Monday 8 November 2010

Autumn colour

The best part of visiting Kew is always the arid part of the Princess of Wales greenhouse. Even before you get in the door you are greeted by a bed of succulents.  Admittedly at this time of year it has been reduced to a fraction of its normal size and only planting under the eves is left, but there are still a couple of nice plants. Sadly the label off this one had vanished


I liked this little clump as well, it was hidden away so not as obvious as the others.


Inside, they still haven't removed the label from this one.  It has become a bit of a famous plant for the wrong label that they refuse to update.  But look at it, how gorgeous is this one!


I have a soft spot for the white / blue agaves and they all seemed to be out on this visit. A particularly nice agave potatorum


While other plants are slowing down for winter, the aloes are just getting going and many are starting to come into flower, it makes it a great time to visit. This aloe yemenica was one of the early ones


I look at this aloe vacilans every visit, it is a lovely blue colour and by the looks of it is a good flowerer.


Finally another of my favourite aloes: ramosissima.  I have a little one of these, and have been thinking of bonzai-ing it.  This one confirms how good it would look:


The perfect tree aloe for a small garden!

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