Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => Flowers and Foliage Now => Topic started by: fermi de Sousa on January 01, 2015, 04:21:25 AM
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Happy New Year!
Here are the fireworks: Allium flavum ssp tauricum from NARGS 2010 seedex from Louise Parsons, possibly from seeds from McMark?
cheers
fermi
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Happy New Year to all from Olinda with a few Lilies flowering today . I grew the Calochortus from seed and hope I got the correct name for it .
Marcus , your vivid recollections of your friendship with Essie in her garden and in the mountains of Tasmania also bring back fond memories of my encounter with Essie . As far as I can remember she only came across to Melbourne on three occasions and staying with me on two . She was extremely generous sharing her most treasured plants with me and there are still some of these growing here : some Petiolaris Primulas and the bigeneric hybrid x Brigandra caliantha 'Salisbury'. Marcus do you remember her two large pots filled with extremely happy plants of Shortia uniflora ?She gave me small plants of it on several occasions which grew here for a number of years . But every few years we get a few days in summer when the temperature climbs to 40 degrees or above which was the end of my Shortia .
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Otto,
Your photograph of Calochortus clavatus is beautiful and well grown. Thank you so much for sharing it.
Here are a few tips to help identify Calochortus clavatus that I hope are helpful. The anthers of C. clavatus are deep purple or near that color shade, including the anthers of var. recurvifolius.
C. clavatus var. recurvifolius is a stout plant, much shorter than C. clavatus clavatus. Also, the leaves of variety recurvifolius are strongly recurved, hence the name.
I hope that this information is useful to you.
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We have just been up to Falls Creek to the Bogong National Park Victoria, it is about 10 years since we last spent sometime wondering around the hills, I call them hills because they are only 1,500meters above sea level and the Mts in Europe are much higher than ours and you probably won't think of them as Mountains.
We rented a house in Mt Beauty which is about half an hours drive up to Falls Creek where we could take Lucy our dog as we did not want to leave her with anyone.
As you can see from the first shot there have been some severe bush fires through the National Park burning everything in its path, all of the plants have sprung back into life and the snow gums are re shooting from the base (they have a special system that is designed to cope with bush fires), with dead silvery tops.
You can park the car on the side of the road at Watchbed Creek, and three steps and all of our unusual beautiful Alpine plants are at your feet.
We had sunshine when we arrived 10 minutes later lightning and thunder all around us then hail, then sunshine again, but it was beautiful to see all of the plants at their best.
I would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year.
Bogong National Park Watchbed creek 1
Falls Creek Ruined Castle Track
Aciphylla glacialis & Ewartia
Aciphylla glacialis 3
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Some more pics
Brachyscome spathulata alba?
Brachyscome spathulata.
Celmisia sericophylla
Kunzea ericifolia
Ewartia nubigena & Gnaphalium nitidulum
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And some more if your not too bored.
Neopaxia australasica 2
Pentachondra pumila.
Ranunculus victoriensis
Scaevola hookeri
Thelymitra venosa
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Hi Viv,
How brilliant to return there after 10 years. Did your legs carry you the same? Are the Bogongs sharp or rolly?
Typical alpine weather but probably exacerbated by our mad Xmas stuff.
I love those tiny jewel-like encrusted dearies and the dainty little daisies. The look so fragile ... but they are so well adapted. As I said in my ESSIE AND ME piece, now is the time. I can close my eyes and be there.
M
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I love that Thelymitra Vivienne, we don't see venosa here but we have ixioides which is quite similar except spotted rather than striped.
Here are some sunflowers grown by my daughter Isabel. She's turning 7 this month.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7555/15985411360_ecaaa69008_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/qmzpSG)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7530/16170858171_5713a0f59e_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/qCXSKv)
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Hi Jamus,
A very apt bloom! What did it get to there today?
Were you or Trevor in any danger?
Those sun orchids are so intense but so fleeting. Some of the species in Tassie never open their flowers and are self pollinating. Sorta misses the point, but there must be a point. Nature usually has a reason, even if it is sometimes bizarre.
Cheers, M
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Hi Marcus, not danger at this stage except perhaps from a broken heart, watching our gardens get burnt and cooked alive. It was 43 here today, in the shade. Anything or anybody unlucky enough to be caught in the sun today would have experienced 45 or more. Trevor has some gorgeous lilies flowering there at the present; I hope they didn't fall over for him. My L. lancifolium is heavy with buds and about to burst. It got through the day unscathed thankfully.
Re the thelymitra, perhaps an evolutionary hangover still going through the motions? Even with self pollination there will be the advantage of wider distribution, something which can't really happen through clonal reproduction...? Nature does do some just plain stupid things and keeps on doing them; the trouble with evolution, it's just a blind process, you can't go back and take a different route with the benefit of hindsight. Dead ends are frequently encountered, which is why it's estimated that more than 99% of species which ever lived on earth are now extinct.
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Marcus,
I once sent Paul T some (non-opening) thelymita which had self-seeded into the garden. They opened for him, which suggests to me that cross-pollination can still happen for our native ones. I assume that temperature is the critical factor.
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So many times I've gone to photograph native orchids in the adelaide hills and found the thelymitras closed. They are very sensitive to light. The sun goes behind a cloud and they all shut up.
