Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => Flowers and Foliage Now => Topic started by: KentGardener on January 01, 2007, 10:08:51 AM

Title: Early January 2007
Post by: KentGardener on January 01, 2007, 10:08:51 AM: Hi All

I trust there are not too many hangovers lurking!

Not a lot happening in the garden so thought I would start a January thread with some flowers in my conservatory.

With best wishes for 2007

John
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: mark smyth on January 01, 2007, 12:32:05 PM: variegated Clivias?
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: KentGardener on January 01, 2007, 02:54:53 PM: yep - I think they have a lot more 'year round interest' than the standard green ones. The one in flower is not variegated though.

John
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Joakim B on January 01, 2007, 03:13:10 PM: What colour is it on the flowers of the variegated? I was also a bit surpised of seeing a variegated clivia. Are they blooming as frequently as others and do they get more light?

Nice plants
Joakim
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Ian Y on January 01, 2007, 03:21:28 PM: Thanks for opening the January page John.
I just went out in the garden in the dying light to picture what is in flower in the open garden.

[attachthumb=1]
The ever reliable Jasmine nudiflorum

[attachthumb=2]
Another great winter shrub with great scent is Viburnum.

[attachthumb=3]
The first Hamamelis flowers are just emerging.

[attachthumb=4]
A hardy little cyclamen of the florist's variety is still flowering even after -6C last week.

[attachthumb=5]
Last nights strong winds knocked this old pine tree over cracking the pot.
Now I have to either repair the pot or repot it.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: KentGardener on January 01, 2007, 04:05:45 PM: Hi Joakim

the variegated Clivias have been mostly raised from seed and have not yet flowered (one of them was an offset from a rather nicely patterned plant that had very good symmetrical variegation). I hope that 2 of the plants are large enough to flower next year (this year?!...) and are likely to be orange. When they do flower I shall post pictures of the flowers, but there is no guarantee that the flower will be that great - it is for the beautiful foliage that I have given these plants space in my, very small, conservatory.

Most were as the result of breeding carried out by a grower in Sussex (if the seed parent (mother) is a variegated plant then there is a very good chance that the offspring will also be variegated - though how strong or symmetrical the variegation is obviously rather unpredictable).

regards

John
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: KentGardener on January 01, 2007, 04:25:16 PM: Hi Geebo

I did notice when you posted that you had used { rather than [ as the opening bracket for each attachment. The system seems to have realised there was an error and replaced them with a load of other info. You may be able to sort it out by modifying the post and making sure that both the opening and closing brackets for each 'in line' attachment are ] or [.

Do I see the same variegated aspidistra in your Clivia picture?

My 'conservatory' is really more of a glorified 'lean to' - but seats 2 comfortably (4 if pushed) and has enough room to squeeze in as many plants as possible!

regards

John
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: hadacekf on January 02, 2007, 01:33:06 PM: A few shots of my Sternbergia lutea and St. sicula in winter. One sees the size difference of the leaves between the two species.

Sternbergias in meadow
Sternbergia lutea in bulb bed
Sternbergias sicula in bulb bed
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Jozef Lemmens on January 02, 2007, 04:49:44 PM: Dionysias are traditionally one of first flowering plants here in my alpine house. This Dionysia bazoftica 'T4Z-135/Clone 1' is very early. The flowering is not very spectacular.

Jozef

Flowering may not be as much as you would like, Jozef, but the colour is wonderful! Ian
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Geebo on January 02, 2007, 06:48:55 PM: Ok, Going to try To clean up the mess I made Yesterd :'(
Hi Everyone,great to see some colors send in to the forum in the new year to bring some light to the dark day`s.As you say John not too much to see after the storms and continius rain for the last weeks,just seen a few snowdrops,playing peeping tom making an effort to open up by next week.One Hell Niger just one week to late to be a Xmas rose
[attachthumb=1]

Betty Ranicar as shown before is now fully open and reveal her beauty
[attachthumb=2]
hope to do some hybridising with her later.
found a nice picotee in bud with nice markings,first time flowering
[attachthumb=3]
Seen a hepatica nob in flower today to.Great to have a conservatory he John,it is great to dabble away in the cold season he.here is ours
[attachthumb=4]
must admit someone else looks after the maintenance,but I supply.
Ian I love your crocuses and narc when visiting your logb,Im going to spent to much time on it I can feel it.cheers to all and thanks for the patience.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 02, 2007, 08:07:21 PM: Not spectacular? If those Dionysia flowers are even half way true to colour, they are incredible. Superb!
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on January 03, 2007, 08:25:55 AM: I agree with Lesley Jozef ! This is a great Dionysia ! Calling it not spectacular is quite an understatement !
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Alpinejan on January 03, 2007, 11:54:44 AM: Sjef is far to modest,why don't you tell us the trick instead of tantalize me? I have a Dionysia heterotricha that 's on it's way to plantheaven, D. aretioides with (2) flowers, the same for D. iranshara. Moreover propagating was unsuccesfull in 2006 ! My score is near to negative, please count your blessings Mr.Lemmens. Wishing all plantspeople a great GARDENINGYEAR J
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: KentGardener on January 04, 2007, 01:14:00 PM: Hi All

have just taken a photograph of the Galanthus Elsesii Comet that has been flowering for the last week or so.

regards

John
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Geebo on January 04, 2007, 07:42:39 PM: Hi John,
Thats a nice picture of that Gal- comet,hope to show some next week,there are lots of buts showing right know.
The weather has been very mild for the last days.
Yes the variegated plant is an Aspidistra,the plant was giving to me some years ago,most of the ofprings by devision are not variegated at all,just showing a slight shading mark of the leaves,I think the plant is having a virus in the gene.
Our conservatory is not to big either John, a lot of pollinating my helleborus is done in there,you know,no breese,no insects to cross my paths ;) :'(
Geebo
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: snowdropman on January 04, 2007, 08:16:37 PM: Quote from: KentGardener on January 04, 2007, 01:14:00 PM
have just taken a photograph of the Galanthus Elsesii Comet that has been flowering for the last week or so

Nice photo John - interesting how variable the green markings on the outer segments can be with this form - although I only live about 40/50 miles from you my 'Comet' are still a week or so from flowering.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: KentGardener on January 05, 2007, 05:11:59 AM: Quote from: snowdropman on January 04, 2007, 08:16:37 PM
although I only live about 40/50 miles from you my 'Comet' are still a week or so from flowering.

Chris, I shall ask my aunt how her Comet is doing - she is just 25 miles away in the other direction (towards London) - I will let you know. I think it may be because my little garden is quite protected.

Hi Geebo - I have only ever split the aspidistra into two pots each time and the variegation has stayed true. I have found with other variegated plants that if you propagate it into very smal pieces the results are rather variable. I now try to make sure that I only ever split variegated subjects into large chunks with mulitple growing points whenever possible.

with kind regards

John
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Casalima on January 05, 2007, 03:00:23 PM: Another garden centre cyclamen from Portugal, but I'm fond of it. It has a small flower (less than 2cm) and happily grows back each year.

(testing - first time I post a photo)

Chloë
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: chris on January 05, 2007, 09:24:05 PM: Hi Jeff,
this is a wonderful Dionysia, is it possible that it is to dark here for flowering Dionysias?
here is a plant of my collection Asarums and they like a lot of shade, one big problem is that the slugs like them verry much
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 05, 2007, 10:41:11 PM: John,

An excellent Galanthus 'Comet', very nice indeed. Re you exchanges with Chris: perhaps the sheltered nature of your garden favours earlier flowering. The galanthus is obviously enjoying the snug conditions you are providing.

Chris,

You may just be like the rest of us and will have to be patient while they come to bloom in their own good time.

Chloe,

Good cyclamen. By reputation these cyclamen do not last from year to year. Like you, my wife, has several in a pot outside our front door, facing north, and they flower year after year without fail thriving on neglect. If only I could manage to get my cyclamen to grow as well.

Jeff,

Great asarum. I grow A. caudatum and A. europaeum in the garden where they thrive in damp shade and self-seed generously.

Paddy
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: KentGardener on January 06, 2007, 05:49:20 AM: Hi Chris

I have spoken to my aunt and her Galanthus Comet is at least a couple of weeks from flowering - it must just be something local to where I am growing it this year rather than our relative positions in Sussex/Kent/London - I wonder if it will come up for New Year 2008?...

