Architectural plants

Although my main botanical enthusiasms have always been Alpines and Orchids, I also have a fascination for architectural plant forms. At one time when I had a heated greenhouse I collected cacti and had over 100 varieties including one which flowered once a year in the middle of the night.

Now I have an Alpine house which is open to the elements throughout the year. In summer it holds a small cactus collection but when frosts come they have to come in to the house. The endless variety of shape and form is of great interest.

I am always looking at outdoor plants and wondering why they have evolved into a particular shape. This teasel is a case in point.