planting of the A. major by the office there which is openground.
Peaty, sandy soil, so it can take it more drought hardy as well. I don't
think shade is at all necessary & would go for a full sun myself. It may be
subject to a few degrees of frost there but not too sure how low it can go.
Also flowering in the same seepage type position at the moment is the deep
yellow Wachendorfia thyrsifolia. They would make a lovely combination
together.
Perhaps throw a few of the bog ericas into the mix. - E. perspicua, E
patersonia & the coral-red E.pillansii or E fervida. All from the same area
& same conditions. A beautiful combination.
Regards
Glenn Breayley. Ragnarok & Valhalla Research.
POBox 26158, Hout Bay, 7872, Capetown, South Africa
Ph/Fax SA 021 7904253 E-mail valhalla@iafrica.com
Wholesale nurseryman & Tillandsia specialist wholesale & retail grower.
