Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => Flowers and Foliage Now => Topic started by: Robert on September 04, 2021, 12:30:52 AM

Title: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on September 04, 2021, 12:30:52 AM
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This is a scene of our late summer garden, 3 September 2021. This is the view when I exit the side door and round the corner into the backyard garden.

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This is another view of the backyard garden.

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Currently, the weather is cool with below average temperatures for this time of year. Despite the current spell of cool weather, this summer may turn out to be the warmest on record, at least for interior “continental” regions such as our El Dorado County property. At our Sacramento home there has been considerable marine influence this summer. Summer temperatures have fluctuated considerably, so this summer temperatures have been slightly above average.

There are still flowers blooming throughout the garden.

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Zinnia elegans is a favorite summer annual in our garden.

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This is a good form of Epilobium canum ssp. latifolium. I grew this plant from seed I gathered near the Lyons Creek Basin, which was burned over by the Caldor Fire a few days ago. When it is safe, I am anxious to return to this area to see how the fire impacted the area. The whole upper Lyons Creek Basin was burned over. I have been visiting this area since 1960, so for me the effects of the Caldor Fire are very personal.  Jasmin notes:  The fire has burned areas we both knew intimately.  It is traumatic, the loss of a dear friend or family member, or learning they are in the hospital and you do not know if they will live or not.  We also know people who are among the evacuees, or chronically packed and ready to evacuate.  It is distressing, constantly worrying; yet realizing we are helpless and can do nothing more than wait, or remind people we have space for them should they and their animals need it.
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on September 04, 2021, 12:34:21 AM
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I like this combination of containers. In the rear container Epilobium canum ssp. garrettii is blooming. In the foreground, Diplacus auraniacus is blooming with its yellow-orange flowers. Cercis occidentalis grows in the container to the right and a bit of foliage of Quercus durata var. durata can be seen to the left. These are all California native species.

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I have two nice plants of Erythranthe guttata. Both are perennial, especially if they are given attention each year to keep them growing well. This plant blooms heavily each spring and then sporadically all summer.

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Parts of the shade garden are coming into bloom again.

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Thanks to the kindness of a forumist, we grow Cyclamen intaminatum. The foliage and flowers are very beautiful.

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This container with Cyclamen graecum is looking good. The hose is an appropriate scene. Watering is necessary almost every day during the summer.
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on September 04, 2021, 12:36:16 AM
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The early blooming Colchicum species are blooming throughout our semi-shaded garden. Pictured are Colchicum macrophyllum. Earlier I posted photographs of Colchicum autumnale/pannonicum. They too are still blooming but are a bit further along in their blooming cycle.

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I grew out one of my old-fashioned pansies lines this spring. This was out of synchronization with our climatic rhythms, but they still grew and bloomed well. Autumn planting season is arriving. I will be sowing seeds of autumn/winter vegetables, pansies, and other annuals, including many of my favorite California native annual species.

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Late summer/autumn is also the time for processing seeds of summer vegetables and flowers. I have a good crop of Cucurbita pepo (pictured) and maxima coming on. Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV) and Watermelon Mosaic Virus (WMV) reduce yields on both Cucurbita pepo and C. maxima in our Sacramento garden. Cultural practices can ameliorate some of the effects of these and other viruses; however breeding for resistance is a primary goal.
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: shelagh on September 07, 2021, 10:32:41 AM
A couple of ferns looking just about at their best.
Gymnocarpium robertianum, you don't see this one on the show bench often probably because it comes through late in Spring.

