In article , says...

"Charlie Pridham" wrote after
"Bob Hobden" wrote
Is anyone growing this outside in the garden in the UK?
I ask as mine has set seed this year in the greenhouse so I may have some
plants to play with idc and I've heard that it is frost hardy in S.
Africa from where it comes.
So provided it's kept in well drained soil does it grow in the UK garden?


Yes Bob, its just about indestructable. The indevidual flowers can be a
bit short lived but the foliage is good all year and they seem OK with
frost and drought.
Does better for me than the true Irises


That's heartening news, thanks.
The flowers only last a couple of days but the old flower spikes keep
producing new flowers throughout the year in the greenhouse so it should
look good for some while.
Have you tried D. bicolor, the yellow/cream flowered one? It is beautiful.
I've heard it's more difficult to flower, at least that is what the chap
that sold me my D. grandiflora said and he was/is a S. African plant
specialist. (now retired unfortunately)
Just happen to notice Chiltern Seeds have both species for sale. :-)

Thats how I got mine - seed!
--
Charlie Pridham, Gardening in Cornwall
www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of national collections of Clematis viticella cultivars and
Lapageria rosea