PUSHING THE BORDERS

I was looking through my myriad of photos I took at Kew a couple of years back. In typical me fashion I didn’t take pictures of all the labels nor make notes.

Can anyone ID this very beautiful plant? It’s in the section of photos taken in the glasshouses so I’m guessing it is in no way hardy?



I was really taken with the Brillantasia and decided to try to get one … but haven’t. However, a seller is offering it and I was toying! Does anyone grow it and know what it can go down to?






And lastly, I’ve seen this Ipomoe each time I’ve visited and never got the name. I think it’s stunning, particularly as it blooms in clusters. Does anyone know what it is? So many look similar I can’t tell!



Muchos gracias.

MartinNicklin wrote: ↑Tue Feb 25, 2025 11:24 am
And lastly, I’ve seen this Ipomoe each time I’ve visited and never got the name. I think it’s stunning, particularly as it blooms in clusters. Does anyone know what it is? So many look similar I can’t tell!



Muchos gracias.

Ipomoe mauritanica I think, its around the Lily pond I think

MartinNicklin wrote: ↑Tue Feb 25, 2025 11:24 am
Can anyone ID this very beautiful plant? It’s in the section of photos taken in the glasshouses so I’m guessing it is in no way hardy?

It is an Elaeocarpus, but not the 'common' E.decipiens.
The predominantly tropical genus has 484 Kew accepted species, and given you were in Kew it could be any of them!

Trees and Shrubs Online discusses eight species that may grow outdoors though.

Chad

MartinNicklin wrote: ↑Tue Feb 25, 2025 11:24 am
I was really taken with the Brillantasia and decided to try to get one … but haven’t. However, a seller is offering it and I was toying! Does anyone grow it and know what it can go down to?

How wise you were to stop naming it at genus level!

I think the UK grown plants that go under the name of Brillantaisia subulugurica are actually Brillantaisia cicatricosa.

Known as the Giant African Sage, it isn't a sage at all, but rather one of the Acanthaceae.

It was hardy but not happy overwintering in the unheated polytunnel, seeing occasional -3C. Were I to try it again, I lost it in the winter when the tunnel was uncovered, I would treat it as a tender sage, and overwinter lifted and cut back plants without frost.

For me [but not for others apparently] it was slow to get going, and made a decent plant in its second year.

Chad

Thanks both. Only the Brillantasia seems fairly easily obtainable and might be worth a shot if protected in my greenhouse. However, Chad you credit me with far too much botanical knowledge to suggest it was a deliberate act on my part to omit a possible genus name! The truth is, I only know it as Brillantasia!
The Ipomoea is lovely and catches my attention each time I visit Kew. Looks like it’s a quite tender species though.
The Elaeocarpus looks too tender to be one of the hardier species. I hadn’t made the association with the Fringe Tree. I’d make a terrible Sherlock Holmes.
Update: with some detective work and the help of Facebook (!!!) the Kew plant of Elaeocarpus is identified as the tropical E. bojeri AKA Bois Dentelle. An appropriate name as it means "lace wood" in French. Thanks for your help with this.

Here is an article on the critically endangered Elaeocarpus bojeri in Mauritius.

Chad

Very interesting read, thanks Chad.

Welcome to the board all43.

Where in the South East are you gardening, and do have a name you're happy for us to use for you?

Chad

Hi I'm near Brighton on the cliff tops so my varied types of Musa are often a little shreaded but I've still managed to get some to produce bananas although I won't be supplying Asda any time soon!

I was one of the growing on the edge members and I am growing Lapageria from you .

Hi Darryl hope the Lapageria are doing ok? be interested to hear how they cope with salt wind?