Stachyurus 'Magpie' - 2010

Not heard of this one before......

There are several different species of stachyurus but they all have the same dangling pale yellow flowers. They are generally strong plants, given a sheltered spot out of cold winds, but 'Magpie' (having variegated leaves) is not. I was advised to grow it in a pot, overwintered under glass, for the first few years until it was fighting to get out (which took four years). It is now nearly seven years old. There is a another variegated form, 'Joy Forever' which does not need so much molly-coddling

Cold winds are our problem, trying to build up some shelter, but it takes time......

Unusual looking flowers