Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => Flowers and Foliage Now => Topic started by: ashley on March 02, 2024, 08:26:59 AM
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Can anyone please identify this willow?
I suspect it's fairly widely available in Scotland.
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There will be people with far more shrub expertise than me, but might it be Salix gracistyla 'Mt Aso' ?
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Rhododendron occidentale ‘Early First Contact’ is coming into bloom. This clone is one of 5 selections I made from plants found in the canyon of the North Fork of the Feather River in 2004. I became aware of these plants back in the early 1980’s when my fishing friend George and I would go fishing on Chips Creek, a tributary of the North Fork.
These clones have proven to be extremely heat tolerant and tolerant of less than ideal growing conditions here in our Sacramento garden.
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The 5 selections I made from the North Fork site all bloom 2 months earlier than the type species. There were many other Rhododendron occidentale plants growing at this site, some of which bloom much later in the season. The large yellow blotch on the upper petal and pink floral tubes are attractive characteristics of this selection. The yellowish coloration of the expanding flower buds is unusual for the inland race of Rhododendron occidentale, and is very attractive.
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This is a nice batch of seedlings of Primula (Dodecatheon) hendersonii RMB 944. This seed accession came from a unique ecotype of this species I found at an elevation of 5,105 feet (1,556 meters) in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of El Dorado County, California. The scapes of this ecotype are much shorter than those of the type species and they bloom about a month later. This ecotype of Primula hendersonii can be placed, taxonomically, somewhere between Primula hendersonii and Primula subalpina/P. hendersonii var. yosemitanum, found in the Central and Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. This ecotype lacks the red roots associated with P. subalpina and is found well north of the range of P. subalpina.
This ecotype has grown well in our Sacramento garden for many years and appears capable of hybridizing with other forms of Primula hendersonii. In addition, this ecotype appears to have some tolerance to summertime irrigation when the plants are dormant. Additional trials and research are needed.
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This is a nice batch of seedlings of Primula (Dodecatheon) hendersonii RMB 944. This seed accession came from a unique ecotype of this species I found at an elevation of 5,105 feet (1,556 meters) in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of El Dorado County, California.
This ecotype has grown well in our Sacramento garden for many years and appears capable of hybridizing with other forms of Primula hendersonii. In addition, this ecotype appears to have some tolerance to summertime irrigation when the plants are dormant. Additional trials and research are needed.
Do you think it is also hardier as comes from a higher elevation?
Very nice azaleas! :)
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Early spring here in ON, although the winter is not gone yet. Huge variations in temperatures from one day to another.
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Galanthus nivalis. G. elwesii and hybrids have been flowering since February.
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Hellborus purpurascens, usually the first, or the second after H. niger.
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Hi Leena,
Yes, the high elevation forms of Primula (Dodecatheon) hendersonii are certainly hardier to cold weather than the lower elevation forms of this species. How much cold hardiness they might possess remains to be determined. Additional trials need to be conducted beyond the range of our Sacramento garden.
Currently the site where I originally gathered seed is covered by 30 inches (76.2 cm) of snow. On 28 February of this year there was no snow on the ground. With climatic change, fluctuating periods between snow cover and snow free conditions are typical for this site during the winter months. When there is no snow cover, it is not unusual to have below freezing temperatures penetrate well below the soil surface. I have researched this site for many years and have extensive site-specific climatic data sets, as well as data on soil temperatures fluctuations at various depths, and the response of many plant species to the many environmental variables they encounter. It is all very interesting, and hopefully will eventually lead to improved plants for the garden.
If I remember correctly, your garden will start into early spring growth within the coming 30 days. I look forward to seeing your garden as it emerges into new growth. It is always such a pleasure to see. :)
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Here in California spring is progressing. Pictured above is Erythranthe bicolor RMB 1017. This is a new accession for me. I obtained the seeds from a relatively low elevation site (3,354 feet, 1,022 meters) in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The plants are noticeably precocious in their blooming cycle compared to the higher elevation forms of this species that I grow.
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Dipterostemon capitatus ssp. capitatus RMB 1003 is another new accession. This form was obtained from 1,525 feet (465 meters) in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This form is also a very early bloomer. This is not an unusual characteristic of this species, but it does extend the blooming period for this species in our garden.
Gabriela
Your spring garden is looking great. 8) :)
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Gabriela, you have had a really nice and early spring this year, and everything is already flowering so much! :)
For some reason it seems that when you have warmer winter, here it is colder and vice versa. There is still snow, and even when days may be one or two degrees above zero when the nights are -5 - -10C snowmelting is really slow.
