Exotics — from warm or tropical regions of the world — have luxurious associations for inhabitants of cooler dimes. Most have to be nurtured under glass in temperate climates.A warm greenhouse or conservatory (minimum temperature 15°C/59°F), or an intermediate one (at least 8°C/50°F), allows you to grow some highly colourful tropical plants. Even a cool greenhouse or conservatory (at least 5-7°C/40-45°F) can be colourful all year round.
Five flowering exotics for the warm greenhouse
These plants offer long-lasting, spectacular flowers. They are easy to grow provided that they have plenty of warmth at all times, and moist or humid air.
l African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) Single or double violet- like flowers in shades of blue, purple, violet, pink, red and white, above a rosette of downy, deep green leaves. Flowers virtually all year. 10cm/4in. Likes soilless compost and humid air. Avoid wet compost.
l Glory bush (Tibouchina semidSandra) Evergreen shrub, 3m/l0ft tall, with blue-purple flowers in summer/autumn. Stems should be cut back hard in late winter. Can be kept smaller by regular pruning.
l Madagascar jasmine (Stephanotis floribunda) Tall climber with waxy, white, highly scented flowers from spring to autumn. Enjoys slight humidity. Ideal for back wall of conservatory. 5m/15ft. Prune back in late winter to reduce height.
l Oleander (Nerium oleander) Evergreen shrub, 1.8m/6ft high, with red, pink or purplish-red funnel-shaped or fully, double lobed flowers in summer and autumn. Likes plenty of sun and fresh air.
l Zebra plant (Aphelandra squarrosa louisae’) Small evergreen shrub with large, white-striped leaves and bright yellow pyramid-shaped flowers. lm/3ft. Likes high humidity. Prune back stems after flowering.
Five foliage exotics for the warm greenhouse
Prized for their attractive leaves, these plants like plenty of armth and a humid or moist atmosphere.
l Begonia (Begonia rex) Large leaves heavily pattemed with various colours (pink, red, purple, maroon, silver and cream). 30-45cm/1-1 1/2ft. Best grown in peat-based potting compost. Be sparing with water. Shade from bright sunlight.
l Cabbage palm (Cordyline terminalis) Long sword-like leaves in bronze-red or rich purple; young leaves may be cream edged with pink. 90cm/3ft. Not fussy as to growing medium — grow in loam-based or soilless potting compost.
l Croton (Codiaeum variegatum pictum) Evergreen shrub with leaves in various sizes, shapes and colours. Usually has brilliant multi-coloured foliage (shades of red, yellow, copper). 60cm/ 2ft and more. Grows well in soilless compost.
l Dragon lily (Dracaena deremensis) Evergreen shrub with sword-shaped leaves, deep green striped with silver. 1.2m/4ft. Grows well in peat-based compost.
l Philodendron (Philodendron species) Shrubs and climbers with large, often deeply cut, deep green shiny leaves. 2-3m/ 6-10ft. Grow well in peat-based potting compost. Climbers need support of a moss-pole.
Five flowering exotics for the intermediate greenhouse
These highly popular greenhouse plants have a long succession of colourful flowers. All are easy to grow.
l Abutilon (Abutilon hybrids) Evergreen shrubs with pendulous, bell-shaped flowers in shades of red, yellow, orange or pink. Large maple-like leaves. 1.2-1.8m / 4-6ft. Cut hard back in early spring to keep compact. Grow in John Innes potting compost No. 2.
l Brunfelsia (Brunfelsia calycina) Evergreen shrub of modest proportions, with masses of large fragrant blue-purple flowers in summer. 60cm/2ft. Pinch out tip of young plant for bushy habit. Grow in John Innes potting compost No. 2.
l Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum hybrids) Marvellous winter pot plants with flowers in shades of red, pink or white. Some are scented, and in some varieties the foliage is heavily marbled with silver. 10-20cm/4-8in. Dry off plants for the summer to let them rest. Grow cyclamen in a peaty compost.
l Paper flower (Bougainvillea spectabilis) A popular climber with bright purple, orange, white or reddish papery bracts in summer. 2.4m/8ft. Likes plenty of sun and humidity and humus-rich compost. Prune early spring — cut out weak shoots and reduce other shoots by about one-third.
l Shrubby mallow (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) Deciduous shrub with succession of large flowers that appear throughout the summer — red, pink, yellow, orange. Reaches 1.8m/6ft. Grow in John Innes potting compost No. 2.
Five foliage exotics for the intermediate greenhouse
All the following have attractive leaves which contrast well with adjacent flowering plants. Again, easy to grow.
l Asparagus fern (Asparagus sprengeri) An evergreen perennial with cascading, bright green feathery foliage, ideal for front of staging or hanging baskets. 1m/3ft. Likes humid conditions and moisture-retentive peaty compost.