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Thanks guys, both excellent explanations. The old strategies and tactics again, eh Rob?
Cheers, M
PS Trevor sent some pics yesterday Jamus. Mentioned that they probably would make it through today's sear.
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Get them keen early Jamus, its how all good gardeners are made. They will give you a run for your money when they raise a rare plant you thought you would never see.
We did not have to walk far this time to see the Alpine plants Marcus, so the legs held up well
Viv
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Those are rather smart sunflowers that young Miss Stonor is growing - I'm impressed!
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Viv, the happiest of New Years to you, too!
Many thanks for letting us , all these many thousands of miles away, share your trip and all those delightful flowers.
( I'll say this quietly, because I have an ongoing battle with Ian about the planting of large spiky NZ Aciphyllas in the garden : those Aciphylla glacialis are rather wonderful. ) ;)
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Five houses were lost last night in the bushfires here. One man suspected dead was found alive and well after he took refuge in a dam. The fires are still burning and although we are not in any immediate danger it is a worrying situation. The bureau of meteorology has forecast possible thunder storms with little or no rain; a lethal combination.
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Jamus,
Is 43c a typical temperature for you this time of year or is it closer an extreme?
Dry lightning can cause big problems as it is often accompanied by gusty winds. Let's hope they get those fires out and no new fires are started.
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Robert 43 is an anomaly for early January but has happened on occasion. Not sure about the record breaking status of this bit of weather but we'll find out once the numbers are in. It's a nasty day here and we are all on edge. Bags are packed ready to leave if things escalate.
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Jesus, I do hope you guys get through ok. I thought you had quite a wet spring and that moisture levels would be up?
How far are you away from Trevor?
All my thoughts and prayers.
M
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A harrowing day, Trevor is only 15km from me here. I went past his place today on my way to my Mum's place. The column of smoke was unbelievable, looming over the area to the North East of Mount Lofty. There were large numbers of aircraft in the air, water bombers; both fixed wing and helicopters, survey planes etc. The wind has swung around and is now coming from the South. Temperatures have dropped 10 degrees or more and we even had some rain. There were fires started by lightning but all were quickly dealt with by the CFS. We owe so much to the professional conduct of our fire fighting force and the shocking thing is that the majority are volunteers (albeit well trained volunteers). We really ought to have more paid fire fighters.
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Glad to hear temperatures are moderating. I can't imagine outside temperatures of 43oC!
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The good news is my little rock garden escaped pretty well unscathed! Raoulia is coming to flower, Penstemons are fine, Campanulas positioned strategically under rock overhangs to give midday shade are looking good. Even Aster alipinus is okay. Of course the Origanums and Thymus lap it up, a couple of the saxifraga look slightly burnt... we'll see how they recover. A lot of other garden plants look dreadful but for the most part they are things which go dormant, retreating into their below ground parts and waiting out the drought.
Marcus, moisture levels are unbelievably low! Spring was good but from November onward it just dried up and got warmer and warmer. We have officially had the warmest spring since records began.
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Jamus,
The fire situation seems quite critical. If your situation is anything like California, the fire danger only increases until the late fall, early winter rain arrives. May the fires be brought under control soon. At least the temperatures have moderated. Our good thoughts are towards you and all others in your part of the world.
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Trying to contemplate how awful it must be for the folks threatened by wildfires. It seems amazing to me that none of the members at risk in the past have been hurt - I can only hope this luck continues.
I remember Pat's description of her fears for her family - what Jamus must be thinking with the risk to his family is beyond awful, I'm sure .
May everyone be safe.
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Jamus , I am much relieved to read that you and family are well and that the fires were not in your immediate vicinity . I followed the situation closely on ABC TV. I live also in a fire prone area (the Dandenong Ranges ) and have left my home on several occasions when catastrophic condition were announced on the Radio . Here the temperature yesterday only reached 38 C but some Primulas , Saxifragas and more did not enjoy it (neither did I ) . Don't worry re losses in your Rockgarden , I'm only too happy to replace them ,
with all my good wishes that you stay safe , Otto.
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Thank you Otto, then you know how we have been feeling. I'm happy to say that the weather is much cooler and the fires are for the moment contained and some actually almost under control. Fire fighting is much different these days to when I was a kid and we had the ash Wednesday fires (I was in primary school but I will never forget). Water bombing aircraft, helicopters, surveillance and communication technology. Evacuations are so efficient and swift and everyone is so well informed in real time about where the fire is and what's happening. Robert was dead right when he said that fire conditions are set to worsen. We are in a very bad situation now until proper autumn rains come. The state is tinder dry.
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Thanks Maggi, the Aciphylla glacial is is not all that prickly and the lilac to maroon stems are just gorgeous, pitty the seed was not ripe enough to collect it was still very green. Unfortunately the plants of Aciphylla are on the rare side as the cattle love them. Thank goodness we have a new local government that have just removed the cattle from the high country, as much as I love to see the cattle up there, they are also so destructive especially in the sphagnum moss area's its a very fragile environment.
There have been a few paddocks fenced off called Molly's paddocks, apparently these paddocks have been well researched over the years and the difference in the vegetation inside the fences is very noticeable. There were a lot of plants tagged where we were walking I think a lot of Botanising has been done, as so many plants were just Celmisia sp. and Helichrysum sp. and plenty of others with no names at all, not sure what these two plants are called but one does look like a Helichrysum, a dwarf little shrub approx 30 to 40cm.