Nothing else seems particularly advanced in my garden (as far as I know with my limited growing experience) - perhaps Comet was just excited about seeing 2007 for some reason!

regards

John
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: John Forrest on January 06, 2007, 05:14:48 PM: Here are a few things in the garden, taken between showers.

1 Schizostylis-coccinea-Pink which is still full of flower after a couple of months.

2 I really like the shape and form of the berries on the Berberis Harlequin

3 Hamamellis mollis detail

4 Camellia double white started to flower just before Christmas. It usually gets browned by the frosts but since there hasn't been one they are in pristine condition (more or less apart from the action of heavy rain)
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 06, 2007, 08:17:57 PM: An exceptional day here today - it was fine, bright and relatively warm, a condition we had almost completely forgotten about over the Christmas as we had gale force winds on most days with heavy rain the normal accompaniment. Today was pleasant and it was a pleasure to get out into the garden.

Photographs of some things in flower today are below.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 06, 2007, 08:19:36 PM: And, I forgot...

Paddy
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: KentGardener on January 07, 2007, 03:01:22 AM: Hi Paddy

thank you for the pictures. Your photos have given me my required daily fix of plantlife.

It has been raining heavily here all day - had a brisk walk round my aunts garden and got absolutely drenched. Did have the camera with me but didn't want to risk it getting soaked too. The cyclamens here are at exactly the same stage as yours are - if it is dry on Sunday I shall see if I can take some shots in my garden.

with kind regards

John
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 07, 2007, 04:13:10 PM: looking forward to them, John.

Paddy
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: KentGardener on January 07, 2007, 04:22:15 PM: Sorry Paddy - I have failed :(

Other things have been cropping up all day and I didn't get any quality garden time :( :(

Fingers crossed that next weekend will allow for a few hours outside (and a bit of dry weather!).

Central London tomorrow :( :( :(

John
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Geebo on January 07, 2007, 07:28:48 PM: Hi To everyone,
Got out yesterday to take a few photographs and practice with the camera.the day was very plesant all day here,got a chance to do a few jobs who were long overdue,
Thanks John for your tip on variegated Aspidistra and co.I will take the advice with pleasure
I have only a few Snowdrops in the garden but nothing very special about,just a few gifts from friends who usual dont know there name,or I forget
[attachthumb=1]
This is one with large leaves,?and flowered last year in April when it was given to me,there are green marks but not visible for the moment
The Hellebores giving me lots of pleasant days,more opening everyday.
[attachthumb=2] [attachthumb=3] [attachthumb=4]

[attachthumb=5] [attachthumb=6]
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: David Shaw on January 07, 2007, 09:36:04 PM: Some very nice cyclamen pictures, Paddy.
Nice day in this part of Scotland; had a good walk and did some garden work.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 08, 2007, 10:31:35 AM: More colour in Ireland than outside in Aberdeen, that's my opinion!
Geebo, so many of our hellebore fans seem to be in Belgium, such as Chris with his famous nursery: have you got continental connections to fuel your love of these flowers?
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 08, 2007, 11:35:51 AM: David and Maggi,

It really was one of those special days, the beautiful day in the middle of a series of dreadfuls ones; the sun shone; the wind didn't blow; it didn't rain and the flowers took advantage and blossomed at their best. Despite the dreadfully dull, windy and wet weather here it has been very mild with daytime temperatures above 10 celcius and nightime temperatures 5, so no frosts since before Christmas. As a result there has been a surge in growth. The downside is that the grass is growing apace but the ground is far too soft to go on it with a lawnmower.

Paddy
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Geebo on January 08, 2007, 07:37:23 PM: Yes Maggy,its amazing how many Hellebores are coming in to flower right now,last year the were much later,Wondering is the long hot summer resposiblle for all this unusual behavior,last year all the seed were starting to germinate early october,this time the are just starting now with a few exeptions.Yesterday i found this Borage in flower with at least a hundered buts [attachthumb=1]
Oh Maggy of course there are the Belgium connections,it must be 15 years now when I got my first Helleborus,from there it was easy to get hooked,it was not difficult to find Chris in my native land and was eager to meet this special man,with his special plants,Chris has been very generous to me true the years,and has always time for a warm welcom,if it was not for Chris I would not have the collection now.
Keep you posted,
Cheers,Geebo

P.S. I joined the SRGC before New Year
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: ian mcenery on January 09, 2007, 04:19:18 PM: Here is one of may favourite Hellebores H Niger. I have several young plants which all seem to be doing well (fingers crossed). Am I doing something wrong? ???
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: annew on January 09, 2007, 07:01:05 PM: Definitely, Ian. I need to give you instruction on how to kill them in short order, as I have many year's experience in this field.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: John Forrest on January 09, 2007, 08:15:44 PM: Me too Anne :'(
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: ian mcenery on January 10, 2007, 12:33:26 AM: Oh Anne and John please don't tell the plants your secrets :D
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: John Forrest on January 10, 2007, 02:12:55 PM: My secret will stay so Ian.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Geebo on January 10, 2007, 07:13:39 PM: Hi Ian,
Please post me a few tips what you are doing wrong with the H. Niger,I shure wil give it a serious try,why are the always going into a sulk with me ?? :'( and then slowly disapering,leaving me with a bunch of black roots.
Cheers,
Geebo.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 10, 2007, 09:28:40 PM: A lovely bright sunny afternoon here today. At this stage of the evening it is raining heavily and there is a gale blowing. However, such conditions are suitable for reviewing photographs and posting to the forum.

Hope you enjoy, Paddy
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 10, 2007, 09:31:40 PM: And a few more. Paddy
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: mark smyth on January 10, 2007, 10:24:21 PM: Is the Ranunculus really that yellow?
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 10, 2007, 10:58:43 PM: Some other photographs of Ranunculus creticus today though these might have been a little in the shade and so not as bright as the one in better light.

Paddy

Actually, looking again at picture three below I see it is the same flower as the one posted above. In this shot it doesn't look as bright. But, yes the flowers are this yellow.

Paddy
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 10, 2007, 11:13:12 PM: Lovely to see an "Irish" aciphylla Paddy, obviously very happy. I like the ranunculus too. It was one I applied for from AGS seed list this year but was removed from the packet by MAF as not being on our "permitted" list. My mistake anyway as I'd intended to apply for the number above, R. crenatus, a little white which I've had but lost. How tall is R. creticus? In my mind, it was a smallish white too. But the brain isn't working too well just now it seems.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: mark smyth on January 10, 2007, 11:26:29 PM: Lesley have you received my last few emails and personal messages?
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 10, 2007, 11:30:55 PM: Lesley,

At last I remembered to photograph that aciphylla - I had intended to do so for quite a while. Can you suggest an identification?

The ranunculus is about 4 - 6 high and, perhaps, 10 inches wide. It is dark here now but, weather permitting, I will take a photograph tomorrow of the full plant and post it for you. It is a delightful plant, no trouble and reliable.

Paddy
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 11, 2007, 09:40:42 AM: Mark, yes I did get your emails and the personal message as well. I replied also as a personal message but perhaps it missed the plane or something. Anyway, I'll send you a private email to your address but not until Monday. Trip away in the morning and in the meantime I'm baking a cake for Dave (not that he'll believe it!)

Paddy, nothing springs to mind for the Aciphylla. I'm sure I know it but as above, things aren't connecting at present. I need to go to bed. David Lyttle will know I'm sure.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Jozef Lemmens on January 11, 2007, 02:28:11 PM: Because of the mild winter, the first Daphnes are already in flower.

Daphne suriel

(http://www.alpines.be/Images2007/20070110_5394.jpg)

(http://www.alpines.be/Images2007/20070102_5347A.jpg)

Daphne bholua 'Darjeeling Form'

(http://www.alpines.be/Images2007/20070110_5396A.jpg)

(http://www.alpines.be/Images2007/20070107_5380A.jpg)

Daphne laureola ssp. philippi

(http://www.alpines.be/Images2007/20070110_5389.jpg)

(http://www.alpines.be/Images2007/20070107_5361.jpg)

And this Tropaeolum pentaphyllum is in flower since a couple of months.

(http://www.alpines.be/Images2007/20070102_5353.jpg)

Jozef

Edit: The pictures seem no longer to be available- perhaps you can find them in Jozef's site :
http://www.alpines.be (http://www.alpines.be) Maggi7/08/2013
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: David Nicholson on January 11, 2007, 07:30:40 PM: Lovely pictures Jozef, I enjoyed them, thank you.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: mark smyth on January 11, 2007, 07:38:52 PM: wow that is some Tropaeolum. I havent seen it before. Hardy or non hardy?
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 11, 2007, 10:11:01 PM: Oh Yes, Josef,

That tropaeolum is a beauty. As with Mark - is it growing outside? It looks too good to be outside but how I would love to hear that it is; something to be chased up and planted out as some stage in the future.

