"Chris Hogg" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 1 Oct 2008 13:35:34 +0100, "Spider" wrote:

Does anyone here grow Bulbine frutescens? I know it's winter hardy in
milder areas, but how about the London suburbs, or further north? I don't
have a proper greenhouse, but share an upright mini-greenhouse with my
cat,
Cheetah. I'm sure she'd let me put a couple of plants in (!), but it's
really little more than an upright coldframe, so perhaps not cosy enough.
I've read that it's hardy to 5deg C, but would really appreciate some
anecdotal info from more experienced growers.

I'd love to plant it permanently in the garden (bee's love it), but I
don't
want to lose it. Is it easy to propagate, so I can produce little
'insurance policies' and pressies for friends?

With thanks .. and fingers crossed :~)

Spider

I don't actually grow them myself, but B. frutescens (aka B.
caulescens) is a S. African bulbous plant with a tuberous fleshy root,
which allows it to cope with long periods of drought. My books on SA
plants say that most bulbine species tolerate cold winters although
the foliage may die back, but I suspect that's cold and dry rather
than cold and wet.

As you say, it's easy to propagate, so plant it outside in a sheltered
dry spot and take a few cuttings for insurance.

--

Chris

Gardening in West Cornwall overlooking the sea.
Mild, but very exposed to salt gales

E-mail: christopher[dot]hogg[at]virgin[dot]net



Thanks Chris. I shall certainly nurse it through this winter indoors but,
come spring, will start spreading cuttings in well-drained spots around the
garden. I'm on heavy London clay, but have a number of raised beds where I
can experiment with drainage and even shelter from direct rain, as one
raised bed is partly in a rain shadow.

My only other concern is slugs and snails, which have decimated my garden
this year. We've had a plague of them, but especially slugs. UGH! {:~(

Thanks,
Spider