SUMMER 2001
The summer of 2001 got off to a promising start in May and June with nice sunny days. Although still rather cold at night the garden was sparked into a lush explosion of growth with the banana's growing a new 1.5m leaf a week. July's weather took a turn for the worse with overcast skies and periods of heavy rain coupled with strong winds it began to feel more like autumn than summer. Suddenly at the end of July the weather turned to near tropical conditions, well as near to tropical as we are likely to get in England. The garden responded to this with another flush of growth, fulfilling the plants need for water now took precedent. The exuberant growth that results from high temperatures and plenty of water more than repays the time it takes with the hose in the evening.
The summer continued with a mix of sunshine and the odd rain shower. The start of September marked a return to much cooler weather, leaves began to yellow slightly and the growth rate of the bananas slowed considerably. Rain was the predominate feature of September, it never seemed to stop, or when it did the skies were grey and overcast. October mild and wet.
New plants in the
garden 2001
Sabal minor. A palm with a short buried stem, only the tip is visible above the ground below the long stalked fan shaped leaves.
Brugmansia sanguinea. Tubular yellow and red flowers 15-25 cm long appear from late spring until autumn.
Strelitzia reginae ( Bird of paradise ). Banana like leaves and stunning flowers it will be over wintered indoors.
Blechnum nudum. A nice fern native to Australia that forms a small trunk giving it the appearance of a small treefern.
Cordyline indivisa. Another attempt to get this plant established. It is prone to rotting off, or suddenly dying for no apparant reason. This time it will be planted in a more open position to allow the air to circulate around its foliage.
Musa sikkimensis. A new root hardy Banana for garden, the leaves are said to be more wind resistant than Musa bassjo. The small plant I am now growing on for planting out next year is displaying some striking red flashes on its leaves. Reports seem mixed as to how well the stems come through the winter with protection, but even if the stems are lost once the weather warms up it reshoots from the ground at a good rate.
Musa
lasiocarpa ( Chinese yellow banana ) Another root hardy
banana that originates from the Himalayas of Southwest
China, it grows to only 1.5m and now occupies a space at
the front of the sunny border. 
Opuntia sanguinicula. A hardy cactus that in it's natural habitat can be covered in snow for weeks in extremely low temperatures.
Astelia chathamica Silver Spear. Forms a clump of evergreen sword like leaves with beautiful silver colouration.
Farfugium japonicum Aureomaculatum. Large leathery leaves speckled with irregular yellow dots, this plant does well in dappled shade.
Hibiscus
Palms and bananas must surely be the the most exotic looking plants we can grow in a temperate garden, instantly recognisable even to non gardeners, they shout tropical whatever the weather. If you are thinking of planting a palm in your garden Trachycarpus fortunei is a good choice, hardy in most parts of the UK it will tolerate very cold conditions to at least -15c with no protection. Trachycarpus are fan palms with leaves that can be 36'' wide on mature plants. Wind is its worst enemy, giving this palm a rather tatty appearance in exposed areas. Grow it where it benefits from some shelter and it instantly adds a tropical feel to any garden.
One of the hardiest feather palms to try in sheltered gardens is Butia capitata, to my mind even more exotic looking than Trachycarpus. Butia capitata originates from Brazil and is said to be tolerant of high rainfall. Grow this palm in the garden where it will withstand temperatures as low as -12c when larger.
Below is a list of other palms I am trying in the garden, Brahea armata seems to be struggling somewhat this year only managing to produce two new leaves, one deformed (probably due to a late frost) and another slightly browned one, unfortunately this palm has become rather shaded by the exuberant growth of neighbouring plants, and being a sun lover I fear if it is left in its present position it could become the first casualty of the palms ! All the others seem quite content, adding a sub tropical mood to the garden.
.......Palms growing in
the Garden 
Trachycarpus fortunei ( Chusan palm ) x 3. This used to be the only readily available palm. The first one I obtained as a tiny three leafed plant many years ago now stands six feet high. I smile now at how I used to protect it in the early days being unaware just how hardy this handsome palm is. It was only when I forgot to move it one winter and it endured day after day of freezing cold with no damage and the following summer split the plastic pot with it bulging roots that I realised what a fantastic palm this is.
Chamaerops humilis ( Mediterranean fan palm ). After the Trachycarpus I discovered the Mediterranean fan palm which has come through every winter totally unscathed. It is planted in part shade and seems quite happy in this situation growing well and suckering around the base
Chamaerops humilis var. cerifera ( Blue Mediterranean fan palm ). Still growing on in a pot this blue version of Chamaerops should prove a stunning addition to the garden when larger.
Chamaerops humilis ( Volcano ). Also still small and growing on in a pot this palm seems to hold its leaves much more tightly bunched and the leaf stalks seem less barbed than the standard Chamaerops. It will be interesting to see what it looks like as it matures.
Washington filifera ( Cotton palm ). Planted this spring seems to have settled in well and is sending up new leaves at a rate I have not encountered with other palms.
Sable minor ( Blue palmetto palm ). Another new addition to the garden, it is said to be very hardy but slow growing, time will tell !
Butia capitata ( Jelly palm ). Fantastic feather leafed palm that has so far proved to be totally hardy in the garden and indeed continues to grow slowly even in the winter.
Brahea armata ( Mexican blue palm ). Slow growing but impressive colour, this striking palm seems to have disliked last winters heavy rain fall.
Phoenix canariensis ( Canary island date palm ). The palm you see everywhere on Mediterranean holidays, has so far proved hardy in the garden, with hindsight perhaps I should have planted it where it had more room to expand, but hopefully that's a problem to solve in a few years time
The jungle exploding into growth in spring
The garden has always been my private space, planted and maintained for my own pleasure, only shared with others through the internet, however next summer it will be open on one day in September under the National Garden Scheme with 25% of the proceeds going to CLIC (Challenging Childhood Cancer and Leukaemia). If you are thinking of trying exotic plants in your own garden, already grow them, or enjoy visiting gardens, please come along and take a look around and help raise some money for a very good cause... Open Garden
Garden views.. click the image to see full size pictures
The images above are a snap shot of the garden at one moment in time, the garden is forever changing, plants are living things and the picture they paint is forever altering. These are some of my favourite moments of 2001.