Robert, you are right: spring comes here in April. :)
Picture from last week.
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Robert, the range of flowering plants in Your garden is amazing compared with the limited choice we enjoy right now! Your Rhododendron occidentale is very beautiful and scented, I trust, too. This species is available in Europe, also, but would flower one or two months later. Nevertheless, it´s good to learn that it´s rather heat-resistant. In my garden, I lost 2/3 of the rhododendrons thriving for 30 years due to the hotter summers since 2013.
Dipterostemon capitatus ssp. capitatus is a very pretty perennial hardly known hereabouts, but would require rock garden conditions in areas with often very humid summers like ours, I fear.
Erythranthe bicolor has a very attractive flowers, too. As an annual, it perhaps might prove more adapting to our climate.
Gabriela, it´s very comforting that flowers in Your garden do not differ much from those in ours right now! The flowers of Your Helleborus purpurascens have an exceptionally good blue!
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Robert, the range of flowering plants in Your garden is amazing compared with the limited choice we enjoy right now! Your Rhododendron occidentale is very beautiful and scented, I trust, too. This species is available in Europe, also, but would flower one or two months later. Nevertheless, it´s good to learn that it´s rather heat-resistant. In my garden, I lost 2/3 of the rhododendrons thriving for 30 years due to the hotter summers since 2013.
Hi Mariette,
Right now the garden is just starting into its main spring blooming period.
Yes, my early blooming forms of Rhododendron occidentale are very fragrant. The coastal race of Rhododendron occidentale is the dominant form circulating in horticulture. The coastal race and the interior race from the Sierra Nevada Mountains are similar in appearance, but very different in their tolerance of high temperatures and low atmospheric humidity during the summertime. For example, most of the well-known Smith-Mossman selections of Rhododendron occidentale will not survive or grow poorly in interior California gardens where temperatures are extremely high during the summer. In addition, much of the flower color distinction of the Smith-Mossman selections is dependent on cool temperatures during their flowering cycle. In hot weather the pigmentations are much less intense.
We have lost almost all of our Rhododendrons that once grew in our Sacramento garden. Many deciduous azaleas still grow well. Rhododendron austrinum is a good example.
Dipterostemon capitatus ssp. capitatus is a very pretty perennial hardly known hereabouts, but would require rock garden conditions in areas with often very humid summers like ours, I fear.
Many of the Themidaceae species are tolerant of some summertime moisture. It all depends on the species. Triteleia hyacinthina is frequently found in seasonally borderline hydric sites. I have found this species to be very tolerant of summertime irrigation in our Sacramento garden. Other species have tolerance to summertime soil moisture too. Trials need to be conducted.
Erythranthe bicolor has a very attractive flowers, too. As an annual, it perhaps might prove more adapting to our climate.
Erythranthe bicolor is found in vernally moist sites. At the high end of their elevation range they are frequently seen growing and blooming where lingering snow recently melted. I strongly suspect that they would be very easy to cultivate. The plants I have grown over the years have demonstrated a range of genetic variability. I have a number of distinct breeding lines that I maintain. Additional trials are needed with this species too.
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Our Sweetwater Creek selection of Erythronium multiscapideum is coming into bloom now. This seed accession is from 2017. The colony is growing and spreading rapidly after 7 years. Unlike our Deer Valley form of Erythronium multiscapideum this form spreads rapidly from underground rhizomes. It also does not bloom as profusely as our Deer Valley form. The colony from which I gathered seed was ancient and its size could be measured in square kilometers! Most of the plants grow under the dense chaparral plant canopy. Blooming plants have always been difficult to find within this colony of plants. I have been aware of this colony since the 1970’s and I have never observed a profuse blooming cycle.
The colonies of Erythronium multiscapideum from the Rubicon River canyon in the Sierra Nevada Mountains bloom profusely, or at least they did before an overgrowth of native brush began to encroach into this site. Recently, a wildfire burned through this area. I need to get back to this site and see how conditions have changed. There are other fascinating plants in this area too. This is another good reason to check on this site.
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Many other California native annuals are just starting into bloom in our Sacramento garden. I grow many of my new miniature Narcissus hybrids in pots. Volunteer seedlings of California native annuals frequently come up in the pots. I always let some of them grow – maybe not such a good idea with the Narcissus seedlings – but it all seems to work out and I get to enjoy the blooming annuals. Pictured is Eschscholzia caespitosa and Nemophila maculata.
