Dede Sophie

  Fasciation on KniphofiaFasciatum on plants is not as uncommon as you might expect as it is generally overlooked or perhaps unseen within the overall density of a garden. One might say you can’t see the wood for the trees! (Apologies). Botanically speaking, fasciation is the  malformation of plant stems commonly manifested as enlargement and flattening as if several stems were fused. Any occurrence of fasciation may be due to several possible causes, including hormonal, genetic, bacterial, fungal, viral and environmental causes. Fasciation is not contagious, but in those instances where bacteria have caused fasciation it can be spread from infected plants to others from contact with wounds on infected plants and from water that carries the bacteria to other plants. This example of fasciation in the flower stem of a Kniphofia species is I believe the first I had seen and warranted an image being recorded for these who are interested in such things. I included a second stem from th...

If exotic or cold-hardy tropical effect gardens are your thing then you are in for a treat because in this video we get to visit the impressive exotic gardens planted out at the Royal Horticultural Society’s flagship garden – RHS Wisley. Created in 2017, it has over the years matured into one of England finest examples of an exotic garden – if not the best exotic or cold-hardy tropical effect garden in England! So why not join English horticulturists Simon and Lorna as they walk-through the exotic garden pointing out and discussing the plants that catch their attention? There is a lot to see and the planting scheme is full of species and cultivars that you really won’t see in regular garden centers. However you can use the RHS’s plant finder services to located the required specialist nursery should you see anything that your hearty desires. Ginger lilies, the range of hardy palms and the various cultivars of hibiscus moscheutos were of particular interest ...