I love the clear white of Daphne suriel, a new plant to me; haven't seen it previously. D. laureola is one of the workhorses of the garden here, great in the most miserable of conditions, wet ground in winter, parched and in deep shade in summer, a real doer.

D. bholua 'Darjeeling form' is another excellent plant, growing very well for you it seems.

Many thanks for excellent photographs.

Paddy
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: ian mcenery on January 12, 2007, 12:23:59 AM: Hi Geebo

My approach to H Niger has been to plant a number of these in the garden a process known as the scattergun approach. They are in borders where the plants are usually covered by other herbacious plants in summer. Its probably just luck and next year they will all go to H Niger heaven a place I understand is already pretty full
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: John Forrest on January 12, 2007, 02:00:40 PM: Enjoying the pictures Paddy and Jozef. I too was covetting the Tropaeolum pentaphyllum and looked it up on the net. Avon bulbs are selling it but state that it is not reliably hardy and they grow it in pots cool but protected from frosts. Shame :'(
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 12, 2007, 02:57:50 PM: John,

Yea, Pity it isn't hardy but I think I would go to the bother of pot culture and bringing it into the glasshouse with this one.

Paddy
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Ian Y on January 12, 2007, 07:34:17 PM: Nice pictures Jozef I too would be interested to learn if you are growing Tropaeolum pentaphyllum unprotected outside.
We grow Tropaeolum pentaphyllum in a pot that lives in a cold glasshouse.
I suspect it would be quite hardy to cold but not the winter wet that we get.
It increases quite well, those of you that want some remind me nearer summer when I am repotting and I will see what I have spare.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Jozef Lemmens on January 13, 2007, 10:40:04 AM: Hi All,

Thanks for your comments regarding my pictures.
I purchased my first Tropaeolum pentaphyllum from Elizabeth Strangman about 8 years ago and I kept it always outside in the open garden but on a sheltered place and in winter covered with a plastic sheet. In normal winters, the temperature drops down to about minus 10 -15°C here in Belgium. This year we are still waiting for winter.
In severe winters the leaves will be damaged, but in spring the plants will come out again.
Hardiness of a plant is not only dependant of the temperatures , but also of the moistness of the soil. Keep Tropaeolums in a sandy soil and not in clayish soil.
The plant on the picture is another plant I got from a friend and is a much better flowering clone. Of course I kept this one in my greenhouse.
Propagation is rather easy. John, if you like I will save a plant for you, but I will not visit the Blackpool show this year. (probably only the Early Spring show)
BTW, don’t keep tuberous Tropaeolums in a greenhouse. Once temperatures are rising they will stop growing and flowering, because they think they have to go in summer rest.
T. pentaphyllum is not the most beautiful Tropaeolum in my opinion.

Jozef
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 13, 2007, 01:44:11 PM: I also grow Tropaeolum tuberosum var. lineamaculatum 'Ken Aslet' outside in the lee of a Garrya Elliptica although of course it is probably not as cold down here. I confess to overwintering one tuber in the glasshouse just in case, but normally end up planting this somewhere else in the garden once spring has sprung.

Brian
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: johanneshoeller on January 14, 2007, 02:32:27 PM: The last year we had more than 2m snow in January. This winter is very warm without snow, so the first plants have started to flower (Primula marginata, Primula albenensis, Crocus sieberi 2x,...).

Hans
from Austria
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: John Forrest on January 14, 2007, 05:23:21 PM: Jozef, That's a very kind offer. I won't be there but there is usually somebody I know at all the shows who could pass it on to me at Blackpool.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 14, 2007, 10:53:08 PM: That's interesting Jozef, about tropaeolums going dormant as soon as the weather warms. Does it also apply to T. azureum? I've had mine in a pot and for the last two years it has flowered really well, but after perhaps a couple of really warm days, it dies away and vanishes, almost within hours. Would it like a cooler spot do you think?
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Darren on January 15, 2007, 01:10:30 PM: Hello everybody.
My first visit to the new forum. I guess it will take me a while to find my way around, and work out how to post pictures for best efect. Meanwhile here are some pictures of Crocus cyprius taken yesterday, you can see that they vary a lot. One form stands out to me as the best. Plus Gymnospermium albertii emerging in the bulb frame, a group of cyclamen coum. And the lovely Gladiolus maculatus under glass.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Thomas Huber on January 15, 2007, 01:16:34 PM: Hi Darren and welcome back!

Your cyprius looks great!! I found first tips on mine, yesterday and now I'm impatiently waiting for my flowers!!!
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Darren on January 15, 2007, 01:25:48 PM: Thank you Thomas!

I had a feeling you would be quick to respond! It's good to be back. I'm impressed with the new forum. It seems much easier to post pictures (especially more than one!).

You will remember I only had one flower on the cyprius last year but all 3 corms flowered this year. One form is much better than the other two, though all are nice. I pollinated them yesterday and kept them in the warm overnight to help seed set - fingers crossed eh?

Second flowers are now emerging on all 3 corms - and it looks like one has an offset growth too.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Thomas Huber on January 15, 2007, 01:29:18 PM: Yes, of course I do remember - only one flower on 3 new corms, was somewhat disappointing, wasn't it?
But it seems like they like your treatment - good luck with the seed set!!!!!
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 15, 2007, 01:51:17 PM: Hi, Darren, great to have you here again. Happy new year to you and to Susan.
I think it is great to have something like Gladiolus maculatus in flower at this time. I don't grow it, so i suppose it always flowers at this time, but it just LOOKS so summery! Very cheering.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 15, 2007, 02:51:39 PM: Darren,

The Gladioulus maculatus is an outstanding flower; my first time seeing it to the best of my memory. Good one.

Paddy
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 15, 2007, 03:01:14 PM: After Darren's beauties - a few mundane plants from the garden here yesterday:

Coronilla glauce subsp velentina
Again in close up
Something new - not seen on the forum previously
Paddy
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: ian mcenery on January 15, 2007, 06:48:18 PM: Paddy your Romanesco is doing well and you might weaken and eat it. The packet suggests not winter hardy and on my allotment mine are large plants but with absolutely no sign of any flower :(. Must be that balmy southern Irish air
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: ian mcenery on January 15, 2007, 08:25:29 PM: Not an alpine but it brightens up a winter day. Chaenomeles Crimson and Gold has ben in flower for more than six weeks now - funny year
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 15, 2007, 10:19:35 PM: Ian,

The Romanesco tastes very nice. The purple sprouting brocolli is just ready to eat - it is my favourite veg. One thing about the romanesco is that the pigeons adore it.

Lesley,
At last that Ranunculus creticus photographs I said I would post, at the bottom on the photographs below. Hope it gives you a better idea of its size. For comparison, the narrow leaves to the left are Narcissus bulbocodium. Iris unguicularis is to the right.

Also, some other bits and pieces from Sunday last.

Mary's arrangement at the front door: Bay tree in pot, cyclamen in pots - I don't know how she keeps these going year to year with total neglect.

Cyclamen in pot

Helleborus X nigercors

Iris 'Katherine Hodgkins' - shows that I should have followed Ian Y's advice and lifted and divided these last year.

Ranunculus creticus - for Lesley

Paddy
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Ian Y on January 16, 2007, 01:38:23 PM: An apology from your administrator and moderators
.

We thought we allocated enough disc space, to last for ages, for pictures on the site but the success of the new forum has outstripped even our ambitions and we have reached the limit.
We are in the process of increasing the disc space and normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.
In the meantime you will be able to post text but you may not be able to post any pictures, try again later - it will be fixed after Fred has finished wrestling with a Mongolian Clematis.
Congratulations to you all on being part of one of the best plant related forums on the world wide web.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Jozef Lemmens on January 16, 2007, 03:06:12 PM: Hi Lesley,

Quote
That's interesting Jozef, about tropaeolums going dormant as soon as the weather warms. Does it also apply to T. azureum?
In my opinion (here in Belgium) , Tropaeolum azureum is very sensitive for rises in temperatures. Maybe someone else has another opinion (Ian??).