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In this pot Eschscholzia caespitosa and Eschscholzia lobbii ‘Sundew’ are growing side-by-side. The Narcissus seedlings seem to grow up though the Eschscholzia foliage and grow well, sometimes even blooming. I keep first year seedlings weed free.
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Soldanella hungarica flowers very early in acid soil.
The strange flowers of Asarum maximum in the Alpine House. I tried it in the open garden, but
was not really succesful with it.
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The Soldanella is so lovely Rudi!
Leena, Mariette and Robert - thank you, I am happy to see early flowers, but it is not spring yet here! April is usually when the 'regular' spring starts.
It is unfortunate that we had some very warm days and rains and various species have sprung into growth. Last night again we returned to -6C, and next week winter will return. In such years, the early spring plants are compromised with too much variations from warm to cold and war again.
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Thank you, Gabriela, this is the only Soldanella species which does well
in our hot garden.
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Rhododendron hippophaeoides 'Haba Shan' is always early, but this year even earlier than usual.
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Phone pictures, so forgive the quality!
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A different leaf form of Lysimachia christinae under lights inside
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Corydalis sheareri survived the winter here uncovered
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Corydalis flexuosa, a recent collection
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Cyclamen coum has been in flower for well over a month
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Eranthis stellata is going over
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...while Allium aff. funkiifolium just started.
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Corydalis yanhusuo, not very pretty color...
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Corydalis fumariifolia showing a huge variability in foliage
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...hunting neighbour's chickens
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Very interesting plants and pictures, arisaema! No need to excuse for the quality! To grow Eranthis stellata in the garden is one of my dreams that will never become true. Allium aff. funkiifolium looks very interesting - what are its needs in the garden?
Andre, Your rhododendron has a sumptuous colour!
ruweiss, I like Your soldanella! When I started this garden, I was able to grow the ordinary S. montana for some years, but that´s long ago. I tried Asarum maximum in the garden, too, but it seems too prone to slugs.
The colony is growing and spreading rapidly after 7 years. Unlike our Deer Valley form of Erythronium multiscapideum this form spreads rapidly from underground rhizomes. It also does not bloom as profusely as our Deer Valley form. The colony from which I gathered seed was ancient and its size could be measured in square kilometers! Most of the plants grow under the dense chaparral plant canopy. Blooming plants have always been difficult to find within this colony of plants. I have been aware of this colony since the 1970’s and I have never observed a profuse blooming cycle.
The colonies of Erythronium multiscapideum from the Rubicon River canyon in the Sierra Nevada Mountains bloom profusely, or at least they did before an overgrowth of native brush began to encroach into this site.
Robert, it´s good to learn that some clones of Erythronium multiscapideum clump well whereas others don´t. I´ve got one which didn´t clump for more than 10 years, still there are two stalks only. At least it flowers regularly. :) I noticed that clones of trilliums behave similarly, but wasn´t aware that it might be the same with Erythronium multiscapideum. Also, I haven´t heard that European E. densiflorum shows such differences in growth.
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Allium aff. funkiifolium looks very interesting - what are its needs in the garden?
It's very easy and hardy, grows in similar conditions to Allium ursinum, although a lot slower to multipy.
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Thank You for Your information, arisaema! It would be great if it wouldn´t self-seed like Allium ursinum, which is a terrible weed in my garden. Otherwise the purple tinge of the leaves make it look very attractive!
Another allium which I estimate for its leaves is A. victorialis var. platyphyllum, which starts growing earlier in the year and looks nice with snowdrops. This never self-seeded, unfortunately.
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It flowers about the same time as Allium ursinum, old pic.
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Another plant which self-seeds is Ficaria verna ´Randall´s White´, conquering even the meadow.
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Also a self-sown seedling, in this case of Scilla ´Norman Stevens´. I wonder if that plant is Scilla bifolia, indeed, as it shows features of what used to be called chionodoxa.
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Also self-sown is this mahonia, but welcome, as it´s a good match for the white chaenomeles.
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After 3 days of strong, dry north winds, the weather has turned calm. Warm sunny spring-like weather appears to be the trend for the next 10-14 days.
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Arctostaphylos glandulosa ssp. glandulosa RMB 741 is blooming for the first time in our Sacramento garden. This accession is from an elevation of 3,272 ft. (997 meters) on the lower slopes of Snow Mountain, Colusa County, California. It is a very typical specimen of the species and has been easy-to-grow in our garden. Exceptional forms of this species would be well worth developing for garden application.
