Plants

Cordyline australis is quite easy to grow and hardy once it reaches a reasonable size. They are often grown in containers which limits their size. The heads divide after flowering leaving a branched structure.

 

The castor oil plant, ricinus communis, photographed in July 2009.

 

Echiums

Echiums are easy to grow, but will require winter protection in all but the mildest areas. They usually flower in their second year, and will die after flowering. Masses of seeds are produced which self propagate generously. These are echium pininana, the wild version, which have purple flowers.

The hard winter frosts of 2009 have not been good for these plants. Only three in the greenhouse survived.

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