Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => Flowers and Foliage Now => Topic started by: HClase on May 01, 2008, 02:55:44 PM

Title: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: HClase on May 01, 2008, 02:55:44 PM
Here in Newfoundland we have an intercalary season called RDF (rain, drizzle and fog) which just stops Spring dead.  The wind is from the NE across the iceberg dotted sea and the temperature hovers just around zero.  Here's a couple of pictures of a plant most of you haven't seen in your gardens for weeks - it's an old double clone.  The first taken today, May Day, and the second 11 days ago on April 20th.  Also a garden visitor that's very interested in crocuses - we put our cat out to chase it away!  No leaves on our Nothofagus yet!  And, by the way, we're well south of Scotland.
Galanthus nivalis double
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Tony Willis on May 01, 2008, 04:52:10 PM
Not quite so cold here I am pleased to say.Here are some things in flower now.The thalictrum is particularly lovely and very delicate. It is a Spanish hedgerow plant from the Pyrenees.

thalictrum tuberosum
 thalictrum tuberosum spain
 tropaeolum azureum
 weldenia candida
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Paddy Tobin on May 01, 2008, 05:42:13 PM
Howard,

That bulb nibbler deserves better than a cat; a shotgun perhaps. The climatic difference is astonishing given your more southerly position. Galanthus in flower are a memory here.

Tony,

I adore the tropaeolum azureum, a beautiful plant. Of course, the others are also beautiful but one has preferences. The tropaeolum wins hands down on colour appeal, I think.

Paddy
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: HClase on May 01, 2008, 09:40:06 PM
Quote
The climatic difference is astonishing given your more southerly position.

Paddy, that's because you  have the Gulf Stream and we have the Labrador Current.

Can't fire off guns within the city limits (even if I had one), and a snare might catch the cat, so we have to put up with it. A catapult maybe!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 01, 2008, 11:48:22 PM
Howard your RDF thing seems to keep you in a state of suspended animation. Apart from the light, 11 days have made no difference to your lovely clump of snowdrops.

Tony the Thalictrum is a delight isn't it? I find it very fragile though. Yours looks rather more robust than mine. The others of course are pure magic.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: johnw on May 02, 2008, 12:09:14 AM
Howard  - We too are in RDF mode thanks to the Labrador Current and we are at the same latitude as Milan. One week of warm weather gave Spring a jolt here, now the plants are in holding pattern.  I guess we can thank this sort of weather for holding the earliest rhodos back a bit so we are safely past the last frost - 1 May here in the city.

Friends just got back from Annapolis Royal were it was a lovely, sunny and  warm spring day.

Lucky you to be able to enjoy your Galanthus for so long. Ours faded after the warm period.

I will post you some potassium sulphate tomorrow - just enough to get you going until I come over in June.

johnw - +5c and overcast
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: tboland on May 02, 2008, 04:06:43 PM
My double snow drops opened on April 8 (they were literally blooming under the snow so I really don't know for sure WHEN they opened!)...May 2 and they look just as good...day after day of 2-5 C will keep them good until late May at this rate!  Iris reticulata 'Harmony' has been opened 2 weeks now and two days ago Saxifraga sancta opened in my trough.

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: WimB on May 03, 2008, 04:02:57 PM
Hello,

here are some of the plants that are in flower in my garden now:

1 ) Aquilegia scopulorum
2 ) Corydalis (I forgot the cultivar name)
3 ) Gentiana verna var. angulosa
4 ) Pinguicula grandiflora
5 ) Primula auricula 'Argus'
6 ) Primula auricula 'Dusky Yellow'
7 ) Ranunculus ficaria 'Salmon's White'
8 ) Saxifraga pubescens 'Snowcap'

Wim
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Hans A. on May 03, 2008, 10:42:13 PM
Great photos all!
Here some actual pics of this weekend.

1. Calydorea xiphioides
2. Conanthera spec. (parvula? -possibly hybrid with trimaculata)
3. Lotus berthelotii

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 03, 2008, 10:58:40 PM
Hans, can you tell more about Calydorea?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Hans A. on May 03, 2008, 11:27:18 PM
Hello Luit,
Calydorea xiphioides is a endemic plant of Chile (mediterranean zone)  - because of forestation (with Eucalyptus spec. and Pinus radiata) it became very rare - I collected some seeds a few years ago - among Calydorea there were different Conantheras, Leucocoryne and Tropaeolum on the same dry meadow.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Paul T on May 04, 2008, 02:15:45 AM
Hans,

I adore that Calydorea.  Wonderful form to it.  I grow C. amabilis (plus assorted Tigridias, Cypellas etc as I love the whole family) but I find it a bit too spidery.  Never come across C. xiphioides before, but will keep an eye out in case it ever appears on any seed lists anywhere.  That Conanthera looks pretty impressive too, and I'm assuming has small purple patches in the throat? It sort of looks that way in the picture, but it could be just shadow.

Great pics.  Lovely to see new and interesting things I haven't seen before.  8)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on May 04, 2008, 04:43:37 PM
Couple of pictures here of a little clump of Sparaxis. These were from garden centre bought corms, planted last Autumn, and don't seem to have been affected by the late Winter/early Spring frosts we had. These are part of my self-inflicted project to see what I can get away with in respect of South African bulbs and corms and I intend to leave them in the garden, with a good thick Winter mulch, and see if they come back next year.

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kenneth K on May 04, 2008, 06:57:43 PM
Some pictures taken this weekend.
1. Gentiana acaulis
2. Uvularia perfoliata
3. Anemonella thalictroides 'Cameo'
4. Schizocodon intercedens
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 04, 2008, 07:03:12 PM
Hello Luit,
Calydorea xiphioides is a endemic plant of Chile (mediterranean zone)  - because of forestation (with Eucalyptus spec. and Pinus radiata) it became very rare - I collected some seeds a few years ago - among Calydorea there were different Conantheras, Leucocoryne and Tropaeolum on the same dry meadow.

Thank you Hans. I hoped of some new bulb out in the garden, but...
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 04, 2008, 08:48:51 PM
Kenneth,
I am guessing that your Uvularia might be U. grandiflora, not perfoliata...
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 04, 2008, 09:00:11 PM
The very beautiful Mertensia virginica; the fantastic Trollius laxus is still too little grown; a great slowly-outward spreading and entirely well-behaved Ranunculus I originally got from Harvey Wrightman (any help with species id would be appreciated; the stunning foliage of the Japanese Cardiocrinum cordatum var. glehinii (the only variety hardy enough for me); Viola jooii which I love, and finally the rare and tiny (2" at most) Iris lacustris which exists in the wild in only a couple locations in Michigan and Ontario, along the great lakes.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 04, 2008, 09:48:59 PM
Kristl, are you sure your Ranunculus is NOT an Anemone spec.?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kenneth K on May 04, 2008, 09:55:44 PM
No Kristl, I am quite certain that it is U perfoliata. I have U grandiflora as well and have compared them. It is not easy to tell the difference from the picture. Both have perfoliate leaves but grandiflora is higher and have a little bigger leaves and flowers. The most distinct differences though are two. U grandiflora has soft hair beneath the leaves and it has stamens that are longer than the styles. U perfoliata has hairless leaves and the stamens are shorter than the styles.

As a matter of fact I have U sessilifolia to. It is flowering later and I hope to be able to show picture of it also. It is easier to separate from the other two.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 04, 2008, 10:03:51 PM
Luit....it is not Anemone rununculoides---which I also grow and which is only starting to flower now, and is *very different*. This mystery plant started blooming maybe 7-10 days ago. What other Anemone could it be? Has never produced seed, so I can't figure it out backwards from the seed. It *does* go entirely dormant after bloom, which is why I originally was leaning towards Anemone too.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 04, 2008, 10:12:24 PM
Kenneth:
You will know best, having U. grandiflora in the garden as well; you are right, it is hard to tell with one picture; the flowers seemed way too large to me to be U. perfoliata---but you certainly do know the major botanical differences.

The other major identifying difference between U. grandiflora and perfoliata is the orangish or yellow bumps on the petals (which grandiflora does NOT have).

This is the only picture of the bumps that I could find.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 04, 2008, 10:30:22 PM
Luit....it is not Anemone rununculoides---which I also grow and which is only starting to flower now, and is *very different*. This mystery plant started blooming maybe 7-10 days ago. What other Anemone could it be? Has never produced seed, so I can't figure it out backwards from the seed. It *does* go entirely dormant after bloom, which is why I originally was leaning towards Anemone too.

Kristl, does it have rhizomes? In that case it might be an Anemone.
BTW, I did see it is not A. ranunculoides.
Do you have a more close picture as well?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 04, 2008, 10:31:51 PM
Kenneth, did you have a look at Uvularia for ID?
We were discussing Uvularia's there too.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 04, 2008, 10:34:49 PM
Kristl, are you sure your Ranunculus is NOT an Anemone spec.?


Have you dug up some root Kristl? I have to say it looks EXACTLY like my Anemone ranunculoides in its single form. I have a semi double form as well but the habit and foliage of mine are exactly like yours.

I adore the Mertensia virginica. I grow it but it gets battered by strong winds every year and torn to rags. Love the Cardiocrinum foliage too and I'll be very interested to compare your pic with my Iris lacustris later, as I have some doubt about whether mine is true. It's a little bigger than you say but smaller than I. cristata.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kenneth K on May 05, 2008, 07:51:36 AM
No, I did not notice the discussion about ID of Uvularia. I have read it now and also your comments here Kristl. Of course I must make a new comparison with my grandiflora. The latter I got from the botanical garden of Gothenburg, so I think it must be all right. I can not now remember where my perfoliata came from and the label has dissappeared. It is about ten years old but I moved it three years ago and could not find any label. I have it registered as perfoliata and I compared it some years ago with my grandiflora when I had a discussion on another forum. Then I was quite certain but when someone from the homeland of Uvularia have reasonable doubts, of course I must check again!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: tboland on May 05, 2008, 10:55:44 AM
My Uvularia is just breaking the surface!  Oh well, I do have a couple of things blooming in the rockery and woodland bed.  The first Kabschia saxs are opening (I have a seperate thread for those).  Corydalis solida is just about open and my newest aquisition from last fall, iris X histrioides 'Katherine Hodgkin' is a delight!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Hans A. on May 05, 2008, 03:26:02 PM
Never come across C. xiphioides before, but will keep an eye out in case it ever appears on any seed lists anywhere.  That Conanthera looks pretty impressive too, and I'm assuming has small purple patches in the throat? It sort of looks that way in the picture, but it could be just shadow.

Great pics.  Lovely to see new and interesting things I haven't seen before.  8)

Thanks Paul,
do not know if Calydorea is selffertil and I will get seed this year - a second plant will flower in some days but I had no time to collect pollen of the first bloom  - it opened in the morning closed at afternoon and it did not open again  ::) - but in any case it made an impressive show for a few hours.
You are right the Conanthera has blue marks inside - I think it is a hybrid of C. parvula and C. trimaculata - other plants I grow are not marked.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 06, 2008, 12:19:19 AM
Luit, et al...

My mystery Ranunculus IS Anemone ranunculoides!!!! The other plant which flowers later, and is decidedly different is actually A. intermedia.

And in fact I had forgotten a plant of wild A. ranunculoides (Norway) in another section of the garden; and sure enough they were the same as the Harvey Wrightman "Ranunculus."

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 06, 2008, 05:50:01 AM
 ;D ;D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Paul T on May 06, 2008, 06:36:26 AM
Hans,

I know that Calydorea amabilis is self fertile, as every one sets seed if allowed to.  No idea of other species though.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Hans A. on May 06, 2008, 08:46:54 AM
Thanks Paul - so there is hope to get some seed - great :D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Paul T on May 06, 2008, 09:05:03 AM
Hans,

I have no idea whether it happens for all species or not, but it does each time for amabilis.  I've just harvested some seeds here recently of amabilis if you're wanting some.  A much more spidery and delicate flower than your species though.  I can provide a pic if you want.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Gerdk on May 06, 2008, 05:24:06 PM
Here is Leucanthemopsis pallida ssp. alpina from seeds collected by Rafa (Thanks again).
Last year the slugs had a  feast - this season I protected the plants by using pellets.