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A number of Pulmonaria are coming into bloom in our garden. All except one have been grown from seed. Self-seeding in the garden is encouraged. A range of color forms and leaf patterns appears from these self-sown seedlings.
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Pulmonaria ‘Benediction’ is the only named variety of Pulmonaria in our garden. This variety has rich blue flowers.
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Pulmonaria ‘Benediction’ looking good with our Sweetwater Creek form of Erythronium multiscapideum.
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Phacelia campanularia is still looking fairly good after the windstorm.
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Narcissus obesus is a good late blooming Narcissus species. This species thrives in our garden and is the parent of many new hybrids coming along in our breeding program.
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Our Ranunculus occidentalis hybrids are looking great despite the wind storm.
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In this photograph, the long blooming stems of our Ranunculus occidentalis hybrids can be seen extending well above the basal rosettes at ground level. The hybrids now seed about freely in our garden. The goal is to create large swaths of yellow flowers throughout the early spring garden. This is an image I see all the time in our native Californian landscape and hope to replicate in our Sacramento garden.
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Robert,
We grow many of the same or similar plants; but, mine are about 5 weeks behind yours.
Those were some lovely blooms in the last 2 posts.
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Corydalis flexuosa, a recent collection
Corydalis fumariifolia showing a huge variability in foliage
Arisaema, that is a very nice foliage in C.flexuosa.
Your picture of C.fumariifolia variability in foliage is interesting. I have two plants bought as C.fumariifolia, and they have different foliage, and I've been wondering if they both are fumariifolia, but perhaps they are when also your plants have so much variability. How can you tell C.fumariifolia apart from C.turtschaninovii?
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Mariette and Robert, wonderful spring colour in your pictures.
I especially liked the view with Ranunculus ficaria and combinations with other plants, and Pulmonarias in Robert's pictures. I find it interesting that they grow well even when your temperatures are so much higher in summer than here.
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Hi Leena
It must be getting close to complete winter snowmelt and the emergence of your early spring plants in your garden. I always enjoy the pictorial tour of your garden and all the beauty. 8) 8) :) :)
Pulmonarias are such versatile and easy-to-please plants. Yes, they grow extremely well in our garden despite our long, hot summer weather. I have other plants that I work with intensely, so I am very content letting them seed around the garden. I also like to stretch the limits of creativity. No rules here! Common/ rare, easy-to-grow/challenging to grow – for me it is about creating something beautiful that pleases me. I guess the American, Rick Rubin, has influenced me. I do not even know who this guy is. Jasmin read to me an article from NPR radio about his creative philosophy. Hum…. It seemed good enough to me and very liberating. ???
Currently our weather is warm and sunny. Daytime high temperatures are running about 75 F (24 C). Our garden is exploding into growth.
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The front yard strip is starting to look good. The spring Crocuses and Narcissus species have finished.
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Tulips are starting into bloom. I grow generic varieties found at our local garden centers. This is good enough for me. The question is how do I use them creatively in our garden.
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I like this low, mat-forming, gray-leave Potentilla. It grows very slowly and the yellow flowers and gray foliage are very attractive. I have no idea what species it might be, but this does not natter. What is important is that it works in our garden and I like it a great deal. I have grown this species for over 45 years.
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This Erythranthe guttata seedling has attractive reddish foliage during cold weather. Now that it has turned warm the leaves will turn green. This species will bloom profusely for many weeks a little later in the spring. I work a great deal with this species and have a number of distinct lines I am developing.
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This is a combination I hope works well – Phacelia campanularia with Eschscholzia lobbii ‘Sundew’. I like the light dark combination. They also might be near the opposite ends of the color wheel. I would need to ask an artist.
This front strip also has other Erythranthe species, Diplacus species, a number of Clarkia species, and various Penstemon species. I am hoping for flowers into early summer. I am working with California native Symphyotrichum, Doellingeria, Eurybia and other potentially late summer-early autumn blooming species to complete the blooming cycle throughout the growing season. We shall see how this turns out.
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In the back yard Diplacus pictus is coming into bloom. This tiny species is best grown in tubs or raised planters where the tiny plants can be protected and the flowers appreciated.
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I grow this Gladiolus alatus in a tub. The bright colors work well in our California style garden.
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Hi Mariette,
Currently, Erythronium oregonum is coming into bloom in our garden. I thought you might find these photographs interesting.