Jozef
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: annew on January 16, 2007, 03:40:50 PM: The sun came out briefly yesterday, but long enough to light up the flowers of Hamamelis 'Diane'. In the alpine house, the extra warmth really brings out the perfume of the various bulbs. Under the staging lives this Cyclamen coum, a favourite of mine for it's lovely leaves, which comes more or less true from seed.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: KentGardener on January 16, 2007, 04:50:49 PM: Quote from: Ian Y on January 16, 2007, 01:38:23 PM
An apology from your administrator and moderators
Hi Ian

just wondering, who pays for the forum - hopefully not you and the misses personally. I am really enjoying participating and wonder if I should contribute in some way, other than talking?.. I feel guilty for filling up your disk space (not to mention bandwidth!). Should I join the SRGC so that I can continue to contribute to the forum without the pangs of guilt or are you definately happy for non SRGC'ers to write away?
(I would hate to think of her indoors going without heating because all your money is going on www fees).

Quote from: Ian Y on January 16, 2007, 01:38:23 PM
Congratulations to you all on being part of one of the best plant related forums on the world wide web.

the thanks should be to you for giving us the forum (and especially Maggie for being an extremely good moderator).

John
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Ian Y on January 16, 2007, 07:58:59 PM: I agree with Jozef's advice regarding keeping Tropaeolum azureum on the cool side when it is in growth (certainly below 30C).
In Aberdeen we never get temperatures that high when it is in flower, even under glass, it generally starts to go dormant in June so I do not have this problem.
I do however try and avoid it getting direct sun at any time when it is in growth as the leaves can very quickly scorch in the heat.

John, we are shocked, you are not an SRGC Member :o
Of course you should join, not only will that help support the finances of the web site but you will also get our fantastic Journal, The Rock Garden twice a year and the Seed Exchange, and ............

While we are proud to have a completely open site free to everyone I do hope that all regular users will see the benefits to both themselves and the SRGC if you also join the Club.
See the full list of benefits and the subscription rates here.
http://www.srgc.org.uk/member/benefits.html
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Geebo on January 16, 2007, 08:32:54 PM: Have to agree with your vision 100% John,I have already subscribed to the SRGC before the New Year and Proud to join the crowd.Hope lots will follow.
Cheers,
:D :D Geebo
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 16, 2007, 08:52:52 PM: Thank you, Geebo, you are a really good Guy for this! ;D :-*

In all seriousness, I cannot overstate the expansion of our knowledge and therefore enjoyment of our plants that we have gained from our long and happy membership of the SRGC. Though the merits of the truly wonderful Journal, seed exchange etc. cannot be denied I must also say that what we shall always cherish most are the friendships we have made all over the world through a mutual love of the wee wild and mountain flowers. It has been this passion for the camaraderie we have found in the the SRGC and wider plant world that has made us so determined to do as much as we can to 'evangelise' the appeal of alpine plants through this website and to keep this site open to all, and with an atmosphere of old friends, gathering for a chat. That is surely the nicest way to share our experiences of growing around the world and learn something new every day? From the numbers of you out there, it does seem you agree!! If you agree and you are not yet a paid-up member of the SRGC, I heartily recommend you to join; it's not expensive and the Journal alone is worth it, as far as I'm concerned. :) Mind you, that could be because I never get to choose which seeds we request from the exchange!
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 16, 2007, 09:11:37 PM: Oh god, Maggi,

You should be in sales.

OK, I'll join up but you make sure you tell those in high office that it is because of the website and not the journal or the seeds.

Paddy
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 16, 2007, 09:25:15 PM: Paddy says "Oh god, Maggi"
So, Paddy, you've got my point about my being an evangelist, then?

He continues "You should be in sales."
Paddy, if I WERE in sales, I'd be getting paid!

"OK, I'll join up but you make sure you tell those in high office that it is because of the website and not the journal or the seeds."

Fear not, our esteemed President Ian, the Christie kind, is well aware of the number of members coming to the club via the website and this is why he has always been such a staunch supporter of it. I'll rub it in to the rest of 'em, though, just for the hell of it!!
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 16, 2007, 09:30:47 PM: Darren's gymnospermium looks amazing. So pleased I have some seedlings. How long will they take to flower do you think? They are two years old now and died down (summer) for the second time.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 16, 2007, 09:35:49 PM: Maggi, how can you bear NOT getting to choose at least some of the seeds? Roger and I belong as family members and while he has learned to tell an erythronium from a frit, thankfully he has no interest in choosing his allocation of seeds. If he wanted to, well, I SUPPOSE I'd let him - well, maybe not, so Maggi, just grin and bear it. I can understand that Ian is maybe selfish here. I have to admit I would be too.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 16, 2007, 09:49:55 PM: Thanks Josef and Ian for advice about Tropaeolum azureum. I once saw a John Watson pic of it, growing in what appeared to be a hot scree-like place and that has influenced me ever since. I'll get it into the cool right away.

Can't agree too much with the advice to join SRGC. The fabulous Forum is just one part of an amazingly good club. I think I joined in 1964. That's when my Journals started anyway and though I've sometimes paid my sub late (and seed late this year too, smack hands) I would never dream of NOT belonging. So jump to it, anyone who doesn't belong right now.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Darren on January 19, 2007, 03:30:48 PM: Hi All,
Many thanks for your kind comments on my plants - having seen your own amazing pictures this is praise indeed! Great to see so many pledges to join the Club. I note the AGS in their annual report mention their declining membership along with those of other societies. I think the club can buck this trend and I hope we can inspire those who first meet us via this site with our plants. And, of course, the lovely people who grow them!

Lesley - I have never had seed from my Gymnospermium - does it need two clones i wonder? It's relative Bongardia used to self sow in my plunge and i only had one plant so perhaps not. Bongardia flowered in year 3 with an unrestricted root run. It might take longer in a pot.

Ian - I got some seeds of Trop azureum in the club exchange. When do I sow them? Now? or do I keep them at room temperature until late summer and sow them then like other 'bulbs'?

With regard to Gladiolus maculatus - I can't post a picture of the scent so you will have to take my word for it that it is lovely in this regard too. It looks like i might have some seed in the summer so shout if you want a few - it needs to be kept frost free like most cape bulbs.

Darren.

Darren.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Ian Y on January 19, 2007, 08:46:01 PM: Darren I can say that the Membership of the SRGC has been holding its own and most new Members come via the web site.
However the more that join this way the better for us all as it gives me more powers of persuasion at Council when we are discussing budgets and spending on the site.
So if you like the site and want to see it get better and you are not an SRGC Member do as Darren and all the others say.

As to your Tropaeolum seed I have no idea what to do with it for best results it can be very erratic in germination.
I would sow it and let it have some of the weather in an open frame and keep a watch on it.
I have just moved my pot of seeds sown last September inside as there are a few germinating now.
I have also heard that it performs best if it has had a warm dry period of storage and I would presume that is what your seeds have had since they were collected last spring.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Tim Murphy on January 19, 2007, 10:23:07 PM: Species hellebores are starting to flower here. The first photo shows H. croaticus from a site in Republika Srpska. The second and third photos are also of H. croaticus (and are of the same plant) but this one originates from northeast Croatia. It's a little unusual because more violet would normally be seen in the flower colour. The fourth photo is also of H. croaticus from the same site as the pale flowered plant.

The fifth photo shows H. orientalis orientalis from Tblisi, Georgia. The sixth photo is of H. orientalis abchasicus, also from Georgia.

Photo number seven is of H. purpurascens from a fantastic site in northwest Hungary.

The rest of the photos are of random hybrids.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Alpinejan on January 20, 2007, 10:22:39 PM: Paddy , I attendet that Bulb Despots lecture in May 2005 when he was in Holland telling us how we should handle bulbs (!), mind you, apart from the people living in Turkey we are the experts (6 x !) Really, I was happy my friend Zdenek from the chech republik told that The great Evangelist ever was named Yan Hus instead of Y Young. If you want to visit the Conference in Chechia there is a place for you in my car.
Yours truly jan ( hey the more my Hearth is involved the more I need a dictionary, how about You Paddy ? )
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: tonyg on January 20, 2007, 11:58:37 PM: A couple of miscellaneous bulbs (OK so there is a Colchicum thread somewhere!) Colchicum hungaricum White form, a nice wee thing which I acquired two of in 1991, now a decent potful but always prone to become slug fodder >:(
Hyacinthella atchleyi, raised from exchange seed is a bit of a mystery. I cannot find any mention of it in my books ... can you?