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: johanneshoeller on May 06, 2008, 06:37:39 PM
I was asked for pics of gentiana.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: johanneshoeller on May 06, 2008, 06:47:11 PM
And other plants
a small leontopodium from Italy (nivale) and the last Erythronium
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: derekb on May 06, 2008, 06:51:24 PM
A mix from me First a Dode that I think is the best colour of all,
Dodecatheon x Lemoinei
Serapia Lingaua,
Serapia Lingalia,
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: derekb on May 06, 2008, 06:56:31 PM

Not sure where to put this, the first of my Disa to flower this year.
Disa Kewensis Mandarin,
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on May 06, 2008, 07:26:42 PM
That's a nice Dodecatheon Derek, do you grow it outside?

Lovely gentians Hans, another species I struggle to grow.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 06, 2008, 08:02:51 PM
This week many plants start flowering suddenly.
I do hope the postings are as fast as nature at the moment.

Adonis vernalis     
Aubrieta Blue Emperor       
Aubrieta Purple Queen       
Aubrieta Valder           
Aurinia saxatilis var citrina             
Caragana arborescens               
Cercis Canadensis Forest Pansy bl.             
Darmera peltata         
Dodecatheon + Lithophragma                 
Dicentra Candy Hearts   
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 06, 2008, 08:17:30 PM

Some more:

Corydalis nobilis 1                       
Corydalis nobilis 4       
Corydalis nobilis 5           

When taking pictures I couldn't resist make one of two water birds  on the other side of
the channel behind my house.
A coot making its nest and a great crested Grebe supporting.
Don't know where they were talking about?

Smalltalk         
Ornithogalum umbellatum             
Potentilla alba 1           
Potentilla alba 3       
Syringa x persica Alba  (flowering for the first time with me.)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 06, 2008, 08:25:23 PM
Beautiful pics from everyone. I especially like the Potentilla alba. Is it low growing?

Derek, could you post your orchid pics on the orchid thread please? A Disa will make a change from the Ophrys etc, lovely though they are.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 06, 2008, 08:31:13 PM
Beautiful pics from everyone. I especially like the Potentilla alba. Is it low growing?

Lesley, it's a plant of 10 cm. but will grow slowly to a cushion of more than 40 cm.
It's a plant I saw first in the fiftees, tried to sell it which did not go and lost it, untill
seeing it some years ago with a gardener who thought he had something new.
Don't know if he can sell it, but he gave a plant in change for the name.  ;D :D 8)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 06, 2008, 08:55:46 PM
and here thelast few ones today:

Raised bed May '08                 

All the plants on my raised bed have to withstand winter without cover.

Morisia monanthos       
Onosma alborosea 2
Rhodanthemum catananche     
Uvularia grandiflora Linda Windsor 1               
Phlox bifida Starbrite 1   
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: henkw on May 06, 2008, 09:11:17 PM
Dear Johannes,

I knew you had more white Gentians

Thanks  :)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 07, 2008, 12:18:29 AM
Are you sure your Serapias islingua Derek? It looks very like cordigera.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Magnar on May 07, 2008, 11:11:35 AM
Photos from today:

Saxifraga x lowndesii Harbinger Glory
(http://magnar.aspaker.no/Saxifraga%20x%20lowndesii%20Harbinger%20GloryDSCF1337.jpg)

Saxifraga x iranica Laika
(http://magnar.aspaker.no/Saxifraga%20x%20iranica%20Laika%20DSCF1327.jpg)

Saxifraga x burseriana Clarissa
(http://magnar.aspaker.no/Saxifraga%20x%20bureseriana%20Clarissa%20DSCF1322.jpg)

Saxifraga burseriana var burseriana
(http://magnar.aspaker.no/Saxifraga%20burseriana%20var%20burseriana%20DSCF1338.jpg)

Corydalis caucasicus
(http://magnar.aspaker.no/Corydalis%20caucasicus%20DSCF1329.jpg)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on May 07, 2008, 12:55:29 PM
Excellent pictures Magnar - wonderful plants !
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: derekb on May 07, 2008, 06:52:19 PM
Are you sure your Serapias islingua Derek? It looks very like cordigera.
Anthony no I am not sure I was hoping some one would put me right

Derek
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: derekb on May 07, 2008, 06:58:00 PM
That's a nice Dodecatheon Derek, do you grow it outside?

David that one has been in a 3ltr pot for the last 3 years but I have different ones in the garden.I find them easy to grow from seed but sometimes when pricking them out the go to sleep to soon and only about 25% come up the next year.
Derek
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on May 07, 2008, 07:04:30 PM
I have made some posts in Rhododendrons May 2008
 http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=1723.new#new
 but here are some other plants.....
A few different acers which have been rushing to put their leaves out in the recent few days of warm sunshine.
One is a near forty year old Acer dissectum atropurpureum with a Rhododendron tatsiensense flower through it, very nice combo.
 A view throughthe leaves of an Ulmus 'Jacqueline Hillier' which is "bonsaied" in a pot by the pond
Two variations on spotted Dactylorhiza leaves

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 07, 2008, 07:11:05 PM
Oooh, these Acers. Beautiful!

Eh was senior hitting you allready Maggi?
Didn't see pictures the first time........  ??? ;D ;D

Edit by Maggi: it was the pesky forum acting strangely... my attachments got lost and I had to add them again  >:(
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: ChrisB on May 07, 2008, 07:43:37 PM
Pure magic to watch acer leaves unfold.  I have one right outside the kitchen window and every year it wows me.  Has lime green new foliage with a pink sheath (it probably has a 'proper' botanical name), looks just fab right now.  My A. Sankokaku is just as spectacular, with its rose red stems and the pale green foliage all brand new.  Love those acers....
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 07, 2008, 08:28:05 PM
Me too, but I also love Magnar's saxes. Wish we had a better - and newer - collection here.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Hans J on May 07, 2008, 09:01:20 PM
Not only peonies flowering here in this time :

Euphorbia griffithii 'Fireglow Dark Form'
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Yuri Pirogov on May 08, 2008, 11:35:40 AM
Anemone ranunculoides full double, my own selection
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Joakim B on May 08, 2008, 12:41:29 PM
Nice picture everyone.  :o 8)
Yuri well done in Your selection a true golden star. :o :o 8) 8)
Kind regards
Joakim
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Paul T on May 08, 2008, 01:54:08 PM
So many joys to behold in this thread.  Great pics everyone.  Yuri, nice selection of the Anemone..... you must be pleased to have found that one.  Beautiful!!

Very nice to see someone posting pics of the strongly coloured Aubretias.  Rarely see anything except mauvey colours or some slightly reddish tinges in the extremely rare times you can find Aubretias for sale here.  I do enjoy them, but wish we could get better colours here.  Great to see the pics of them.  8)

Thanks for all the wonderful pictures everyone.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: johnw on May 08, 2008, 05:07:54 PM
Catching up here.

Kenneth - Many thanks for posting the great Schizocodon soldanelloides Intercedens.

johnw
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Hans J on May 08, 2008, 08:17:57 PM
Today flowering here some nice Liliaceae :

Asphodelus albus
Asphodeline lutea
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on May 08, 2008, 09:47:30 PM
Lewisia rediviva bench view. Rediviva hybs just starting to flower.
Lewisia rediviva hyb orange
Lewisia rediviva hyb orange
Lewisia rediviva hyb orange
Lewisia brachycalyx 3
Lewisia pygmaea
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on May 08, 2008, 10:11:34 PM
Lewisia rediviva hybs.
A few more just to show the flower power of these hybs
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 08, 2008, 10:22:34 PM
Flower power indeed Michael. If not for the foliage, I'd have thought these to be super cotyledon hybrids. Is there something of L. cotyledon in their make up? If so, the colour range available could produce some amazing rediviva-like plants, more reliably perennial than straight L. cotyledon. What am I talking about? You're already doing that! Thanks for showing them to us.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on May 08, 2008, 10:34:35 PM
Tritonia 1
Tritonia 2
Tritonia 3
Weldenia candida
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on May 08, 2008, 10:45:35 PM
Anemone baldensis.
Anemone Seemanii.
Anemone vestal.
Romulea.
Romulea 2.
Romulea 3 Probably atarinda
Phlox Ralph Haywood
Sanguinaria canadensis plena
Lewisia cotyledon in scree bed
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 08, 2008, 10:50:10 PM
Lovely to see a Weldenia again, just as mine are dying down.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: fermi de Sousa on May 09, 2008, 03:40:05 AM
Tritonia 2
Hi Mr AMazing (the lewisias alone account for that title!),
is your Tritonia #2 a pure Tritonia crocata or a hybrid? It's a beauty!
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Katherine J on May 09, 2008, 07:12:56 AM
So many beauties! A really joy even to see them on pictures only.

Michael and David,
I have some L. cotyledon seedlings from your seeds, which have been germinated about a month ago, but they haven't grown at all since then. Is this normal? They are in peat-sand-perlite mix. I don't want to prick them yet, because they are very very little. Should I give them some fertilizer?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on May 09, 2008, 08:14:27 AM
"Amazing" stuff Michael - maybe we should add "magic" to "amazing"....  ;D

I'll have to travel to Ireland one day !
I'd love some of these wonderful hybrids.  ::)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 09, 2008, 08:55:59 AM
Good gracious Michael. That is a fantastic array of plants. I didn't realise Lewisia rediviva could be so prolific!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 09, 2008, 09:06:29 AM
What a beautiful series of plants you showed us Michael.
Mostly impressed by the Tritonia and Romulea!
Great colours.


Quote
maybe we should add "magic"

Luc, it is not "magic"
Michael is a  GARDENER
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on May 09, 2008, 09:45:26 AM
I wouldn't qualify Michael as a "normal" gardener Luit...  :-\
I consider myself also as a gardener, but that's not the same thing... ???
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on May 09, 2008, 10:29:42 AM
Quote
I didn't realise Lewisia rediviva could be so prolific!
Anthony, the rediviva hybs flower like that all summer,repeat flowering every three or four weeks. That is why I got so P----d off trying to convince the public that these plants were worth giving a chance. I failed and gave up.These plants that I have now are from seed that I forgot to sow a few years ago, I found them in a box in the fridge last year.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 09, 2008, 10:42:32 AM
I think you have 'the knack" Michael? They certainly look beautiful when en-masse. I tried one outside in a trough and it did well, in my mind, for two years, but a combination of drought followed by winter wet did for it.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Viola on May 09, 2008, 10:50:54 AM
Is this a cristate form (genetic malformation therefore like this every year), or is it a form of fasciation that is just present this year?  Gerberas and primulas are very prone to fasciation but it does not necessarily recur each year

Maggy,
I have first in Februar noticeable that she different grow.

Diane,
I not know, have she first won year.

Karl

Maggi replies: Thank you, Karl  :)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on May 09, 2008, 12:03:34 PM
Quote
is your Tritonia #2 a pure Tritonia crocata or a hybrid

Fermi, it appeared in a batch of seedlings which I had cross polinated.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: derekb on May 09, 2008, 07:15:34 PM

Michael your the expert any idea on these 2 they suddenly appeard about 3 years ago from my own seed
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on May 09, 2008, 07:35:58 PM
They look like Longipetala  x cotyledon hybs and good ones at that. Do you grow Longipetala?   
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on May 09, 2008, 07:47:34 PM
Michael, those are cracking Lewisia rediviva hybrids, absolutely beautiful.

I've just bought Lewisia longipetala x rediviva 'Michael Campbell' from Susan Tindall and will try and post a picture of it in the next few days.

Kata, if your L. cotyledon seedlings are in a peat/sand/perlite mix then in my view a liquid feed with a dilute (about half strength) balanced feed would't do them any harm. Dont water it on but give your seed pot a soak from below. When they are big enough to handle conveniently get them into a well drained soil based potting mix.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on May 09, 2008, 07:57:05 PM
Kata,I agree with David,feed them ,they are gross feeders.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on May 09, 2008, 08:05:58 PM
Quote
I'd love some of these wonderful hybrids. 
Luc, pm me with your address.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on May 09, 2008, 09:20:53 PM
Primula Janet watts.
Primula viscosa.
Tulbagia violaica alba.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: WimB on May 09, 2008, 10:19:32 PM
Very nice pictures everyone,

here are some of the plants that are flowering in my garden this week.