Polystichum setiferum plumosum densum, quite a mouthful but looking wonderful just now.
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on September 08, 2021, 12:10:56 PM
Autumn has started here with Colchicums flowering. Last week end the lowest night was +0,5C so almost freezing, but now it is a bit warmer.
'William Dykes' and C.bivonae are the first ones to come up and flower.
Heleniums are still flowering and asters are starting to flower.
Nameless Geraniums x oxonianum is one of my favourites because it flowers until the frosts.
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on September 08, 2021, 12:14:29 PM
Cyclamen purpurascens started to flower in late July and is still flowering, these pictures were taken yesterday.
Silver leaf ones were grown from seed ex seeds and the ones in the second picture were a gift from a kind forumist. C.purpurascens seems to like it here:).
Also Lathyrus minus was grown from seeds from a forumist. It started to flower in July and is still flowering, climbing higher than 3 meters. It survived winter in very well.
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Herman Mylemans on September 08, 2021, 01:04:39 PM
Leena, it seems that you still have a lot of flowers in the garden. It is beautiful!
At the moment it is here also warm: 28°C. Yesterday the same. This is better weather than previous month.
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on September 08, 2021, 05:24:48 PM
Thank you Herman:).
I read in the news that in Middle Europe it is now really warm. Here it is around +10- 15C days and +5C nights, but tomorrow it can be even close to +20, for one day.
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gabriela on September 08, 2021, 07:08:45 PM
Beautiful signs for autumn beginning Leena.

Aster dumosus 'Heinz Richard', and other wild Asters also flowering.
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Aconitum kusnezoffii, tall and I didn't give it enough space.
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Heptacodium miconioides, always an attraction in September for all sorts of pollinators and the hummingbirds as well, but no luck with trying to capture one on a picture.
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Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on September 09, 2021, 09:29:21 AM
Aconitum kusnezoffii, tall and I didn't give it enough space.

Gabriela, it is also flowering here in temporary spare bed with too little space, but it is good to see how it looks so that I can think where to plant it permanently.
It seems to have like almost climbing stem, and doesn't stay upright by itself, so maybe some support is needed. Or maybe it is only because the plants are young..
Very nice blue to flower at this time when my other Aconitums are already over:).

Your Aster dumosus is looking good, too!. And that butterfly!!
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gabriela on September 09, 2021, 10:54:15 PM
Gabriela, it is also flowering here in temporary spare bed with too little space, but it is good to see how it looks so that I can think where to plant it permanently.
It seems to have like almost climbing stem, and doesn't stay upright by itself, so maybe some support is needed. Or maybe it is only because the plants are young..
Very nice blue to flower at this time when my other Aconitums are already over:).

Your Aster dumosus is looking good, too!. And that butterfly!!

The monarchs are starting to move towards the South, so they sit still longer when they feed; in the summer it is very hard to take a good picture.

A. kusnezoffii should stand up by itself Leena, just that it grew elongated since this spring because too much shade, covered by the Heptacodium. I also have a young A. kirinense close by making a few flowers. In the spring it always seems that we have more space than it is in reality.
I will move them in a position with part sun. They may flower a bit later than usual being their first year in the ground.






Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on September 10, 2021, 09:46:18 PM
Shelagh,

Your ferns are well grown and look great. This urged me to post an assortment of ferns from our garden.

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Dryopteris arguta is a common dryland fern frequently seen in the foothills (Upper Sonoran Life Zone) and lower mountain regions (Transition Life Zone) of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We have found this fern very easy to grow in our garden. It is evergreen and always seems to look good. The species is very tolerant of drought, however in our garden an occasional watering does not seem to do it any harm, likely due to the good drainage. My wife tends to be more water restrictive than I am. I am not sure which of us is the better in that regard!

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Aspidotis densa is another dryland California native fern. This species can be found growing from the Upper Sonoran Life Zone to near tree line in the Hudsonian Life Zone. I have had difficulty growing this species in the past. This specimen has persisted and still looks nice. I am not sure if this plant thrives due to proper placement or it is a representative of a genetically distinct population. My label is long gone. Anyway, it looks great in the garden.

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Adiantum aleuticum is found in the Transition Life Zone of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in our part of California. This species thrives in our garden as long as it receives ample water at all times. I have always found this species growing near springs and in well-shaded locations. I grow ours in a container where it has been growing happily for many years. In our garden, it is deciduous for a very short period of time in the late winter just as the new growth begins.

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Athyrium filix-femina var. cyclosorum is another moisture loving fern that is also found growing in the Transition Life Zone of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This species prefers to grow near creeks and streams. Under the right conditions this species can be almost weedy in cultivation. This species is deciduous. Under the right conditions the fronds can turn bright yellow in the autumn. Here it can be seen growing with Pulmonaria, Polygonatum commutatum, Pacific West Coast Lilies, and some weedy viola species.

