"Cat(h)" wrote in message
...
On Jul 10, 3:39 am, Dave Poole wrote:
I bought Isoplexus canariensis from HH nearly 10 years ago and planted
it in an east facing border where it has flowered from March through
to December ever since. At first it was exposed to open skies all
year round and very occasionally, the youngest shoots were very
slightly burned on cold clear winter nights. Damage was superficial
and did not impede continued growth of those shoots. A later-planted
seedling of Cornus capitata grew up to provide an evergreen canopy
after a few years and there has been no subsequent 'radiation burn' to
the Isoplexus.

During an average winter, there are about 2 or 3 times when air
temperatures drop to around -2C. for a couple of hours around
daybreak, but we do not get night-long freezes. In 2006 -4C was
recorded on December 28th which was the lowest it has fallen during
the 18 years I've lived here. For four nights in succession during
the following February, we saw -1C and -2C. but again these lows only
lasted a couple of hours at most. No damage was incurred to the
Isoplexus nor was flowering delayed. Since then, we've had no sub-zero
temperatures and the plant has been either in bud or flower
throughout.

Unfortunately despite regular pruning to maintain shape, the Isoplexus
has become very 'straggly' over the past couple of years with shoots
dying back for no apparent reason at almost any time of the year. It
is known to be a relatively short-lived shrub and I intend to take it
out and replace with the larger leaved Isoplexus sceptrum when it
stops flowering. If it stops flowering.

I just checked out the photos on google image, and after reading the
above, I am very, very tempted.
What a fabulous looking plant, and what tremendous flowering value!!
Almost as good as my June to November fuschia hedge!!

Thanks for that.
Cat(h)

Yes, I'm really glad I tried it. I will definitely be propagating it and
hope to try it in various places around my garden. If I'm really successful
and have lots of spares, I'll mention it in this ng in case anyone's
interested. At the moment, though, it's a relatively small plant and I
can't yet take my personal cuttings without spoiling its appearance.

As you say, Fuchsias are also great value, and easy to progagate. At the
moment, I'm trying out the climbing Fuchsia 'Lady Boothby'. I'm pleased
with it so far, and may expand on a new thread once I've lived with it a bit
longer.

Spider