GOK, but they were always sold as Mesembryantheums in the UK..

there is a bit of a mix up with the names to be honest.

The Hottentot is a Carpobrotus
The Livingstone is a Dorotheanthus
while the Fig Marigold is actually the Mesembryanthemum

They are however all Aizoaceae from memory and look fairly similar.


am I getting paid for this by the way?

Thats it clever clogs!!!
Bought some gorgeous plants today to tart up my baskets for prettying up the house, and the man said they will be fab in Spain, so i'll be bringing those out too, they are called Madeira daisies,: Argyranthemum, they are really pretty.

You'll get your rewards in heaven Matt, or in my garden if you ever get there lolol oooerrr

Ok, next lot of questions!!
Went to a lovely garden near me today and saw Solomons seal growing under the trees, would that grow under trees in Spain? or would it just be too hot?
Also, would most herbs grow ok?
What would you grow to have a really pretty garden?

Herbs most certainly, as many of them are natives of hot dry countries, I'm thinking of Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, and there are always plenty of different mint plants available at garden centres, Its also an ideal area for growing Basil.

Why not try Agapanthus africanus?

It will grow easily in the shade of trees and will look absolutely stunning, Solomans Seal would grow OK, you just have to be careful not to let it dry out.

Many ferns will grow well in this half shaded area, and some are absolutely stunning.

We are building a raised bed outside the kitchen door, I hope to grow as many herbs there as I can, already have basil growing in pots around where we have our outside eating area as this keeps the mozzies away.

Crispygirl, I bought a pot of Basil while I was over but it did not seem to like the direct sun to much..should it be shaded..

I have mine in pots in direct sunlight for most of the day, from about 1pm onwards I do have to water it everyday in the summer months if I don't it does look rather sorry for it self. It died off completely in the winter but I have notice that it is coming back to life again so I have fed it and watered it and spoke nicely to it so I am sure it will thrive again . The sweet basil I planted into the flower bed and was in the shade for most of the time did not like it at all and in the end it just gave up and there is no sign of it now.

Don't ferns need moist shady conditions?

not all of them, some can survive quite well in free draining soil, some need free draining soil, but yeah, they do need shade, they will die in full sun, but you did say it would be in the shade of a tree yeah?

Yes there are a lot of pine trees nice and shady, might plant a couple of those 'special' ferns that you've all been talking about too, musn't tell the old boy though he's a bit more straight laced than me1 LOLOL

you could do.

Things like Nephrolepis ferns will survive, but you will have to mulch well, the pines will suck up a massive amount of water, and going back to your original point I have had an E-mail back from my tutor and he says that wisteria will grow in Spain, and happily.

Oh bless you , thanks for asking your tutor!
I've got a wisteria here, but its only about 5 years old, no blooms yet, knowing my luck it'll bloom next year when i'm gone!
Hopefully they sell them out there, does anyone recall seeing them at garden centres?