- Bromeliads Most popular are the urn plant, which has a vase-like arrangement of broad grey leaves; and the flaming sword, of similar habit but with brown-banded leaves. 0.5— 1m/20in-3ft. Keep the “vases” filled with fresh water. Grow in peaty compost and provide humidity in warm conditions. Grow new plants from offsets.
l Ferns Lush, green, ferny foliage makes a good foil for brightly coloured flowers. Particularly recommended: Adiantum raddianum, a maidenhair fern, pale green fronds and black stalks, 30-45cm/12-18in; Asplenium bulbiferum, a spleenwort, fine-cut fronds with little plantlets on them, 45-60cm/1 1/2-2ft; Nephrolepis exaltata, sword fern, pale green, deeply cut fronds, arching habit, 45-75cm/1 1/2- 2 1/2 ft. Use a peat-based potting compost and provide humidity and shade.
l Flame nettle (Coleus blumei) Bright multi-coloured foliage. Raised from seed sown in spring each year. Pinch out tips of young plants for bushy specimens. 45cm/11/2ft. Grow in soilless compost. Dry air, dryness at roots and scorching sunlight are not tolerated and likely to turn plants brown. Most grow well under greenhouse staging.
l Mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata laurentii) Evergreen perennial with 90cm/3ft erect sword-shaped leaves edged with yellow. Likes dry air, moderate watering and gritty John Innes compost.
Five flowering exotics for the cool greenhouse
This is a popular selection from the huge range of plants suitable for cool conditions (at least 5-7°C/40-45°F).
l Bird of paradise flower (Strelitzia reginae) Large, broad, evergreen banana-like leaves and striking blue and orange bird’s-head-like flowers in summer/autumn. 1.8m/6ft. Will flower only after 4-5 years. Likes plenty of sun and soil-based compost. Avoid damaging tap-root when potting young plants, or flowering will be delayed.
l Cape primrose (Streptocarpus hybrids) Clump-forming evergreen perennials with tubular flowers in various colours, summer and autumn. 25cm/10in. Humidity, shade and peaty compost. Keep dryish during winter rest.
l Cineraria (Senecio x hybridus) Very popular short-term pot plant for winter/spring flowers. Large heads of daisy-like flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, red. 15-45cm/6in-1 1/2ft. Provide lots of fresh air and check for aphids and whitefly. Dislikes soggy compost and too much heat.
- Fuchsia Bushy, deciduous shrubs which flower prolifically throughout summer and into autumn. Bell-like flowers in blue, pink, red, white. 0.75-2m/1 1/2-3ft. Best to raise new plants each year from summer cuttings. Grow in peat-based compost.
l Regal pelargonium (Pelargonium domesticum) Compact bushy plants which flower profusely in summer — large flowers in shades of red, pink, mauve, purple. 30-45cm/1-11/2ft. Normally raised anew each year from summer cuttings. Best in loam-based compost. Likes dry air.
Four foliage exotics for the cool greenhouse
There are many good foliage plants for growing in cool conditions, but the following easy and reliable kinds should have a place in every collection.
l Ivy (Hedera helix varieties) Can be grown as trailers or climbers. Small evergreen leaves, either plain green or variegated. 1.2-5m/4-15ft. Good for trailing over edge of staging: don’t keep it too wet. Peat-based compost suitable. Many varieties available, with differently patterned and coloured leaves.
l Silk oak (Grevillea robusta) A tree (which remains small when pot-grown) with ferny green foliage. 3-4m/10-13ft. Best in a slightly acid or lime-free compost.
l Spider plant (Chlorophyturn comosum `Variegatum’) Evergreen perennial with grassy green-and-white striped leaves, and cascades of little plantlets on long stems. 30cm/lft. Vigorous grower, so pot on regularly in peaty compost.
l Wandering Jew (Tradescantia fluminensis ‘Quicksilver’) Evergreen trailer with white-and-green striped leaves. 5cm/2in. Grow in peaty compost and replace regularly from cuttings taken in summer (easy to root).
Three exotic shrubs for the garden
In warmer temperate climates, the following will thrive in a warm sunny sheltered spot in the garden.
l Bottle brush (Grevillea sulphurea) A 1.8m/6ft evergreen shrub with yellow bottle-brush-like flowers from spring to early autumn. Needs acid (lime-free) peaty soil; ideally grown against a warm, sunny wall.
l Cabbage tree (Cordyline australis) An evergreen, palm-like shrub with long, narrow grey-green leaves. Can reach 7.5m/25ft, forming a thick trunk. Likes full sun and fertile well-drained soil.
l Chilean fire bush (Embothrium coccineum) Large shrub or small tree, evergreen, bearing brilliant scarlet blooms in spring/early summer. 10m/30ft. Variety lanceolatum is hardier. Needs acid (lime-free) soil and full sun.
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