A growing library of plant stories from Earlscliffe. Search by name, or filter by one or more tags.
Please note that this is a work in progress and not all plants have been uploaded or have complete information.
Showing 18 of 38 plants.
Aeonium arboreum is a branching, rosette-forming succulent from the Canary Islands that brings a sculptural, drought-tolerant presence to mild, sheltered gardens in Ireland and Britain, though it needs protection from frost and winter wet to thrive.
A striking, branching succulent with glossy rosettes of deep purple-black leaves that darken in full sun.
The Fiery Century Plant (Agave ferox) is a striking, heavily armed succulent from Mexico, valued more for its intensity than for widespread cultivation.
Aloe maculata is a spotted, clump-forming aloe that performs well in mild, well-drained gardens in Ireland and Britain, offering reliable structure and winter colour with moderate frost tolerance.
Aloe polyphylla is a rare and striking spiral-forming aloe that can be grown in cool, well-drained conditions in Ireland and Britain, but requires careful management of moisture to succeed.
Beschorneria yuccoides is a hardy, non-spiny, agave-like perennial that thrives in mild, well-drained gardens in Ireland and Britain, offering elegant structure and reliable performance.
Brugmansia sanguinea is a colourful Andean shrub often grown as a container or protected plant in Ireland and Britain, offering vivid trumpet-shaped flowers but little tolerance for frost. Grows outside all year round at Earlscliffe.
Cordyline obtecta (C. baueri) is a broad-leaved, palm-like evergreen that suits mild, sheltered gardens in Ireland and Britain, offering a more tropical look than C. australis but with reduced hardiness.
Dicksonia antarctica is a hardy tree fern that thrives in moist, sheltered gardens in Ireland and Britain, providing a lush, tropical appearance with good tolerance of cool, damp conditions.
Echium candicans is a bold, blue-flowering shrub that thrives in mild, well-drained coastal gardens in Ireland and Britain, offering strong architectural impact but limited tolerance of cold and winter wet.
Echium wildpretii is a dramatic biennial that can thrive in mild, well-drained coastal gardens in Ireland and Britain, producing spectacular flower spikes but with limited tolerance of frost and winter wet.
Furcraea parmentieri (often mislabelled as Furcraea longaeva) is a bold, trunk‑forming succulent with a dense crown of blue‑grey leaves, capable of producing a towering flowering spike before dying.
Juania australis is a rare and elegant Chilean island palm that is largely unsuited to Ireland and Britain, requiring frost-free, highly sheltered conditions and remaining a specialist collector’s plant rather than a reliable garden choice.
Jubaea chilensis is a slow-growing but hardy feather palm that can thrive in mild, sheltered gardens in Ireland and Britain, offering exceptional long-term presence but requiring patience and good drainage.
Metrosideros excelsa is a spectacular flowering coastal tree that can grow in only the mildest, frost-free parts of Ireland and Britain, offering vivid red blooms but requiring exceptional shelter and climate.
Musa basjoo is a robust, fast-growing banana that brings a tropical look to Ireland and Britain, surviving winter through its roots and regrowing each year in sheltered, fertile conditions.
Phoenix canariensis is a classic, large-feathered palm that can be grown in very mild coastal gardens in Ireland and Britain, offering strong visual impact but requiring significant shelter and protection from cold.
Puya chilensis is a dramatic, spiny bromeliad that can succeed in mild, well-drained coastal gardens in Ireland and Britain, offering strong architectural presence but requiring careful siting and protection from winter wet.
This page is periodically reviewed and expanded. Last substantial update: 9 July 2026.