1 Calceolaria 'Walter Shrimpton'
2 Cypripedium 'Emil' (Frosch hybrid)
3 Houstonia caerulea
4 Iris 'Snugglebug'
5 Lewisia (hybrid)
6 Papaver
7 Polygale calcarea 'Lillet'
8 Primula japonica 'Miller's crimson'
9 Sarracenia leucophylla

Wim
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Paul T on May 09, 2008, 10:57:42 PM
Michael,

Stunning pictures, but Oh those Lewisia!!!  :o  Amazing!!

Wim,

I love that Calceolaria in particular.  Such a cutie!!  Not something we see here in Aus, or at least not in my experience.  Always nice to see them here. 8)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Gerdk on May 10, 2008, 06:59:49 AM
Fine pics, Wim.

Your Papaver might be Meconopsis cambrica - which is able to occupy a whole garden quickly.

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: WimB on May 10, 2008, 08:56:11 AM
Yes Gerd,

the papaver is Meconopsis cambrica indeed, thanks for the name, I had forgotten it completely.
It selfseeds very easily but it is removed very easily also, so I like it.

Greetings Wim
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Mick McLoughlin on May 10, 2008, 10:31:01 AM
Just a few from my garden this week.
First a Rhododendron that has followed me around 3 different gardens. It must be over 15 years old now, I remember it as 'Scarlet wonder'.
Second and third anybody got a name for this Rhodo?
Primula 'Victoria De Wemys'
Pleione tolima planted out in the garden.
Finally Romulea tortuosa first flowers from SRGC seed.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on May 10, 2008, 11:21:52 AM
Does the name 'Cunningham's Blush'  or 'Cunningham's White' ring any bells for your rhodo, Mick?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Magnar on May 10, 2008, 12:49:31 PM
Wonderful flower pics all of you  :)

Here's a few from my North Norwegian garden today. Even with a little snow blowing in the air they keep flowering :

Helleborus niger ssp macranthus
(http://magnar.aspaker.no/Helleborus%20niger%20ssp%20macranthus%2008.jpg)

Saxifraga x landaueri Leonora
(http://magnar.aspaker.no/Saxifraga%20x%20landauero%20Leonore%2008.jpg)

Corydalis solida White Knight
(http://magnar.aspaker.no/Corydlais%20solida%20white%20knight%2008.jpg)

Fritillaria latifolia
(http://magnar.aspaker.no/Fritillaria%20latifolia%2008.jpg)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on May 10, 2008, 12:59:48 PM
Magnar, we enjoy your plant photos, but please keep your snow to yourself up there in Norway  ;)
We have had better weather here and are hoping to keep it a bit longer!!

The Saxifraga x landaueri Leonora is a fine little plant... love the colour in the stems and flowers :)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 10, 2008, 03:34:52 PM
there are so many beauties flowering at this moment, that my eye keeps getting pulled to superb foliage....
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 10, 2008, 06:39:29 PM
Some plants of my garden in sunny and warm Holland (25 C.)
First near the drive a shrub which made itself comfortable in an old railway-sleeper

Aronia melanocarpa     
Aronia melanocarpa 2                   
     
In the backyard there is a rich flowering           

Choisya Aztec Pearl 1
Choisya Aztec Pearl 2
Laserpitium siler     with huge flowerheads   

a special form of Geranium sang.

Geranium sanguineum Elke     

and  double Paeonia where the 2nd. pict. is made one day after the first

Paeonia tenuifolia Plena 1         
Paeonia tenuifolia Plena 2
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on May 10, 2008, 09:08:47 PM
A couple of pics of two of my Auricula 'failures'. Grown from my own collected open pollinated seed, and failures only in that neither of them conformed to Alpine and Show Auricula standards. It was either the compost heap for them or try them in the garden as Border Auriculas and the latter won the day.

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Paul T on May 10, 2008, 10:31:06 PM
David,

Stuff the standards, they're beautiful!!!!!  Would be heart-breaking to throw them out, but I understand space constraints and only having to grow the useful things.  I find it very heard to throw out plants!  ::)

Luit,

I love that double Paeonia tenuifolia.  Never seen that before.

Mick,

The Primula 'Victoria De Wemys' is stunning.  Such great colour and contrast.

Great pics everyone.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 10, 2008, 10:38:05 PM
Along  my raised bed I planted last year one of my Cyps.:

Cypripedium calceolus      first flower after replanting

and there is a nice little buttercup

Ranunculus bulbosus F.M. Burton 1           
Ranunculus bulbosus F.M. Burton 2

In front of the bed is an old Veratrum which hopefully will flower again.

Veratrum nigrum plant 

On the bed flowers

Erodium Spanish Eye       
and one of its seedlings

Erodium seedling   

Lewisia columbiana   
Geranium cinereum sdl         
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 10, 2008, 10:40:33 PM
and a hardy (?) Osteospermum in its second year.
Osteospermum 1         
Osteospermum 2                     
   
Tradescantia longipes [Chr] 1           
Tradescantia longipes [Chr] 2       
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 10, 2008, 11:50:35 PM
I like that Tradescantia longipes Luit. Such a nice low plant, compared with the leggy ones in my garden.

Many thanks to everyone for their super pics. A day away from the Forum and there's a positive FEAST to come back to.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: gmoen on May 11, 2008, 12:53:15 AM
Hi folks

Here are a few pictures from the garden. It's almost like every thing is "exploding" in the garden because of the heat the last few days. 24C in beginning of May is not normal for this part of the world, and some flowers are already done when I enter the garden with my camera..... :-\

1 Primula sonchifolia ( a bit smashed by rain)
2 Primula maximowiczii
3 Primula maximowiczii (close)
4 Primula crassifolia, a wonderful species from the Caucasus
5 Primula crassifolia (close)
6 Soldanella carpatica

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on May 11, 2008, 01:03:45 AM
yes, it's a big photo, Geir, but I'm enjoying studying the detail... a lovely primula.
 
a super clump of the Soldanella.......have you seen the discussion on the Forum about how we all seem to have trouble getting it to flower outside? No trouble to you, I see! 8)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: gmoen on May 11, 2008, 01:06:33 AM
No problem with flowering Soldanellas here in my garden (by the way, you only see a part of the clump  ;) )

Geir
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on May 11, 2008, 01:14:54 AM
No problem with flowering Soldanellas here in my garden (by the way, you only see a part of the clump  ;) )

Geir
Aha! Yes, looking closely I do see the flowers spreading in all ways! Very nice!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 11, 2008, 01:51:55 AM
Geir, nice that you're back with us. That Soldanella should be called Soldanella carpetica. ;D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: WimB on May 11, 2008, 08:46:59 AM
Some other plants that are in flower now

1 a young Rhododendron yakushimanum 'Porzellan' in Galium odorata
2 Ramonda myconi
3 Iris 'Victoria Falls'
4 Clematis patens 'Miss Bateman'

And one for the leaves:
5 Athyrium nipponicum 'Ursula's red'

Greetings

Wim
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Gerdk on May 11, 2008, 09:58:27 AM
Hi folks

Here are a few pictures from the garden. It's almost like every thing is "exploding" in the garden because of the heat the last few days. 24C in beginning of May is not normal for this part of the world, and some flowers are already done when I enter the garden with my camera..... :-\

1 Primula sonchifolia ( a bit smashed by rain)
2 Primula maximowiczii
3 Primula maximowiczii (close)
4 Primula crassifolia, a wonderful species from the Caucasus
5 Primula crassifolia (close)
6 Soldanella carpatica

Geir,
Stunning pictures, especially the P. maximowiczii image.

When I googled for this species a came along a very fine website - this is
http.//www.primulaword.com   - here is a BLACK Primula euprepes - very near to P. maximowiczii (or a subspecies) - I heared about it when I had a telephone call with Dieter Zschummel, who saw this extraordinary plant in the wild last year.

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: gmoen on May 11, 2008, 11:11:07 AM
Hi Gerd

I do not know of the species you mention, but I grow another almost black member of the Maximowiczii group named Primula tangutica. It's not yet in flower so I just post the same picture as last year so you can have a look. I also add a picture of Gentiana oschtenica taken to day.

Geir


Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Gerdk on May 11, 2008, 12:28:13 PM
Thank you Geir,
There are always surprises in the world of plants - such unusual colours in the genus Primula!
Your G. oschtenica looks fine. I tried this species several times - leaves are always too pale and never flowers. It seems it needs some kind of Norwegian conditions.

Gerd

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: mark smyth on May 11, 2008, 01:02:03 PM
I wish I still had my Osteospermum collection. I gave them away to a better home but their flowers live on http://www.marksgardenplants.com/osteospermums.htm (http://www.marksgardenplants.com/osteospermums.htm)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: gmoen on May 11, 2008, 04:02:29 PM
Some more pictures.

1 Viola hidakana, a nice and different species from Japan
2 An old pipe of concrete (sorry I do not have any name for the white flowered plant)
3 Veronica bombycina var. bolkardaghensis (in the pipe)
4 Phlox kelsyi (in the pipe)
5 Phlox pulvinaris (sorry Mark, non of the cuttings made it thru the winter)
6 Draba mollissima. Not the best in flower, but a nice and compact grower. Here in a vertical position.
7 Clematis columbiana var tenuiloba. Not the best form, but still....
8 Iris sp. coll Altai and Daphne sericea. I think it is Iris bloudowii. Any comments on that ?

Geir

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 11, 2008, 04:32:31 PM
What a marvellous collection, Geir. These Phlox and the Veronica are  real beauties.
You made curious about this white flower which seems to like it in the concrete Pipe.
You don't have some close-up(s) of it by accident?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: gmoen on May 11, 2008, 06:07:06 PM
Hi Luit

Thanks for your compliments :D

Here are some pics of the white. It's a Brassicaceae, and maybe some Arabis species?

Geir
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kenneth K on May 11, 2008, 06:28:13 PM
Some pictures from yesterday and today.
1. Corydalis buschii
2. Shortia soldanelloides var ilicifolia (Hope it is the correct name. The chenges between Schizocodon and Shortia seems to be frequent!)
3. Gentiana verna ssp pontica (Very strange with the sudden white flower in the middle of the blue)
4. Gentiana verna ssp pontica 'Alba' ( This is supposed to be white and is all over)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Paddy Tobin on May 11, 2008, 06:52:52 PM
Great plants. Geir and Kenneth.

Geir's beautiful Clematis columbiana var tenuiloba and Kenneth's Shortia soldanelloides var ilicifolia are, for me, two absolutely beautiful and highly desirable plants. Both being grown excellently.

Great shows. Paddy
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on May 11, 2008, 07:03:06 PM
David,

Stuff the standards, they're beautiful!!!!!  Would be heart-breaking to throw them out, but I understand space constraints and only having to grow the useful things.  I find it very heard to throw out plants!  ::)



Paul, it is a little hard to explain 'Auricula standards' in a few words but I am (very slowly!) putting information together for a short series of articles which I hope to write and  submit to Maggi and Ian for their consideration for using them on the Articles section of the main Site. These will go into more detail on the history of growing and showing Auriculas and the standards used. I hope they will be of interest in general terms as well as to Primula aficionados.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on May 11, 2008, 07:05:12 PM
Some beautiful plants shown over the past few days folks, it looks as though the current hot spell in Europe has brought everything forward.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on May 11, 2008, 07:09:08 PM

Paul, it is a little hard to explain 'Auricula standards' in a few words but I am (very slowly!) putting information together for a short series of articles which I hope to write and  submit to Maggi and Ian for their consideration for using them on the Articles section of the main Site. These will go into more detail on the history of growing and showing Auriculas and the standards used. I hope they will be of interest in general terms as well as to Primula aficionados.

 YIPPEE!! Go for it, David!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lampwick on May 11, 2008, 07:45:18 PM
I do think the houseleeks are indispensable plants for the alpine gardener. They can fill an unsightly gap between rocks, they are always ready to fill a corner of a trough and replace a departed plant, and they also have individual character and attraction.