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The group of plants in this set of photographs is a little over 10 years old. Compared to Erythronium multiscapideum they have produced few or no offsets. They are even markedly slower to produce offsets than our Deer Valley form of Erythronium multiscapideum, which is very tight growing (in this case a quality I like).
Many of the plants produce beautifully mottled leaves. I have hybrids with our Deer Valley form of Erythronium multoscapideum. They have a few more years to go before they bloom.
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10 years old and no offsets.
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10 years old and only one offset.
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10 years old and three offsets, yet no flowers. I cannot remember if this plant bloomed last year. I will have to pay closer attention each season.
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I also like to stretch the limits of creativity. No rules here! Common/ rare, easy-to-grow/challenging to grow – for me it is about creating something beautiful that pleases me.
I liked what you wrote, what a good philosophy to garden!
And your pictures show how beautiful your garden is in my eyes, too. You are lucky that you have so many interesting and beautiful native plants to work with.
By the way, I got Dodecatheon (primula) frigida, pauciflorum and hendersonii seeds from the seed ex, have sown them now outside in pots, so they get first cold for a month or so (I hope it is long enough), and hopefully germinate later in the spring. :)
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Leena,
...., I got Dodecatheon (primula) frigida, pauciflorum and hendersonii seeds from the seed ex, have sown them now outside in pots, so they get first cold for a month or so (I hope it is long enough), and hopefully germinate later in the spring. :)
8) :) I am going to be extremely interested to know how these species preform in your garden, especially Primula (Dodecatheon) hendersonii. By any chance do you know the origin of the P. hendersonii seed? This species has a huge geographic range throughout North America and grows under diverse climatic/ecological circumstances. The origin of the seed might strongly influence the probability of success with this species in your garden.
.... and your pictures show how beautiful your garden is in my eyes, too. You are lucky that you have so many interesting and beautiful native plants to work with.
Thank you. :) I equally enjoy the beauty of your garden - even when there is snow cover. There can be such beauty in the texture of the snow and the shapes created as it mounds over plants. Snowmelt can be especially nice as flowers and green shoots emerge through the melting snow. When I lived full time in the Sierra Nevada foothills, I enjoyed the Crocuses blooming through a light covering of snow.
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I am so pleased with this healthy pot full of Viola sheltonii seedlings. It has been such a difficult species for me to please. I have made continual efforts to cultivate this species with many failures. I learn something from each failure, so steady progress is being made to create enduring, healthy plants for our garden. I can now maintain this perennial species for more than one year. Hopefully these seedlings will bloom next year and produce viable seed. This will be another important leap forward with this species.
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Lupinus albifrons var. albifrons is another species I am making progress with. This species thrives and is long-lived in our garden, however superior forms can be found in their natural habitat. I am growing and evaluating more seedlings hoping to develop better forms that will breed true from seed.
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Leena,
8) :) I am going to be extremely interested to know how these species preform in your garden, especially Primula (Dodecatheon) hendersonii. By any chance do you know the origin of the P. hendersonii seed? This species has a huge geographic range throughout North America and grows under diverse climatic/ecological circumstances. The origin of the seed might strongly influence the probability of success with this species in your garden.
I'm sorry, there is no way of knowing the origin of seed from seed ex, unless the donator happens to read this. ;)
I knew that they might not be hardy enough to grow here, unless the seed is from higher mountains, but we'll see.
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The early-spring flowering Cypripedium formosanum from Taiwan can form wonderful clumps when it is happy, as it seems to be here. The flowers are frost sensitive and in some years they have turned brown early as a result. Other enemies are slugs and caterpillars that can reduce the flowers to shreds overnight. Fortunately, they don't seem to find the leaves very tasty, just the flowers. This plant grows in very gritty soil mulched with some leaf litter between two deciduous shubs (Rhododendron Crosswater Red and Vaccinium corymbosum 'Chandler') that provide shade during the summer, while allowing plenty of light in the spring.
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that is an impressive clump
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The early-spring flowering Cypripedium formosanum from Taiwan can form wonderful clumps when it is happy, as it seems to be here. The flowers are frost sensitive and in some years they have turned brown early as a result. Other enemies are slugs and caterpillars that can reduce the flowers to shreds overnight. Fortunately, they don't seem to find the leaves very tasty, just the flowers. This plant grows in very gritty soil mulched with some leaf litter between two deciduous shubs (Rhododendron Crosswater Red and Vaccinium corymbosum 'Chandler') that provide shade during the summer, while allowing plenty of light in the spring.