Clematis orientalis type in seed is relevant in that I cannot remember who wanted some of the seed of my small flowered variant raised from seed collected in the wild as C akebioides by David & Stella Rankin (SRGC - Edinburgh). The seed is finally ripe, if you want some mail me privately and I will arrange to send you some. Last pic is same clematis in flower last autumn.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 21, 2007, 04:08:15 PM: I have Colchicum minutum flowering just now!
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Geebo on January 21, 2007, 06:26:01 PM: Hi Lesley,
In the quest of Tropaeolum Azureum could I refer to:

Graham Buchanan-Dunlop
Address removed, anyone wishing to make contact do so through moderators.

Who holds the British National Collection of Tropaeolum since 1983
I do not know his email address.
Cheers.
Geebo
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: John Forrest on January 21, 2007, 08:32:13 PM: Not so sure Graham would appreciate his name and address being broadcast on the Forum, unless he gave his permission of course. Might be an idea to send these via e-mail. Just a thought, not a criticism. :)
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 21, 2007, 09:21:06 PM: Tim,

I particularly like the last three hellebores you posted earlier, nice colour and good arrangements of petals.

Below is a selection of Helleborus x hybridus from the garden. These are all self-sown seedlings which I lifted and planted out about two years ago to fill up a bed, provide ground cover, a little colour etc. Despite their humble origins they are good garden plants - at least they were very cheap and will hold the fort until I decide I want to replace them with something I find more interesting.

Paddy
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 21, 2007, 09:23:54 PM: Just a few more.

Paddy
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 21, 2007, 09:26:55 PM: Thanks Geebo, for the reference to the national collection of Tropaeolums.

I have a clematis in the garden raised from seed as C. akebioides and it is identical in appearance to that shown above by Tony. I realize some things behave differently here in our somewhat benign climate (C. vitalba is a national disaster!) but may I issue a warning please? It is a beautiful though rampant plant in flower and the seed heads are lovely and silky when new, less so as the seed begins to ripen. But if I don't cut the whole plant down to ground level as soon as that silky period is finishing, I get literally many hundreds of seedlings in every part of my garden, my nursery pots including the seed pots and even in the lawn. It is hugely fertile and establishes in no time at all so be very careful about introducing it to your garden.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 21, 2007, 09:31:23 PM: Goodness me, Paddy, why would you ever want to replace these lovely hellebores? Especially since, in the words of a Blue Peter presenter(over many years on BBC TV) "here are some I made earlier" !! 8)

Lesley, given that Fred Admin was so busy the other day, wrestling with a rampant Clematis he'd grown from seed, and, as far as I know, he may still be lying down in a darkened room to recover, your warning is well given!
Tony, ought I to be afraid for the future of Young Haven, after your gift of the seedling?
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 21, 2007, 09:40:57 PM: Last few odds and ends from the garden today.

Alnus incana 'Aurea'
Bergenia 'Ballawley'
Cornus 'Midwinter Fire'
Daphne blagyana 'Brenda Anderson' - only two flowers open but the scent is wonderful.
Daphne bholus 'Jacqueline Postill'
Hamamelis x intermedia 'Feurezauber'
Ipheoin uniflorum
Ipheoin uniflorum 'Charlotte Bishop'
Rhododendron 'Christmas Cheer'

Paddy
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 21, 2007, 09:42:26 PM: Maggi,

I suppose it's a bit like the prophet not being accepted in his own country - the self-sown seedling is not held in high regard in its own garden.

Paddy
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Casalima on January 21, 2007, 10:23:00 PM: My straggly Daphne bholua on one of my delectable balconies. At least the scent is delectable as I work with the balcony window open. And I see from pictures on the net that this Daphne does have a certain tendency to straggle. I am thankful that this balcony gets plenty of sun, unlike the ones at my previous flat, which got a little sun in the summer and virtually none all winter. One of the results of 3 years in that flat was that my pots of Narcissus (bulbocodium and triandrus) that had bloomed enthusiastically for years, baked to a frazzle every summer, simply stopped flowering at all. Lots of leaves but no flowers. At the moment I peer at the pots every day looking for flower buds, but no luck so far :(

And my little cyclamen again.

Gorgeous hellebores, Paddy. I'm sure you can find foster parents for them if/when you decide to replace them!

Chloë
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 21, 2007, 10:54:16 PM: That's a wonderful red witch hazel Paddy. Not sure if it's here but I'll be looking for it. And I'm pleased to se `Charlette Bishop' too. I was given a few bulbs recently with the note that she was lavender to pink. Looks very pretty.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: tonyg on January 21, 2007, 11:06:49 PM: NOW I know why no-one has asked for seed of my Clematis :(
I understand your reservations girls, Lesley your experience is scary but not what I have found here. I do get seedlings of standard Clematis orintalis popping up here and there but so far only a couple from this chap. Mind you I would observe that anything that is easy to raise from seed and thrives in your garden should carry a health warning .... but then where would we be? Only the miffy, the sterile and the soon to depart this world would be acceptable ;D
Come on someone, give this little cutie a chance ... I mean the clematis Maggi :-*
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Joakim B on January 21, 2007, 11:27:27 PM: Nice seedlings Paddy not at all something to be humble about.
They are nice and I thought they were bought ones so I had to reread the post to realize that they were done at Your place. Did You play around or was it the bumble bees that did them?

Nice pics of the trees.

Casalima nice to see that alpies can be grown on balconies :)
Hope that the sun will make Your Narcissus flower better.

Can just report that the magnolias are flowering here and they are very varying in the flowering stages.
Kind regards
Joakim
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 21, 2007, 11:33:05 PM: Yesterday on the road into town I saw a nice little bush of Magnolia stellata, which I often see as the first to flower around here, and it is looking promising, there are a lot of buds on it, thopugh they are not very fat yet and it will be quite some time before they flower. I cannot believe how many flowers that some of you have in your gardens already. For instance, Paddy in Ireland has wonderful variety already.
Not that much happening here in Aberdeen, I'm afraid. Makes me all the more grateful for your pix!
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 21, 2007, 11:35:02 PM: That's intersting Tony because I've NEVER found a seedling of C. orientalis. I just have the L and S 13342 form, imported from the UK back in 1981. My original plant thrives (few pics on January downunder 2007, in a few minutes) and makes masses of seed, but no babies at all. I don't find it easy from cuttings either. This one plant has lived in and been lifted from 5 gardens since it came and is now in its 6th. So tough as old boots so far as lifting and relocating are concerned.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Tim Murphy on January 22, 2007, 07:04:22 AM: Paddy, the yellow in the first photo in your first post is very nice. Good, true yellows aren't that easy to come by and I'm sure the intensity of the yellow varies from year to year on these plants in the garden.

Two of the plants shown in the last three photos in my post are of unknown parentage. The last but one photo (03007a.jpg) is the result of a cross I made back in 2003. The seed parent was a pure white flowered hybrid and the pollen parent was the plant you see in the photo below; H. torquatus from Montenegro. Most of the seedlings from this cross were mediocre. Only the one in my previous post was worth keeping.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 22, 2007, 10:44:24 AM: Hi Chloe,
I have a Daphne bholua in the garden which is, as you say, very floppy in its habit. It is in the garden about 15 years and is about 2 metres high. It flowers profusely each year, has a heavenly scent but does fall about like a drunken man and this can be a nuisance. With precious and deeply appreciated plants like this I am shy with the secateurs and have never pruned it except when a branch broke or bent over too much. Maybe if it was tipped back each year it would grow as a more bushy plant. I can imagine the scent into your apartment must be fabulous.

Daphne bholua 'Jacqueline Postill' is not big enough in my garden to flop over yet, though I do recall cutting off a low branch which was simply lying on the ground.

Lesley,
There is an article in this month's Royal Horticultural Society's 'The Garden' about witch hazels and it showed several cultivars where the flower colour was going towards a marmalade colour, with the comment and implication that this was the new and to-be-desired colour. Llike you, I like this rich reddish colour in the plant I photographed. The yellows are also very good, especially the pale lemon yellow of the cultivar 'Pallida'. Ipheoin 'Charlotte Bishop' increases very well in the garden. Like the species, it is a no-trouble plant in the garden and will soon give large clumps, I imagine.

Re hellebores: About 20 years ago I got one plant of Helleborus x hybridus (or H. orientalis, as we knew it then) and a few years later a cultivar called 'Dawn', a very dark plum colour. The first plant self-seeded prolifically with lots of variation in the seedlings and I have used these over the years to fill new beds, holding the ground so to speak, until I had more desirable plants to replace them. The 'yellow'-flowered plants is indeed a good one. It is very compact and very floriferous. I have, over the years, bought in other Helleborus x orientalis cultivars and these may have added to the selection of resultant seedlings. Everything has been left to the bees, I never really got interested in trying my own crosses. Judging by Tim's success, it seems a rewarding area of gardening.