Here are 6 I photographed earlier….but one is a Jovibarba! :o   

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn284/Lampwick_2008/Alpines/th_STA50087.jpg) (http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn284/Lampwick_2008/Alpines/STA50087.jpg)..(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn284/Lampwick_2008/Alpines/th_STA50086.jpg) (http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn284/Lampwick_2008/Alpines/STA50086.jpg)..(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn284/Lampwick_2008/Alpines/th_STA50085.jpg) (http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn284/Lampwick_2008/Alpines/STA50085.jpg)
(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn284/Lampwick_2008/Alpines/th_STA50084.jpg) (http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn284/Lampwick_2008/Alpines/STA50084.jpg)..(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn284/Lampwick_2008/Alpines/th_STA50081.jpg) (http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn284/Lampwick_2008/Alpines/STA50081.jpg)..(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn284/Lampwick_2008/Alpines/th_STA50083.jpg) (http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn284/Lampwick_2008/Alpines/STA50083.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn284/Lampwick_2008/Alpines/th_epimedium.jpg) (http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn284/Lampwick_2008/Alpines/epimedium.jpg)… Epimedium grandiflorum ‘White Beauty’ (Foliage)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn284/Lampwick_2008/Alpines/th_phloxke.jpg) (http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn284/Lampwick_2008/Alpines/phloxke.jpg)… Phlox ‘Kelly’s Eye’

 8)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: ChrisB on May 11, 2008, 09:02:32 PM
I shall be most interested in reading that David, if you have time to do it.  It will be much appreciated.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 11, 2008, 09:42:13 PM
Hi Luit
Thanks for your compliments :D
Here are some pics of the white. It's a Brassicaceae, and maybe some Arabis species?
Geir

It's indeed a beautiful plant Geir, but I've never seen something like that.
It has the flowers of Arabis but the leaves seem more Gypsophila or Silene like.
This will not be of much help, but I like it though.
You don't know from where you got it?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 11, 2008, 09:49:04 PM
Super pics from everyone, especially that Shortia. Out in the open too. I shouldn't be surprised at this. Years ago in the UK I saw Shortia uniflora growing on a cool, shaded bank in the Saville Gardens at Windsor. It was covering square metres.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 11, 2008, 10:11:13 PM
This time of year it's always a great joy for me to see how fast plants
in the shady parts of the garden are developing themselves.
Here some examples from our backyard:


Claytonia siberica       
Polygonatum commutatum  1             
Polygonatum commutatum 2         
Symphytum Goldsmith 
Rodgersia + Anthriscus                     
Symphytum Wisley Blue       
Polygonatum hybridum             
Rodgersia podophylla Braunlaub               
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 11, 2008, 10:13:44 PM
and some more:

Saruma henryi 1                 
Saruma henryi 2                         
Symphytum officinale + Aquilegia           
Lathyrus vernus Roseus
Smilacina racemosa 1
Smilacina racemosa  2
Astilboides tabularis
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Brian Ellis on May 12, 2008, 08:51:31 AM
Nice to see Saruma henryii again Luit.  From your photo it looks as though this is in quite an open position?  Mine is in deep shade and seems to do just as well.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 12, 2008, 10:02:33 AM
Only morning sun, till noon.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Viola on May 12, 2008, 01:10:19 PM
Edraianthus serpylifolius in my garden.

Karl
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: ChrisB on May 12, 2008, 01:12:40 PM
Wonderful, Karl.  I'll have to keep a note of this one for the seed exchange....
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on May 12, 2008, 01:44:44 PM
Edraianthus serpylifolius.... again we see a difference in flowering times  from Austria..... here in Scotland our plants are just making their buds
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Viola on May 12, 2008, 02:14:42 PM
Maggi, it is originalplants from Kroatien, Svete Jure-Biocovo Geb.

Chris, i have always Seed from Edr.serpilifolius, E.pumilio, E.tenuifolius, E.dalmaticus E.graminifolius, E.parnassicus in autumn.

Karl
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on May 12, 2008, 02:35:39 PM
Our Edraianthus serpylifolius  are from Vojtech Holubec seed
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Viola on May 12, 2008, 03:40:41 PM
Another Edreianthus serpylifolius and E.parnassifolius.

Karl
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lampwick on May 12, 2008, 03:59:31 PM
Erysimum and Penstemon

Erysimum ‘Orange Flame’
I hope you don’t mind me including this easy and common alpine wallflower, but I think it is such an attraction in the garden with its brilliant tangerine-orange flowers. The white flowers you can see in the background belong to……

Penstemon fruticosus subsp. scouleri ‘Alba’
This, I believe, comes from British Columbia and it’s a fantastic plant. It eventually becomes too big and leggy, and then cuttings (which root easily) should be taken to start anew. The effort is worth it when you get a show like this for two or three seasons.

And a close-up.  :)
 8)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Gerdk on May 12, 2008, 04:42:31 PM
Here is Scilla litardieri (syn. Scilla pratensis) from Montenegrian origin.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: derekb on May 12, 2008, 06:55:08 PM
One I am quite proud of Meconopsis are not easy down here.
Meconopsis lingholm
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on May 12, 2008, 07:47:49 PM
.... sigh.....
Beautiful Derek - I lost mine last year....  :'( so hard to keep them going out here  :-\
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on May 12, 2008, 08:02:33 PM
Derek, you deserve a medal, I can't even germinate Mecanopsis seed.

What a gorgeous colour for Edraianthus serpylifolium, that one is added to my wants list.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: ruweiss on May 12, 2008, 09:33:20 PM
Some pics,made during the last 2 weeks:
Androsace mariae,a rather new introduction from China from Holubec seed
Arnebia pulchra flowers with the typical dots which vanish,when the flower ages
This Arum from Turkey grows very slow with me,ID would be welcome
Asarum hartwegii,a wild ginger from western USA,from seed
Boykinia Jamesii,also from western USA
Delospermas from the Drakensberge of Lesotho,South Africa love hot and dry places
and are completely hardy with me.The white form is a new introduction.
Helonias bullata,the swamp pink from USA likes moist places and has a lovely fragrance
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on May 12, 2008, 09:43:35 PM
Arisaema formosanum ?
Primula Frank Croslan
Trillium grandiflorum.
Lewisia Longipetala  x rediviva hyb
Lewisia nevadensis bernadeno form
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on May 12, 2008, 09:52:07 PM
Lewisia rediviva hybs on bench. sorry for showing these again folks.
Lewisia rediviva hybs on bench.
Lewisia Rawreth. This is a plant that I bought from a well known alpine nursery as a Rediviva hyb, and paid big money for it.
Lweisia rawreth 2. This is the same plant close up, you can see that it is sterile.


Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on May 12, 2008, 09:56:42 PM
Now compare the last plant with these, why would someone want to put that on the market when they could have these.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on May 12, 2008, 10:03:23 PM
 Lewisia Rawreth, in my opinion is not a Rediviva hyb, but a longipetala x Cotyledon hyb, and not a very good one.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on May 12, 2008, 10:06:09 PM
Those of you with a sharp eye will notice that the Rediviva hybs above are not pollen sterile.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on May 12, 2008, 10:21:24 PM
My  apologies for that outburst folks,hope I have not offended anyone. In a lousy mood  :(  my little dog died today.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: David Pilling on May 12, 2008, 10:23:39 PM
The last of the tulips yesterday...

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Armin on May 12, 2008, 10:47:04 PM
Here is Scilla litardieri (syn. Scilla pratensis) from Montenegrian origin.

Hallo Gerd,
what wee beauti. If you could share seed I would be interested.

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 12, 2008, 11:34:32 PM
Michael, I'm so sorry about your little dog. It's a terrible thing when they go from us as they're such a loved - and loving - part of the family. I'm sure all of us who have loved and lost dogs, will feel for you and send our very best wishes.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 12, 2008, 11:58:59 PM
Here are two Gynandriris (now Moraea) flowering in the same pot. I think a G. monophyllus (first pic) must have landed in a G. sisyrinchium pot?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Gerdk on May 13, 2008, 07:23:30 AM
Anthony,
I saw both Gynandriris (Moraea) in the wild during may stay at Crete. Gynandriris monophylla is a very small plant and has only one leaf indeed. The flowering stems of G. sysirinchium  can reach 50 cm, those of monophylla are about 10 cm.

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Susan Band on May 13, 2008, 07:33:45 AM
Michael, Are the Lewisia rediva hybrids evergreen?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on May 13, 2008, 08:46:59 AM
Michael,

Please don't appologize for showing these stunning little plants, I can never get enough of them  ;D ! I guess I'm not alone to understand your frustration regarding L. rawreth, it doesn't even come close to your gems !

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 13, 2008, 09:15:21 AM
You're definitely not alone Luc. I think the plants are amazing. I think Michael must garden in the fourth dimension with a greenhouse like the Tardis? :)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on May 13, 2008, 09:19:43 AM
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: johanneshoeller on May 13, 2008, 02:53:29 PM
Some pics from the wild near my garden (Gentiana clusii, Primula farinosa, Rhodothamnus ch., Globularia, Dryas octopetala)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: johanneshoeller on May 13, 2008, 02:57:36 PM
Part 2 (Rhod. cham., Gentiana verna, Cyp. calceolus, ?)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kenneth K on May 13, 2008, 06:30:35 PM
The last of the shortias to flower. The name is Shortia soldanelloides var magna (for the time being anyway)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: derekb on May 13, 2008, 06:44:17 PM

Not an alpine but I think it is a good plant.
Kohleria sunshine.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on May 13, 2008, 07:10:44 PM
Quote
Michael, Are the Lewisia rediviva hybrids evergreen?
Susan,yes they are evergreen and repeat flowering all summer,they need lots of water in the summer unlike Rediviva. the flowers do not close up at night. These particular hybs are bred from other hybs,but that is another story, as yet untold.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on May 13, 2008, 07:21:30 PM
Michael, your hybrids are delicious.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on May 13, 2008, 07:24:58 PM
Here are two Gynandriris (now Moraea) flowering in the same pot. I think a G. monophyllus (first pic) must have landed in a G. sisyrinchium pot?

Grown from seed Anthony?  Are they difficult?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 14, 2008, 12:09:04 PM
Not from seed bought bought separately as dry bulbs several year ago. I must check to see if the descriptions match?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Viola on May 14, 2008, 01:56:42 PM
Gynandiris sisyrinchium of Kreta.

Karl
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: ranunculus on May 14, 2008, 10:46:34 PM
Beautiful images everyone...a few of mine from my garden (and in pots) captured this very sunny (but windy) Wednesday in May.
I am particularly pleased with the Geum and Muscari entwined by the wind. (The last image).
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 14, 2008, 11:10:49 PM
Your pics are always so beautifully sharp and clear Cliff. Love the R. segueiri :)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Magnar on May 15, 2008, 08:41:45 AM
Yes, great pics and especially that of R. segueiri :)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on May 15, 2008, 08:57:28 AM
I agree with all the above and that R. seguiri  IS a stunner !   Is it difficult in cultivation Cliff ?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: ranunculus on May 15, 2008, 10:43:59 AM
Thanks folks...

Ummm, Luc...how do I answer that?

I could say; 'Yes, it's EXTREMELY difficult to keep and flower in cultivation' (which seems to be the opinion of many who have tried it), but I find it much easier to cultivate (and flower) than, say, it's non-lime loving equivalent, Ranunculus glacialis.  This beautiful buttercup has been the source of my only Farrer Medals (same plant, but in separate years) - I will try to find an image of it at it's very best on the show bench.
It requires a very deep pot (it has an enormous root system), limestone grit and shards in quantity, ample water in spring and protection for the flowers from birds who seem to enjoy pecking the brilliant white flowers.  As with all these high mountain buttercups the hard part is finding a handsome and free-flowering form.

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on May 15, 2008, 12:01:46 PM
Here is Allium karataviense from the garden today.

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on May 15, 2008, 12:44:01 PM
Ok Cliff - that makes things clear - a pretty easy plant  for my standards ;D  ;D  ;D
Thanks for the very clear explanation, and I would be very interested to see your show plant !

David, a very good looking A. karataviense you have there !
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: ranunculus on May 15, 2008, 01:22:19 PM
You would grow it to perfection Luc....

