The South American continent has played a vitally important part in the culinary improvements of peoples throughout the world, not to mention (yet) of the ornamental delights the world enjoys. It is the original home of the potato, yam, tomato, sweet and hot peppers.   Ornamentally, and with one solitary exception in the bromeliad, it is the home of many of the cacti (most being from the southern USA), aroids, monstera, philodendron, Scindapsus  the Victoria lily and thousands more delights, including members of the palm family.

One of my particular favourites (as time passes they are always changing) is the Angels trumpets. Heavily and heavenly scented – medium to tall in stature – and extremely attractive, the Datura or Brugmansia might correctly be…..