Great clump Andre! Congratulations!
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I'm sorry, there is no way of knowing the origin of seed from seed ex, unless the donator happens to read this. ;)
I knew that they might not be hardy enough to grow here, unless the seed is from higher mountains, but we'll see.
Hi Leena,
Thank you for answering my question. There is only so much I can determine about some of the species I enjoy growing here in Sacramento. I am completely dependent on feedback from gardeners in other regions to share their experiences with these plants. So thank you. 8) :) And thank you to the other Forumist that share their gardening experiences on the Forum. The learning experience is something that I enjoy greatly.
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Each year the composition of our front border strip improves.
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In this photograph Tulipa clusiana ‘Peppermint Stick’ is combining well with dark hybrid tulips and a variety of California native annuals.
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This is another view of the border from a different perspective.
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I do the best I can to develop plants for practical application in our Sacramento, California garden. Our third generation Phacelia campanularia line is performing extremely well in the open garden. Plants in this line are being selected for strong performance in an open garden setting, a prolonged blooming cycle, with abundant flowers. We are well on our way to obtaining this goal.
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In our back yard Erythronium oregonum is coming into bloom.
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I am generally not satisfied growing a single specimen or a single generation of plants of any given species. I seek to bring out the best qualities in a species by growing multiple generations of plants from genetically diverse populations in our garden. I am always on the lookout for appealing recombinations of genes as well as noteworthy mutations that may have horticultural value. With perennial species the process takes longer than with annual species, however once the process is started each season brings something new to watch and evaluate. Eventually, each morning throughout the year brings something new to see in the garden. For me this is also a gardening success and a very satisfying creative process.
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Camassia leichtlinii ssp. suksdorfii is coming into bloom. I also work with this species. The process is slow as it takes seedlings many years to develop. Patience is required, but I enjoy all the incremental steps in the process.
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Our Napa County form of Triteleia laxa is always the first to start blooming in our Sacramento garden.
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Viburnum bitchiuense is now blooming. The fragrance of this species is divine.
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Robert, many thanks for your pictures and reports of the plants in
your climatic zone, we can learn a lot about the cultivation of US plants.
Here are 2 pictures of Asiatic plants: Amana edulis and Bergenia ciliata
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however once the process is started each season brings something new to watch and evaluate. Eventually, each morning throughout the year brings something new to see in the garden. For me this is also a gardening success and a very satisfying creative process.
You are so right about that! Sowing seeds every year and then there is always something to look forward.
Very nice front border with tulips, so natural looking. :)
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Hi Leena,
Very nice front border with tulips, so natural looking. :)
Thank you for the comment about our front border. :) It is a work in progress (most likely never ending, ever evolving). I do not like a garden full of individual specimens, one each of every species. A single specimen here and there as an accent works for me, but in general I like drifts of the same species scattered around randomly – like what I see in nature. Working with a large variety of plants works for me too as long as I do not end up with one of each. Slowly I am attempting to orchestrate a naturalistic garden with and an expanded palette of plants. I just kind of do things with “no mind” (Zen a concept) and see what happens. If nature takes over, in a way I like, so much the better, but then nature generally has its way anyway. There is so much to enjoy about gardening.
Hi Rudi,
Robert, many thanks for your pictures and reports of the plants in
your climatic zone, we can learn a lot about the cultivation of US plants.
Thank you.
I certainly enjoy the range of plants you show in your garden and alpine house. Many are species that I am not at all familiar with. Being exposed to them certainly gets me thinking about our garden in unexpected ways. So thank you for sharing so much.
BTW – I enjoyed your photograph of Lewisia tweedyi immensely. Isn’t that how it turns out sometimes, the plants that seeds out in an unexpected location turns out to be the finest specimen.
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I thought that readers would like this photograph. The photograph was taken over 10 years ago, in the Deer Valley region of El Dorado County, California. It is the colony of Erythronium multiscapideum from which our Deer Valley line was derived. They are such beautiful plants and I am so happy that they have grown well in our Sacramento garden. They are also the parents of a number of hybrids that are progressing along. I am looking forward to the time when they start blooming. There are so many plants to look forward to as they develop. 8)
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Andre, Your Cypripedium formosanum looks like a fairy- tale-plant!
Rudi, Your two asiatics are very interesting - what is the one in the second pic?