Apparently there have been papers written on these and other plants but there is no money to print them or to put them on the web.
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Hi Jamus,
I hope for a miracle! It does seem so surreal especially as we are currently receiving a really benign spell. Yesterday's 30 degree day broke with a glorious bucketing for most of the evening, and today light, sunny conditions that would have brought a gleam to your eye.
I do hope and pray all of you find a way. It's nerve-wracking waiting for that big one. Three years ago it was like that here when the Dunalley fire broke. I was working outside in frying conditions with one eye on the back of the mountain looking for that tell tail funnel.
God, I haven't heard from Trevor!
Cheers, Marcus
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Snapped a few pics while up mowing the lawns. Nothing great but for the record.
Origanum "Belissimo" - Bred by me and now out in Garden Land World. I think Lambley's have it.
Origanum Green Seedling - Love the green hops. Earlier and brighter than O. rotundifolium, well my lot.
Origanum "Kent Beauty" - The first one? from Washfield after John Watson carried rotundie back from Turkey. Traded with Elizabeth Strangman for a root of Tassie's H. "Betty Ranicar". Carried to England in Dan Magnus' backpack on his way to Africa to make drums. Neither of us made any money out of it, before its time, but it was kind of satisfying to beat the "Big Boys", and I did get Belissimo as a offspring.
M
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A few neglected lilies to end with. Haven't seen me for ages, I thought I heard them cry out in alarm when I turned the corner.
Up my back steps
Coming up from around the side of the house
Mellow Yellow
Curled Back Baby
My names for them as pets in pots nothing official.
M
Modify message
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Here are some sunflowers grown by my daughter Isabel. She's turning 7 this month.
Good to hear the situation is cleared up now. When I saw this burning thing around Adelaide, I was thinking of you and your family.
The big eyes of Isabel and the big eyes of the magic sunflowers, Great.
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one eye on the back of the mountain looking for that tell tail funnel.
That and the smell of aviation fuel in the air send shivers down your spine.
Jamus, I hope you have continued good luck.
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Haven't heard anything from the SA guys so hope things have reached a lull. Wednesday is the day apparently.
Thought some people might be interested in what my partner Susan Jarick does in her days off!
Just a few snaps of the artist in her garret. The detail! Ugh! What if she slips? Its all water colour so there is NO room for error.
BTW the lilium I grew from seed as L. leucanthum Black Dragon Strain, which is though of as representative of Farrers foundling, Centifolium. Mmmmm I found evidence of bulbil formation in the axils. Sargentiae blood?
M
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Marcus, Susan's water colours look amazing! I grew up with Mum working as a botanical illustrator, she does water colour in a similar style as well as botanical line drawing. I have some examples of her work I can photograph to share if people are interested? Does Susan sell her work anywhere?
A lul is right, the fires are still burning within containment lines but it's looking promising that they will have them under control by the end of the week.
Today Isabel and I went up to Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens for a bit of respite from the desert like conditions here; it was lovely as ever. A few pictures follow;
Isabel poses with the Hydrangeas for scale
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8616/16015937738_87245e3d4c_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/qpgSiy)
Hostas all in flower now
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8576/16015937818_9c44cf6bfc_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/qpgSjW)
Lilium regale in full bloom
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7486/16201553151_3508e2aaf0_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/qFFcii)
Thalictrum delavayi, one of my all time favourite woodlanders
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8652/16017323859_14a138cc53_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/qpoYmc)
Cornus capitata looking stunning.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7502/16017619197_1a7e310fd3_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/qpqu9e)
Isabel in the woodland garden enjoying the coolth and the moisture
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7558/16177572696_815998f598.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/qDyhKb)
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Isabel is surely in the right place Jamus. I've been thinking of you all in SA these last few days and especially too, of Pat Toolan. I'm not sure where she is in relation to the Adelaide Hills. We've had fires here too but nothing like yours nor our temperatures. Please God that you all remain well and safe until this beastly heatwave ends, with all its risks and dangers.
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This lily, an Asiatic, is called 'Landine.' Not so black as the picture on the package but darker than in this picture. Another which will be out in a few days, though a rabbit undermined it last night, is 'Black Spider, same colour in the centre but on a creamy ground.
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Landini ?
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For the last few days when it wasn't too hot outside, I've been working on this washtub, an old double, each part with its own drainage hole which goes here into a calf drinking trough (of which I have a number) which keeps the washtub off the ground. It was supposed to be a crevice garden but I wanted to use the middle rock which stretches almost all the way across and has a few nooks and crannies. The crevices are OK though because even though rather wider than I'd like they'll work all right because they are perched on top of large rocks put in the base to stabilise and also to save on potting mix. The roots will get down quickly to the rocky substrate and hopefully feel at home. It's hard to tell from the pictures but the raised top is about 15cms above the edges.