Maggi,
I have seen no magnolias in flower here. With us, Magnolia soulangiana is normally the first into flower - in a somewhat dangerous manner really as it can be caught by a late frost in some years and turn to a brown mess. Magnolia stellata is the most tantalising plant in bud I think. The buds look 'promising', seem to be getting big enough to burst, yes they are going to explode into bloom today certainly, well maybe today, has to be today, surely today, they can't swell any more can they, look is that some colour peeking out on that one there, No, any day now, will the blasted things ever open? And then all the waiting is rewarded with a great display. A fabulous plant.

Spring is truly here, there is a stretch in the day, so happy gardening to all.

Paddy
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: ian mcenery on January 22, 2007, 12:58:26 PM: Tim
marvellous Hellebores did you collect seed for some of the species yourself? I note that the Torquatus is flowering already when mine are not through the ground yet is this an early form?

John

Great Thibetanus and Nigericors I can't wait for mine to mature

Paddy
I too have a garden full of hellebore seedlings based on one or two good plants purchased 30 years ago but I have seldom had anything really spectacular appear. I have had some quite good ones around Black Knight and Prince Rupert a very fine guttatus almost comes true from seed but in most cases they were not better. To get super new plants the breeding seems to need control with a purpose in mind. Otherwise it is a bit hit and miss. I have recently taken on an allotment and some of the ground already contains some Hybrid and species seedlings but it will take time 3 years to flower -not quite as bad as Rhodos though. But in the short term who wants too wait so I am off to Ashwood in a fortnights time to get my annual fix from the experts
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 22, 2007, 01:04:20 PM: Ian McE says "But in the short term who wants to wait so I am off to Ashwood in a fortnights time to get my annual fix from the experts"

Quite right, Ian: when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping; it's always worked for me!!
Just a pity that my Ian has managed to keep me away from Ashwoods.... so far!
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: ian mcenery on January 22, 2007, 02:35:53 PM: Maggi shopping me? I usually have to be sent except ................ when its for plants ::) then you can't see me for dust stones and rubble. If I'm allowed I will try to take some photos at Ashwoods just to whet your appetite
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 22, 2007, 03:29:40 PM: Ian, yes, please, pix from Ashwoods. Not just Hellebores, though, Hepaticas too and early Lewisias and and!!
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: admin on January 22, 2007, 03:49:20 PM: Quote from: Maggi Young on January 21, 2007, 09:31:23 PM
Fred Admin was so busy the other day, wrestling with a rampant Clematis he'd grown from seed, and, as far as I know, he may still be lying down in a darkened room to recover, your warning is well given!

Indeed. A Mongolian clematis grown from wild seed that took years to establish but took over once it did. Choking out everything, stems wrought of carbon steel, muddy white flowers the size of a peanut and seed heads that were nothing to shout about.

Other than that it was a fine plant.

I eventually got it all cut out and burned but will have to dig the roots out later as the ground is now frozen solid and under snow.

Grown back in the early days when I JUST HAD TO grow everything ::). I dare say most of us go through that stage. A good reminder that not all wild collected seeds are a good thing, no matter how remote the place they are collected.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: ian mcenery on January 22, 2007, 05:28:49 PM: Spring is beginning to sprung in the garden here are few sights (just as the cold weather is coming). Iris Histriodes Major, Helleborus Torquatus hybrid (quite small flowers) a double reputedly from Elizabeth Strangman with a close up,. Camellia JC Williams and St Ewe both from Caerhays and a favourite daff Narc Cyclaminius which seeds itself all over the garden. Here growing through an Ypsilandra tibetica
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Tim Murphy on January 22, 2007, 06:45:18 PM: Hi Ian, I've been travelling out ot the former Yugoslavia at least once a year to collect hellebore seed since 2002. I made a spring trip in 2004 as well as a later trip and last year I went to town and had a spring trip to see the hellebores flowering and then on two seed collecting trips; one in May and a later one in June.

That photo of the Montenegrin H. torquatus was taken last spring. These plants are still not showing any signs of growth above ground. I do have a few early torquatus in flower; some from Bosnia and a few from a fantastic site in Croatia, close to the border with Bosnia. One from the latter site is a double flowered plant (first photo below). I found five double flowered plants at this site and it remains the only place I have seen double flowered wild species hellebores.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Geebo on January 22, 2007, 08:20:45 PM: Hi all,
Love al the pics are send in the forum,First real winter weather this morning,first day in the new year,and at least snow in the alps 8).
Just posting some more Hellebores for now.
Cheers Geebo.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: mark smyth on January 22, 2007, 08:21:41 PM: Ian three good tips are
1. dont take a lot of money
2. avoid trying to photograph the Galanthus collection. I wasnt allowed to photograph them last year
3. eat at the nursery. The food is great
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 22, 2007, 09:10:02 PM: Ian McE: re Mark's comment #2: don't worry, I can manage without the galanthus pix!! ;D ::)
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Joakim B on January 22, 2007, 11:29:55 PM: Great heleborus pics every one :)

Here comes some magnolia pics. I have talked so much about them. 8)
It is not my plants :(

A light one in a sunny place
A dark one Magnolia niger? with streglizias
a closeup on a dark magnolia
and finally 3 magnolias in 3 different stages. One already losing petals a second in bud and a third not even in bud.

The one we have on the balcony is most likely halfway to magnolia heaven :'(

Enjoy
Joakim
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: fermi de Sousa on January 23, 2007, 06:47:36 AM: Tony,
Glad you posted a pic of Hyacintella atchleyi as I've just received seed of it from the NARGS Seedex yesterday; donated by Jane McGary who grows many fine bulbs. How long it yours take to flower from seed? How do you grow it?
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Jozef Lemmens on January 24, 2007, 12:55:17 PM: This Liliaceae sp. 'F&W-8693', is flowering for the first time (after 6 years). Does anyone know what it is?

Jozef
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: tonyg on January 24, 2007, 01:59:38 PM: Fermi - Hyacinthella atchleyi took about three years to flower from seed. I give it my 'standard' treatment in a pot. Loam based compost with added grit and bonemeal. It is OK in a cold frame or greenhouse, often flowering very early. It has been out in the garden for a few years now and seems fine, apart from occasional slug damage to the leaves.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 24, 2007, 02:50:26 PM: Josef, I would call your nice F&W8693 a Sisyrhinchium, but I am horribly old-fashioned, so I suppose it is now an Olsynium, I would suggest O.filifolium or perhaps O. biflora.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 24, 2007, 10:10:48 PM: What about Pheiophleps? Actually I thought it looks rather like a Ipheion or that other thing that I think begins with a T. Pheiophleps biflora which it looks a bit like, is beautifully fragrant Jozef. Does it have a scent? or does it small of onion (Ipheion)?
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 24, 2007, 10:11:19 PM: Here is Colchicum minutum flowering in this morning's gloom.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 24, 2007, 10:18:10 PM: Lesley, wasn't Pheiophleps biflora another name incarnation that my Sisyrhinchium went through before the taxonomists turned it itno an Olsynium? It/they do smell lovely though, if a bit strong for some noses!
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 24, 2007, 10:35:14 PM: I shouldn't be surprised.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 24, 2007, 10:49:18 PM: These taxonimists do it to drive us crazy, you know. I used to think it was to pay their bills and feed their children but now I think they just want us to suffer.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Jozef Lemmens on January 25, 2007, 10:22:53 AM: No , my F&W-8693 doesn’t have a (noticeable) scent.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 25, 2007, 10:49:06 AM: That surprises me, Jozef. It is very early in the year, might it be too cold for the scent to develop? I know some flowers need warmth to really show their fragrance.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Jozef Lemmens on January 25, 2007, 10:53:21 AM: Maggi, maybe you are right. We had minus 4°C last night.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Darren on January 25, 2007, 01:00:21 PM: Ian,
Thanks for the advice re Trop azureum - I'll sow the seeds soon and wait! Congratulations to Yourself and Maggi on your well deserved award too!

