Keep exotics looking lush
Feed and water regularly, especially if growing in pots
Eryngium giganteum
Eryngium variifolium from flower to flower. Most grow to knee height but for a shorter type opt for
The blue cones are presented at the centre of a rather dramatic silver spikey collar that offers a different look to the others. The evergreen foliage of this variety and its neat 45cm (1½ft) height make it a slightly different prospect to the others. I’ve picked out my favourite sea hollies but if you want to look further then
I highly recommend you take a dip into Claire Austin’s website (www.claireaustinhardyplants.co.uk) to eye up
and more. They all offer the wonderful thistle-like flowers and enjoy the same growing environment, so it’s a case of what takes your fancy. Whichever you choose there are a few guarantees – the bees will be grateful, rabbits will leave them alone and resist cutting them back until spring and they’ll offer autumn interest. The robust stems and architectural shape of the flower and foliage look spectacular when dusted with frost.
Most exotics are lush plants and respond well to regular feeding and watering in dry weather. Flowering plants like cannas, dahlias and angel’s trumpets need a potash-rich fertiliser, the kind you'd use on tomatoes, and leafy plants, such as elephant’s ears (colocasia and alocasia), need a nitrogen rich feed. Liquid or foliar feeds will give the quickest response.
Exotic plants don't suffer from many pests and diseases but look out for slug and snail damage in wet spells. Brugmansia, bananas and cannas are also very attractive to red spider mite, which shows as a yellowing of the foliage, which is coated with thousands of tiny mites under the leaf. Control with a systemic acaricide and keep plants damp and humid.
Gardeners often want to try exotics in pots and this works well if you use large pots with a good potting compost. Displays can be changed and altered as plants grow. There are always potted plants around the front door of Great Dixter, the
Schefflera macrophylla www.gardennewsshop.co.uk
home of the late Christopher Lloyd. Even tall plants such as brugmansia and cannas can be grown in pots. Tender plants, such as palms and bananas, can be easily moved under glass or to a sheltered location before the frosts of winter.
A group of underutilised plants are the different species of philodendron and schefflera. Sometimes they can be found among houseplants in garden centres. Variegated S. arboricola is a familiar sight and so is the compactgrowing P. xanadu. Similar in appearance but stronger in growth is
P. bipinnatifidum which looks good in a tall pot.
S. macrophylla is the most startling of them all, producing lovely new leaves with beautiful coppery colouring. It's a choice plant for a sheltered spot. The similar but hardier S. taiwaniana is more readily available. All are members of the Araliaceae family, which includes many choice plants both hardy and tender, but all exotic looking.