Managed to find a couple of shots of my plant that gained the Farrer Medal at Southport AGS Show a few years ago (and, as a smaller plant, at East Cheshire AGS Show prior to that).

It is still very much alive (as are some of it's equally good progeny), but it has yet to produce a flower bud this season and Southport Show is just two days away!!   :(
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: ranunculus on May 15, 2008, 01:24:44 PM
I must also mention that these images were captured a couple of days after the show...the plant DID look better on the day!   :D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on May 15, 2008, 05:00:56 PM
Marvelous plant Cliff - a real stunner !
Thank you for taking it out of the closet for me  ;)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: hadacekf on May 15, 2008, 06:30:12 PM
Cliff,
Wonderful plants and photos. My congratulation!
R. seguieri is a difficult plant.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 15, 2008, 08:35:19 PM
Truly superb!!! I first saw this species at Mike and Polly Stone's garden at Askival, 27 years ago. I've hankered after it ever since. :'(
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Armin on May 15, 2008, 09:09:10 PM
Part 2 (Rhod. cham., Gentiana verna, Cyp. calceolus, ?)

Hans,
super meadow flowers around your area 8) It opens my heart and I'm very pleased to see it.
On the other hand, I'm getting annoyed - people cut their meadows already now :'(
No flowers can set seeds with the result of gras monoculture / desert...

BTW -The small river smells of fresh fish. Brown trouts there?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: ranunculus on May 15, 2008, 10:15:09 PM
Just as a matter of interest I will post an image of the best R. seguieri that we have seen in the wild...the photo was taken on the Sella Pass in the Dolomites.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: WimB on May 16, 2008, 05:57:02 PM
flowering in my garden this week:

1 Clematis ?
2 Iris "Andalou"
3 Iris "Patina"
4 Iris ?
5 Iris ?
6 Phyteuma scheuzeri
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Hans J on May 16, 2008, 07:24:39 PM
Hi  :)

Today has flowered here :

Cistus purpureus
Cistus X 'Grayswood Pink'
Helianthemum yellow
Linum narbonense
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on May 16, 2008, 08:45:31 PM
From my garden this week :

1) Aethonema schistosum
2) Dianthus 'Inschriah Dazzler'
3) Auilegia x bertolonii
4) Asperula suberosa
5) Same A. suberosa - showing how it's struggling to stay from under an ever expanding conifer...
6) Delosperma congesta flowering it's heart out
7) Dianthus 'Nyewood Cream'
8) Phlox diffusa
9) Schiverecki podolica
10) Veronica 'Blue sheen'

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 16, 2008, 09:23:14 PM
Your alpines are doing very well, Luc. Are you not afraid the Asperula gets overgrown
by the conifer woods?
Hmm, I'm thinking about the Phlox, isn't that P. nivalis Nivea?  8)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on May 16, 2008, 09:28:18 PM
Hi Luit !
You're right about the conifer, I'm afraid that in a not too distant future it will have to go...  :'(

As to the Phlox, I bought it from Graham Nicholls as P. diffusa...  ???
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 16, 2008, 09:43:30 PM
When you see this picture Luc, you'll understand why I asked.
Here is a typical flower of P. diffusa
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Hans J on May 17, 2008, 06:36:46 PM
News from today :

Nectaroscordum bulgaricum
Helianthemum 'Red Orient'
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: hadacekf on May 17, 2008, 07:14:45 PM
Luc,
Many interesting and beautiful plants.  :)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 18, 2008, 05:49:13 AM
I'm very pleased to see Iris `Patina' which I no longer have. It was a gift to me many years ago from a very elderly lady, long dead now and she had had it from an even more elderly American lady, even longer dead. Apart from my own, I've never seen a plant of it in any garden. In reality, the colour is a greyish, smokey cinnamon shade and so beautifully named.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: WimB on May 18, 2008, 07:20:53 AM
Hello Lesley,

I bought Iris 'Patina' from a french company called "Cayeux". It sells hundreds of different Irisses, the one even more beautiful than the other but you probably know it  :)

Here are 2 more Close-ups of 'Patina' for your enjoyment!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on May 18, 2008, 08:28:50 AM
FEU DU CIEL, another very fine iris from Cayeux.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Magnar on May 18, 2008, 10:37:21 AM
Some pics from my garden this morning:

Pulsatilla tatewaki
(http://magnar.aspaker.no/Pulsatilla%20tatewaki%2008.jpg)

Ranunculus crenatus
(http://magnar.aspaker.no/Ranunculus%20crenatus%2008.jpg)

Trollius laxus albiflorus
(http://magnar.aspaker.no/Trollius%20laxus%20albiflorus%2008.jpg)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Viola on May 18, 2008, 04:08:37 PM
Pics from my garden from yesterday.

Karl
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Viola on May 18, 2008, 04:14:59 PM
Edreianthus pumilio of duffstone.

Karl
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: johanneshoeller on May 18, 2008, 04:52:03 PM
A visit in one of the most beautiful gardens.
Who knows the correct names?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: art600 on May 18, 2008, 05:28:23 PM
Hans

I believe the first picture and sixth picture show Iris acutiloba, and the last one Iris paradoxa choschab
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kenneth K on May 18, 2008, 06:08:30 PM
Some pictures from the weekend, two from the shadow and one from the sun.
1 Disporum flavens (I believe the name in english is Fairy Bells)
2. Anemone udensis
3. Aethionema armenum 'Warley Rose'
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 18, 2008, 06:35:34 PM
A visit in one of the most beautiful gardens.
Who knows the correct names?


Which garden, Hans?

Pict. nr. 3 ? Campanula aucheri?
Pict. nr. 5: Iris elegantissima (also shown in Iris Onco's in Flower by Zhirair (Boyed)
in the wild habitat.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 18, 2008, 06:41:17 PM
Karl, your rockgarden is very good looking with some very interesting and
beautiful plants in it. Thanks for showing.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: annew on May 18, 2008, 08:16:28 PM
At last I have some time to post some photos, so I apologise if I am repeating anyone else's posts. Here are some plants I'm enjoying in my garden just now: Paeonia mlokosewitschii ( hope the right spelling!), one of the few flowers she gave me, and P. kavachensis at her first flowering. Alchemilla erythropoda in the dew, and Paris quadrifilia flowering exceptionally well this year. A Dodecatheon self-sown seedling, and Tulipa 'Blue Heron'.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: annew on May 18, 2008, 08:37:31 PM
Look away now if you don't like ferns - I love them!
Dryopteris x complexa 'Crispum Stableri', Polystichum setiferum 'Pulcherrimum Bevis' bending over backwards at it unfurls. Polystichum setiferum (plumosum Divisilobum Group) 'Othello' group of three plants, and Polystichum setiferum 'Plumosomultilobum' with its very scaly croziers.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: annew on May 18, 2008, 09:05:50 PM
And finally, a magnificent Paeonia rockii  ;D in a friend's garden  :'( .
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 18, 2008, 09:30:38 PM
I never have been much of a fern fan but your post here Anne, and others previously have converted me to the extent that I'm actually buying a few. They do turn up in odd cool places in the garden as well. They look very nice with the Bowles' Golden Grass (above, Millium effusum 'Aureum').
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Paddy Tobin on May 18, 2008, 10:59:53 PM
Two paeonias from the garden.

The first was purchased and planted by my wife and while I commend her choice I wish she had held  onto the label as it has been  mislain and now the identity of the paeonia is unknown to us - suggestions welcome.

The second is the first flower to appear on a tree paeonia grown from seed. I believe it may have been labelled as P. delavayi but am not sure. I do like the colour however. Any comments and suggestions of identity.

Photographs three to five are just something a little different. The first shows the partially constructed support for a new bridge which is being constructed very close to my home. It is presently at 61 metres and will reach 110m. The photograph was taken from my garden, house on the right of the photograph.

The second photograph is an opposite view to the first as it shows the view of my garden from the top of the bridge support. This was taken yesterday.

The third shows my son, second from left, on Wednesday night last when concrete was being poured for the main onland support on our side of the river. This concrete pour took over 16 hours and was of 760 cubic metres. This took over 100 concrete lorry loads - a lot.

Paddy

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 19, 2008, 09:56:38 AM
Not so much a garden Paddy - more an estate! :o
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on May 19, 2008, 10:14:08 AM
.... and with a lot of place left to build extra rock garden features  ;D

Very impressive Paddy - the garden as well as the bridge !
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Darren on May 19, 2008, 10:57:44 AM
Popping in to prove I still exist.

A picture of an oddity:

This was from seed from my own plant of Calochortus tolmei, which has just a few hairy, ope, upward facing grey/lilac flowers. It has evidently been pollinated by the pendulous yellow flowered C.amabilis and is intermediate between them. I almost composted it when it first flowered last year but this year I kind of like it...
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 19, 2008, 03:33:20 PM
I am a bit behind in posting; too hard to keep up with the garden..

The Glaucidiums are now finished, reliably beautiful each year.

This is what I got from my last batch of seed-grown Paeonia mlok.

Daphne arbuscula and D. domini at its early non-opening stage.

Primula frondosa still going strong.

Globularia and Degenia velebitica having a super year...



Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on May 19, 2008, 04:05:06 PM
Beautiful stuff Kristl !
The Globularia is really flowering it's heart out. :o
The Degenia also looks fabulous - are there several plants there ??
I've been lead to believe it's rather short lived and I never get a big plant like that ?  ???
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: mark smyth on May 19, 2008, 04:48:27 PM
Paddy do you have a nursery? The garden looks great. Lots of scope for island beds and man made rocky outcrops
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: mark smyth on May 19, 2008, 05:22:38 PM
here is something ZZ did for the Greenmount Walled Garden that would suit your lawn - in my opinion.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 19, 2008, 06:01:05 PM
Luc,

Brrr. It's +6 this morning with +3C predicted overnight...raining and miserable. A good day to clean the Dicentra cucullaria and Corydalis seed collected this week.

There has been something in the heavy, heavy snow this winter with the relatively mild temperatures that has produced very, very happy plants this year. The woody species are particularly happy (I suppose with so much available moisture this spring from the melt).

The lovely Degenia--yes, I have never been able to keep it for more than a year or two---BUT now I wonder about something. The last time I replenished my stock (3 years ago), a few seedlings were planted in my normal, level spots as usual. These are all gone now. Two plants were planted in this high crevice, between the large pieces of limestone as shown and they have flourished and stayed and increased in size.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 19, 2008, 06:26:50 PM
Ooooh, such Glaucidium... and a white one too. Beautiful.
Again some plants added to my wishlist.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 19, 2008, 06:50:48 PM
Luit,
I now have a total of 4 white Glaucidiums versus DRIFTS of the species in various parts of the garden. The drifts happened because of years (18) of growing out seed from white-flowered clones (hundreds and hundreds of seeds) and ending up with the four I now have.

Yes, it would have been easy enough to purchase them---but what you may not know about me is that EVERYTHING on my property (except the sugar maples, the natives in the woods and my sempervivum hybrid collection) were grown by me from seed. When the gardens were open to the public until recently--a flyer that visitors could take stated that "the gardens were intended as a testament to growing plants from seed". This includes all the woody species.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Viola on May 19, 2008, 07:25:05 PM
Pics from my garden.

Karl

Inula acaulis 1+2
Erigeron scopulinum
Ipomopsis globularis
Ptilotrichum spinosum
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: gmoen on May 19, 2008, 08:17:58 PM
Some pictures from the garden to day

1 Hepatica 'Efter Hjalm'. Curly and marmorated leaves..... :-\
2 Daphne circassica
3 Meconopsis quintuplinervia
4 meconopsis quintuplinervia (close)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on May 19, 2008, 08:31:54 PM
Is it just me, but Magnar's pictures in reply 183 of May 18 are'nt seen but each is replaced by a little red cross. Normally when this happens I click the cross, choose 'Show Picture' and all is well. Not this time though.

Similar thing happens in Darren Sleep's reply 198 of today.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 19, 2008, 08:34:28 PM
Luit,
I now have a total of 4 white Glaucidiums versus DRIFTS of the species in various parts of the garden. The drifts happened because of years (18) of growing out seed from white-flowered clones (hundreds and hundreds of seeds) and ending up with the four I now have.

