The plan was that the Eccremocarpus scaber would scramble up the dark leaved Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’. The orange tipped scarlet flowers would be shown off beautifully by the close-to-black backdrop of the Eastern ninebark. I must confess, this brilliant idea was a blatant rip-off from something I had seen in the Hot Garden at RHS Rosemoor. Here they are grown through the fastigiate beech, Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck Purple’ and Sambucus nigra ‘Black Lace’ or suchlike. Unfortunately the Chilean Glory Flower didn’t get the memo outlining the preferred route to be taken. Instead it thought a much better option was to use a variegated myrtle as a crutch and however much I tried to gently suggest otherwise, its mind was set. It had other plans. Not quite so dramatic perhaps, but definitely more original.
Other Plans

So, Eccremocarpus scaber didn’t scramble? Always was a rebel, that one. Seriously, this is another one that’s new to me. Unusual, and attractive. I hope it learns better behaviour.
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I think it might be a lost cause. *sigh*
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Bougainvilleas are ‘vines’, but climb about as much as climbing roses do. It is comical. They need to be prodded and tied into place, and then they grow into big fluffy shrubbery anyway. They are worth the trouble because they are so spectacular . . . unless a gardener gets to them and shears all the blooming tips off!
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One my clients, the lovely Nancy Nightingale, adores bougainvilleas and has one in a pot. I have told her that it is unlikely to cloth the front of her house, which is how she imagined it, but although small it is still gorgeous. I think you have a much bigger battle on your hands than I do!
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You probably wrote the memo in English, rather than a South American language, so it didn’t understand. Or maybe it decided that a softer colour combination would be better. Still very nice, even if it won’t grow here (South Wales, you see, not South America).
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Not it all makes sense! Thanks John 🙂
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The best made plans of mice and (wo)men.
Will you try again next year?
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Perhaps if I try to grow it up the myrtle it will decide it prefers the physocarpus!
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