Myrtles are excellent for growing in exposed coastal or mild districts and Myrtus lechleriana is a fine Chilean species that can reach 20 foot by twelve in these conditions. One of its charms is the cinnamon coloured outer bark that peels off in patches to revea the beautiful creamy surface beneath. Its flowers are delicately scented, creamy blooms that appear in late summer to early autumn. The oval leaves are pointed, coppery brown when young, going dark green with age. It is best to shelter myrtle from cold, drying winds and to grow it in moderately fertile, moist but well drained, soil in full sun.
Propagation: Sow seed in cold frame in autumn. Root semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in late summer. |
This deciduous Far Eastern magnolia is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful trees in the world. It can take up to fifteen years to flower, but, when it does, the effect is so spectacular that the wait seems worthwhile. The blooms, resembling enormous goblets, are rose pink outside, paler within and may be up to twelve inches across. It flowers from late winter to early spring, before the ten inch, mid-green leaves appear. This lovely tree appreciates moist, humus rich, neutral, or acidic, soils. It becomes conical shaped as it matures, finally reaching about 50 feet with a 30 foot spread. It may be planted in sun or partial shade.
Propagation: Root greenwood cuttings in early summer and semi-ripe cuttings in late summer. |
It may be the hardiest of all the mimosa species but it is still only suitable for growing outside in milder areas and, even there, it needs a sheltered position. But with these conditions, it will reward you with masses of sweetly scented, small, yellow flower balls, in eight inch terminal racemes, from winter to spring. As it is an evergreen, the flowers are set off by its attractive foliage - fern like, hairy, five inch leaves, made up of up to 80 linear, glaucous leaftlets. It can grow to 100 foot, with a 30 foot spread, and likes full sun, in neutral or acidic, moderately fertile soil.
Propagation: Sow seed in spring, at not less than 64''F, after soaking in warm water. Root semi-ripe cuttings in summer. |
