Acacia tortillis

Monday 23 July 2012

acacia-thorns-web

I have just found this photo of an Acacia tree I saw when on holiday in a game park in South Africa up on the Botswana border. The plant is Acacia tortillis, the Umbrella Thorn Acacia. The photograph clearly shows the long white thorns of this very tough tree.

To quote Wkipedia:
"Acacia tortillis grows up to 21 m (69 ft) in height. Flowers are small and white, highly aromatic, and occur in tight clusters. Seeds are produced in pods which are flat and coiled into a springlike structure. The plant is known to tolerate high alkalinity, drought, high temperatures, sandy & stony soils.

Timber from the tree is used for furniture, wagon wheels, fence posts, cages, and pens.  The pods and foliage, which grow prolifically on the tree, are used as fodder for desert grazing animals. The bark is often used as a string medium in Tanganyika, and is a source for tannin. Gum from the tree is edible and can be used as Gum Arabic. Parts of the tree including roots, shoots, and pods are also often used by natives for a vast number of purposes including decorations, weapons, tools, and medicines.

The Acacia tortilis is also emerging as an important species in the battle to 'green the deserts', as it is one of few trees to tolerate very harsh, arid environments."

 

Lupins

Monday 4 June 2012

Saw these Lupins today in Waterlow Park, Highgate. Beautiful colour combination.
Lupins like full sun or partial shade, normal soil, and flower in June and July and look best when planted in bold groups with other summer flowering perennials.
May need staking with bamboo canes in spring before the flowers appear, deadhead to encourage a second flush of flowers.
Unfortunately they are beloved by slugs, snails and aphids which can destroy whole plants, so you will need to take precautions against these pests.

JBG - lupins in Waterlow Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

    

  

Plant of the Moment

See the PLANT page for our Plant of the Moment feature

 

  • The new raised bed which separates the terrace from the main garden
  • The Sacred Bamboo, Irises, Alliums and Dwarf Fan Palm
  • clapham-portfolio-12
  • Before: Looking down the garden from the house, boring planting and nothing of interest.
  • Detail of oak, seat, raised bed, planting and lights.
  • Summer 2010, a close up of the sunny border with Verbena bonariensis,
  • coleman-pres-plan-web
  • The view towards the house just after work was completed.
  • clapham-portfolio-10
  • The terraced beds in Spring 2010, with white Foxgloves, Ferns and flower Geraniums.
  • The garden is nearly completed, all hard landscaping done and planting in
  • Before work started, June 2007. Overgrown climbers and shrubs.
  • The view towards the gate, with Irises
  • The completed terrace with the newly planted metal planters.
  • clapham-portfolio-1
  • The anniversary plaque on the stone boulder,
  • The view through the new planting from the garden gate.
  • End of November 2010 and work is completed.
  • A mass of planting in the raised bed with Lambs Ears, Heuchera, Box balls, Lavender and bronze Sedge.
  • calder-stage-1-complete-6web
  • A view of the completed garden in October 2010.
  • merritt-before-1-web
  • An overall view of the completed garden.
  • A good view of the paving and setts
  • Narcissus and ground cover planting against the purple Pittosporum.
  • End of November 2010 and work is completed.
  • Narcissus and ground cover planting against the purple Pittosporum.
  • The completed garden, with new lawn and lighting
  • A detail of the brick and slab paving.
  • The terraced beds in Spring 2010, with white Foxgloves, Ferns and flower Geraniums.
  • The view down the garden showing the deck seating area and two New Zealand Tree Ferns.
  • Before: Looking down the garden from the house, boring planting and nothing of interest.
  • merritt-after-2-web
  • A close up of deep purple Heuchera and bronze Hook Tailed Sedge.
  • Tree Fern fronds.
  • clapham-portfolio-10
  • The delicate blue flowers of a Clematis alpine 'Frances Rivis' against the terracotta wall.
  • A good view of the paving and setts
  • Before work started, June 2007. Overgrown climbers and shrubs.
  • The mixed buff Indian sandstone paving
  • Another shot of the thriving planting in the sunny borders.
  • merritt-after-1-web
  • The top terrace looking south.
  • The striking leaves of the Parthenocissus

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