img032.jpg

Wow ! :o)

Wow here too, what is this plant? never seen it before, lovely.

This is Protea cynaroides, Simbad ... the King Protea. It's a spectacular plant!

On the TV programme "Around the World in 80 Gardens", Monty Don looked at a King Protea at Kirstenbosch gardens - and said that although he thought some people would like it, he preferred geraniums..... I'd rather have one of these any day!
Everyone has their own favourite plants....

Totally agree Longleaf ... geraniums over these beauties???

Yes Bernieh - I know that taste differs, but I wasn't that surprised as I think that his "Around the world in 80 gardens" should have been renamed "Garden design (principally history of the architecture contained therein) in 80 gardens around the world."
I mean, how can anyone go to Sydney Botanic gardens and say so little about the plants there?
I was particularly eager to hear about it as I never went there when I visited Sydney......
Definitely next time..........

Yes ... it's on my list too Longleaf. Unfortunately I've never been to the Sydney Botanic Gardens - but I've drooled over pics of the place for years. Wish I could grow some of our fabulous natives like this beauty ... but not at all suited to the conditions up here. That's why I have the Sydney and Perth Botanic Gardens on my holiday destination list.