Acanthus sennii
Archive entry 09.08.15
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Archive entry 03.12.17
Archive entry 12.07.20
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Archive entry 25.08.24
Archive entry 10.11.24
Archive entry 15.12.24
14th June 2011
A spectacular species from Ethiopia. Where it prospers it makes a small shrub. In summer
the stems are topped with long heads of bright red flowers. It is quite spectacular
and has become much sought after in recent years, but a series of cold winters have
caused some damage.
I was first turned on to it by a plant in the walled garden at Wisley which was
astonishing for a couple of years but rather badly set back by last winter.
Fortunately it has survived, and it will return to magnificence.
I bought a young plant in spring and have grown it in a very big pot in the greenhouse.
I am hoping that if I can get it large enough, it will stand a better chance when
it finally has to go outside. Hopefully I will also manage to root some cuttings
before then as an insurance.
Large prickly leaves along the stems, which are upright outside, but have flopped
a bit in the greenhouse.
6th October 2012
I still haven't had the courage to plant it out.
27th September 2013
A change of plan has seen it planted in the Agave house where it has greatly prospered
in the warm dry conditions. I still plan to root cuttings and try it outside, but I am
going to enjoy it under cover as well.
15th August 2015
It has felt like a long wait for flowers but at last I can enjoy them. The shrub has grown large
in the protection of the Agave house, and continued in flower for several months.
9th September 2018