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Pellaea mucronata var. mucronata is a California native dryland fern. In our area it is generally found growing in the Upper Sonoran Life Zone (borderline in the Lower Sonoran Life Zone). This tough fern can frequently be seen growing out of dry rock crevices exposed to intense summertime solar radiation. I thought that it would be a folly to attempt this species in our garden, however it has proved to be easy and tolerant of some summer irrigation. I find the blue-green fronds to be especially attractive.

I am impressed with the recent postings of autumn flowers! The plants look so lush and nice.

UGH! Our weather has been fluctuating wildly since mid-August. There have been periods of near record setting cool weather followed by extreme record-breaking heat, but mostly there has been extreme heat. A few days ago it was 105 F (40.556 C) at the El Dorado County property. This tied the monthly high temperature record for September. In addition, there have now been 32 days this summer with high temperatures 100 F (37.778 C) or above. The old record was 29 days set in 1989. I will have to do the math, but this is likely a once in 1,000-year event, maybe longer. Currently, we have had 85 day 90 F (32.222 C) or more this summer. The record is 103 days, set in 2008. We could still break this record this season. If the forecast holds for the next 7 days we will be at 90 days, 90 F or more. 90 F weather is possible well into October, so this record could be easily broken.

This is the news on the heat. Moving on to the drought… The drought is severe this season. Last night and this morning we received our first rainfall in months. There was 0.06 inches (1.524 mm) of precipitation in our rain gauge. The ground is so dry it is hard to tell if it even rained at all! There was no shortage of dry lightning. The last thing we need is more wildfire. The Caldor and Dixie Fires have been major ecological disasters in our area. The Dixie Fire is 4 times the size of the Caldor Fire. Both fires still burn, however the Caldor Fire is no longer expanding in size.

Needless to say, this has been a challenging gardening year. Most of the C3 plant species in our garden are stressed and in some cases extremely stressed. Amaranth, a C4 species, is thriving. The above average temperatures even impact our winter/spring garden. Many plant species need adequate vernalization for their seeds to germinate. Other plant species need adequate vernalization to bloom and grow correctly. I rely on many plant species to reseed in our garden, especially annual species. I need to consciously breed perennial plants species to thrive with little winter chill if I expect to keep them in our garden. All of these changes and other changes are impacting both managed (gardens, agriculture) and unmanaged (wild places) ecosystems in our region. I can manage and ameliorate some of the impacts in our garden (both food and ornamental species), however this is often very challenging.

Leena mentioned earlier that temperatures were forecasted to be well above average in her portion of Finland this past August. I wonder how this turned out. As I remember there were also challenges with certain Primula species. Did they recover or did they die-out? Was it heat or drought (or both) that impacted the Primula species the most? I am very curious about the outcomes.
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: shelagh on September 11, 2021, 09:53:27 AM
Lovely ferns Robert, I especially like the Aspidotis densa. We grow Ad. aleuticum and it's one of my favourites. I also like your Pellaea we grow P. rotundifolia. We tried it on the show bench but the Judges said it wasn't hardy! So we popped in the garden where it has been flourishing for years. :)
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Andre Schuiteman on September 11, 2021, 02:00:31 PM
Mount Emei (also spelled Omei) is a famous and easily accessible mountain in Sichuan. Numerous plant species were first discovered there and were named after it, among them the two ferns shown below. Both are evergreen and have survived the last winter outdoors, with temperatures going down to about -5 degrees Celsius. They do well in a shady spot that never dries out.
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Coniogramme emeiensis. The leaves had frost damage and I cut them off as soon as new ones started to grown in the spring. They are naturally variegated. Slugs seem to like it, unfortunately.
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Polystichum omeiense (P. caruifolium is the older name but a proposal to conserve the name P. omeiense is being considered). I keep this in a pot so that I can move it indoors in case heavy frost is forecast, as I don't know how hardy it is. This is one I don't want to lose! The fronds can be up to 60 cm long, but mine are only about 10 cm at the moment.
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on September 11, 2021, 04:45:20 PM
Really nice ferns everyone:).

