Most of these plants are "exotic" in the sense that they are not commonly grown in Victoria. Some of these plants have the reputation of being difficult or only marginally hardy, but I suggest that they are worthy of consideration and trial. The choice of plants for these Web pages is a very personal one, but I would welcome suggestions for other plants to include.
I have devoted a separate section to the palms. The mild coastal areas of British Columbia are the only part of Canada where these plants may be found.
First, two views of a plant of Telopia truncata from Australia. This specimen has been thriving in a Victoria garden for about 10 years.
A number of Victoria gardeners have had success with the Chilean plant Embothrium coccinium.
A rarely seen, but interesting plant is Medicago arborea from the Mediterranean.
Some gardeners have had success with the Australian "bottle brushes". This plant was sold as Callistemon sieberi, but the jury is still out on that. It looks very like the more common C. citrinus.
A number of Victoria gardeners grow Crinodendron hookerianum, from Chile. Several of these plants set seed in the summer of 2000.
Fremontodendron californicum is a fairly common sight in Victoria, despite the fact that some references insist that it isn't hardy here. This picture is of an impressive specimen outside Victoria's City Hall.
You may contact me at:
gary@victoria.tc.ca (Gareth Shearman)