There are about 25 plants including a few bulbs such as Crocus o.b. 'Chocolate Soldier' and Narcissus asturiensis, Frit. sibthorpiana, and a couple of very tiny min bearded irises which are only 5cms in flower. They're at opposite corners while the other cormers have Carduncellus rhaponticoides and Jasminum parkeri. My mother's plant reach a metre across and more than half that in height but was over 30 years old at that stage so I doubt if it will get too big here in my lifetime. Otherwise there are a couple each of primulas, gentianas, aquilegias, dianthus, 4 androsaces and some other things. everything is labelled to within an inch of its life and for now, well watered but I'm having to do that twice a day until they're established and put a cover on as soon as watered to keep the heat down.
Until I started to take the photos I didn't realize A) how dirty it is so will need a good scrub down and B) that there are a couple of leaks in the bottom front. One is actually dripping water when I have watered. It may need to be dried off and sealed.
I'm not entirely happy with it but by the time the plants grow some, it won't look too bad - I hope!
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Lesley Pat is a long way north of where the fires are and is quite safe. I am guessing her arils will be enjoying the heat and the dry more than my woodland plants...
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Robert I expect you are right. The packet (the only way we can buy lilies) said 'Landine' but nothing would surprise me. Actually there are a couple of nurseries specializing in lilies but I'm not even sure if they're extant any more.
A few more of the trough. Not sure that I have them in the right order but it doesn't matter.
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That looks great Lesley! I need a concrete trough like that! I saw one for sale on gumtree but when I inquired it was sold already... I should but the word out among the people with property that I know. I had my first attempt at making a hyper-tufa trough last week but something went horribly wrong and I need to try again. I may be able to salvage it yet.
What have you planted in there Lesley? Looks like some Saxifraga? Is that a Dwarf species Aquilegia I see?
Take a look at the forecast! If we can get through today we're home free.
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Marcus, Susan's water colours look amazing! I grew up with Mum working as a botanical illustrator, she does water colour in a similar style as well as botanical line drawing. I have some examples of her work I can photograph to share if people are interested? Does Susan sell her work anywhere?
A lull is right, the fires are still burning within containment lines but it's looking promising that they will have them under control by the end of the week.
Hi Jamus, I wish you all of the best of luck for today. I will say an extra prayer and hope this day doesn't amount to the predictions.
Susan sells all her work, except for the special one's she gives me and an occasional gift. I believe Fermi might have one, Iris iberica ssp elegantissima? Otto has the original of what is bannering my website at present, A trilogy of Greek fritillaria and I think, a draft version of Pat Toolan's Iris urumiensis hybrid. Just to name a few. A couple of years ago her painting of Lilium primulinum was purchased at exhibition and given to Dame Elizabeth Murdoch, Rupert's Mum, as a present on her 100th birthday.
She is a lucky girl to have found a purveyor of such fine objects of desire ;D
All the very best Jamus and keep us posted.
Marcus
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I remember as a kid my Mum was preparing work, water colours of old World roses for an exhibition, organised and hosted by Lady Downer. We visited an old World rose expert to obtain some blooms as subjects, Trevor Nottle (Who tells me he doesn't remember my Mum, *rolls eyes*). There was quite a bit of fuss and I think all the paintings sold.
When Trevor contacted me through the Mediterranean Garden Society forum and invited me to his garden I hadn't made the connection. I was about 10 at the time! I don't think he likes the reminder of how many decades have passed between a skinny little boy visiting with his parents and this plant obsessed man of 40 he sees standing before him now. ;D Trevor gave me a piece of a little Euphorbia which he said was smuggled illegally into Australia by Dame Murdoch, in her luggage!
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Ha! Good story!
No-one likes to reminded of these things after a certain age Jamus, but you aren't there yet!
Yes, Trev can be a tad peevish about it sometimes. He took me to see Don and Harvey. You may know them? They are pretty well known in a lot of circles. And Harvey, being the terrible show off and upstager that he is, grabbed hold of and twirled a lock of Trevor's windswept hair and said, "Old Father Time". Nothing more was said, until the point of our departure when Trevor eyeballed Harvey and, in a plaintive voice said, You can be very cruel". It didn't dawn on me, head in the clouds, until much later on what he was talking about!
Do things look clearer over there today or is it a difficult one?
M
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Trevor gave me Don and Harvey's number and said I should introduce myself. I haven't got around to it yet but I intend to. Apparently they have a nice collection of Arisaema.
There is a bit of smoke around today and I hear that the fires are burning within containment lines. There is a HUGE effort today to keep it under control as it's going to get windy ahead of the chance tonight. 38 is the predicted top... it was a hot night last night.
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Hi Jamus,
Don is the gardener and it is quite surprising just what he has in a relatively small space. It's a melee of pots and containers but quite charming in its own way. It really is really big collection of a random obsessive. There are no over arching themes or collection streams. Bit like hundreds and thousands . You know when you sell plants for a living you can get pretty good at predicting what an established customer will order. Not Don. He always surprises me.
Don is a charming man and very welcoming and engaging. Harvey is an artist and must be indulged so expect some high camp in the ofder of Priscilla QOTD.
Good hear on bad news on your front. Keep it up.
M
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Currently stuck at work as there is a fire between here and home! :(
cheers
fermi
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Oh gawd! I thought it rained like Billyo over there today?
Good luck to you too! Does it look like a grassland fire?
M
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Currently stuck at work as there is a fire between here and home! :(
cheers
fermi
That sounds bad, Fermi. Hope you can go home soon!
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Apparently a grass fire but blocking the road junction I have to use to get home.