Leena mentioned earlier that temperatures were forecasted to be well above average in her portion of Finland this past August. I wonder how this turned out. As I remember there were also challenges with certain Primula species. Did they recover or did they die-out? Was it heat or drought (or both) that impacted the Primula species the most? I am very curious about the outcomes.

The average temperature during summer months in Helsinki was the the highest recorded since 1844 when they started recording temperatures.
June and especially July were very hot, but of course not as hot as in California and very dry. In July it only rained properly here in the end of the month. August turned out to be about average in temperature, so forecast was wrong, but it rained more than usually. In August this year in our garden it rained 150mm, which is more than twice normal. In 2020 it rained 49mm in August.
The rains saved many plants which had suffered from drought, and also apple crop is very good now.

I think it was Primula florindae which suffered from heat and drought both, because my hose isn't long enough and anyway we have water from our own well and I try to save water only to the edible plants and pots. In the end they flowered very well in August, and there is still one tall flower in it now when usually they are well over in September. I think it was the rains which encouraged it to make more flowers even now.

In the beginning of September there hasn't been rain, and temperatures have been about average (first colder than usual, then last week warmer than usual) and forecast is predicting September to being about average. Also long term forecast says it will be about average, and winter may come early. I hope no, I don't want snow in November.

Here is a picture of Primula florindae flower I wrote about, it was taken last week.
Second picture is one of my favourite fern, Dryopteris crassirhizoma and last picture there is one of the earliest Colchicums in my garden. I bought it ten years ago and have been able to divide it already in many beds.

Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on September 11, 2021, 07:09:25 PM
Shelagh,

For us, Aspidotis densa has been fairly easy-to-grow in a container. As stated, I am finally having luck with this species in the garden, however there were also many failures.

What a disappointment with the Pellaea rotundifolia and the show bench. Many gardeners could have benefited seeing this species on the bench and perhaps enjoying the species in their garden. At least you get to enjoy it in your garden! I guess as they say, you got “the last laugh”.

Thank you for sharing the story and all the fine plants.

> Andre,

I am very impressed with Coniogramme emeiensis! Great foliage.

I am not likely to find this species at any nursery in our area, however I will keep it in mind. It seems like it would be a fantastic addition to our garden – at least worth a try.

Thank you for sharing.

> Leena,

Thank you for all the climatic and cultural information. Believe it or not, there are a few Primula species that will grow in our garden. Hybrid Polyantha type Primulas are indestructible! They take a degree of drought and large amounts of neglect and still grow and bloom well. Primula veris grows well too. I wish they set seed. I guess I can try harder to get seed set. Anyway, I will try other Primula species in the future. At one time I grew many species when there was an ornamental garden at El Dorado County property. As I can, I hope to try one species at a time and see what happens. (I dislike getting overwhelmed with too much stuff.) I will never know unless I try.

Thank you again for all the information. I will pass along the information about the temperatures in Helsinki with some of my atmosphere science friends. They will be keenly interested.
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gabriela on September 12, 2021, 09:44:55 PM
Beautiful ferns shown here!

No show here for fall Crocus or Colchicum Leena, it's been very warm and I'm sure they didn't get the signal that fall arrived.

Robert: I had the chance to admire beautiful clumps of Adiantum aleuticum growing in full sun in BC mountains!
You're are right about the Primula x polyantha being indestructible; to our luck. In our region the very hot summers easily spell an end for few other Primulas without extra watering (some I couldn't keep for more than 2 years even if watering).
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Tristan_He on September 13, 2021, 11:08:35 PM
Quite a few things in flower considering how late it is.

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Eryngium planum.

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Viola bubanii

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Hieracium intybaceum. I love the luminous pale colour of the flowers, they remind me a little of Crocus scharojanii flavus (or at least photos of it, I've never seen the real thing).

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Linaria aeruginosa.

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Seseli hippomarathrum.


Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Tristan_He on September 13, 2021, 11:11:00 PM
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Potentilla heptaphylla


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Pelargonium endlicherianum, a bit out of focus but I'm afraid it's finished now. At least you can see the leaves...  :-\
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Herman Mylemans on September 14, 2021, 07:43:24 AM
Tristan, indeed still a lot of flowers to see. Thank you for showing.
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on September 14, 2021, 04:54:38 PM
Gabriela,

My experience with the genus Primula, more or less, mirrors your experiences. Based on my past experience, many Primula species do not grow well in our area – too hot, too dry, however Candelabra types have been a bit easier – more forgiving of the heat, however they are still water hogs. Primula allionii types have done well for me, however I do not like keeping many plants in pots. In general, if a plant does not do well in our open garden, I am not interested in growing them. I have a few exceptions.

It seems like most Primula x polyantha have been bred to be bedding plants or for the show bench. The colors seem unnatural in our garden. Breeding for a more “natural” look might be a good project for me. I am doing this with other common garden annuals. Plants bred for the cut flower trade are awkward in our garden too. Many hybrid Asiatic Lilies fit into this category. I guess I am a picky gardener.  ;D   ::)

Tristan,

Can you tell me anything more about Viola bubanii? It looks like it would be well behaved in the garden – not weedy.

I have had good luck with a few Linaria species. Linaria purpurea is weedy but I always let a fair number grow in the garden. I started with ‘Canon Went’ so I have all pinks. Linaria triornithophora did well, however I lost this species. I liked how it moved about from rhizomes. Can you tell me more about Linaria aeruginosa?
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Tristan_He on September 15, 2021, 08:52:33 AM
Hi Robert,

I'm afraid I can't tell you much about either species, as I have grown each for less than a year. Viola bubanii seems to like a sunny open spot without competition. I don't yet know how perennial it will be as many of the pansies are short-lived. Linaria aeruginea (note spelling - apologies I got it wrong in my original post) I purchased only a couple of months ago. It's growing vigorously in a sunny spot in sandy soil, but whether or not it survives our winter we will see...

Toadflaxes are often a bit short-lived here so we will see how it does long-term. I'm hoping it will behave a bit like L. purpurea and seed around a bit.

Primula - I struggle a bit with many of these as I don't have many places where they can be consistently damp at the root, and our soil dries out rapidly making them prone to root aphid and vine weevil. I find wilder forms of Primula auricula (not the heavily bred show varieties) to be long-lived garden plants. Primula forrestii is also good, but not always easy to get hold of. Of the candelabra types, Primula alpicola is tolerant of somewhat drier conditions than many, and P. chionantha is also tough and long-lived. Robert, agree that the hybrid polyanthus (and lilies) are ugly. Polyanthus also often self-seed, reverting to a muddy pinkish colour of little value. These days I weed these out to leave only wild type primroses.

Hope this helps!
Tristan
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Carolyn on September 15, 2021, 01:13:49 PM
Linaria aeruginea seeds around. I got it by mistake from the seedex many years ago - I thought I was getting L alpina. Aeruginea seeds around tremendously, but is very easy to weed out so is not a problem at all. The flower colour varies from purple, brown through to yellow. All are beautiful. I like the glaucous leaves too. I never worry about whether it will overwinter - there’s always plenty reappears each spring.
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Mariette on September 15, 2021, 07:00:17 PM
Linaria aeruginosa looks really special, I think I wouldn´t be disappointed to receive it erroneously!

Just some colchicums in my garden

I bought this one as C. bornmülleri, but I think it´s´Autumn Queen´

(https://up.picr.de/42057840yt.jpg)

Colchicum autumnale

(https://up.picr.de/42057794fq.jpg)

Colchicum  x byzantinum ´Innocence´

(https://up.picr.de/42057782rh.jpg)

Colchicum autumnale with some late flowers of Campanula poscharskyana

(https://up.picr.de/42057785oz.jpg)

I like the buds of this one, probably ´Giant´

(https://up.picr.de/42057783cl.jpg)
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: cohan on September 16, 2021, 03:18:54 PM
Always fun to see what everyone has happening--- some familiar things and always some cool strangers!  Here, some of the same things that have been flowering for months, others having a second flush after cooler damper weather returned some weeks ago. We've had some nights near/below freezing- -hard to tell exactly when the frost hits on the acreage here, since I have have very little that is tender! Colour has been creeping in more and more, in wild plants it begins in the understory with some herbaceous plants, into shrubs, gradually moving into trees -- still more green than not, but it will start to change quickly...

