Banskia marginata - 2009

Well done Andrew....Its obviously happy there........

Absolutely marvelous, looks great

Fantastic - it's a beauty.

Unusual in every respect. So what's beneath it? (You know how I love your combinations!)

In front of it is daphne 'Eternal Fragrance' with a self-sown aquilegia to the side

At least this "transatlantic cross" made it across the pond to nurseries here. Having some difficulty locating many of your specialties, which makes for a good winter online project: plant hunting!

Orgratis - I know what you mean. I've just finished reading Dan Hinkley's latest book (on shrubs and climbers) and there are some beauties in there that aren't avaliable over here.
I am also on the look out for new plants whenever I am on holiday. Found a new (to me) berberis over in France back in June and now trying to track one down here in the UK, also a grass I spotted while online this afternoon!

You've mentioned Berberis before, like "Admiration" which does sound special. Noticed many kinds of Loropetalum offered here which I've used some in FL: great burgundy foliage without the spines. Have you tried that?

Loropetalums are not reliably hardy here (-5C is reckoned about their limit) and I've lost mine in both the last two winters. I have one planted elsewhere in the garden, ready to lift and bring indoors as soon as the temperatures start to drop.
Berberis 'Admiration' is a new variety I saw for sale earlier this year with red foliage on a small plant for much of the season; I know berberis will survive the British winter without any worry

I'm really impressed Andrew, its a smashing plant.

Thanks Rbtkew, I'm really chuffed with how well this has performed. I bought it from Trevena Cross Nursery in Cornwall who specialise in a lot of southern hemisphere plants. Their catalogue is brilliant because as well as describing the size and flowers of a plant, they tell you its growing conditions and likely hardiness. Their entry for this one reads "...plant in very well-drained soil, with added grit, in full sun. Do not add any phosphates.....should be happy down to about -10C." I followed this to the letter and added a brick wall behind to the equation and this is the result.

What a great plant !

I've just read up on it and i want one !!!
I've also just looked at Trevenas website, which looks good and will look at length later on :-)