Oasis Update
You'll remember Paul's earlier 'Sparkling Oasis'.
In this follow-up we hear what's been happening to the garden since
then.
Paul Newman, Oasis Garden Services, 16 Alexandra Road, St. Albans,
Herts
Chamaerops No.22, Spring Edition 1996
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Photo: Oasis Garden in two views, with jungle hut
Since my last article, 'Sparkling Oasis' (Chamaerops,
Autumn 1994) I thought it would be a good idea to update E. P. S.
members on how the garden is progressing.
During the winter of 94/95 the two Agave americana
were protected using home made cloches with strong wire support
frames . These were overlaid with thick gauge polythene and held
in place with wire ties. These proved to work very well and kept
the plants dry. The main problem with Agaves in winter is dampness
which when combined with frost and ice causes rotten brown patches
on the leaves. As a safeguard the Jelly Palm (Butia capitata) was
also given minimum protection in the form of fleece wrapped around
the crown and the new spear of the plant; a fine net was also draped
over the whole palm.
New additions to the garden planted in spring '95
include a 4m Araucaria araucana (Monkey Puzzle Tree), a multi-headed,
branching Cordyline australis, and two Tetrapanax papyriferus (Chinese
Rice paper plant). The growth of these plants has proved to be extremely
vigorous with each new soft velvety leaf emerging much larger than
the previous one . Although the leaves are large (some with a 2'
span) they are quite delicate and could easily tear in a strong
wind, so a sheltered planting site is preferable.
Further plantings around the pool include Zantedeschia
aethiopica (the white flowered Arum lily), Scirpus zebrinus, a nice
green-andwhite striped rush, and Equisetum heymale. This strange
looking plant has dark green, hollow stems with ringed, tapered
segments giving the appearance of bamboo. Also planted (in a container)
was Thalia dealbata, another nice aquatic plant. The leaves of this
exotic-looking plant are a glaucous, powdery blue-green, held on
long upright stems. They have a similar appearance to the well known
Strelitzia reginae, but of shorter build.
Large Oriental glazed urns provide exotic interest
on the patio and were planted up with Pittosporum tobira, Eriobotrya
japonica (the Loquat) and Arbutus andrachnoides, a hybrid Strawberry
tree. This has beautiful orange-andtan flaking bark. Also various
citrus bushes which have the most divine perfume when in flower
and the slightest breeze can waft it around the garden giving 'exoticness'
a new dimension.
To add to all this, an Indonesian style bamboo hut
has been constructed over the pond filtration system. It was built
using traditional skills and techniques, without the use of any
screws, brackets etc. The framework is constructed from 8"
diameter bamboo uprights with interlocking cross beams. These and
the numerous roof trusses are all held in place with wooden dowels
and twine, each individual piece of bamboo being drilled and the
hole plugged with a tapered dowel to ensure a secure fixing. In
south east Asia these huts would be thatched with palm fronds to
give a dense, waterproof roof, but due to the shortage of these
particular items (for obvious reasons!) it was thatched in separate
tapering sections using Norfolk sedge.
Even on the hottest summer's day, this 'Jungle hut'
seems to maintain a cool temperature and is the ideal place to relax
and listen to the waterfall. With the now dense grove of Phyllostachys
nigra swaying in the gentle breeze and the delicate sound of wind
chimes one feels transported to a tropical isle!

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