I'm going to get some groceries and hope that they have it controlled by the time I get there!
There was a bit of rain but accompanied by a thunderstorm which would've meant lightning strikes,
cheers
fermi
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Hi Fermi, you didnt need to camp out and eat the groceries?
Jamus, what happened to the Don and Harvey suricula show? Sounds juicy!
M
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Removed from the record by jamus with hindsight
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Hi Fermi, you didnt need to camp out and eat the groceries?
Hi Marcus,
I eventually got home but had to detour about 20km to go pass where the fires were impacting.
I stopped the car to get these pics,
cheers
fermi
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Meant to post these earlier but forgot!
A couple of Orient-pet Liliums looking a bit scorched in places: Ovation and Belladonna
cheers
fermi
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In the midst of all this drought and heat and death and destruction, there is still beauty to be found. I had a nice afternoon to myself, a rare luxury these days.
Stapelia (Orbea) variegata
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7540/16229086575_8f8bea0de6_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/qJ7j2v)
Origanum dictamnus (thank you Otto)
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8666/16042978409_c225c41a3c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/qrEsy2)
Lysimachia atropurpurea 'Beaujolais'
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7488/15609238363_3a5a5bc34a_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/pMkqKn)
Asarina scandens
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7551/16227222091_093de39eee_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/qHWKMe)
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Brilliant images Jamus! Your work is a delight.
Hey Fermi, did it rain yesterday? We have had such benign weather here its hard to imagine the trials you guys are facing. Still you are all producing flowers!
All the best, M
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The auricula debacle wouldn't have been cheap. Sue Wallbank charges premium.
I doubt whether they could grow the blooming things at their place. Its all steam and shade cloth. "Come and see my jolly little auricula collection. Its there, right up against the arisaema swamp with man-eating Venus Fly Trap, oh and careful you don't tread on that boa constrictor".
M
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Hey Fermi, did it rain yesterday?
Yes, we had about half a mm overnight and another half a mm this morning! :-X
Still cloudy though and they predict a wet weekend (use the words "believe" "when" "see" and "it" in a sentence for 10 points)
Here's the Texan Morning Glory (Ipomoea lindheimeri) earlier in the week - the foliage may look "atypical" because it's growing through a dwarf peach!
cheers
fermi
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Jamus,
That Lysimachia atropurpurea 'Beaujolais' is stunning. Very nicely done.
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Thanks Leon, it's only in bud but already I like it. Should get more photogenic as the flower spike develops.
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Loving your work, Folks. Marcus, Susan's artwork is stunning. Something I've always wanted to learn, and may do one of these years. I love that sort of detail. ;-)
Jamus, I second that comment on the Lysimachia. Is that Asarina known by another name? Completely escapes me at the moment.... something-or-other barclayana springs to mind or something like that? I'm assuming an old name? I think I have it.... rather fine climbing stems, seeds freely, nice leaves? I have it wander through a few things out the front if that is the one. I just love it. No longer where it was originally planted (on an arch) but rather coming up through a couple of shrubs. :-D
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That's Maurandya scandens to you, stranger.
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Formerly known as Maurandya barclayana? Thanks Rob! (and Hello!! :D )
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Jamus is in a better position to say whether it's scandens or barclayana Paul. They are supposed to be separate, but since they're in cultivation?
Hello to you too; told you I wasn't quite dead.
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OK, so there are 2 closely related species then. Mine I think has a slightly more flared lip than in the pic..... I'll see if I can rustle up a pic at some point for comparison.
Thanks. 8)
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If you look at the Wikipedia entry you'll see that the species have different colours and therefore different pollinators (barclayana attracting bees, the other hummingbirds). Since they cross when grown together, the name seems only a notional one.
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Paul I've never known a plant with a more perplexing plethora of names! Self seeds freely is right, I have it coming up everywhere; cracks between paving, in rock walls, in garden beds. A seed capsule accidentally ended up in my pocket on a walk at Adelaide botanic gardens about 10 years ago and I grew it in our previous garden. It came to the current garden as a stowaway in a pot and has made itself at home here. It certainly gets around.
I just did a little googling and I think Maurandya scandens is the correct name (as of Jan2015!). Scandens seems to be the glossy plant I have, finer and hairless stems and leaves. I have another plant which I bought seed as Maurandya barclayana but that doesn't look right to me. It's very pubescent, a larger plant and more of a trailing habit with no real twining allowing it to climb (Does anyone know Maurandya wislizeni??) I grew it in a hanging basket last summer and it over wintered and is flowering again now, but I'm not that impressed with it so it's just kicking around in the nursery looking bedraggled. Here are some quick snaps of both species I have.
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A little research turned up Lophospermum erubescens as a good match for my pink Maurandya. The one I had was from seed labelled 'Magic Dragon', a hybrid I believe. I was lead to believe it was red, which is why I was underwhelmed when it flowered. I was also hoping for a climber with the same vigor as Maurandya scandens.
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Pics 3 and 4 are definitely the same (or at least very similar without me going out and having a look) to what I have. I had thought mine was a little more hirsute, but could be wrong. I haven't found it particularly free seeding as yet, just had a couple come up. Lost my main original plant, so wondering whether it is not that long lived anyway?
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Short lived, seems to dislike cold winters, but self seeds freely so it's always around. I like it. I will have seeds a plenty soon for anyone who would like some.