A couple of pics taken on tuesday:

I cannot grow the true narcissus 'minicycla' despite expensive attempts.. So I decided to produce an analogue using N.cyclamineus and N.jacetanus (some reckon this is synonymous with asturiensis). These are the first two flowers from the result. Not as classy as Anne's 'Sidora' as illustrated in the december AGS bulletin, but I'm pleased with it. Top of my narcissus hybrid wishlist is N X susannae but I can never get triandrus and cantabricus to overlap in flower. Last year I managed to save some cantabricus pollen and pollinated triandrus with it.

Also here is Crocus sieberi (ssp nivalis or atticus I think - I forget which) from Crocus group seed.

Darren.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: annew on January 25, 2007, 06:01:54 PM: Your hybrid is very nice - it's remarkable just how consistent this cross is. Maybe by using jacetanus, yours might be a bit bigger than Sidora, and consequently a bit better outside.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: grannysmith on January 26, 2007, 01:03:16 AM: A host of golden - dandelions. Here is my lawn after a couple of days of rain followed by several hot sunny days. It has been mown now! Will need a treatment with weed and feed, but they do look nice don't they?
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 26, 2007, 01:24:06 AM: Marjorie, if we had to pay good money for 'em, we'd covet those dandelions like the gold they resemble. Like so much in the world today, no cost equates to no value.
Are those exotic reds in the background Cannas? And what a view you have!
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: grannysmith on January 26, 2007, 01:53:05 AM: Yes Maggi, they are cannas. Not as good as usual because it has been too dry. We are very lucky to have almost 180o water views. We often have cruise ships pass not far from the front of the house.
Pacific Princess
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 26, 2007, 01:54:04 AM: WOW! 8)
I'm off to bed to dream of cruise ships and wondeful Tassie skies! goodnight ::)
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: grannysmith on January 26, 2007, 01:56:42 AM: It has its drawbacks though. I have virtually no level ground. Most of my garden is hillside and just clay and rocks, no real soil. I plant everything above ground and mulch around it with manure and old sawdust. Seems to be working even if it is rather slow.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 26, 2007, 02:04:03 AM: I can see the problem, Marjorie. Actually, your position is rather similar to the lovely garden/nursery at Abriachan, on Loch Ness-side not far from Inverness. I cannot remember the name of the nice folks there(SRGC Members, of course!) but their site is very steep and looks over the loch, though it is not so grand as your view and any passing ships are more in the boat category! They've got a Monster, too, of course!
They have had to work in the same way as you, I imagine, to allow their plants something to grip onto! They've succeeded very well, mind, it's a super place.
Now I am off to bed, night night.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 26, 2007, 02:09:36 AM: I'm still here! I was annoyed at forgetting the owners' names so I went to check, They are Margaret and Donald Davidson and I found their website address : http://www.lochnessgarden.com/
Right, this time I am off! Bye!
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 26, 2007, 02:51:18 AM: I'm off to Tasmania on April 12th to see Marcus Harvey and others. I'm told I'll need climbing boots and crampons for his garden.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 26, 2007, 10:19:39 AM: Dandelions (Taraxacum spp.) Marjorie? The flower stalks don't look right?
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: grannysmith on January 26, 2007, 11:39:53 AM: Well, we call them dandelions here. They may be a different type to the ones you get.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: David Nicholson on January 26, 2007, 12:06:13 PM: I seem to remember from the Old Forum that a certain Bulb Despot in Aberdeen keeps dandelions as pets :-X
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 26, 2007, 12:49:11 PM: He does indeed, and tends it lovingly : still won't let me get another dog, though, miserable despot.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: David Nicholson on January 26, 2007, 02:32:38 PM: Oh! :'(
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 26, 2007, 03:37:13 PM: Show's the importance of scientific names. e.g. what is 'Wake Robin' and have you ever eaten fried 'Plantain'?
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Joakim B on January 26, 2007, 03:50:39 PM: Regading dandielions I must say they are enoying so we try to take them away, but my wife thinks they are pretty but has now learned they are bad so she can pic as many as she wants in the lawn. They do have a fantastic yellow I must say and I doubt there is anything that can make a lawn that colored yellow without painting the grass.

Here is a find I did when recycling newspapers.
It is growing in the gutter!
People tends to throw garden waste there as well and the water from the GNR (militars with police work) horses comes there so feeding they might get from the excess water.

We call it tagetes or velvet flower in Sweden I do not know the English or Portuguese names for it.
I think it was un unusually nice one but the pic is not great due to to many carrs close by for me to take more without getting runover.

Joakim
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 26, 2007, 04:04:25 PM: Poor little flower! We call them Tagetes, or, as Ian's Grandad used to say "tagguttes" or African marigolds. They are used a lot for bedding plants in summer displays but are also useful for planting near plants you want to keep pests off of, since they are quite aromatic and the smell is said to deter aphids, and carrot fly, etc.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Joakim B on January 26, 2007, 04:15:26 PM: We tried to use them against nemathods on tomatoes and they seems to work 8) unless the slugs eat them. >:(
I now remeber the Enlish name I once knew ::) Thanks Maggi
Joakim
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 26, 2007, 05:26:01 PM: Looks more French than African to me and is used to deter white fly?
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 26, 2007, 05:41:37 PM: Are French marigolds the smaller and African the bigger ones, then?
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Joakim B on January 26, 2007, 05:49:19 PM: I thought that white fly was detered by chrysanthemums and I have not heared anything about the Tagetes but maybe it works?
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 27, 2007, 10:26:19 PM: Wish something would deter 'king mice. This is what they have done to one of my Colchicum minutum plants!
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 27, 2007, 10:35:32 PM: Here is the other Colchicum minutum today.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 27, 2007, 10:42:51 PM: My pond is 3' deep and a few years ago I dumped a pot of Zantedeschia aethiopica in it. It has not flowered yet, but each year produces a lovely crop of leaves. As my pond has a pump and filter it never freezes over, so anything below the water line is fine. Normaly the arum lily's leaves die back to the water's surface, but this year they haven't. This pic was taken today.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 27, 2007, 10:49:29 PM: Nice deep pond you have there, Birthday Boy... why don't you encourage your mice to go "swimming"?

Given that colchicum are poisonous in pretty well all their parts, it's a wonder the mice CAN eat them, isn't it? I know of a dog that died after merely chomping on a dropped colchium bulb that rolled down a bank and tempted poor mutt to retrieve it. Dog Owner happily took bulb thoughtfully brought back by beloved pet , never realising that that was to be the nasty end to the dog.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: mark smyth on January 27, 2007, 11:36:23 PM: Is the king mouse the leader of all meeces?

Looks more like slug or sparrow damage to me. I know someone who made mice go for a swim. He kept birds and they mice were a curse. Every night a ruler was balanced on the edge of a bench with a tasty morsel on the end. Below the ruler was a bucket of water. Very cruel I know.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 27, 2007, 11:51:41 PM: I didn't read Anthony's mice to be king mice, but noticed that apostrophe and thought there could have been a four letter word intended. My low mind probably.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: hadacekf on January 28, 2007, 03:13:02 PM: Anthony,
Your Turkish endemic Colchicum minutum is very nice.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: hadacekf on January 28, 2007, 03:18:21 PM: Frost (- 8° C.) and snow terminated early spring in my garden.
By the way A. amurensis is one of my hardest plants.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: ichristie on January 28, 2007, 04:33:02 PM: Hi Franz, our Adonis is also in flower but no Eranthis showing yet, I do however have a super new snowdrop which I found at The Castle it is around 9 inches high with blue green leaf most likely a hybrid between G nivalis and G plicatus it has been showing flower since beginning of Jan. Ian the Christie kind
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 28, 2007, 04:39:22 PM: Quite correct Lesley. I suspect the mice (definitely mice - droppings are a dead give away and the greenhouse was closed overnight; also other plants have been severely munched) have a sweet tooth and are eating the anthers? Colchicine is a mutagen used to prevent spindle formation in dividing plant cells forcing polyploidy (doubling of chromosome number - used to make a sterile hybrid fertile). I hope it doesn't work on mice. Tetraploid mice, if they were to be produced, would be twice the problem!
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Susan Band on January 28, 2007, 08:21:29 PM: They would definitly be King mice then :)
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: tonyg on January 28, 2007, 08:46:09 PM: I leave my greenhouse open (doors and deliberate missing glass) at all times. A local cat has found a nice place to snooze under one bench ... best anti-mouse device I know!
I would guess that up t'north the gales might dismantle a greenhouse with as many panes out as I have but mine is sheltered from the worst winds.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 28, 2007, 08:55:19 PM: last time a 'king cat slept in our glasshouse he squashed a Daphne petraea grandiflora. If I'd got hold of him he'd have gone to eternal rest.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: snowdropman on January 28, 2007, 09:08:26 PM: Quote from: ichristie on January 28, 2007, 04:33:02 PM
I do however have a super new snowdrop which I found at The Castle it is around 9 inches high with blue green leaf most likely a hybrid between G nivalis and G plicatus it has been showing flower since beginning of Jan.

