More help needed

[shelagh]

On our last day in Malaga and surroundings we visited Jardin Botanico-Historico La Conception on the outskirts (it is just about to be swallowed by huge building developments) of the city.  Although lots of plants were labelled this amazing stretch was not.  I'm giving you 3 shots for maximum recognition chances. The whole bank, close up and close up of leaves.  I'm relying on you forumists you've never let me down yet.

[Calvin Becker]

Plectranthus caninus?

[shelagh]

Thanks Calvin, its new to me but en masse I thought it was terrific.

[Maggi Young]

Thanks Calvin, its new to me but en masse I thought it was terrific.

You know, Shelagh, I think you have hit on a prime fact there: we are so accustomed to seeing plants in captivity in ones and twos, that it is a particular delight to see them growing en masse, whether by design or nature. Large patches of any flower are eyecatching and most attractive to my eye.....I can even appreciate roadsides full of dandelions, so hillsides full of orchids are just icing on our cake, so to speak!

I too find this swathe of Plectranthus caninus rather pretty. 

[derekb]

Not sure if this is the right place but can anyone tell me if this is a dwarf Dierama it has apeared in one of my beds and I have never sown seeds or bought a plant.

[Maggi Young]

I rather think it is a Dierama, Derek..... I'd hazard a suggestion of Dierama dracomontanum.

[Lvandelft]

I rather think it is a Dierama, Derek..... I'd hazard a suggestion of Dierama dracomontanum.

I am thinking the same, it's just that my flowers are having not so nice color.
But the plant looks the same and I might have a not so nice clone here.
I show a picture from last year. My plant survived last winter outside and just show only a few flowers this year.

Dierama dracomontanum

[Maggi Young]

Luit, do the little diamond shaped markings in the base of the petals go longways, like those in Derek's picture, or across the petal as in others I have seen? I agree that Derek's flowers are a good bright shade!

[fermi de Sousa]

Thanks Calvin, its new to me but en masse I thought it was terrific.

Hi Shelagh,
that Plectranthus is grown here as a "dog deterrent" - not sure if it is effective - the foliage is powerfully pungent! You need several washings of your hands to get rid of the pong!
It  does look good on an embankment en masse.
cheers
fermi

[Lvandelft]

Luit, do the little diamond shaped markings in the base of the petals go longways, like those in Derek's picture, or across the petal as in others I have seen? I agree that Derek's flowers are a good bright shade!

Derek and Maggi, I had a look at my plants in the garden and am sure it is not Dierama dracomontanum!
I found a plant of Dierama pauciflora which never flowered the last 5 years, but this year I saw two stems with 1 or 2 flowers each.
Not open enough to photograph, but I could look inside and this has the same markings as Derek's plant.
D. dracomontanum har no such markings.
Maybe I should make a fresh start and grow new plants from seed.

Derek's plant is Dierama pauciflora!

[Lvandelft]

Thinking about what I wrote above, it's of course possible that the plants I have, are mixed up since I bought them.
But I could not find out with a short google because I did not find a picture of D. pauciflorum.

[Oron Peri]

Shelagh,

Your plant is Plectranthus neochilus [ similar to P. caninus].
It is an excellent ground cover for hot dry areas also near the sea, fast growing with a long blooming season.
oron