What's looking Exotic 2025

Just out of interest, i had a lasiocarpa flower a couple of years ago, so I thought it was pretty much the end and left it out all winter in its pot, foliage all died at first hard frost.
Next spring, last year, it grew lots of new shoots, most of which ended up with smaller flowers by autumn.

This year I have lots of small plants, its all still in the same pot, I could make a mint if I potted them all up separately.

 

The area I cleared of rubbish last winter, just lots of rubble left but it looks half decent now.


And the basjoos.

 

It looks neat and smart ... what day is Open Day?

 

I know Lasiocarpa is a small shrubby type but I thought I would give it a go. I am not sure about leaving one so small out over winter, particularly if we get down to the -7cs.
I have just one basjoo still in a large pot and hasn't grown much this season despite feeding.

 

No I doubt a small Lasiocarpa would survive outside at those temperatures, also you lose all the top growth so its a slow start if it does survive the following year.

 

@strongylodon that's good - my Lidl doesn't seem to have anything like that! Though some of their outside plants are good and their seeds are excellent. I love the red leaves nanas but I assume pretty tender?
@pete your nana forest is amazing - and your experience with lasiocarpa is promising.

 

I planted my red nana out as I wasn't keen on keeping that and a maurelli in pots over the winter.
The plan was to remove a side shoot and pot that up for insurance, took a 3ft one off yesterday and not a root in sight.

I'm going to cut it down to about 4ft and cover it with straw.
I've heard it called the Dargeeling banana, my thinking is it's probably a selection of Sikkimiensis which I did manage to over winter outside a few year back.

 

Eucomis bicolor :-





Impatiens niamniamensis (and a tomato !)

 

My E. Bicolor is just coming out also @Michael Hewett , I have a sparkling burgundy which has flopped as usual so looking a bit of a mess.
Cockatoo plant?

 

I've got another two Eucomis species @pete - Vandermewei and Aloha Leia, but they are not flowering this year, just leaves. I think they need fresh compost.

No idea ! I only know it's botanical name

 

@pete Have seen it referred to as a parrot plant as well as cockatoo plant.

 

Maybe you are right Nigel, got me birds mixed up, it is very much like a parrots head.

 

I think the two names are used interchangeably.
Mine is currently sat on the shady decking in disgrace until it gets over the it's red spider mite problem.

 

@Michael Hewett my e. Vandermewei have benn in flower for over a week, I am surprised yours haven't although mine have been in the ground for several years.

 

I eagerly looked in Lidl yesterday for a strelitzia like @strongylodon . Nothing. Except a fatsia they claimed was an "indoor plant". It was a good size for the price!
Oh and I succumbed and ordered a rooted named plumeria "Diana " from an eBay seller. Really well packed, and a solid plant.