Despite the last minute change of venue some 24 members made it to the meeting at which Melis Duman, of Melissa Garden Design, gave an interesting slide show on 20 plants suitable for our gardens. 

Unfortunately she hadn’t realised so many members live in Ovacık and Üzümlü where winter conditions are very different to sea level in Fethiye.

Below is Melis’ list of plants.  * indicates it is fully hardy.

Oleander*   
Hibiscus   
Cape Honeysuckle  
Bougainvillea   
Lantana    
Plumbago   
Calistemum   
Solanum    
Jasmine*   
Auracaria heterophylla
Cycas
Davanta repens
Buddleia*
Dipladenia
Pyracantha*
Phoenix canariensis
Yucca flamentosa
Washington robusta
Cuphea
Jacaranda

However, to continue with the theme of ‘hardiness’ members present from Ovacık and Üzümlü stated they had plumbago and bougainvillea surviving in their gardens.

The plants may die back completely during the cold of winter, but they come again next year and produce a good show of flowers over the long growing season.

Melis answered individual members’ questions about the plants she was recommending and on gardening matters in general. 

We all felt she should start compiling another slide show of super hardy plants for a future meeting.