Hi Ian - lovely snowdrop, really like its upright stance & the contrast with its leaves.

Whilst I have got your attention - a few days ago, on the Galanthus thread, we were discussing g. elwesii 'Fred's Giant' & the fact that there are several clones in circulation. I noticed that, on your website, you have 'Fred's Giant1' & 'Fred's Giant2' - would it be possible for you to detail, perhaps show pictures, of the differences between these two, particularly the inner segment marks?

Thanks very much.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 28, 2007, 09:13:55 PM: Quote
Whilst I have got your attention - a few days ago, on the Galanthus thread, we were discussing g. elwesii 'Fred's Giant' & the fact that there are several clones in circulation. I noticed that, on your website, you have 'Fred's Giant1' & 'Fred's Giant2' - would it be possible for you to detail, perhaps show pictures, of the differences between these two, particularly the inner segment marks?

Good question, Chris. I believe that Fred's Giant started out as a strain of large snowies, as opposed to just vegetative propagations from one clone, so I would expect there to be some variation around.
I wonder if Ian C. has them in flower yet in chilly Westmuir?
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 28, 2007, 09:20:36 PM: I keep my greenhouse frost-free so doors only open on still days.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: tonyg on January 29, 2007, 12:02:57 AM: Maggi I too have had the cat sleep on a few plants .. and do other unspeakable things too ... but I leave a tray with some old shade netting in it for him and he'll kip there happily and leave my plants alone :)
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 29, 2007, 07:55:15 PM: Anthony,
If I may comment on Zanthedeschia. I have a large patch on the roadside outside my garden where it is wet all year round. Like yours they are generally cut down by the frost but last year they escaped the frost. This seemed great to me but it had a downside. As they weren't cut down they continued to grow through into the second season and became so tall and lush that they were unable to support themselves and collapsed into a sorry mess. This year they aren't cut down either but I am going to cut them to the ground in the next week or so.

The world just has it in for us gardeners - even when something good happens, it is followed by a disaster.

Paddy
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Bjoerg47 on January 30, 2007, 05:33:50 PM: As a quite new member of SRGC, and new to alpines, I find it interesting to get known what are in bloom outside Norway. We have snow and frost, so it will be a long time before we have any flower in our garden.But I am thankful for letting me browse here. Thank You. :)
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: snowdropman on January 30, 2007, 05:43:19 PM: Quote from: Bjoerg47 on January 30, 2007, 05:33:50 PM
As a quite new member of SRGC, and new to alpines, I find it interesting to get known what are in bloom outside Norway. We have snow and frost, so it will be a long time before we have any flower in our garden.But I am thankful for letting me browse here. Thank You. :)

Hi - welcome to the Forum. We would all love to hear about what you are interested in & perhaps you can tell us your name & what part of Norway you live in?
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: ichristie on January 30, 2007, 06:52:54 PM: Hi Snowdrop man, all, Galanthus elwesii 'Freds Giant' was found by Fred Sutherland growing at the Raigmore estate Inverness many years ago, he then took bulbs to Cruikshank Botanic Garden in Aberdeen these bulbs do vary with some differences in the inner markings. The pictures on my web site which are numbered 1 and 2 are the same bulbs just we need different tags for web site. We do in fact have bulbs almost in flower, already very tall so will get pics with differences soonest. G. elwesii 'Freds Giant' has an A.M. SRGC show at Dunblane some years ago. Ian the Christie kind
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: snowdropman on January 30, 2007, 07:15:47 PM: Quote from: ichristie on January 30, 2007, 06:52:54 PM
We do in fact have bulbs almost in flower, already very tall so will get pics with differences soonest.

Ian, thanks very much for this background info & we very much look forward to these pics, showing the differences.

Chris
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Geebo on January 30, 2007, 07:36:11 PM: Hey Paddy
some time ago you,You mention the Sprouting brocolli and romanesco,I love this veg very much,do you grow that romanesco true the winter ?? as with the sprouting brocolli.
what I have here is a white sprouting brocolli what is growing as perennial. when I was given the plants I could not believe it but the plants did sprout again after harvesting the crop and is looking prommising for the spring again,and taste wonderful,I have new plants growing from seed if you like some of them let me know and I send some on.
Cheers
Geebo
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on January 30, 2007, 08:26:33 PM: My camelia over 6 weeks earlier than usual
and I like his opening buds even better
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: John Forrest on January 30, 2007, 09:46:20 PM: My Camellias were doing fine but the frost made them look rather sad. The whites seem to suffer most or is it that they show the brown more?
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on January 31, 2007, 08:00:44 AM: My sympathy John - the Camelia I showed is in a big pot - it's outside all year round, but I move it inside when it's flowering and frosts are threatening. Keeps a man fit and makes the plant look less sad ;D
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 02, 2007, 12:17:27 PM: Hi Bjoerg, Welcome to the forum and looking forward to your reports and perhaps photographs.

Many thanks for the information on G. 'Fred's Giant' , Ian the Christie Kind. Looking forward to further photographs and some of the 'Castle' snowdrops also.

Geebo, The purple sprouting brocolli I started as seed last April/May and planted out into the garden when ready. I grows away for the summer, up to two or three feet tall, and begins sprouting after Christmas when the weather warms a little, very early this year. I am not as fond of the white sprouting brocolli and don't bother growing it any more. The romanesco is fine to stand in the garden during the winter but as this year is mild the heads are continuing to grow and are opening up. They are better, I think, to be harvested just before they begin to open. The perpetual brocolli sounds interesting and I would love to try a few plants if you have them to spare. Address: "Cois Abhann", Riverside, Lower Gracedieu, Waterford. Many thanks for your kindness.
By the way, I was in Altamont Gardens, Tullow, Co. Carlow yesterday and there was a lovely selection of hellebores on sale - very beautiful but very expensive, ranging from €40 to €80 per plant.

Paddy
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on February 02, 2007, 06:48:10 PM: Paddy, what does the name of your house, "Cois Abhann" mean?
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: annew on February 02, 2007, 06:55:02 PM: And how do you pronounce it?
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 05, 2007, 07:40:42 PM: I have been irregular in my visits to the forum in the past few days but Maggi alerted me to this question today. My reply to her was that her Scottish Gaelic must be very rusty and that I was surprised that none of the Scottish people who post to the forum did not make it out.

Well, the translation is very prosaic. "Cois Abhann" means simply "by the river". You will see that the second part of the address, the townland name, is "Riverside". Those who live in rural areas will be familiar with farming practice where each field will have a name. In our immediate vicinity we have 'the hilly field', 'bridge field', 'the mash', 'river field', 'the forty acres', 'kiln field', 'the near lawn', 'the far lawn', 'the little bog' and on and on. The field in which our house is built is called 'Mangan's Field' as a man of that name apparently came out from town sometime in the 1940s or 50s and hanged himself from one of the large beech trees which edge the field. As historically accurate and culturally authentic and all as it would have been to use this as the house name, it had certain connotations which deterred me from doing so. Not superstitious or anything, but why try fate?

Pronunciation? Cois = Kush, Abhann = Abh = Ow as in town, ann = on, so Kush Owon. That's as best I can describe the sounds. Hope that helps.

'Cois Abhann' is Irish as you might have guessed, what you might perhaps call Gaelic. There are not many Irish speakers around, I'm afraid, particularly in this area of the world. There are more on the west coast, the Galway area in particular. However, my wife decided to send our youngest to an all-Irish school and he just loved the language and since he was four we have conversed in Irish almost at all times. I already spoke Irish so it was a pleasure to be able to use the language again.

Paddy
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 05, 2007, 08:44:09 PM: Roger and I went to one of the local pubs on Sunday night to hear two men from Co. Kerry singing and playing. A lot of their songs were in their own language which is very beautiful to hear but for us I'm afraid, a closed book. A great evening though.
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: mark smyth on February 05, 2007, 10:25:05 PM: In the south west I was amazed to see Camelias is full flower everywhere including the 6 week early Cornish Snow
Title: Re: Early January 2007
Post by: David Nicholson on February 06, 2007, 09:40:50 AM: Some of the very early Camelias in Cornwall are now way past their best.