 |
A seedling that popped up in a pot and just kept growing. It's a fairly good thing and it has survived as few years. If it gets through a stiff winter it will be remarkable.
Even in Cornwall, Veronica speciosa is not really reliable. Trees and Shrubs online says: "The hybrids of V. speciosa are particularly valuable for seaside gardens, not only because they enjoy the greater mildness and dampness of the climatic conditions there, but because many of them are not injured even by salt spray." The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network says: "Low growing shrub bearing pairs of oval dark green glossy leathery leaves and spikes of magenta flowers inhabiting coastal areas between the Marlborough Sounds and Northland. Leaves to 100 mm long by 51 mm wide, with fringe of hairs. Leaf bud with small gap at base. Flower spike to 15 cm long. Endemic. New Zealand: North Island (formerly from Scots Point to Urenui, now known only on the west coast from outer South Head (Hokianga Harbour), Maunganui Bluff, near Muriwai Beach, at two sites on cliffs west of Aotea Harbour, Mokau), South Island (formerly several sites in the Marlborough Sounds, now at Titirangi Bay (Marlborough sounds). Recently it has been suggested that only the outer South Head, Maunganui Bluff and Muriwai populations are natural, the others resulting from past deliberate cultivation by Māori. Coastal cliffs and headlands, in low windswept scrub and flaxland. Rarely under taller trees." |
|
| 8th November 2016 | ||
