Datura wrightii

thats huge ~ and fragrant too??

fragrent enough to knock you sideways!!

Couldn't have put it better myself Lulu! Between the Datura and the Lillies the garden is very fragrant!

fantastic ...

What a stunner

Thanks 6d and Surreylad!

Looks fab :o))

It's a great Datura (or weed as Delonix would call it!!) Mushy.

they had these in the GC today but they didnt look as good as yours!

Probably weren't!!!!!!!!!
How much were they Sticki?

oh sorry i forgot to look ~ they had 2, they were dying off and no scent.

They're rushing people ten to thirteen quid around here for 30/40cm "specimens".

wish i had looked now, just for comparison.
i havent heard that term 'rushing' before.
the flowers were about 10 across??

Ten centimetres or inches?
I was talking 30/40cm tall..........

oh sorry, not concentrating ~ 10 cm. flower roughly.

Ok, I've got my seeds now Keith...I love Datura, so thank you. I imagine they are quite tender, and reading this, they are smaller than the datura I had years ago which was about 6' tall? Should I sow them in the greenhouse, now or later? and do they need bottom heat or any special treatment? Perhaps you could give me same advice re. the Roscoea as well? Thanks very much! :))

The "Datura" that you had years ago was probably Brugmansia - hangy down flowers?

Sow them mid January. Soak them for 24hrs, starting off with water that was boiled 10mins earlier. 2 or 3mm deep. Mine just get stood on the window sill over the radiator.

Roscoea - not a clue I'm afraid.

That's ok Keith. Thank you, that fits in with my holiday perfectly, as I shall be home on 17th Jan! Great. Yes, quite right, it was Brugmansia...they never seem to be able to decide on the name of it do they? ;)

Brugs hang, Daturas stand!
Check this one out - Brugmansia vulcanicola..........

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/Brugmansia_vulcanicola.jpg

Oh yes, that is very, very beautiful....like a good sunset!

Rather stunning I thought!

I think we are living in the wrong country Keith...in fact, I think we are on the wrong continent! lol ;)

I'm with you 100% there!
Bali, NZ or the Canaries though?

Hmmm...probably NZ for me....it's like Scotland, but with decent weather! Yes, that's the answer.

Aaah but, in Bali I could grow this.................

http://www.growsonyou.com/photo/slideshow/205982-strongylodon-macrobotrys/member/meanie

Whoa, yes, there is that Keith, but then you'd be melting all the blooming day long! :))

Bali is too lovely to worry about the heat Karen!

:) Yes, you're probably right Keith....booked your flight yet? ;)

Her ladyship says "no way"!

Well, looks like we're stuck here for the time being then! However, I am having 2 weeks in St Lucia in January, and I shall get a good 'fix' of exotics then!

I've never been to the Caribbean........will you be going on a seed hunt?!

Probably not Keith....but we will visit the Botanic Gardens...they are lovely. Last time we were there I saw a humming bird's egg in it's nest...size of a tic-tac!

Almost seems perverse having a botanic garden that close to the tropics!!!

yes, I know what you mean! ;)

I'd love to know what they consider ultra-tropical there........

Well, I think the focus is on showing off all the things that they can grow there....but I will certainly have a look to see what is 'rare' for you...and take my camera! :)

I always think of them as a place to grow plants that are not only unusual, but challenging also - maybe they should introduce a chilled glasshouse!

lol...yes, if only they could afford it! Their Botanic Garden is more a place for the tourists to learn about the coffee, spices, bananas, etc.etc. It is fascinating! Have a look at...
http://www.paradise-islands.org/st-lucia/diamond-botanical-gardens.htm

That looks truly spectacular!