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Does anyone know Maurandya wislizeni?
Googling under the synonym Epixiphium wislizeni produces a few images that seem genuine.
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Epixiphium? Not another bl***y genus?! THis group of plants needs sorting out.
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And I checked, mine has the same leaves as yours.... my memory of hirsute was incorrect.
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Hi Guys,
Apologies for breaking the flow. I am just going to pop up few pictures of what's flowering today.
I am a bit woolly on the names of a couple so bare with me.
Lilium Greishbach hybrid - Bloody beautiful!
Lilium auratum hybrid with whatever - Mmmmm
Lilium sulphureum - not the hot lemoms
A bumblebee having a "bath" in heaven
Cheers, Marcus
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Pretty Sunburst
Similar
"Old Mate" Lankon", Again!
Marcus
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Lovely, Marcus.
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canadense
duchartrei
Seedling trumpet
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Stunning lilies guys. Rob, I LOVE canadense and duchartrei. Amazing plants.
Here's one of mine, common as dirt but lovely none the less.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7505/16082006297_eca45f53e0_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jstonor/16082006297/)
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And a couple more
A Sims hybrid OT
Erica cerinthoides (out of season, but that's Tassies climate)
Tigridia orthantha
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Hi,
Just a couple more. From a lovely bright day at 5.30am this morning to a bruised and rainy sky by 5pm :(
I have lots of origanums but the two stand out for me. I l also have a lovely variegated form involving both leaf and bracts but alas the trade won't interested because it shows blemishes too early in the season, sigh!
Cheers, Marcus
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Some Classics and the variegated origanum
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The Ebenus is a wonderfully interesting plant isn't it? A sort of 'cross' between a tree lupin and clover. We grew this for a few years from JJA seed and it's a plant I would love to grow again along with the Californian silver lupins. Every now and again I've seen seed of smaller Turkish species listed but never managed to grow them.
The origanums - along with teucriums, stachys, sideritis, thymes etc - are becoming more and more of an interest in our garden. I haven't yet tried 'tea' made from dittany or sideritis :-\
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And just to end. Three "berries" from the slopes of Mt Wellington. I've left them at the common names. If I finally get around to putting Essie's waratah up on her thread you will find poetic references to two of them.
Pink Mountain Berries - taxonomy now changed
Cheese Berry - this is the plant snarers "baited" their treadle snares with.
Climbing Blueberry - can come in a variety of colours.
These should bring back memories Tim?
Cheers, Marcus
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Hi Tim,
I too, have seen Pavelka list some other species. I have certainly bought all of the species of sideritis from him and I have drank the teas. As you will know in some parts of Greece and Turkey these are considered very important. I was told by people in Pythagori on Samos that the stock drive to the higher areas of Mt Ambelos, where one of the species grows, is delayed until its harvest. One time I collected some for an old couple who owned the rooms where we were staying and they were delighted. The irony was that I collapsed in the shower a couple of days later from food poisoning and yes ... I was fed tschai t'omeros as a reviver!
We are probably better suited to growing them all out here in southern Australia. I know I do but I wonder how many others do? The Ebenus cretica is still rare here. In fact, I had Diggers, one of the very big mail order garden clubs and plant sellers, approach me before Xmas wanting to buy 300 to 400 seeds because they had identified it as a potentially good garden plant.
Dittany I haven't tried to drink but it has opened many a conversation with Australian Greeks and my local shop keeper, who is from the SE of Crete, kept me in chocolates for months when I gave his wife both the dittany and one of sideritis for her to grow on her balcony.
Cheers, Marcus
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I bought two packets of Mountain Tea yesterday - Sideritis sp. is all it said on this firm's packets.
It is a pleasant drink before bed. I must try more seed as it should grow here.
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Two rainlilies and the Calochortus which flowers mid summer. We too had a few days or rain recently so I am madly digging arils rhizomes
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Hi Pat. It's Calochortus fimbriatus used to be classified C. weedii var. vestus. If you somehow got it from me it would have came from a Ron Ratko collection back in the noughties. It is a good easy plant with me. Always stuck and I like it for its beautifully stippled and patterned flowers. They are very box-shaped, aren't they?
M
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Sideritis species are said to be hallucinogenic and so popular in Turkey and the Middle east for that reason.
I have Tigridia orthantha as Rigidella. I know it's close to Tigridia. Has it now been shoved in with it?
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Hi Lesley,
I DON'T think that is the full story. As Pat is suggesting, it is called Mountain tea," chai to m'oros". Sideritis tea is used for all sorts of ailments. It is one of their herbals. In fact many of these teas are being scientifically scrutinized for active ingredients.
Cheers, Marcus
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I thought Rigidella had been subsumed some time ago; of course it might have popped out again.
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A Sims hybrid OT
Hi Rob,
I'm not familiar with Sims hybrids - what can you tell us?
Here are a few pics from the last week - the lilies are all a bit heat stressed:
Orient-Pet 'Gluhwein'
Orient-Pet 'Mr Cas'
Orient-Pet 'Silk Road'
Habranthus martinezii x H. robustus alongside H. tubispathus
Cyclamen rohlfsianum (a gift from Otto last year) struggling up through the mulch
cheers
fermi
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Beautiful pics, folks.
Robert, so nice to see Rigidella. Haven't seen that in years. Grew it for many years successfully until one year it never came up. Haven't seen it available in over a decade from anywhere. Fantastic to see at least someone here in Aus is still growing it!! 8) And that dark nectaried yellow lilium is stunning, by the way. You grew it from seed? If so, congrats, and on that Sims hybrid with the strong marking.
Again, fantastic pics everyone. Thanks for sharing them.
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Paul,
The Tigridia was originally from the Gillanders, several generations ago. Doesn't self seed but it is very easy here. PM me if you want some.
The OT has particularly vivid colours this year. High temperatures whilst they were in bud I assume*, since I've seen the same sort of effect on other lilies. Normally these red chevron types look less interesting than this.
Fermi,
David Sims is an american lily hybridiser. For a few years he sold seed commercially - really superlative stuff across a number of categories. Googling his name will give you an idea.
*Plainly wrong as I so often am. More likely high UV levels.
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Marcus and Lesley,
I don't have any amazing dreams but I do get a good sleep at night. If the Greeks can drink it and live to a grand old age it is fine by me.
Thank Marcus for the name of the Calochortus as it always amazes me when it flowers as it is so much later than anything else.
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Rob,
Thanks for the offer.... but I think I already owe you enough. ;-)
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Paul,
Then I suppose we can discuss a mutual exchange. It's always irked me, for example, that I can't get seed on my Scoliopus. PM me if you want to do this.
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It's always irked me, for example, that I can't get seed on my Scoliopus.
The late, great Alf Evans wrote n "The Peat Garden and its Plants" that he never got seed on it in the RBGE , either - if that makes you feel any better, Rob? :D
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBEn3a4TIUw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBEn3a4TIUw)
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Rob,
When I had it growing and flowering every year I had the same problem, despite others talking about it being self fertile elsewhere in the world. I wonder whether we don't have the correct pollinators, and/or timing for it. I have recently replaced mine as I lost it a few years ago..... no flowers as yet to see with this new clone. ;)
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Yes,
Paintbrushes have been applied over a number of years with no result. Do you know the origin of your clone, since it seems to me that with a lot of these things we're all drawing from an extremely small circle of original imports.
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School holidays and trying to juggle kids and the garden. I reckon this was a successful juxtaposition, what do you think? :)
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School holidays and trying to juggle kids and the garden. I reckon this was a successful juxtaposition, what do you think? :)
Works for me, Jamus - those little people seem to be having lots of fun amongst your GIANT plants......
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And the adorably cute little bears, peeking out. ;)
Rob, my current Scoliopus came from Lynn McG.
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I'm afraid to buy a Scoliopus with summers as severe as they have been. I might have to wait til the next garden... It's a 5 year plan we are working towards.
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Thus climate does make cowards of us all....
(with apologies)
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Never a seed on my Scoliopus either. A friend in Dunedin (in the city) has it seed profusely in a large half barrel to the extent that the seedlings are ground cover around it. Maybe it needs more than a single clone though whether she had two to start with I don't know. Jamus it goes quite dormant for the warmer months and through winter so it could well be OK with you if it were in shade. Mine gets pretty much dried right out.
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Thanks Lesley, that's promising and I may find the courage to buy one from Lynn, in the autumn once the rain comes back. it's something I've wanted to grow for years. I've never seen it in real life in fact. :'(
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My rock garden, only finished in the spring and currently enduring its first summer, is coping very well and I’m feeling very positive about it. I did some cleaning up of leaves and bark on the weekend and took stock of all the plants. The only things I’ve lost are one little Androsace, which may yet come back I’m not sure, and possibly a Saxifraga cotyledon, which likewise may recover… time will tell. Even a little Lewisia columbiana which I thought had succumb is sprouting new leaves and looks like it will make it.
I have lots of spaces in the rock garden for crevice loving species so I’m looking forward to the seedex seed arriving and getting some babies raised over the winter ready for moving into the garden in the spring. It has been a steep learning curve but I’m enjoying every step of my accent toward mastering the plants which dwell upon the summit!
A few pictures of things which are common place to you people, but new for me.
Alyssum tortuosum
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7544/16126194720_0ed1bd5b20_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jstonor/16126194720/)
Globularia cordifolia
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7465/16127717267_ac8db2974e_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jstonor/16127717267/)
Achillea ageratifolia
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/16126195480_9acb9ea174_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jstonor/16126195480/)
Penstemon (unknown sp. from Otto)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7514/16311787561_49a36fa04f_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jstonor/16311787561/)
Achillea ageratifolia (uncertain identity, doesn't match other plant above I have under same name...)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7560/16313576715_366369002e_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jstonor/16313576715/)
Penstemon sp. (another unknown one! I bought seed as P. whippleanus, but soon became apparent that it is not this...flowers will help with identification)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7477/16126196450_859092daa5_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jstonor/16126196450/)
Pelargonium sidoides
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7559/16126033058_a2d3aa7edd_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jstonor/16126033058/)
Aquilegia saximontana
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7462/16127719997_f8321bbf9d_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jstonor/16127719997/)
Aster alpinus
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7505/16312707492_770b8bc12c_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jstonor/16312707492/)
Aubrieta, seed collected from Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens, identity uncertain at this stage (unlabelled)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7561/15693699063_364b334cdf_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jstonor/15693699063/)
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8566/16312708472_63b232e233_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jstonor/16312708472/)
Campanula cochlearifolia, strategically placed in rock overhang for protection from afternoon sun.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7580/16126199450_48707dcd5c_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jstonor/16126199450/)
Primula auricula
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5598/15237345960_ee5bf87a55_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jstonor/15237345960/)
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Lovely, Jamus.
