What is it?

Short notes on items we have only have a few of:

• Dianella nigra has narrower, more upright leaves than D. tasmanica or caerulea but is most distinguished by the showy bright red bases to the rosettes. Flowers and fruit are similar to the others
• Euphorbia characias ‘Portugese Velvet’ is a compact form with soft, almost furry leaves. Good sized flower heads typical of the species.
• Caryopteris clandonensis ‘Ferndown’ is a variety which should be grown in the mix of Caryopteris varieties, as it starts flowering about six weeks after most of the other varieties, thus greatly extending the flowering season.
• The name of Rhus ambigua would not lead one to expect a climber with lobed and trifoliate leaves (not unlike the young growth of Lonicera japonica types). It forms aerial roots, so presumably has self-clinging ability and is noted for its scarlet autumn colour.
• Eccremocarpus scaber is really an annual climber, but it does perenniate and I have seen a thickly woody plant in flower in January. However, even so, it is not long-lived, but in the garden this often goes unnoticed as it freely self seeds. The form we have at the moment has red flowers.