Thinking caps on please!

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pamela

  • Sr. Member
Thinking caps on please!
« on: July 29, 2013, 04:03:13 PM »
I have 2 large terracotta pots which are on one of the corners of our naya (verandah) facing north north west.  I had 2 Dypsis lutescens which were never successful as they had to endure sometimes a cold wind in winter, probably too much water (from me) or none at all.  We have no prevailing wind. Our winds vary a lot.  
I am looking for something to fill those pots, which I will plant up in October.  I want something sculptural and interesting that doesn’t drop flowers or berries (which stain terracotta tiles) and which can endure the vagaries of the seasonal weather.
Any ideas?  
Jávea, Costa Blanca, Spain
Min temp 5c max temp 38c  Rainfall 550 mm 

"Who passes by sees the leaves;
 Who asks, sees the roots."
     - Charcoal Seller, Madagascar

SusanIbiza

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Re: Thinking caps on please!
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2013, 04:43:31 PM »
What about a nice strelitzia reginae (bird of paradise)? 
Now gardening in Ibiza, Balearics having moved last year from Queensland, Australia.  Mediterranean gardening is my challenge now, there is such a lot to learn, but it is lots of fun.

Trevor Australis

  • Sr. Member
Re: Thinking caps on please!
« Reply #2 on: July 30, 2013, 05:52:25 AM »
North means shade and possibly little sun. A shade tolerant evergreen that flowers offers possibilities. Camellias? Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'? What about the new soft-leaved Mahonia Mahonia eurybracteata ssp. ganpinensis 'SOFT CARESS' which was offered at Chelsea this year? I'm not sure who is selling it but since it received an award at Chelsea the nursery at RHS Wisley (or on-line sales) would seem a likely place to start.
M Land. Arch., B. Sp. Ed. Teacher, traveller and usually climate compatible.

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Miriam

  • Jr. Member
Re: Thinking caps on please!
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2013, 10:06:21 AM »
You can plant two different Agave plants.
Agave americana 'mediopicta Alba' and Agave attenuata are two of my favorites.
agronomist from Rehovot, Israel

pamela

  • Sr. Member
Re: Thinking caps on please!
« Reply #4 on: July 31, 2013, 08:11:22 AM »
Thanks everyone very much.  The Mahonia looks a wonderful plant...
Jávea, Costa Blanca, Spain
Min temp 5c max temp 38c  Rainfall 550 mm 

"Who passes by sees the leaves;
 Who asks, sees the roots."
     - Charcoal Seller, Madagascar

Trevor Australis

  • Sr. Member
Re: Thinking caps on please!
« Reply #5 on: August 03, 2013, 08:11:43 AM »
There's also a white variegated form of Agave attenuata that needs a bit od shade so it doesn't scorch.  tn
M Land. Arch., B. Sp. Ed. Teacher, traveller and usually climate compatible.