Another beauty from South America (the woods of Argentina and Bolivia), there are a few plants of “mini angel's trumpet” in the Alpine Garden. Conventional wisdom was that this plant would only be hardy to -5°C, but it survived the winter two years ago which dipped to -13°C. Admittedly, much of the above-ground part of the plant died, but it seems to have recuperated.
Iochroma is a member of the plant family Solanaceae, one of my favourites. I can't help but admire a group of plants that includes potatoes, tomatoes, tobacco, hot peppers and deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna).
A few notes for locals. First, tomorrow is the last day for commenting on the proposed Vancouver-UBC Transit Plan through the online workbook. If you haven't already, please consider adding your input after reading that page.
Secondly, the Vancouver Garden Show starts today and runs until Sunday, (warning if you visit the web site: it doesn't render correctly in Firefox and there are a number of typos, but you can still get the relevant info from the site). Despite the web site, the positive buzz I've heard from people setting up exhibits is that the garden show is returning to its roots, meaning a renewed emphasis on plants and gardening. Attending is a great way to support VanDusen Botanical Garden. I'll be checking it out myself. Also, if you want to step in and say “Hello”, I'll be volunteering at the UBC Botanical Garden booth on Sunday at 2pm.
Nice Job on the Botany website
Hi.....I love garden, tree and I have Cafe' shop name Botany Coffee and Gallery. I thank you your idea with Photo of Botany.
Could you please tell me where I can obtain seeds/plants of this type. I am in Nova Scotia, Canada
I've tried everywhere for this plant Iochroma Australis, do you have a source for seed, plants in Canadaa? Thanks,
I appreciate the comments I've received from other people being helpful regarding sourcing this plant.
However, I've not allowed two comments that have suggested a popular online store as a source of the seeds. My understanding (from others) is that some people find a demand for something like the seeds of this plant, locate some, put it on the auction site (that ought to be hint enough), and then push the sale anonymously in the places where they first noticed the demand. I'm not accusing either of the two commenters of participating in this, but I want to point out my perspective on the matter.
Personally, I'd try to find a source for the plant that sells at a set price and can meet the demands of many, rather than a source that profits off of rarity and “Tulipmania”.
I agree with that last comment. I saw a 10 seeds packet going up 60$+. You do not even know if they are fresh. Plant in a 1 gallon pot should not cost more than that, even ordered from the USA, that speaks by itself.
A request was made for a larger version for desktop wallpaper, so here it is: Iochroma australe @ 1280px x 1024px
I have for sale seeds Iochroma australe (Acnistus australi0
Marek from Poland
Marek, I'm not interested in making BPotD a marketplace for sellers and buyers, sorry.
I have this plant for sale every year. I have about 4 left. for sale this year. Living in surrey British Columbia, Canada.
I recently purchased (April/May) this and a plum coloured Iochromia plant, from Brugmansia Quebec. The plants are planted in the ground, and are now 2 1/2-3' tall; they're very strong and healthy, so, expecting blooms anytime now.
This plant is easily grown from cuttings. If you take a longish piece and place it in ordinary seed raising mix having been dipped in some kind of hormone rooting powder first and the pieces around 6 inches long, it will take off. Also you can start pieces in water, but not tap water - if you use tap water let it stand for 24 hours to get rid of all the stuff they put in it these days. Better yet, collect rainwater and change the water daily. Once the little nodules form on the base of the plant, put it in compost and allow it to grow on for a year before planting out. I live in Eire and it survives our cold winters.
I have found seeds for sale at this location. Sometimes seeds are available on ebay also from a couple of sellers
http://centerofthewebb.ecrater.com/