Finding myself with a few spare hours on a flying visit to London, I decided to make some perambulations with my compact camera. I am always surprised that we don't see more photos of plants in London here, as you can walk down almost any road and see something interesting.
In a square near Victoria station, I spotted this nice shrubby specimen of Solanum laciniatum, the Kangaroo Apple.
I decided to walk to Lambeth Bridge to see how the Phoenix canariensis there was getting on. On the way, I saw this strange planting of Strelitzias in St. John's Gardens. Probably just bedding, but the lack of any flowers makes me think it could be a bold new permanent planting. A return visit will be required.
The Lambeth Bridge Phoenix was looking very fine:
From there, I chose to walk along the river to the Chelsea Physic Garden. It was a bit further than I remembered, but there were some diversions on the way. Buddha was smiling as police helicopters buzzed back and forth overhead.
Yucca elephantipes was everywhere. This one must have been caged by "elf 'n safety":
This one was growing from a ridiculously small pot:
I didn't notice at the time, but I think that's a Schefflera arboricola to the left.
Some Brugmansias were in bloom:
I had forgotten that Chelsea Physic is closed on Saturdays
Peering through the railings, I did spot this nice Curculigo. Why haven't I got one of these?
I also caught a glimpse of the Jubaea that Martin Gibbons donated many years ago. It seems to be developing a nice, thick trunk.
Here is a photo I took of it in 2005:
The Grapefruit tree and other treasures of the garden will have to wait for another visit.
Nevermind, the streets nearby were full of interest. An inspired planting of Arbutus x andrachnoides as a street tree:
Cycas revoluta and friends:
Next, I came upon a real surprise: the so rare as to be almost mythical Cordyline 'Black Tower'. A handful made it on to the market a few years ago, and it has never been available since.
I headed up towards the King's Road, hoping to find an Avocado tree I had seen ten years ago. It grows up from a tiny patch of earth outside the basement flat in the building. It obviously requires severe pruning to keep it within bounds, but I was pleased to see that it was being preserved despite the building works that were going on.
Finally, a nice group of Ligustrum lucidum that were growing nearby. Grown in an open position, this tree develops a spreading, dome-shaped crown, but drawn up by other trees and buildings, they are very elegant.