Yes, it would have been easy enough to purchase them---but what you may not know about me is that EVERYTHING on my property (except the sugar maples, the natives in the woods and my sempervivum hybrid collection) were grown by me from seed. When the gardens were open to the public until recently--a flyer that visitors could take stated that "the gardens were intended as a testament to growing plants from seed". This includes all the woody species.

I'm very impressed Kristl!!
But sometime ago you told, that you would have to leave the place.
What happens to the garden and the plants?
Can you take at least some of them with you to whereever you go?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: gmoen on May 19, 2008, 08:51:34 PM
Is it just me, but Magnar's pictures in reply 183 of May 18 are'nt seen but each is replaced by a little red cross. Normally when this happens I click the cross, choose 'Show Picture' and all is well. Not this time though.

Similar thing happens in Darren Sleep's reply 198 of today.

They are OK on my computer
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on May 19, 2008, 08:57:28 PM
.... and on mine this time Geir, but not darren's pic on reply 198. Maybe it is something to do with slow download speeds!?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on May 19, 2008, 09:05:39 PM
Campanula Persicifolia (nitida) Planiflora
Chlidanthus fragrans
Moraea unknown ?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 19, 2008, 09:31:20 PM
Same for me too David. Magnar's are fine but Darren's is the red cross thing. I clicked the file name under it but got a "website cannot be shown" notice. Might be OK later in the day or tomorrow.

Paddy, will you be living just about right UNDER that bridge? It seems it will totally dominate your home and garden.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 19, 2008, 11:22:25 PM
Luc, I took a couple more pictures of the Degenia for you today. In the further-away shot you can actually see the crevice in the limestone where it is planted. I have no idea if planting it here has anything to do with anything---but I know it's the first time the plant has lived longer than 2 years in my garden.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 19, 2008, 11:28:34 PM
Michael: I have grown out seed of the Campanula pers. planiflora many, many times and never gotten the real thing. Lovely to see it here.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Paddy Tobin on May 19, 2008, 11:29:10 PM
No, Anthony, no estate. The garden was smaller, just the square around the house but we bought some extra space when this bridge was announced. We thought of moving but couldn't settle on anywhere that we preferred. You will see from the photograph that I am in an agricultural area, yet this area is within the city boundary and I am less than two miles from the centre of town and can drive there within five minutes. This is a peculiarity of the manner in which the town it laid out being all to one side of the centre - which means it is not geometrically the centre, I suppose.

Mark, there are lawns and there is grass. There are two smallish lawns to the front of the house; one is visible in the photograph. To the back of the house, the stretch of grass between the hedges is also regarded as a lawn but the open grass area to the top right of the photograph is the football area - the top of the goalposts are just visible. Football days are coming to an end, my knees aren't what they were, and there are designs for two raised beds and another bed with trees, shrubs and underplanting. If it was all done I would have nothing to do tomorrow.

Lesley, the bridge is about 150 metres away but will be huge, really huge, at 110 metres high. The suspension cables to support the road platform will hang from this.  However, the road platform itself will be relatively low and the house and garden will not be overlooked by those travelling on it except for one short stretch as the road moves away from the bridge and also away from us. We considered moving but could not settle on anywhere that we preferred. We live in a peculiar situation: an agricultural setting within the city boundary and within 5 minutes of the centre so the best of both worlds with seclusion and proximity to amenities as the same time.

NOW, nobody gave me any feedback on the two paeonies, names if possible, which are of far more interest to me.

Paddy
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 20, 2008, 12:54:55 AM

I'm very impressed Kristl!!
But sometime ago you told, that you would have to leave the place.
What happens to the garden and the plants?
Can you take at least some of them with you to whereever you go?

Luit,
Life takes us in directions we sometimes don't want to go--and needing to leave this place is perhaps one of the more difficult changes I have had to face, as 20 years of my life are tied up in this garden. I don't want to leave, but a marriage breakdown and needing to split the property with my ex forces the decision. There may still be some (financial) miracle, but I am trying to get mentally ready.

I wrote to my friend in Norway yesterday and said to him "I started making an electronic memory of my property and of the native plants that grow here on the SRGC site. It's a memorial that is either supposed to heal me ahead of time, or make me change my mind about going. I really don't know yet which way it will go yet."
 
In the beginning I thought it would be least painful to just walk away from it all, without taking a single plant. But each day now, I find myself marking the spots in the garden where the ephemerals and bulbs are, so that I might be able to find them later. And divisions are beginning to pile up in pots in the "move to Nova Scotia" section. The easy plants I will grow again, but the species that have taken 5-10 years from seed will accompany me.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Magnar on May 20, 2008, 07:56:41 AM
Is it just me, but Magnar's pictures in reply 183 of May 18 are'nt seen but each is replaced by a little red cross. Normally when this happens I click the cross, choose 'Show Picture' and all is well. Not this time though.

Similar thing happens in Darren Sleep's reply 198 of today.

They are OK on my computer

The lines in to the server where my home page and pics are, were dowe all day yesterday. So that might be a reason why the pics didnt show like they should.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Magnar on May 20, 2008, 07:58:24 AM
Kristl:

That Degenia is just fantastic. I never got a plant to over winter here.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on May 20, 2008, 08:25:42 AM
Luc, I took a couple more pictures of the Degenia for you today. In the further-away shot you can actually see the crevice in the limestone where it is planted. I have no idea if planting it here has anything to do with anything---but I know it's the first time the plant has lived longer than 2 years in my garden.

Thanks for taking the trouble Kristl - it really looks fabulous.
I had (notice the past tense ;D) one planted up in a dryish crevice high in the rock garden as well, but it got lost last year.  There are young self seeded plants in situ though, so I can look forward to flowering next year.
I hope yours keeps going on !  ;)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 20, 2008, 10:01:31 AM
Look away now if you don't like ferns - I love them!
Dryopteris x complexa 'Crispum Stableri', Polystichum setiferum 'Pulcherrimum Bevis' bending over backwards at it unfurls. Polystichum setiferum (plumosum Divisilobum Group) 'Othello' group of three plants, and Polystichum setiferum 'Plumosomultilobum' with its very scaly croziers.

I love ferns too and will look out for those. Matteuccia struthiopteris is taking over one of my bark paths - stolon a march, as they say.

I can access Magnar's but can't see Darren's pic?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 20, 2008, 11:12:48 AM

But each day now, I find myself marking the spots in the garden where the ephemerals and bulbs are, so that I might be able to find them later. And divisions are beginning to pile up in pots in the "move to Nova Scotia" section. The easy plants I will grow again, but the species that have taken 5-10 years from seed will accompany me.

That's exactly what I meant, Kristl. Would be my way too!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on May 20, 2008, 07:11:05 PM
Kristl, perhaps it is easy for me to say and so very much harder for you but you must try to think in terms of new beginnings and not old endings. Your plants are a important part of your life and as many as possible should go with you if you have to go.

With best wishes,
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kenneth K on May 20, 2008, 08:16:40 PM
Another Uvularia. This time the tiny U sessilifolia. One of my favourites in the woodland. I've tried a week now to get a good picture. I give up! I can't get it better than this.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 21, 2008, 02:20:06 AM
Kenneth--lovely picture of the Uvularia---I only have one plant in my garden, and it is native (but uncommon) in my area. Congratulations!

In the garden here today:

Amsonia illustris, the first of the Blue Stars to bloom here.
The little Iris mandschurica.

After this point it's all downhill for the Paeonia tenuifolia.
Ditto for the Syneileses aconitifolia.
I always wish I could freeze it's growth at this point.

I love the well-behaved Lamium orvala.
And I *really* love the beautiful Aesculus parviflora. Even though native to the south-eastern USA, this seed-grown shrub has been perfectly hardly here in the north.

And the Asarum relative, Saruma henryi is one of the toughest groundcovers in my woodland garden, tolerating even the intense dry shade under mature sugar maples. Although the flowers are small, it blooms almost the whole summer.

And I am fond of many of the shrubby peas---Lathyrus aureus, just slightly taller than the well-known L. vernus,  is a relative newcomer to my garden and a beauty. For a pea, it took forever to grow up-3 to 4 years?




Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Viola on May 21, 2008, 11:38:09 AM
Three Viola fom GR in my garden.
Viola jooii and Viola spec. (name?) produce lot seed and ant distribute the seed.
Viola delphinantha

Karl
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 21, 2008, 01:32:20 PM
Karl, maybe the unidentified Viola is the cultivar V. "Freckles"?

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Viola on May 21, 2008, 03:21:13 PM
Kristl, thank you.

Karl
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: hadacekf on May 21, 2008, 08:15:21 PM
Kristl,
You are right.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Magnar on May 21, 2008, 10:15:41 PM
A couple from today:

Androsace hedraeanthea
(http://magnar.aspaker.no/Androsace%20hedraeanthea%2008.jpg)

Pulsatilla alpina
(http://magnar.aspaker.no/Pulsatilla%20alpina%2008.jpg)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Paddy Tobin on May 21, 2008, 10:19:39 PM
Kristi,

Your love of Aesculus parviflora is one I share in very much indeed. It is an exceptionally beautiful plant. In similar vein and also very beautiful is Aesculus mutabilis induta which is just coming into flower here at present on a plant which is only two feet high, a great plant indeed.

Paddy
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on May 21, 2008, 10:25:41 PM
In similar vein and also very beautiful is Aesculus mutabilis induta which is just coming into flower here at present on a plant which is only two feet high, a great plant indeed.

Paddy
A chestnut which flowers at only two feet high.... I am astonished! Never thought that could be....not much wonder you are impressed!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Paddy Tobin on May 21, 2008, 11:08:31 PM
Maggi,

By way of illustration, I spent some time yesterday digging out daylilies which were making their way too close to this plant. The daylilies were threatening to overwhelm it.

It's late now, too dark, but I must get a photograph tomorrow.

Paddy
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 22, 2008, 12:22:28 AM
Please do, Paddy--I do adore this genus---but most species are very marginal in my climate.

I don't know how I neglected to post my very favorite spring gentian when it was flowering the second the snow left. G. pumila delphinensis, in bud and open. I was reminded of my neglect when the G. acaulis opened.

The short lived, beautiful Aquilegia flavescens.

I grew this originally as Pulsatilla alpina and apiifolia (but are they?)---looking at your picture, Magnar---and am really not sure.

And the Camassias are starting; this is C. esculenta in bud.

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 22, 2008, 12:39:38 AM
Some of the American viorna group Clematis have been flowering for a while, with others now following.

This is a group of species that I have a particular interest in. They are all small-flowered, mostly urn-shape species, some shrubby little things, some scrambling, others vining.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 22, 2008, 12:58:57 AM
and lastly for today...into the shadier areas...

Fothergilla major is another small and worthwhile North American shrub.

Iris cristata always does well, no matter what, no matter where.
and a small drift of white Dodecatheon meadia.

Scopolia carniolica: Hinkley mentions this potato relative in his "rare plant" tome--I've grown it forever, but am still not sure it's worthwhile.

Primula sieboldii is always worthwhile, although it doesn't grow as easily for me as most gardeners.

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Viola on May 22, 2008, 05:55:06 AM
Kristl, here pics from Pulsatilla alpina ssp.alpina from Kärnten - Austrian Mt.

Karl
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kenneth K on May 22, 2008, 08:01:45 AM
Kristl! Your Clematis pictures are really fine. I believe that Canada are earlier than southwest Sweden. We have no flowers yet on those Clematis.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: art600 on May 22, 2008, 10:53:09 AM
Kristl

Thank you for showing us such a lot of wonderful plants - I particularly liked the Clematis
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on May 22, 2008, 12:41:01 PM
Wonderful pictures and plants everyone !
Thanks for posting !  :D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Viola on May 22, 2008, 04:35:34 PM
Ramondia pyrenaica
Eritrichum spec.
Saracenia flavum
Sax.paniculata
Clematis spec.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kenneth K on May 22, 2008, 08:30:18 PM
Clematis ochotensis - as black as it can get.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Paddy Tobin on May 22, 2008, 09:52:37 PM
Maggi and Kristi,

Here is Aesculus mutabilis induta photographed about two hours ago.