Last colour for a patch of native Actaea rubra- started with a wild self sown plant in an old bed, when I reworked the area I kept it, and it has been expanding..

[attachimg=1]

tiny Allium cyanem- still languishing in its seed pot, as most planting has been on hold like my life in general...lol I pulled it  out for the photos

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Not quite locally native Diervilla lonicera- late flush of flowers coinciding with the beginning of foliage colour

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Local native Symphoricarpos albus, finds its way into various garden spots, some need to be moved, some stay in or beside beds; always a nice plant, but showiest in seed. esp while they are fresh and white

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gabriela on September 17, 2021, 07:57:43 PM
It seems fall advances quickly everywhere! The first Colchicum 'The Giant' also appeared here, but I still have to take pictures.

Robert, I agree about the Asiatic lilies, they do seem out of place in any wild garden. But in regards with P. x polyantha - I managed to revive an almost dying specimen that I found when we moved in the present place, and it was such a great idea. It is the only one I have and wouldn't be without it now: it is super drought resistant, fragrant and it flowers for months on end (yellow and orange/reddish flowers).

Linaria aeruginea - Carolyn described it very well. Cute but I had to remove it completely from my small rockery, where it was trying to take over, but let it grow in various other corners of the garden.
Those interested: by asking for Linaria alpina from seedex you will most probably receive this one, so don't hesitate :D
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Mariette on September 17, 2021, 08:43:48 PM
Thanks for the hint, Gabriela!  :)

The white form of Anemonopsis macrophylla better sets off the lovely buds and flowers, I think.

(https://up.picr.de/42057796co.jpg)

Soft tints of Anemone tomentosa ´Föräldrarhemmet´

(https://up.picr.de/42057786pd.jpg)

Clematis ´Cote d´Azur´with Geranium ´Rozanne´

(https://up.picr.de/42057815rf.jpg)

Eupatorium rugosum

(https://up.picr.de/42057817cu.jpg)

Digitalis grandiflora reblooming.

(https://up.picr.de/42057816fu.jpg)
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Herman Mylemans on September 18, 2021, 01:12:31 PM
Echinacea 'Butterfly Kisses'

Verbena bonariensis 'Lollipop'
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Carolyn on September 18, 2021, 03:48:43 PM


Linaria aeruginea - Carolyn described it very well. Cute but I had to remove it completely from my small rockery, where it was trying to take over, but let it grow in various other corners of the garden.
Those interested: by asking for Linaria alpina from seedex you will most probably receive this one, so don't hesitate :D

I’ll be sending some in to the seed exchange correctly named!  :)
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gabriela on September 19, 2021, 08:55:37 PM
The white Anemonopsis macrophylla is particulalry delightful Mariette.

The first Giant appeared, probably still too warm for Crocus speciosus, some new Aster dumosus to enrich the fall decor and Allium pseudojaponicum looking very nice in buds - thanks to Kris. I like it that it starts flowering before A. thunbergii.
[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: cohan on September 21, 2021, 01:56:58 AM

I think it was Primula florindae which suffered from heat and drought both, because my hose isn't long enough and anyway we have water from our own well and I try to save water only to the edible plants and pots. In the end they flowered very well in August, and there is still one tall flower in it now when usually they are well over in September. I think it was the rains which encouraged it to make more flowers even now.



Here is a picture of Primula florindae flower I wrote about, it was taken last week.
Second picture is one of my favourite fern, Dryopteris crassirhizoma and last picture there is one of the earliest Colchicums in my garden. I bought it ten years ago and have been able to divide it already in many beds.

P florindae is not quite satisfied with the moisture here where I grow it either-- after a couple of years, I built up the part of the bed on the south side of the plants, to keep their roots cooler and moister  and a bit more shaded, plus try to keep a very deep mulch-- usu it is enough that they flower, maybe with a bit of extra water on occasions.. This year I didn't think about them during our extra hot and somewhat dry weather until it had already been like that for a while-- them I gave them some extra waterings, but seems like it wasn't enough.. eventually when we got some rain in August, a couple of the plants made a short flower stem each (one is flowering now, very unspectacularly) but not much... I probably need to think of a different kind of planting for them that stays wetter..
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: cohan on September 21, 2021, 02:02:12 AM
Quite a few things in flower considering how late it is.

