Well I hadn’t taken any photographs today, so sitting in my conservatory this evening, my thoughts turned to the collection of houseplants I share the space with – in this one room there are plenty of cactus – in a porcelain clamshell, a little catus garden and also my favourite white-studded Opuntia microdasys alba – and succulents (there are more elsewhere in the house), and I love the Burro’s Tail. Sedum morgianum; a reliable 15 year old Citrus Calamondin and a large Ginger which I am hoping will flower this year – a gift from Nicky Roeber at Wyevale after a South African trip of his a couple of years ago.
Recent introductions include three Streptocarpus and three Begonias from Dibleys Nurseries.And a round-leaved Sanseveria cylindrica that I couldn’t resist … (the snake-skin strap-leaved variety is in the kitchen).
A Clivia or two add a splash of orange and three magnificent Tillandisa xerographica, beautifully sculptural air plants, these were added just last Christmas after a Covent Garden flower market trip (thank you Rosie Bines for getting up early to pick these up for me).
My collection (of maybe 15 plants now) of Hippeastrum are beautifully green and strappy-leaved waiting their time to go out into the garden and in turn I will bring in spring-flowering bulbs from the garden – plenty of Hyacinths and Muscari to brighten up and fragrance the room. I will get out into the garden proper, soon, I hope, once the rain stops – but can take solace in the greenery and floriferous bounty indoors.
No what else do I need?
The Teddington Gardener 