Robert, last year I got a bag of seed of Phacelia campanularia. The blue is of almost incredible intensity, it´s a gorgeous annual. Comparing what I grew with Your plants, one can well see the difference. Mine were of ungainly, spindly growth, whereas Yours form nice clumps. Obviously, You are very successful in improving the plant´s habit. Congratulations!
Your erythroniums are always a delight! Today I was surprised that Erythronium californicum is about to flower - I expected it to be lost to the slugs.
You mention the mottling of the leaves - once I read that erythroniums growing in dappled shade tend to have mottled leaves, whereas those growing more exposed usually have green leaves. Would You affirm that from Your observations?
Since many years, Camellia japonica ´Imbricata Alba´ grows in my garden. Often the white flowers show pink stripes, but this year it sported a completely pink flower.
(https://up.picr.de/47277945vk.jpg)
A shrub I like is Ribes ´White Icicle´ with its almost weeping habit.
(https://up.picr.de/47310113qn.jpg)
(https://up.picr.de/47310116fi.jpg)
This shrub sets comparatively few seeds, some of them were sown several years ago. To my surprise, all seedlings show an upright growth and glowing pink colour of the flowers.
(https://up.picr.de/47310117hk.jpg)
Scilla lilio-hyacinthus is doing well in my garden.
(https://up.picr.de/47310107ig.jpg)
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Primulas self-seed in my garden.
(https://up.picr.de/47310109gy.jpg)
An old variety of narcissus, perhaps somebody can tell if it´s ´Mrs. Langtry´? I like the flowers of the grass by its side, too - Luzula sylvatica ´Aurea´.
(https://up.picr.de/47310108dl.jpg)
I grew Arum creticum potted for 8 years, where it clumped excessively but never flowered. Now, in the border, it´s obviously happier.
(https://up.picr.de/47310112ek.jpg)
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Robert, thank you for your kind comment.
Mariette, sorry that I didn't add the name to this plant. It is Bergenia ciliata, the flowers start very easy and get
usually destroyed by frost. The leaves start later and grow really big until early frosts in autumn kills them.
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Robert, last year I got a bag of seed of Phacelia campanularia. The blue is of almost incredible intensity, it´s a gorgeous annual. Comparing what I grew with Your plants, one can well see the difference. Mine were of ungainly, spindly growth, whereas Yours form nice clumps. Obviously, You are very successful in improving the plant´s habit. Congratulations!
You mention the mottling of the leaves - once I read that erythroniums growing in dappled shade tend to have mottled leaves, whereas those growing more exposed usually have green leaves. Would You affirm that from Your observations?
Hi Mariette,
Mottled leaves on Erythronium species. I am not sure what is involved. I see mottled leaves on plants in full sun and shade. Also blooming and non-blooming bulbs. I have never seen mottled leaves on young developing plants. There appears to be some degree of maturity necessary before they develop mottling. This is my experience in California. It might be different somewhere else. For me lots of unknowns.
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The leggy and spindly growth you experience with your Phacelia campanularia seedlings might be a function of net solar radiation and day length. Phacelia campanularia is native to the Mojave Desert of California at ± 35 north latitude. This species grows in openings between the taller growing trees (Pinyon Pine) and desert shrubs. Although winters can and do have overcast skies and precipitation, net solar radiation and day length are much greater during the winter months than your location in Germany (somewhere between 54 N to 48 N). Here in Sacramento we are at 38 N. This is not far removed from 35 N in the Mojave Desert. Although I do select for compact habit of growth, spindly and leggy growth is never an issue.
It might be worth experimenting by sowing seeds at intervals throughout the spring and see if longer days and more net solar radiation allows the seedlings to develop properly. You might find that seeds sown in April or May do much better. This might not be worth the effort or of interest, but this is something that any gardener in your situation could try.
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I do get off-type seedlings. This pale Phacelia campanularia can be rogued out (to maintain or improve the seed line) or isolated if I see some characteristics I like for future use.
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This is my upright selection of Erythranthe bicolor. When observed closely it is very apparent that this species exhibits a great deal of genetic variability. They are pretty plants and enjoyable to work with.
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Layia gaillardioides is another favorite California native annual.
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Making practical use of our California native annuals in our Sacramento garden is a primary goal.
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These Polyanthus Primula have been in our garden for over 20 years.
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I think that Jasmin found them discarded, thrown into the street to be picked up as garbage. These plants have been “tough-as-nails”, enduring heat, drought, and many years of neglect. Amazing!
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Primula veris has been easy-to-grow in our garden. I do give them much more attention and care. I wish that they set seed – who knows what could be developed from these plants?