Hieracium intybaceum. I love the luminous pale colour of the flowers, they remind me a little of Crocus scharojanii flavus (or at least photos of it, I've never seen the real thing).


I grow this one too, chosen for those pale yellow flowers-- also attractive, wavy slightly greyish leaves. I find plants short lived (even biennial? hard to keep track of individuals) but it self sows to maintain itself.  I can see piles of buds and spent flowers on the plant, but only ever see a few open at once, which is a little disappointing.. I've come to suspect, though, that it may be a morning bloomer, and I pretty much never see that garden area in the morning! I also wonder if it would be better in a tougher garden spot where it might grow less vigorously?
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Tristan_He on September 21, 2021, 07:42:28 AM
Cohan and others - it's quite common in Britain for P. florindae and some others in this group to be called 'bog primulas' and not without reason - they are quite happy with their feet sitting permanently in water. If you have a pond edge, or can manufacture this type of environment, they may be happier.
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on September 21, 2021, 09:55:00 AM
Cohan, your experience confirms what I have.

Cohan and others - it's quite common in Britain for P. florindae and some others in this group to be called 'bog primulas' and not without reason - they are quite happy with their feet sitting permanently in water. If you have a pond edge, or can manufacture this type of environment, they may be happier.

I fear that if the soil is moist/wet in winter, and it will then freeze solid which will happen, then the plants die from that, so that is why I haven't tried them in constantly wet place
Still, P.florindae has been easier with me than many plants which need to be moist but not wet.

Others wrote earlier that P x polyanthus has been tolerant of drought and I agree, but here I have lost many polyanthus when I planted them in clay soil which gets wet and frozen in winter. I thought 10 years ago that they were very difficult plants until I succeeded in making beds with lots of humus and there polyanthus have grown very well. I am so happy that finally I have found how to grow Primulas, or at least some of them!
P.veris and also P.elatior have been the easiest primulas here in my garden... but they are yellow at the same time  as dandelions.. :).
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on September 21, 2021, 09:58:06 AM
The white Anemonopsis macrophylla is particulalry delightful Mariette.

Also I have admired Mariette's white Anemonopsis, how beautiful!

About five years ago I sowed Anemonopsis seeds from a forumist, and they are flowering now for the first time.
I like them very much:). They are now in maybe too dry place, and I will have to move them next spring.
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on September 21, 2021, 05:41:21 PM
Thank you for all the comments and postings. They are all very helpful!  8)

No, I am not the Bog King. I am not going to chop down all the Primroses in my garden  :o , however primula x polyanthus is an awkward plant for me. I guess I am the loser in this regard.  :'(  The strong flower colors just do not look right, at least for me in my garden. Maybe, I can turn them into something else - at least this is my hope. Primula eletior is a species that will likely grow in our garden. When I get a chance I will give them a try and see what happens.
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on September 23, 2021, 04:26:58 PM
Robert, I can see your way of thinking about polyanthus, they are not at all graceful flowers. And I guess they also require dividing and other care regularly.
I'm only learning to grow them now, and sow seeds and then save the ones I like most:).

This week we have had the first frosts in two nights, not very cold, only -1,5C, but my zucchinis are now dead.
A picture from a bed which I remade, and which still has empty spots:). I am waiting to receive some bulbs which I'm going to plant there,
and also I think I will move my small Anemonopsis there in the spring. It is nice to have some empty space.
The second picture is from garden when sun was shining one day.
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on September 23, 2021, 05:08:40 PM
Leena,

Your garden looks so lush and nice. It is so dry here in California and we are having yet another heat wave. Yet more heat records may be broken.

I am not going to give up on polyanthus Primulas. Like you saving seed and selecting the ones I like seems best.

