Re: Sparmannia africana
Bill wrote:
>Let me second that recommendation for this wonderful plant. Few people ever
>give the blossoms a close look...but they are surely among the most
>beautiful on any plant. I planted mine about 15 years ago and in the great
>freeze is was zapped to the ground. It took awhile but it came roaring back
>and is now 12 ft but can be kept half that size.
There's no doubt as to this plant's usefulness and it would make a
fairly manageable, small shade tree in Nan's garden. Even though the
leaves are very large, the appear to have an almost semi-transparent
quality that allows some light to penetrate. The flowers are
wonderful creations, being purest white with a very prominent central
boss of bright yellow stamens that are tipped with purple. The fun
bit is that they are sensitive to the touch and move sideways when
prodded. Although popular 'house-plant', it seems remarkably tough
and I've even over-wintered it out of doors for several years in a
sunny, sheltered spot when I lived 200 miles north of here in the
'Midlands'.
Down here it is very hardy, rarely losing a leaf in winter and often
flowering from November to April or even May.
Dave Poole
TORQUAY UK
http://www.ilsham.demon.co.uk/gardenviews.html