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Rhododendron occidentale ‘Early Cream Pink’ is coming into bloom now. This too is one of my selections from the North Fork of the Feather River, in Northern California. They are extremely heat tolerant and very early blooming.
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This selection has pink pigmentation on the inner portion of the petals. This characteristic is quite attractive and is extremely unusual for plants of the interior California race of Rhododendron occidentale.
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Rhododendron austrinum ‘Moonbeam’ is our earliest blooming form of Rhododendron austrinum. We have a number of selections of this species in our Sacramento garden. They range in color from yellow, to creamy pink-orange, to bright orange. All have proven to be extremely heat tolerant, and resistant to the xenobiotics in the air and water. They are excellent plants for our garden. I like the flower fragrance too.
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(https://i.imgur.com/Ki0ILbLl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/UFa9W8Pl.jpg)
Magnolia 'Genie'
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We had a Easter Meeting with the family in our meadow garden and were surprised
to see the first Paeonia flowers of the year. I got this plant some years ago from a friend
as P. mlokosewitschii, but am in doubt, if this the true thing.
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Not sure if that is pure Paeonia mlokosewitschii- but I am amazed at how early it is!
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I also think, that this plant is a hybrid, but I like it for the colour and the early flowering.
Most of the other Paeonia species are in buds, this year earlier than in former years.
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Regarding Phacelia campaularia, I grew in from seed way back in 2007, the seed from Thompson & Morgan. Not really knowing what I was doing, I planted it inside first, in Minnesota (45° N lattitude). I started them in early April in a south window, they sprouted easily, and immediately went into flowering mode with just two true leaves! I kept cutting the flower buds off, but the increase in plant size was minimal, until I was able to plant outside. With continued debudding, they produced little mats of foliage 1-2 inches high.
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I've grown them a few times since, when I was able to find seed; they have always been precocious but not quite so extreme. Never been as low growing either, or with as deep a blue color.
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Robert, thank you for your kind comment.
Mariette, sorry that I didn't add the name to this plant. It is Bergenia ciliata, the flowers start very easy and get
usually destroyed by frost. The leaves start later and grow really big until early frosts in autumn kills them.
Thank You, Rudi! I wasn´t sure if it´s this bergenia. I tried it twice, but it didn´t like my heavy clay.
@ Robert: Thank You for Your explanation regarding the inferior growth of my Phacelia campanularia. Obviously, some plants need the Californian sun to do them justice. Though I was very pleased with the brilliant colour of the flowers, nothing like this over here!
Your erythroniums are really beautiful! My E. multiscapoideum shows more mottling of the leaves than in about 10 years before, I wonder why.
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There will be people with far more shrub expertise than me, but might it be Salix gracistyla 'Mt Aso' ?
Very belated thanks for your suggestion Redmires, which I'll follow up 🙂
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Regarding Phacelia campaularia, I grew in from seed way back in 2007, the seed from Thompson & Morgan. Not really knowing what I was doing, I planted it inside first, in Minnesota (45° N lattitude). I started them in early April in a south window, they sprouted easily, and immediately went into flowering mode with just two true leaves! I kept cutting the flower buds off, but the increase in plant size was minimal, until I was able to plant outside. With continued debudding, they produced little mats of foliage 1-2 inches high.
I've grown them a few times since, when I was able to find seed; they have always been precocious but not quite so extreme. Never been as low growing either, or with as deep a blue color.
Hi Rick,
Your experiences cultivating Phacelia campanularia at 45 N are very interesting. Based on what you have related, it appears that there is a way forward with the cultivation of Phacelia campanularia in far northern latitudes. With the correct sowing time and cultivation techniques it might be quite easy.
As for off-type seed lines…. Maybe it is the farmer in me? Given my goals with horticulture, as much as possible, I maintain my own seed lines, which includes many perennial species. After all, in agriculture the quality of a seed line can make the difference between survival and perishing. My goal is to maintain as much genetic diverse as possible, yet maintain purity to species or varietal characteristics. Genetic diversity needs to be maintained with out-breeding species and excessive inbreeding is a poor strategy for maintaining in-breeding species. Maintaining quality seed lines requires time and precise effort, however the rewards, for me, are worth the time and attention.
I do get off-type pale blue Phacelia campanularia seedlings that need to be rogued-out to keep my deep blue seed line well maintained. The percentage is small and to me is an indication that I am maintaining a reasonable degree of genetic diversity in this seed line.