You will see the foliage of hemerocallis behind it which might give an indication of size. Also in the background is a leaf of a rheum.

Paddy
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on May 22, 2008, 10:06:47 PM
Thank you, Paddy, that is a real charmer.

I am enjoying seeing all the goodies you all have in your gardens....even if I am spending a lot of time eyeing the posts in the Paeonia pages very jealously! 8)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 23, 2008, 12:52:26 AM
Karl, I am about 98% sure that your beautiful pink Clematis is C. japonica. I have sent you a private message about it.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 23, 2008, 01:01:58 AM
Kenneth....an absolutely stunning C. ochotensis---I've also sent you a message to beg for seed.... :P
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 23, 2008, 01:50:25 AM
Lovely Pulsatilla pratensis and Clematis sibirica.

Geum triflorum, more common in the Canadian prairies is native to Ontario, but not to my particular area. It is called "Prairie Smoke" because it will later do what the last picture shows...
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: WimB on May 23, 2008, 07:53:41 PM
Flowering in my garden this week:

1 Polygonatum hookeri
2 Sauromatum venosum
3 Sisyrinchium striatum
4 Zantedeschia aethiopica
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 23, 2008, 10:41:23 PM
Some pictures of the garden this week
First an old raised bed where selfseeding plants took over after
more than 20 years.
Some plants on or near the new raised bed and some plants in the
other part of the garden.


Aethionema                                 
Carduncellus pinnatifida                       
Incarvillea delavayi         
Incarvillea delavayi Pink
Dianthus plum. Babi Lom 
Hieracium villosum 
Cercis canadensis Forest Pansy leaves     
Centaurea John Coutts           
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 23, 2008, 10:44:19 PM
Some different Geranium cinereum forms.
And the last one a photoof one of the most beautiful shrubs
withstanding strong seawinds.

Geranium cinereum diff.               
Amsonia tabernaemontana     
Ranunculus aconitifolius Flore Pleno                   
Iris unknown  ex E. Pagels 1                 
Iris unknown  ex E. Pagels 2           
Melittis melissophyllum       
Melittis melissophyllum Album           
Rhaphiolepis umbellata         
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Magnar on May 23, 2008, 10:48:13 PM
Thank you all for the lovely pics. It's fun to see all the various plants you all grow. :)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 23, 2008, 10:51:28 PM
Lovely Pulsatilla pratensis and Clematis sibirica.

Geum triflorum, more common in the Canadian prairies is native to Ontario, but not to my particular area. It is called "Prairie Smoke" because it will later do what the last picture shows...
Some beautiful plants Kristl.
Thank you for showing the pictures of Geum triflorum.
This plant is neglected by most gardeners, me too. But I've never seen pictures like these of this plant.
Would be a nice plant used in drifts in informal plantings.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: ChrisB on May 23, 2008, 11:12:54 PM
Wonderful pulsatilla, Kristl!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 24, 2008, 02:37:30 AM
Luit, the Geum is in fact planted in a very wildish area in scree near one of my ponds and it really works there. The flowers are not spectacular, just small nodding pink things, but in mass the pink is wonderful and of course the pink "smoke" that follows is *really* wonderful. My only serious problem with the plant is that the birds ABSOLUTELY ADORE the seed, and unless I put netting over the entire drift way before seed ripeness, it is all gone within hours of "barely ripe".

Todays stars are:

Delosperma aff. congestum (the only no-name species hardy enough for me, and I have tried them all). I used to call it various other species names (which I am sure some of you will mention) but Panayoti Kelaidis who sent me the seed from a high altitude collection in S. Africa said I must not call it by those other monikers, and convinced me to do the "aff, congestum".

A color sport that appeared from my latest sowing from my own plants.

Daphne dominii, as open as it will ever get.

Clematis hirsutissima var. scottii (but on any given day you may argue with me about whether I really believe the variety should be recognized at all.)

Allium akaka.

And the good doer, Primula kisoana.



Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: hadacekf on May 24, 2008, 05:53:18 PM
Luit,
You have an interesting garden with beautiful plants.
Grow the plants in pure sand?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: hadacekf on May 24, 2008, 05:59:52 PM
Kristl.
Super pics and plants.
For the first time I see a true A. akaka in a garden!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 24, 2008, 07:57:22 PM
Luit, I was thinking the same thing as Franz about your garden---really wonderful to see the troughs and fascinating, low raised beds and your sand area...beautifully done!!!! It's amazing how well so many things will grow in pure sand, isn't it?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: ranunculus on May 24, 2008, 08:30:19 PM
Beautiful postings everyone!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 25, 2008, 12:06:45 AM
Wandered down to the High Street in Dunblane today and took the camera. First pic is of a lovely rhododendron and viburnum in St Margaret's drive. Then Erinus alpinus the Fairy Foxglove, which grows on many walls. These were in St Mary's Drive, as was Cymbalaria muralis (Ivy-leaved toadflax). Coming back, I found this Arenaria balearicum growing an a wall. I look for it every year as it grows nowhere else that I can see - on the moss of a 6' front garden wall of a huge house in The Crescent. The nearest rockery must be 50 yards across a lawn. Oh, and a pig in a shop window for Maggi. Only 63 notes Maggi! mmm - never rains but it pours, (except we haven't had any for over a week). Just noticed the 'v' on my computer only works if I wallop it and I've only just replaced the monitor and destroyed a gremlin in my hard drive! :(
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on May 25, 2008, 08:02:57 AM
Kristl and Franz, sand is the only soil here.
The place where I am is so called "first class bulb sand", this means that it is course sand,
with enough humidity and good drainage. The plants are never standing to wet.
On my new raised bed I'm now trying to grow some bulbous plants which need a warm
period while resting. The sand in this bed is getting real dry and hot, when not raining for
some weeks in summer.
But the sand does have limits in choosing plants that will grow here, so no Rhododendron etc.,
but for instance orchids like Dactylorhiza or Cypripedium are thriving here very good.
So no reason being unhappy here.
My troughs is a different story. I collected more han 40 in different sizes.
When running our nursery I had no time to plant them and now I don't plant them,
because I would have to stay at home watering them, instead of making trips around
or make longer journeys.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: hadacekf on May 25, 2008, 10:18:18 AM
Very  interesting plants in the High Street in Dunblane!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Viola on May 25, 2008, 07:22:10 PM
Narzissus poeticus maedow.

Karl
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 25, 2008, 07:55:24 PM
Goodness gracious me! :o
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Paddy Tobin on May 25, 2008, 09:29:36 PM
Karl,

What extraordinary beauty!

Many thanks for your photographs. Paddy
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 25, 2008, 11:28:49 PM
Karl,
I have no words...

Thank you.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Ian Minty on May 26, 2008, 05:47:49 AM
What a beautiful sight.
Oh to have something like that at the bottom of your garden!
Do you know if there are any bulbs flowering before that?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Viola on May 26, 2008, 06:26:27 AM
Another pics from the Narissusmaedow from yesterday.

Karl

Narzissus poeticus
Lunaria rediviva
Thalictrum aquilegifolia
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on May 26, 2008, 08:01:17 AM
Out of this world !!!  :o :o :o
Thank you very much Karl ! :D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Ian Minty on May 26, 2008, 08:05:01 AM
Never mind the Mediteranean - I want to go there for my summer holidays!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: johanneshoeller on May 27, 2008, 07:09:08 PM
Some ordinary plants in and around my garden
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on May 28, 2008, 09:01:37 AM
I love your "ordinary" plants Hans !  :D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Joakim B on May 28, 2008, 10:05:11 AM
Hans lovely to have such "ordinary" plants around You.

It looks like the second picture and the fourth from the top are orchids are they growing in Your garden or outside?
It looks like Epipactis palustris? (is it not early?) for the first and orchis  ?? for the second. Nice plants.
Sorry that I try to guess Your plants but I am trying to learn to identify them so I use this as an exercise. (Maybe not needed in public but others may correct me if I am wrong.)

Kind regards
Joakim
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: johanneshoeller on May 28, 2008, 10:27:09 AM
Joakim,
the orchids are Corallorhiza trifida and - I think so - Orchis mascula signifera.
The Androsace is x marpensis, the last pic shows Dianthus alpinus.
The orchids grow in the meadow out of my garden.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Joakim B on May 28, 2008, 10:43:34 AM
Thanks Hans
I thought I knew something, and I did, not the one I thought I knew though.
It looked quite like an epipactis so I did not think of others. The foliage and lack there of would have given a totally different picture. Now I realized that the foliage also is important when identifying plants.
Kind regards
Joakim
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Viola on May 28, 2008, 04:44:47 PM
Pics from today - Austrian Mt.

Karl

Viola biflora
Clematis alpina
Gentiana clusii
Cortusa mathioli
Ranunculus alpestris
Lunaria rediviva
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Armin on May 28, 2008, 04:54:05 PM
     
Iris unknown  ex E. Pagels 1                 
Iris unknown  ex E. Pagels 2           


Hi Luit,
your Iris resembles a very pale form of I.sibirica I grow in my garden too.
You have a wonderful garden.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Paddy Tobin on May 28, 2008, 07:25:59 PM
Viola,

Beautiful photographs. I particularly like Cortusa mathiola
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Tony Willis on May 28, 2008, 09:22:19 PM
back from Greece to find some arum's in flower
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 28, 2008, 10:08:38 PM
I like Arum balansanum. Is it growing outside?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Magnar on May 28, 2008, 10:29:20 PM
Thanks to all of you for beautiful and interesting plant pics.
A few from North Norway today:

Adonis pyrenaica.
(http://magnar.aspaker.no/Adonis%20pyrenaica%2008.jpg)

Anemone parviflora
(http://magnar.aspaker.no/Anemone%20parviflora%2008.jpg)

Trollius asiaticus
(http://magnar.aspaker.no/Trollius%20asiaticus%2008.jpg)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Tony Willis on May 28, 2008, 11:12:32 PM
I like Arum balansanum. Is it growing outside?

No  that one is not but I threw some old potting compost on the garden and it must have had some off sets in it and they have now established themselves.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 29, 2008, 12:32:08 AM
Most Dodecatheon are easy plants in the garden---but I do have some difficulty getting D. dentatum to thrive (perhaps a wetter spot?). My clones are tiny---3" at most.

And, can anyone help identify this Viola? The foliage is the unique feature. I seem to recall an Asian species name????
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Afloden on May 29, 2008, 03:31:14 AM
 Kristl,
 I think the violet looks like Viola palmata from the Southeastern US. I once grew a cultivar called "Donkey Head" that had leaves very similar to that, but with pinkish flowers.

 You can see almost all the Viola of Japan here; http://www.plantsindex.com/
 
 If that doesn't work search for Viola in the search box on that site. You should get 95 species to choose from, but none with leaves like that. Chaerophylla, eizanensis, and a few others are palmate also but very dissected.

 Speaking of Viola from Japan, does anyone know where to get some of the species? There are many I would like to try.

 Aaron Floden
 Knoxville, TN
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: johanneshoeller on May 29, 2008, 07:22:01 AM
Androsace bulleyana, Dianthus spec. and Nigritella im my garden
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 29, 2008, 12:28:16 PM
Aaron....you are brilliant!!! The Viola certainly looks like a match with V. palmata (and perhaps even var. dilatata)...I will look at my plants more carefully today.

This is a PS to my note this morning---following up on Arisaema's note in a subsequent post, I have been doing a bit of research.

Found this link quite interesting:
http://www.woodlotalt.com/publications/BotNotesv1n8.pdf
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Joakim B on May 29, 2008, 03:28:16 PM
Nice plants Hans :)
You have great plants in Your garden 8)
Is Nigritella rubra or is it an other one?
Kind regards
Joakim
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: johanneshoeller on May 29, 2008, 05:11:04 PM
Yes, I think it is ruba.
2 Leontopodium, Corydalis spec.? (a seedling from my garden) and 3 Arisaema (candidissimum and ?). The other plants are grown from my friend, my Arisaema have just started to grow!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kenneth K on May 29, 2008, 06:38:41 PM
My favourite Magnolia is M wilsonii. Very nice flowers and the best of it is, that they are showing them downwards so we can enjoy them from the ground. I sowed it in 1997 and the little tree showed its first flower this week. I feel a little proud and want to show a picture taken this afternoon.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: WimB on May 29, 2008, 06:54:52 PM
Hello Hans,

I think all three Arisaema's are Arisaema candidissimum; the first one is the white form.

