Pride of Madeira in my backyard

Pics of my very own Pride of Madeira coming to flower. The violet tones are intensified by being situated between the Myrtle-leaved Milkworts (Polygala myrtifolia). The name Polygala is Latin from the Greek word polugalon for "much milk" because of the belief that cows grazing on milkwort increased their milk production.

Pride of Madeira at Carlton Gardens

Paid a visit to the Melbourne Museum and walked through the Carlton Gardens. The sunny weather has brought about a spectacular display of blues and violets from the mass planting of Pride of Madeira.

The one I have at home only has about five flower spires, but it’s only about a year old, and it backs onto a fence so it’s only getting half the amount of sunlight it requires. After flowering I will need to cut it back by half, to a node and it will shoot. Perhaps make more cuttings for friends with the discarded branches. It’s fast growing, drought, salt and frost tolerant.

Here are more pictures of the parterre garden beds of annuals and shrubs at the Carlton Gardens.

More about Carlton Gardens:

http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/world/royal-exhibition/index.html

Spring flowers

Pictures of Spring flowers and the rest of the garden.