My last Wigandia photos!

A little more Wigandia.......

Wigandia 22nd November,2009

I mentioned in earlier posts that I was finally able to visit William Martins garden, Wigandia, today.
Its situated in Noorat, 3 hours Northwest of Melbourne, Victoria. Unusually, it rained for most of the day. (I got bogged on the way home when I pulled off the road to answer the phone!) Wigandia was opened for 2 days as part of the Open Garden Scheme, maybe for the last time. (I hope not)
William describes his gardening style as "Bunyip Classicism". I think this is an antidote to boring clipped hedges and rose gardens. Unlike a lot of classical gardens, it doesnt require regular watering. I imagine that part of the reason that these plants are here are not only for their visual impact, but because they can survive harsh conditions.
For more information and photos please visit http://www.wigandia.com/

Glaucium flavum

This plant is grown at Wigandia - William Martins garden. Common name is the Yellow Horn Poppy. It is native to Western Europe. The foliage is really striking. Its very silvery white and felty. Looks great against the Scoria pathway.

Some kind of South African Restio..................................

I think thats a sedum in the foreground.

Today, I visited a garden that I have wanted to see for years: William Martins, Wigandia.  I took loads of photos, which I 'll post over time.
I bought a Polygonum equisetiforme. It is found from the Mediterraneum, Europe to Iran. It has some medicinal uses but can be poisonous. Its extremely drought tolerant.

Wigandia caracasana

I know that William Martins garden at Noorat is called Wigandia, but I never new that it was named after this plant. ( Actually, maybe it isnt!)

I saw one today at Roraima nursery in Lara, Victoria. They can grow to 8m tall and are native to Mexico, South and Central America. They are from the family Hydrophyllaceae and should be handled with gloves as their stiff hairs can be an irritant to skin. Im thinking that one could look pretty good on my roof garden!