Yesterday, I started the first sowing of winter vegetables and flowers. This seems late for some species, however the heat has been never ending this summer and now autumn. I have been waiting on cooler weather that has not stayed around for long. The forecast is for rain in about six or seven days. The last storm brought a few days of cooler weather but no rain to our garden. Hopefully the rain forecast will pan out.
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Mariette on September 23, 2021, 07:35:47 PM
Also I have admired Mariette's white Anemonopsis, how beautiful!

About five years ago I sowed Anemonopsis seeds from a forumist, and they are flowering now for the first time.
I like them very much:). They are now in maybe too dry place, and I will have to move them next spring.
Thank You, Gabriela and Leena, but I think Your Anemonopsis is equally beautiful with its bicoloured flowers! I remember an Anemonopsis macrophylla growing in my father-in-law´s garden many years ago, and it had pale lilac flowers, which looked comparatively dull.
Also bicoloured are the flowers of this silverleaved Cyclamen purpurascens - a great surprise after so many years´ waiting for the first flowers.

(https://up.picr.de/42113206ee.jpg)

Abeliophyllum distichum gone wrong in season.

(https://up.picr.de/42113210qt.jpg)

The outside of the tepals of this Colchicum ´Innocence´shows a thin pink stripe running down from the tips - the first time I noticed this with this variety.

(https://up.picr.de/42113208eo.jpg)

A colchicum-curiosity.

(https://up.picr.de/42113209ll.jpg)

This butterfly used a colchicum flower to spend the night and crawled to the top when the sun was warming up his bedroom.

(https://up.picr.de/42113212yo.jpg)
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ruweiss on September 25, 2021, 08:18:21 PM
Begonia grandis is reliable hardy with us and flowers profusely in late
summer and autumn.
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Andre Schuiteman on September 29, 2021, 11:18:30 AM
Bistorta griffithii, a striking Himalayan species that likes a damp spot.
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: cohan on October 14, 2021, 02:44:18 PM
Cohan, your experience confirms what I have.

I fear that if the soil is moist/wet in winter, and it will then freeze solid which will happen, then the plants die from that, so that is why I haven't tried them in constantly wet place
Still, P.florindae has been easier with me than many plants which need to be moist but not wet.

Others wrote earlier that P x polyanthus has been tolerant of drought and I agree, but here I have lost many polyanthus when I planted them in clay soil which gets wet and frozen in winter. I thought 10 years ago that they were very difficult plants until I succeeded in making beds with lots of humus and there polyanthus have grown very well. I am so happy that finally I have found how to grow Primulas, or at least some of them!
P.veris and also P.elatior have been the easiest primulas here in my garden... but they are yellow at the same time  as dandelions.. :).

Tristan-- I do know they'd like that sort of setting, but I have nothing of the kind in the garden or anywhere in the managed parts of the property -I've considered planting some in natural wet areas at the back of the acreage but a) it is quite wooded, might be too shady b)it's a natural area, so not convinced planting exotic plants is a great idea! c)it's rather far from the house, so I wouldn't see them often, anyway...lol I did redig the bed and plant them a bit below grade with a more peaty (from soil on the acreage) soil and deep mulch I add to each year.  that will have to suffice them for now- they do well enough in years with more rain in mid-summer.
I also have P viallii which is also supposed to prefer boggy conditions-- and made a very small area between rock beds- I dug well below grade, into clayey soil, pounded the soil  at the base to make it less draining, and filled with peaty/humusy soil from natural wetlands on the acreage- whenever i do water (not often) or have buckets of rain water to empty, I aim for that spot! Th eleaves are not huge, it would prob like even more water or richer soil, but it has more flowers each year, growing with a local Platanthera which is very happy, and Rubus arcticus which is probably much too happy...lol

Leena-- I also have P elatior in several spots, very unfussy here. I forget now whether it flowers exactly with dandelions, but I do try to choose other colours of flowers in late spring/early summer for that same reason...lol
I have never noticed/thought about plants having problems with wet soil freezing in winter-- all soil here is frozen solid for many months- -the only exception could be powder dry soil, but that is mostly only under spruce trees, and I have no plantings in those places!
Title: Re: September 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: cohan on October 14, 2021, 02:46:05 PM
Bistorta griffithii, a striking Himalayan species that likes a damp spot.

that's a cool one!
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