On 2013-12-10 08:51:35 +0000, Bob Hobden said:

"David Hill" wrote ...

Despite some frosts and 2 strong gales (Winds gusting to over 55mph in
one and over 70mph in the other ) the Imperialis are around 14ft tall
with trunks like small trees
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...psb8d25b20.jpg


The flowers are starting to open despite everything
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...psb2d1320e.jpg


The D, Tennicaulis is looking more healthy chiefly because the foliage
is a bit shorter and is protected by the surrounding stems.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps2e2f9b7d.jpg


But if you look at the flower closely you will see this
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps18ca0418.jpg



I found once the frost got to them (D. imperialis) they just collapsed
and I was left with the tree trunk like stems and little else except a
black sludge. Every year they got to upstairs window height with flower
buds growing bigger by the day and bang, gone. Very frustrating but a
beautiful architectural plant and a big talking point with those that
had never seen one before; I was constantly being asked by passers by
what it was and was never sure they believed me.
I lost ours in a bad winter, should have taken a few cuttings as
insurance but I had given one to a friend and thought that would be
enough, it wasn't as he lost his the same winter.

I'll send you one, Bob. But do you want it now or in spring?
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon