Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => Flowers and Foliage Now => Topic started by: Robert on May 01, 2022, 08:43:44 PM

Title: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on May 01, 2022, 08:43:44 PM
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Akke,

Your container gardens still look great!

My work schedule can be very demanding at times. It has taken me awhile to catch up on the postings. To answer your question:

Nemophila and Limnanthes species are two that seem like they would preform well in your gardening environment. Container gardening seems especially amenable to experimentation. In your situation, autumn sowing seems like it would work well. Some experimentation might be necessary. And of course, there are many other California species to experiment with that likely have considerable garden merit.

Erythanthe bicolor (pictured above) is an annual species that I especially enjoy.

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The annual Collinsia tinctoria is looking especially nice in our garden right now.

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The perennial species Eriogonum umbellatum var. polyanthum has been a star performer in our garden for at least 10 years. I grew this specimen from seed I gathered in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. There was considerable seedling variation in this population. Plants grown in the ground need zero summertime irrigation – it does not rain and the weather is extremely hot. I can supply data on temperature and the vapor pressure deficit from both our Sacramento garden as well as from their native habitat. These pieces of information help quantify the environmental extremes this species endures.

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Penstemon rydbergii var. oreocharis is another Sierra Nevada beauty. This plant is in a container, however this species grows equally well in our garden. In the open garden this species is tolerant of both highly moist mesic conditions as well as moderately xeric conditions.

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Allium unifolium is still looking great in our garden.

I still have a great deal to work out for the summer garden. Dahlias, Zinnias, Tithonia, Cosmos, Cleome, some Erythranthe species, Epilobium, Eurybia, Symphyotrichum, and late blooming Lilium species are some of the species that help, but I am not satisfied. I sure wish that I could find another start of Salvia sinaloensis. Salvia guaranitica and Salvia chiapensis thrive in our summer garden.
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Akke on May 05, 2022, 09:27:24 PM
Robert

Erythante bicolor is really something to enjoy (it has got a place on my ‘list of interesting plants’), your other plants are lovely too. Allium unifolium sold here (not flowering yet) is much paler., how did you get yours?
Autumn sowing is planned, but succes will probably be dependent on the actual winter weather, now and then a small ice age turns up, last year for example, so it will be an experiment. Weather here has turned really dry again, after a few rainy days end March/start of April, there was no substantial precipitation and none is expected, farmers are having problems.

Msybe you can tell me more about growing Narcissus from seed; I’ve got seeds from Narcissus cantabricus ‘nylon group’, past two years these started flowering around Christmas here. Is it likely that seedlings will do the same?


Season might be slowing, it’s not stopping.
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Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus showed up.

Tulipa batalinii ‘Bright gem’ is flowering now.
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Got this one at the market, after the talk on your Tulipa.

Very different but lovely.
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Hyacinthoides mauritanica.

In the park, lonely Arum maculatum (?) appeared.
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There’s more a couple of hundred meters from this, no flowers there (yet). It’s not possible to tell if this has always been here, new mowing policy did the trick or that it was just not noticed by me.
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Akke on May 05, 2022, 09:44:46 PM
This would easily be not noticed outside containers, unless in huge numbers.
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On the background 5 mm squares.
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Myosotis ramosissima(?), maybe weedy otherwise, welcome here.

A weed that doesn’t go unnoticed.
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Taraxacum officinale seems welcome in the park nowadays, probably because of bees.
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on May 08, 2022, 06:53:23 AM
Now in the Perthshire garden of SRGC Editor of "The Rock Garden", Anton Edwards and his wife, Margaret......

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The cheery little Iris  behind the Iberis, is "Brassy"

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 One of the prettiest mulches to apply to your shrubs!

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 Rhododendrons in one shady corner of the garden are developing slowly this year in the cooler weather. Time for a frost?  Hope not!

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These sunny flowers are on a dwarf Doronicum, sourced  from Grham Butler at Rumbling Bridge.
 
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Triilium clumping nicely!
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on May 08, 2022, 12:45:55 PM
Akke,

On 10 April our weather turned cold with periods of precipitation. The below average temperatures have been persistent. Rain and cool temperatures are forecasted from Sunday through Tuesday of this week. Despite the cool and at times wet weather, the spring flower display has faded. The garden is in its late spring phase with sprinklings of color here and there. [Jasmin adds:  It is still magical stepping into the garden, with beauty everywhere one sets the eye.  One can easily forget there is a world out there, which, given the state of things, and our personal inability to effect changing so much of it, the rest for the soul is very welcome.]

With the changing seasons, I am busy with harvest and the planting of summertime food and flower crops. I am hoping to get more barley harvested before the rains arrive; the rye is heavy with seed but still needs to cure before harvesting. I have harvested and continue to harvest seed from many of the California native annual species. The seeds from Layia and Lupinus have already been harvested and the plants pulled from the ground. The bare earth is now ready for summer annuals. I have seeded out soil blocks with Dahlia hybrids (some of my own and D. coccinea hybrids from Seedhunt.) and Cleome. Zinnia, Cosmos and Tithonia I generally direct seed.

I still have much to work out with the late spring and summer garden.  [We just added some more containers for gardening in areas that have usually been difficult for plantings in the ground.  The areas either get blasted with afternoon summer sun, too much shade, or never enough water, yet weeds thrive. (Those ghastly beasts!)  While there are plants that would do well under these various adverse conditions, containers will ensure the plantings thrive without encouraging the weeds.]

I [we] desire a continuation of the spring-like flower show until autumn. However, I have nothing to complain about. As I work in the edible parts of the garden I frequently look up. Beauty and flowers surround me. Our garden is truly a paradise: In a sense, I live like the Babushka Women of Chernobyl. I admire them and their simple way of life, more or less unbothered by the outside world. If what I read is true, even the Russian soldiers were disinterested in them and left them alone. [Or radiation sickness is their fate.]

I obtained seed of Allium unifolium from Seedhunt. I think some of my early blooming Alliums are garden hybrids (Allium serra x unifolium – both n=7). I grew Allium serra from my own collection. They likely crossed with Allium unifolium. Allium unifolium does seed freely in our garden. The colony in our front yard appears to have remained pure. They have dark pink flowers. In the backyard Allium unifolium and serra grew side by side; however there was not much overlap in their blooming time. The bottom line is that I like most of the California native Allium species that we grow in our garden. In some cases, there may be some dilution of their species purity, but I am not certain.

To answer some of your questions regarding your Narcissus cantabricus seedlings, I will share some of my plant breeding observations. Hopefully this will be helpful to you.

Crosses between known genetic lines generally--but not always--bring predictable results. I say “not always” because there can be plenty of surprises for many reasons. When breeders are creating new F1 hybrids they will make test crosses between their inbred lines to make sure there are no undesirable traits being expressed in their potential new F1 hybrid variety. It takes time and effort to create new inbred lines for new F1 hybrids. Of course, existing inbred lines can be used to create a new F1 hybrid, but these too are tested.

If you know a great deal about the genetic origins of your Narcissus plants, you will likely get predicable results, i.e. early blooming plants. Genetic mutations are always possible, but most likely you will have predictable results. Plants of unknown genetic origin are more likely to bring surprises that turn up as expressed recessive traits. Epigenetics can also play a part in gene expression; however I will not get into this. I hope these comments prove helpful.

I like Narcissus poeticus. Thank you for sharing the photographs. I have several seedlings coming along of this species. They will start blooming hopefully in the next year or two.

[All the photos have been so lovely.  There once was a time the birds only had breeding and nesting from mid-April to the beginning of June, but with the climate so altered, and no true winter, I have a much longer season.  Still, I have held off eggs and nesting in at least the hen Budgerigar (Gabriella), and one hen Cockatiel (Friede). Dariya had only one nesting, and I hope to hold her off from more eggs.  Naomi has been obsessive, and just had the first of her third clutch.  Redirecting her attention has been tiring.  So many changes in hopes she will decide conditions are not favorable.  At least her nutrition is great, so she has no egg binding, but I did have to medicate for Clostridia, which she is susceptible to when it is cool and damp.  How heartbreaking!  We need rain; yet, Naomi is encouraged by the barometer to self-pleasure, thinking nests and food for chicks, and is doubly susceptible to Clostridia in damp weather, no matter what conditions I provide indoors.  Miel the canary had three eggs—all from a perch!  She would not take any nest for them.  Once I padded the bottom of the cage, she stopped laying.  The other canary “Aliza” is trans (transexual), giving no clear indication of gender—Really!  Other than caught up with the birds, I am attempting to do a little in the garden.  Right now I feel more like a spectator and discusser of creative ideas.]

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One of my Gilia capitata lines is in full bloom now. If all goes right they will continue blooming well into the summer. I have other lines with darker flowers, however they have a much shorter blooming cycle.  [The flowers are indeed improving with selection and length of establishment in the garden.  When Robert began, I was not impressed at all.  I thought perhaps I would confuse them with all the weeds in the garden.  Now these Gilia are among my favorites, and we delight in the number of bees attracted.]

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The pink flowers of Twinning Brodiaea, Dichelostemma volubile, appear here and there in the garden, climbing through the shrubbery. [just a little weeding to do too!]

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The first flowers of our California native Aquilegia formosa have started to open. [Of the Aquilegias, a personal favorite that provides late spring into early and even midsummer color.  Their blooms regularly are still opening and remain open for the duration when the West Coast Lillies (Lillium pardalinum crosses Robert is working with) open.  At that time is a fantastic show of reds and red-oranges spread throughout the garden.]

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Ripening raspberries are a delight to eat. The strawberries are ripe too. Yum! Yum! [None ever make it into preserves or desserts, just our mouths!  I do miss lingonberries, but too hot here.]

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The late blooming Rhododendron eastmanii has a delightful fragrance. We have Rhododendron arborescens in the front yard. Our form blooms a bit later in the season and it too has a delightful fragrance.
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on May 08, 2022, 12:49:01 PM
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The flowers of Drymocallis lactea var. austinae are subtle. I like the strawberry-like foliage of this California native species.

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The white flowers of Philadephus lewisii have a nice soft fragrance. The white flowers also alight in a magical way in the dim evening light and in the dim light before dawn. The flowers are especially nice at night when there is a full moon.  [Whites take on a magical glow in full moonlight, a lovely sprinkle throughout the garden.  The perfect dancing ground for fairies and angels.]

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The pink flowers of Geranium dalmaticum are cheery in the late spring garden.

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I let Geranium sanguineum seed about in our garden. All the seedlings are from a single plant. I would like some additional genes to mix into the population. It is a very common species even in our part of California, so something should come my way one of these days. [Personally, I am content with their little faces peeking about here and there.]
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: kris on May 09, 2022, 03:30:04 PM
Now in the Perthshire garden of SRGC Editor of "The Rock Garden", Anton Edwards and his wife, Margaret......

That is a very nice garden Maggi.Look at those trillium.  when I get one flower in my Trillium I feel elated. Trilliums are not very happy in our harsh weather. I have to plant them closer to the house to keep them alive.
Here are few pictures from my garden
The Eritrichium is grown from seeds of Alplains.
The Pulsatilla nuttalliana is from my walk closer to the South Saskatchewan river.

Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Mariette on May 10, 2022, 06:57:47 PM
Nice plants, Kris! I hope my seedlings of Trillium kamtschaticum will look as fine as Yours one day!

Akke, Your close-up of Your myosotis might make one wish to grow it. Very impressing!

Robert, Erythante bicolor is definitely one for my wishlist, too!

We´re facing drought since the beginning of April, and working in the garden becomes tiresome and frustrating. There are many annuals in the green-house waiting to be planted in the garden, but without some rain this will make no sense.

One of my sons bought an old house in April, one of the tulips in his garden shows interesting leaves.

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With Arum italicum ´Warburg Strain´, both leaves and spathe are spotted.

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The tree peonies are flowering, together with Geranium malviflorum.

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Geranium libani is still in flower.

(https://up.picr.de/43549261nl.jpg)

Smyrnium perfoliatum backs an aquilegia.

(https://up.picr.de/43549265yi.jpg)
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: shelagh on May 11, 2022, 04:53:51 PM
A fern that you don't often see and not in a pot Gymnocarpium robertianum the Limestone Oak  fern. Looking lovely and fresh with it's new fronds.
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Akke on May 11, 2022, 10:11:15 PM
Lovely pictures.

Maggi
The variety in the Edwards garden is great, the ‘mulch’ is very attractive, enjoying the pictures make up for having another bad season for this over here.

Kris

Beautiful plants, loved the Pulsatilla.

Mariëtte

Your combinations look so fine again, do you plan them like this?
Good to see nice surprises in a (new) garden, a local gardening friend is less lucky, she found Fallopia japonica in her new garden. Myosotis here turned up last year, it hasn’t been very weedy yet and will get some space.
Your Arum italicun looks special, ‘normal’ italicum might be present in the old hortus garden.

Some rain is forecasted for tonight, otherwise weather here is the same, yesterday something wet (doesn’t deserve to be called rain) fell out of the sky, otherwise no precipitation since beginning of April, expectations are not good either. From a wet-ish start of spring, the situation in the Netherlands is ranging from dry to extremely dry regarding ground water levels. Drought is making the headlines, farmers are in distress and water levels are being raised.

Robert

Temperatures are also above average, Californian plants will be loving it here soon, adding that Nemophila and Limnanthes sown early (I spread sowing them) seem to be doing much better then late sown seeds.

The pictures of your plants and combinations showed more to enjoy, it sounds enchanting to see Philadephus lewesii in moonlight.
 Ornithogalum fimbriatum pulvirulenta is quite the opposite, hiding at night and morning.
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A new one (bulb), I have a soft spot for Ornithogalum and certainly for this one.
O. umbellatum in the park (often weedy) is finally getting a chance, not a lot of mowing yet.

Iris lacustris (sown late autumn 2020) surely was a great surprise.
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Didn’t expect it yet and still got impatient last couple of days. 😀 It is so much more exciting, growing this from seeds.
Strawberries in the back are not for dessert, they’re actually there for eating right away.

In my containers high season has ended (while other people talk about the start of season), at the same time there’re beauties to look forward to. Hopefully there’ll be inspiration on the forum to prolong the season, work in progress, going slow works for me.

The park still has a fine display of Allium ursinum going on, maybe rare in wild in the Netherlands, very common here.
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Just a small patch of it, filtered sunlight plays nice tricks. Hyacinthoides hispanica or some hybrid is cheering up other parts, a pity they like to hide.

Time has come to look up in the park.
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Not only autumn, but spring colours seem be special as well.


Narcissus c. was bought as bulbs and no information on their history was included in their description, it will still be worth a try sowing a handful of seeds to see what happens. Your thorough explanation makes so much sense, maybe a bit more thinking before asking would be a good idea (picked up a few things about genetics and evolution along the way). Thanks. And another thanks for showing the tie-wrap trick earlier, a much better way to mark individual flowers that, for example, are hand pollinated, Narcissus c. was used for practice but marking could have been better. Same line of thinking, it might be interesting to sow Allium unifolium.
Looking forward to your Narcissus p. in a vicarious way.

Jasmin

Having read about gay birds years ago, still never thought about the possibilty of birds being trans. Considering the nests and pests, I’m starting to wonder if dogs are easier to keep as a pet, walking Spot I keep an eye on plants and birds around, no ducklings left in the park (at least one in the city canal), six invasive ones are halfway, other birds are probably either on their nests or taking care of newborns, they’re not so present anymore. According to reliable sources, the club of Randy (parrot) and Alexander (parakeet) &2 since late winter, has expanded some more, coincedence or falling leaves will tell.

While writing a few serious raindrops fell.

Shelagh

I like Gymnocarpium robertianum, the green is  fresh indeed.


Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on May 13, 2022, 08:41:21 PM
Akke and Mariette –

Thank you for sharing the photographs of your gardens and other garden sites of interest.

Mariette,

The color combinations in your garden are exquisite!

Akke,

I [we] enjoyed the scene of the large trees in the park with the water in the foreground. The willow reminded me [us] of the pond in Monet’s garden. With calm water the reflections of the trees off the water could be a very pleasing and tranquil scene. Super!

Akke and Mariette

We share your concerns regarding drought, and other adverse variables on agriculture and our gardens. Our garden here in Sacramento is designed around an overall plan of sustainability and subsistence agriculture. It is my thought, a global peak in agricultural production is here or near. A great deal of our garden is devoted to producing calories and balanced nutrition:  we grow grains, calorie crops such as potatoes and sweet potatoes, as well as a variety of fruits and vegetables. The goal is sustainable food self-sufficiency.  [Containers are ideal additions, since they add growing space in areas where root competition would hinder plants in the ground, although not the weeds.  In this way we can diminish the weeds, make more efficient use of water, and provide both beauty and edibles.] I will get some help in this regard from food production from our Placerville property.

I think a lot about Ian Young’s admonition in his Bulb Log concerning application of Nature and the natural processes in our gardens. I like the concept of using our powers of observation to create beauty in our gardens.

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This is a scene of Lupinus benthamii near our Placerville property. I attempt to create similar mass displays of seasonal color in our garden using California native annual species.

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Eschscholzia caespitosa and Lupinus benthamii are in bloom in this wild scene. In a month this scene will turn brown and look more like a desert or wasteland. This is part of the natural process in our part of California. I do not want our garden to look like a desert or wasteland during the summer and autumn months, so I tend to think of our garden as an oasis, with flowers and food crops growing throughout all the seasons.

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Our native Asclepias cordifolia is a food source for our endangered Monarch Butterflies. This is a native species that I wish to incorporate into our garden. Our desire is to create a garden that produces not only food, but also beauty, habitat, space and food for many other creatures.

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I enjoy and appreciate our local native Viola species. This is Viola douglasii.

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Keckiella breviflora var. breviflora is closely related to the genus Penstemon. When I view plants in their natural habitat I have the opportunity to consider what attributes I wish to incorporate in our garden. Sometimes I will cultivate a plant in our garden through the inspiration I received from a completely different plant species I encountered in the wild.
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on May 13, 2022, 08:44:28 PM
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Scutellaria tuberosa is a native species I wish to incorporate into our garden. Some species require some experimentation or genetic selection before they settle well into our garden.

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Castilleja affinis ssp. affinis has adjusted well to our garden. This fine specimen (grown from seed) is now approaching ten years of age in our garden. It is still thriving.  [This combination of Lupinus with Castilleja was a “happy accident”.  Both have been difficult to maintain on their own; whereas the combination has done incredibly well.]

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Castilleja attenuata is an annual species. In the past, I have had some success growing this species in our garden. My desire is to establish domestic seed lines and procure seeds from wild plants as little as possible.

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Our California native species, Potentilla gracilis var. fastigiata is a perennial that seeds about in our garden. I enjoy both the foliage and flowers of this species. This species is tolerant of both drought and summer irrigation, as well as sun or part shade. It is an ideal species for our oasis garden.

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I want plants that are relatively easy-to-grow and look good. This seedling Pulmonaria has attractive foliage. It is a keeper.
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Stefan B. on May 14, 2022, 05:58:09 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/PbFTkwf.jpg)

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Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ian mcdonald on May 15, 2022, 06:06:03 PM
Th first Azalea I,ve inherited. The colour looks like Magenta? The next two Azaleas are in my neighbours garden.

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Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Graham Catlow on May 19, 2022, 03:07:14 PM
Here’s some from today.

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Weldenia candida - just a pity the flowers only last a day.

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Fritillaria camschatcencis

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Rhodohypoxis ‘Albrighton’

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Erinus alpinus with two Salix boydii. I’m hoping the Erinus will seed into all the crevices eventually.
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on May 19, 2022, 04:14:52 PM
From the Perthshire garden of Anton Edwards:
"Rhododendrons and Rape all at their best. Time to move on now....."

   In answer to the question.... Do you have bulbs in the area of longer grass?
    " Indeed we do. Started by planting a few thousand crocus to brighten up March, leave cutting till mid June or thereabouts. And now the uncut areas are developing bluebells, Fritillaria meleagris and Lady’s Smock."

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 "Fed up with gaudy rhododendrons? Try Clematis ‘Freda’ on a south wall: just needs water and mulch round the base occasionally."

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Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Mariette on May 19, 2022, 05:15:44 PM
The pics of Scottish gardens make me sorry for having not visited any, yet! Flowering rape has a wonderful scent, wafted over quite a long distance, I noticed. It must be great to enjoy the rhododendrons in flower and that lovely smell at the same time!

Chris, Your Weldenia candida looks very attractive!

Shelagh, Your Gymnocarpium robertianum would be a great asset to my garden if I only could grow more ferns.

Stefan, nice scenes from Your garden. The first pic shows a flowering quince?

Akke, I simply enjoy plants enhancing each other, either those growing wild or planted in the garden. Even in the garden, some assemble by chance, like the golden balm and Parameconopsis cambrica in my vegetable garden, due to the use of lots of compost.

(https://up.picr.de/43549267li.jpg)

In this case the flowers of self-sown Anthriscus sylvestris adorn the leaves of Polygonum microcephalum ´Red Dragon´.

(https://up.picr.de/43582024dk.jpg)

Robert, I marvel at Your rhododendrons, I wouldn´t have thought that they´ll grow in California. Due to the heat and drought of recent years, we lost more than half of them, this trio represents some of the survivors.

(https://up.picr.de/43582022gv.jpg)

Another plant which suffered from the drought is Saxifraga granulata ´Plena´. I didn´t plant it in this spot, but somehow it managed to move into the shelter of Lamium maculatum.

(https://up.picr.de/43636797wd.jpg)

When I got Lathyrus laxiflorus from Bulgaria I thought it would prefer a drier place in the garden, as L. vernus does. But during the dry spell we faced recently it didn´t look happy.

(https://up.picr.de/43636794qi.jpg)
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Nik on May 19, 2022, 10:33:24 PM
Mid-May is when everything becomes green in our area. I decided to show as an example my very first Japanese maple seedling. All of my Japanese maples suffered quite a bit this spring from aphids damage.
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on May 20, 2022, 08:33:58 PM
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Although much of our garden is devoted to small-scale subsistence agriculture, I am still concerned about the look and feeling of our ornamental plantings and the garden as a whole: [Our vision is for a place of incredible beauty, stimulating for all the senses]. Pictured above is the view of the garden we see when rounding the corner of our house and entering the garden each morning. This view changes constantly with the seasons; my goal is to have a feeling of wonderment and pleasure upon entering the garden for the first time each day [each hour is magical]. This is something like the ambiance as Robert Conway crossed the pass and saw for the first time the Valley of the Blue Moon – a valley filled with fruit trees, vegetables, grains, as well as ornamental plants. Think actor Ronald Coleman in the 1937 film Lost Horizon. These ideas fit into my concept of an oasis garden, a refuge from the outside world.

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Clarkia, Farewell to Spring, blooming is fitting as our garden transitions from spring to summer.

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Our late blooming California native Themidaceae are now coming into bloom. Pictured is Brodiaea minor.

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Here Triteleia bridgesii is coming into bloom with the last flowers of Eschscholzia caespitosa.

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The last of the California Themidaceae to bloom in our garden is Harvest Bodiaea, Brodiaea elegans ssp. elegans. It is a fitting name for this species as the first flowers generally open with the barley harvest and the last flowers opening with the rye and wheat harvest.
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on May 20, 2022, 08:37:09 PM
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Our low elevation native and annual Chaenactis species generally thrive in our garden. This is Chaenactis artemisifolia. The flowers of this species are a delight as well as the lace gray foliage. There are other annual native Chaenactis species I wish to try in our garden. I am in no hurry, it will all happen in time.

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Papaver somniferum ‘Lauren’s Grape is my favorite Papaver somniferum variety.

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I very much appreciate and like Ian Young’s Bulb Log comments concerning nature and naturalistic plantings. This is Polystichum californicum growing among Lilium pardalium and both native and non-native Aquilegia species. Vegetables and other edible crops look good in beds and tidy rows. Our ornamental plantings are somewhat random as I let many species seed around naturally. I never know what I am going to get; however it almost always looks nice to me [Jasmin adds: I think it is exciting and gorgeous. I love happy surprises.]. Annual as well as perennial species seed about. As much as I try to plan and duplicate garden aspects that I like, it is always turns out different than planned. This is fine with me. Nature does a much better job of creating beauty than I do.

Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on May 22, 2022, 01:21:06 PM
From the Perthshire garden of Anton and Margaret Edwards:

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Arisaema quinatum lurking by the rhododendrons.


The rock garden getting ready for  June....

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Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Nik on May 22, 2022, 04:44:08 PM
I tried to post a single picture today and I failed. In this day and age that is Inexplicable. This is my last post to this forum.
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on May 22, 2022, 05:51:03 PM
I tried to post a single picture today and I failed. In this day and age that is Inexplicable. This is my last post to this forum.
What a shame.  Most of us know that such mishaps occur in all sorts of ways, "even" in modern life!
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ruweiss on May 22, 2022, 09:03:41 PM
Thank you all for showing us these beautiful landscape and plant pictures.
Attached are some photos from our garden:
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: MarcR on May 23, 2022, 06:09:15 AM
What a shame.  Most of us know that such mishaps occur in all sorts of ways, "even" in modern life!

It is often said that patience is a necessary trait for gardeners. If one failure garners that kind of response, What will the poor fellow do when expensive plants die unexplainably?
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ian mcdonald on May 23, 2022, 07:40:51 PM
I think he should try again. I,m the worst person to use modern equipment. I don,t even understand what many people are saying these days as they seem to speak a different language nowadays. I have just used a dvd to look at some photos. in the lap top and now it will not work again.
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Andre Schuiteman on May 25, 2022, 04:12:07 PM
1. Astrantia major. A spontaneous seedling from a named clone, Princess Sturdza. The mother plant appeared virussed and was discarded, the seedling looks almost identical but seems perfectly healthy and vigorous.
[attachimg=1]
2. Erodium glandulosum.
[attachimg=2]
3. Paris luquanensis. Received as P. marmorata but I believe this is P. luquanensis instead, which has relatively longer petals. The flowers open before the leaves have fully unfolded. This is one of those plants I wouldn't risk planting in the open garden unless I had a backup, which I haven't. So it will stay in a pot outdoors in a shady spot, plunged in sand.
[attachimg=3]
4. Phlox nana. Both this Phlox, which is not as dwarf as the name suggests, and the Erodium are recent acquisitions from the AGS Early Spring Show (from the same well-known Welsh nursery), so I am not claiming to have properly grown them myself.
[attachimg=4]
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Akke on May 25, 2022, 09:44:49 PM
So many lovely pictures and plants, in a pleasant way, some make me think of a jigsaw puzzle.

Stefan

The light and contrast on your daisy (?) picture is great.

Nik

I know it can be quite annoying when something doesn’t go as planned, it usually happens to me as new replies have been posted while writing (slowly). I’ll miss your Acer palmatum (maybe something is happening here) and your mosses (ours are just getting wet for the third time).

Robert

Rain has come, in this part of the Netherlands, the particularly fine one, dropping down slowly and for now a good start. Other parts have been less lucky and had destructive thunderstorms, in Germany even tornado-like, climate change? In a totally different way, part of California doesn’t seem to do well either.

Mariëtte and Robert

Good to hear that you didn’t  plan all those lovely plant combinations, thanks for sharing more great ones, you certainly know how (and which) to show.😀 I’ll go on experimenting.


Robert

Combining agriculture with ornamental plants in your garden looks good, I like vegatable gardens. Considering the amount of square meters per person in this country (a lockdown-inspired art project made a good representation),  growing your own food on a big scale doesn’t sound very attractive, I’ve enjoyed my first sweet peas though, first strawberries are getting pink.



In my containers things have slowed down after the abundant flowering late winter/(early) spring (changing point probably is variable), even more then expected after autumn reorganization, moving plants to neighbours’ containers.  Well, it is work in progress and a very joyful one.
Allium season starting and A. oreophlium dwarf is a new bulb, the colour is really this dark.
[attachimg=1]

Regarding annuals, (bees mixes have been sown late) Nemophila maculata (sown early March) is a very lovely ‘Californian’, keeping trained Quercus company.
[attachimg=2]
N. menziesii is also starting to flower, a handful of seeds of both will be sown in autumn.

No flowers, not even green, still a good sign.
[attachimg=3]
Seedpod of Crocus rhodensis, got this one before the ants did.

The old Hortus botanicus is a good place to go borrowing now, high season is starting there, very considerate.
[attachimg=4]
Lots more in flower, this group of Polygonatum multiflorum(?) looks impressive.

This willow (trained by nature) is in the top of favourite trees in the park.
[attachimg=5]
Very peaceful, yet the water and land were actually part of the city defense (used in 1672), still celebrating 28th of August. I really wish that these kind of remembrance days were something from the past.

 
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on May 27, 2022, 05:23:44 PM
Akke,

Allium oreophlium looks quite striking with its reddish colored flowers. Thank you for sharing the photograph.

The photograph of the willow also caught my attention.

I have so many questions to ask, but these will have to wait. I have drifted back into agriculture and a completely different rhythm of life. This is where I started and I am happiest. For me this is the good life.

I have a backlog of photographs of ornamental plants from our garden to share from the past week and will share these soon enough.
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on May 28, 2022, 08:00:45 PM
[attachimg=1]

We have exciting news from our garden! The Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies, Battus philenor, have found our California Pipevine, Aristolochia californica! It has taken a number of years for the butterflies to find our plant, but they have finally arrived. The larva of this butterfly species feeds on our California native Pipevine. Last year I gathered seed from our Pipevine. The seeds germinated this spring and I am now growing more on to plant out in the garden. Now that the Pipevine Butterflies have found our garden, Jasmin and I immediately went out and bought concrete reinforcing mesh to provide support for the seedling Aristolochia we will be planting out: Already Jasmin prepared three other locations. In addition, numerous native Arctostaphylos species have been planted in our garden to provide nectar for the Pipevine Swallowtails in the early spring. When out doing field botany in the early spring I often see the Swallowtails feeding on nectar provided by Arctostaphylos flowers.
[Jasmin:  It was such a miracle to witness this butterfly, I wept.  It was so fast and active, hardly settling for long.  I kept praying to get just one photo.  Perhaps my asking it to come for just one photo worked?  We are grateful!]

[attachimg=2]

The spring flowering season is winding down.  [Although the West Coast Lillies are just opening, and native Aquilegia is still strong.] Dichelostemma multiflorum is looking nice near one of our native Arctostaphylos species.

[attachimg=3]

Brodiaea elegans ssp. elegans has been planted throughout our garden.  [Although the nearby Eriogonum is not as brilliant as earlier, it is still a lovely show, particularly near the strong purple of the Brodiaea.  This lighting and composition of this photo does no justice to the two. The nearly 40°C and blasting sun is happier for these plants than for the photography.]

[attachimg=4]

Here Brodaea elegans ssp. elegans is blooming near an early ripening orange-flesh nectarine that I budded last autumn.

[attachimg=5]

Here Brodiaea elegans ssp. elegans is blooming near Arctostaphylos viscida ssp. viscida. This is a plant association that is frequently seen in native habitats in our area. Seedpods of Calochortus luteus are ripening (left), and Leptosiphon ciliatus is blooming with its tiny pink flowers.
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on May 28, 2022, 08:04:37 PM
[attachimg=1]

Brodiaea terrestris ssp. terrestris is also a late blooming species.

[attachimg=2]

A few days ago the first flower buds of Calochortus superbus started to open.

[attachimg=3]

The fully open flowers are amazingly intricate and beautiful.

[attachimg=4]

In the shaded part of the garden the first of the Lilium pardalinum hybrids are starting to open.

[attachimg=5]

The white flowers of Heteromeles arbutifolia have a strong pollen scent. This plant grows near the path to the compost pile (a must for our garden!). The scent of the Toyon (Heteromeles) reminds me of the local chaparral habitats where this species is native.
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on May 28, 2022, 08:06:36 PM
[attachimg=1]

Rhododendron cumberlandense is one of the late blooming Azalea species that thrive in our garden.

[attachimg=2]

The tall stems of Aquilegia formosa are filled with flowers in our shaded garden. The fragrant flowers of Nicotiana sylvetris are now open too. The tall stems of Digitalis purpurea are loaded with seedpods. Hopefully they will seed about our garden without help on my part. I always sow seed of this species just in case they fail to seed in the garden. Their flower show each spring is something I do not want to miss.

Now our garden is transitioning into its summer phase. Planting and harvesting agricultural crops now occupies much of my time and is very pleasant. For me, the natural rhythm of the agricultural seasons is being restored. The barley harvest has been completed and I have almost finished the rye harvest. Natural wild yeast sour dough cakes and salt free pickled vegetables are finally returning to my diet. With the hot summer-like weather I can contemplate ornamentals for our summer – early autumn garden. Planning autumn agricultural crops has already started.

[The temperatures have vacillated all week:  We had a couple of nearly 40°C days, followed by a precipitous drop down to around 20°C.  This trend seems likely to continue.  It remains dry in our area, with clouds from storms to the far north passing through.

Nik, 

Thank you for the times you have submitted in the past.  The tranquility of your garden and nearby has brought me wonderful reminders to slow down, breathe, and persevere through a challenging time.  I have learned to appreciate mosses more, having your exquisite photos bringing their details to my attention.  Computer stuff remains a challenge for me, and for Robert, so we understand your decision to bow out.  Just want you to know our gratitude for what you have submitted.

Akke,

Your photos are incredible.  Just loved the Allium, the willow by the water, and the ant (under wildlife).  One day I saw a bee just poking up out of an iris in the early morning, as if poking out from under the covers and deciding it was too early to get up.  I was not quick enough to get back out to photograph it, but I did think of you.  Many of the birds have begun molting, a good sign.  Hopefully Naomi can take the hint, and we will be done with nests and eggs—the first rest since mid-February.  Tovi, on the other hand, is having a terrible time:  He is normally my sweetest, but lately has been aggressive.  Today he went after me, and bit my arm hard (better than my face).  I still have yet to figure out what upset him.  That is what I get for loving creatures that really are not domesticated.  More material for my bird care guide!  Never a dull moment!]
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ian mcdonald on May 28, 2022, 08:29:16 PM
Robert, I envy your cool temperatures, here it is around 15oC and raining. The same is forecast for all of next week. More like a poor March.
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: MarcR on May 29, 2022, 03:24:10 AM
Robert,

Lovely garden!  You seem to be about 3-4 weeks ahead of us, in The Salem area of Oregon.

It must be nice to have things maturing early.
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Mike Ireland on May 29, 2022, 11:14:15 AM
A selection from the garden.
Aquilegia canadensis
Campanula betulifolia
Clematis hirsutissima
Clematis fusca dwarf form, from seed sent to me by Lesley Cox

Robert, would really like to be able to grow Calochortus in the garden, even in the alpine house I find them near impossible.
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on May 29, 2022, 02:07:27 PM
Another from Anton Edwards : " Weeds or Wonders? Here are four to think about: hellebores in seed, Brunnera leaves, blue Corydalis flowers and yellow welsh poppies (Meconopsis cambrica) They all are beautiful, and normal weeds don’t stand a chance against them. But they all take over the world if not controlled …  "

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on May 29, 2022, 02:15:21 PM
Also from the garden of Anton and Margaret  - some paeonia shots from Anton ....

[attachimg=1]
P. lutea ludlowii

[attachimg=2]
P. rockii type

[attachimg=3]
P. rockii type
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Mariette on May 29, 2022, 03:50:20 PM
Diplacus pictus is a very tiny plant for me. If I may save seed, I´ll sow it earlier than March when it arrived with me this year.

(https://up.picr.de/43705774yu.jpg)

Peloric foxgloves were growing in the garden when we bought the house 38 years ago. A pseudo-pelorie with proliferation turned up a few years ago, this year´s find shows additional petals as well.

(https://up.picr.de/43705778xp.jpg)

This plant was bought as Lathyrus gmelinii, but looks different from plants shown growing wild. Any ideas? In the background are the orange flowers of Lathyrus aureus, a smaller and daintier plant in all parts with me.

(https://up.picr.de/43705775uo.jpg)

Vincetoxicum hirundinaria ssp intermedia showing yellow flowers.

(https://up.picr.de/43705777uv.jpg)
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Claire Cockcroft on May 29, 2022, 05:59:45 PM
There is a lot of color in the garden, despite the seesaw weather of rain/cold/hot.

Maianthemum racemosum (Smilacina racemosa)
[attach=1]

Iris innominata (or a close hybrid)
[attach=2]

Dianthus and genista
[attach=3]
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Claire Cockcroft on May 29, 2022, 06:03:11 PM
While I grow many rare and/or difficult plants, I also appreciate the common, easy ones.

Dianthus
[attach=1]

Aethionema
[attach=2]

Amsonia, just coming into bloom
[attach=3]
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ruweiss on May 29, 2022, 09:19:34 PM
Dear friends, thanks for showing all the fine plants in your gardens.
Attached are some photos from the last time:
Title: Re: May 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ruweiss on May 29, 2022, 09:25:14 PM
More plants:
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