Wim
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: johanneshoeller on May 29, 2008, 07:10:22 PM
Hello Wim,
thank you for the informations. I was not sure.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on May 29, 2008, 07:22:59 PM
My favourite Magnolia is M wilsonii. Very nice flowers and the best of it is, that they are showing them downwards so we can enjoy them from the ground. I sowed it in 1997 and the little tree showed its first flower this week. I feel a little proud and want to show a picture taken this afternoon.

One to be very proud of Kenneth.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Tony Willis on May 29, 2008, 08:16:52 PM
Kenneth absolutely lovely and one to be proud of.We  think it is the most beautiful of the magnolias
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: arisaema on May 29, 2008, 10:52:56 PM
Kristl;

Compare your violet with V. x bernardii (syn. V. subsinuata) as well, your plant looks identical to what I received from Jelitto under that name. The American Violet Society has them both in their key (http://americanvioletsociety.org/Violet_Keys/Dichotomous_Key.htm).


Some pics from the last couple of weeks below:

Polygonatum stewartianum (received as P. prattii CLD325)
Anemonella 'Oscar Shoaf'
Penstemon venustus
Primula 'Garryarde Guinevere'
Paris sp. - ID anyone?
Cypripedium flavum
Arisaema elephas (?)
Podophyllum aurantiocaule ssp. furfuraceum (in bud)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Paddy Tobin on May 29, 2008, 11:04:45 PM
Kenneth,

This is simply a fabulous magnolia. Well done on flowering it from seed. You have a plant to treasure.


Arisaema,

P. stewartianum is an amazing plant, fabulous.

Paddy
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 29, 2008, 11:18:05 PM
Kenneth....I feel your well-deserved pride all the way across the ocean.....and from another happy grower of trees, I know the feeling well. What I want to know now is what minimum temperatures your seedling has survived until now, because I want to grow one instantly!!!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 30, 2008, 12:43:42 AM
Arisaema sikokianum, which I forgot to post (much) earlier...

A good way to actually *see* Phyteuma nigra...

The Paeonia anomala types are in full swing. This is a large drift of var. veitchii.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kenneth K on May 30, 2008, 08:01:31 AM
Kristl!
My temperature notes are from our flat in town but normally the temperature is about the same in the garden by the summer house. The lowest temperature during this time is from januari and februari 2003 when we had -16 C. No winter injuries so far.

In the botanical garden of Gothenburg they have a couple of trees that are much older than mine and I am quite sure that they have experienced temperatures down to -20 and maybe below that.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: WimB on May 30, 2008, 09:03:13 AM
Kristl,

your garden is simply extraordinary  :o
I especially like the Phyteuma nigra. It's very nice in contrast with the Hosta leafs.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 30, 2008, 12:57:01 PM
Kenneth,
Hmmm, that's pretty far out of range for me---even with global warming--I am average -35C (sometimes it has been -40 or colder), although last winter was *very* mild (-25 to -30C for only brief periods).
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Slug Killer on May 30, 2008, 03:20:48 PM
Cardiocrinum giganteum flowering for the first time (7yrs from seed)

(http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk81/SlugKiller/cardiofrontmultitall700.jpg)

(http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk81/SlugKiller/cardiofrontmulti800.jpg)

(http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk81/SlugKiller/cardiofront_1800.jpg)

Dave
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: WimB on May 30, 2008, 03:40:56 PM
Not a lot of plants that are flowering this week in my garden...

1 Dianthus ?
2 Dicentra peregrina (a very young plant)
3 Heuchera (Caramel, Citronelle and Obsidian)
4 Iris spuria 'Easter Colors'
5 Iris ?
6 Primula bulleyana
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Ian Minty on May 30, 2008, 03:54:22 PM
I love the cardiocrinum Dave, it was definitely worth the wait.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Joakim B on May 30, 2008, 04:40:10 PM
Kristl
You can not compare temperatures with Sweden and get a good opinion if it is possible to grow in Continetal America.
We can not grow magnolia grandiflora in Sweden even in the south part with big success and it is grown in much colder climate in Continetal America. If You can, just test. The fall and spring are so different that one can not compare just the winter.

Kind regards
Joakim
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on May 30, 2008, 06:23:49 PM
I like that Iris spuria Wim, very nice.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on May 30, 2008, 06:46:48 PM
I second David's thoughts on the lovely colours or the Iris spuria, Wim.


Dave the Slugkiller,,,, this seems to be a novel way of keeping slugs from your Cardiocrinum giganteum!! This is a first for me.... I have never seen a cardiocrinum grown in a pot before! Worlks, though, doesn't it?!!


Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: derekb on May 30, 2008, 06:49:42 PM
3 photos of Calochortus argillosus With my tongue in my cheek can I just say it beats all the Snowdrops hands down.

Calochortus argillosus.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: WimB on May 30, 2008, 07:00:01 PM
The Iris spuria 'Easter Colors' is one of the irisses I like the most; the yellow is almost fluorescent (certainly when they just open).

Dave, what a wonderful Cardiocrinum. I've never been able to grow it to flowering size...
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Viola on May 30, 2008, 07:29:23 PM
Pics from my garden,

Karl
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on May 30, 2008, 07:32:04 PM
3 photos of Calochortus argillosus With my tongue in my cheek can I just say it beats all the Snowdrops hands down.

Calochortus argillosus.

Derek, can I say I think I agree with you ;D  Could you tell us a little more about your growing method please. I have Calochortus venustus and C. elevatus growing from seed sown last January and hope to order more from Ron Ratko when his next List is available.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Viola on May 30, 2008, 07:56:52 PM
Another pics from my garden

Pinus cembra (Witchbroom) 7 jears and 40 cm long.
Pinus hagromo  (Witchbroom) it graft and 5 jears old
Saxifraga longiflora
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on May 30, 2008, 10:59:52 PM
Wonderful pictures everyone! Thank you.



3 plants in the sand bed.

The Ptilotrichum spinosum flowers nowhere in the garden like it does here in pure coarse sand.

The rock hard Arenaria tetraquetra wouldn't need to bloom to make me happy, but it does consistently.

Penstemon fruticosus is one of the earliest of the genus to bloom here. It has spread happily in the sand and now covers quite a large section of it.



And in the rock garden:

Corydalis bushii has spread itself in all the nooks and crannies.

Another spreader, which I adore and allow to romp around is Cymbalaria pallida---the only species that is hardy enough for me here.


Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: JPB on May 31, 2008, 12:35:07 AM
Hi All,

Aphyllanthes monspeliensis and Cistus albidus. Both wild genotypes from NE Spain.

Cheers, Hans

Edit: Hans, I have moved your post here for you! Maggi
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 31, 2008, 11:45:17 PM
Super pictures from everyone. Kristl your ptilotrichum is an exceptionally richly coloured form. Even the darker then "ordinary" form that we grow as P. spinosum `Roseum' is nothing like so deep as yours. It's superb. Likewise Corydalis bushii. I don't know that one at all.

Good to see Aphyllanthes monspeliensis on the Forum. I last year lost a plant I'd had for 30 years because it got very overgrown with a grass and I didn't realise until too late. When I went to retrieve and rescue it, it was totally gone. I've recently been given two small plants by a friend.

This morning (Sunday) I stayed in bed until well after daylight then when I finally emerged and looked out the window, it was to see a large black and white cow in the garden. Just standing there gazing ahead. I went and yelled for Roger to come and when he did, just 5 or 6 seconds later, the cow had gone. No sign of it at all, anywhere. Can't explain this. Roger says I'm losing it and felt my forehead, asked if my glasses were OK, had I taken my pills (I only take half an aspirin daily). THERE WAS DEFINITELY A COW THERE! It's raining now but when it stops I'll go to see if there are footprints or other more tangible (or smellable) evidence.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on June 01, 2008, 12:59:02 AM
The fragrant Staphylea bumalda began it's bloom today--these seedlings grow up very fast.

Beautiful Calycanthus floridus. This clone has 78 flowers this year!!

And if you like Asclepiads, a little known, elegant, well-behaved distant milkweed relative- Cynanchum ascyrifolium - makes a shrubby, upright clump to about 50cm with waxy white cymes of flowers virtually the entire summer. It's only fault is that it produces no seed.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on June 01, 2008, 01:06:56 AM
I only wish one did not have to keep replenishing Sedum pilosum---what a gem!!!
It has never self-sown for me.

And Lewisia rediviva is totally out of rhythm this year....
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on June 01, 2008, 01:36:56 AM
Have you tried the Sedum in your sand beds Kristl. I find it incredible that it hasn't self-seeded. Almost wish it wouldn't, here. I leave many dozens but still weed out many hundreds! :'(
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on June 01, 2008, 02:17:04 AM
Lesley, it's a strange thing, for sure, that it has not self-sown---and I am hardly a tidy gardener---the sand beds would not work as it would get eaten up there by too many large, vigorous plants. For years, I've always grown it in this same trough and not a single babe returns. Many non-flowering seedlings don't make it into their flowering year either- so I may be just at the limit for hardiness here.

And as to the Ptilotrichum, the very same clone is in other areas of the garden--where it grows more open and loose, is not as floriferous, and the colour a much more washed out pink. It is *only* in the sand bed that it is the gem shown in the pictures. It gets a better baking there I suppose.

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: ranunculus on June 01, 2008, 07:14:37 AM
Lovely images everyone.

A small collection of photographs from various locations (all taken this week)...

The sunsets were captured over our back fence...

The misty lake shots were from Center Parks in Sherwood Forest...

And the flowers were from a 'kiddies farm' just minutes away from Center Parks.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: ranunculus on June 01, 2008, 07:16:57 AM
The final few...
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on June 01, 2008, 10:11:27 AM
I do so enjoy seeing all the treasures in these pages and there is always something new...for instance,
Cynanchum ascyrifolium .....never saw it before! Wonder why it is shy to set seed? Isn't it wonderful/infuriating how these plants can puzzle us?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Martinr on June 01, 2008, 11:55:56 AM
Kristl, I'm assuming your Arenaria tetraquarta is grown outside without protection in Winter. Am I correct? I grow it, currently in a pot, and while it is small and neat it is by no means rock hard and is given Winter protection. Any UK growers care to comment on how to succeed with this plant.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Kristl Walek on June 01, 2008, 02:09:54 PM
Maggi,
Many of the choicer Asclepias rarely to never produce seed outside of their native habitat- as they have a complex relationship with specific pollinators, so perhaps this distant relative is similar. Some day I might find the time to pollinate (it)  myself.

Martin,
Yes, and yes. I am in a very cold winter area and most summers are *extremely* hot and humid- so the plants really bake. I grow them in the sand bed, where the mats have gotten HUGE, in the rock garden in ordinary soil, on tufa, where they get equally rock hard, but don't have the space to get as wide as in the sand. Even in light shade with more moisture the mats are hard.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Joakim B on June 01, 2008, 09:41:09 PM
Mr Buttercup  8) nice pictures and wonderfull how the forum bride flowering times. Here in Portugal the irises are all flowered and in Sweden it has not got fully going. I think not atleast. ::)
Iris number 3 looks like a iris that many old gardens have in Sweden. Survives every thing (almost). Nice to see some more poppies :) 8)
Kind regards
Joakim
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage May 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on June 01, 2008, 10:30:58 PM
Some day I might find the time to pollinate myself.

Mmmmmm...Interesting :)
Sorry Kristl, I never can resist :)

I must do something about a sand bed here. Meaning to for ages as it does seem to be the answer to many problems and I have a number of things waiting for the right place but nothing seems to fill the bill in the garden proper. I keep thinking of John Lonsdale's amazing onco irises in sand. Perhaps junos would like similar treatment and of course so many native or exotic scree plants. Now might be a good time with winter starting. Roots could get well down before the surface dries out in spring.

Now if only the thought will be father - or mother - to the deed ::)
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