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Those plants all look to be settling well, Jamus. Nice rock too.
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Jamus,
I greatly appreciate your postings of plants. Some may be common, and easy, for those who have different climatic conditions, however it is interesting for me to see how far we can push the limits on these wonderful plants and still have them express their beauty in our gardens.
I look forward to follow-up over the years to see how well they do in the long run and what you might have learned from the experience of growing the selection of plants that you enjoy.
I too learn from following along.
As for learning the hard way - I should have known better than to plant Calohortus monophyllus in our garden without a wire basket. The rodents found them and ate them all. :P They were going to put on a good display this season. I don't like growing plants in tubs but right now for many plants it is a reality.
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Thanks Robert, yes it will be interesting to see if many of these cool climate alpines will survive. It's a starting point really. I'm madly learning as much as I can about neat, compact species from warmer, drier climates. I need to restrain myself and not give in to my impulse to buy seed of hundreds of species and overwhelm my ability to look after them all... It is tempting though! I keep finding and falling in love with new plants... I'm damn sure I'm not alone here in that regard...
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I need to restrain myself and not give in to my impulse to buy seed of hundreds of species and overwhelm my ability to look after them all... It is tempting though! I keep finding and falling in love with new plants... I'm damn sure I'm not alone here in that regard...
Jamus,
I'm one of those in the "need to make sure that I restrain myself" mode. I agree that there is much tempting plant and seed material to try. I'm overwhelmed just by our native California flora. For me it is totally awesome and perfect for my latest gardening situation. I like to look at the situation as "it will all come to me at the right time when I'm ready". In the mean time, and can enjoy and learn from the forum and see tremendous variety that others grow.
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Hi,
If I may join in this interesting conversation.
I too "suffered" from, "lets grow everything". As Rob points out abilities get overwhelmed. I guess one goes through a period of rapid experimentations followed by assessment and learning (scientific method), and one is informed by others (SRGC Forum). Sometimes I have found another "go" with a different seed source may yield different results.
Choosing bulbs over perennials is a bit of a bummer because the "experiments" drag on for a much longer time period. Its always exciting to find other souls who have embarked on a similar journey, and hopefully, may be further down "the track" (Otto).
I guess experience has taught me NOT to try to grow plants that are JUST too damn hard or require too much effort
As someone once said to me, it may have been Roger Poulett, "rare is rarely better" and when I asked him if he would sell me Narcissus broussonetti, he replied, rather cruelly, "I don't throw pearls before swine". I don't think it was meant with malice, just realism. He was saying, learn how to grow these first and then we'll see.
Cheers, Marcus
PS What ever became of Roger?
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PPS I am more likely these days to pick a couple of genera and keep with them for a while. The Czechs have such extensive lists one can do that. Too bad Ron Ratko isn't issuing list but I have sort of eased off a bit. More interested in growing the few seeds that I collect on my trips.
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I guess experience has taught me NOT to try to grow plants that are JUST too damn hard or require too much effort
Cheers, Marcus
Marcus,
I enjoyed your comments. It has taken me 3 periods of drought over the past 35-40 years to come to the simple truth quoted above. I guess some, like me, learn slowly. At least I am completely enjoying gardening with xeric plants as they need little or no irrigation during the summer, and our California natives will keep me busy for several life times. I still grow some dwarf plants that need irrigation during the summer, however being small plants this still means less irrigation. It is so much easier!
As they say, Cheers
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I'm obviously just too stupid or too thickheaded to learn that, Marcus ........ !! ::)
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Ah Paul, you are at heart the romantic! What did Oscar Wilde say, (about second marriages)? The triumph of hope over experience.
Or what Einstein said was the definition of stupidity? To repeat the same experiment ad infinitum while expecting a different result each time.
Cheers, M
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I'm feeling not only a little peeved but somewhat puzzled about the seed pods on my very good form of Trillium maculatum. There were 6 flowers and each made a fat pod. A week ago I took the first which was beginning to soften a little. I thought the remaining 5 would be another couple of weeks. This morning as I drove out the driveway and past the trillium, I noticed that one was gone, something having removed it overnight. I decided to collect the remaining 4 as soon as I was home again, which I was, about two and a half hours later. All the pods were gone.
The area has a little fence right round it and it totally rabbit and poultry proof, so not those. I doubt if a possum having sampled one in the night would have left the others if he liked it. He would have taken the lot right away. Besides, there was no evidence that anything had landed on the ground from above, or scratched or in any way disturbed the ground which is quite soft at present as we've had good rain in recent days. Would a blackbird or thrush have taken them? I doubt it and again, why 1 then 4 some hours later? I asked Roger if anyone had come in or visited this morning while I was away (at market, buying apricots for jam and preserving) but he had seen no-one. The plant looks exactly as it would if I myself had neatly taken each pod from its stem.
So, I'm peeved that upwards of 100 mature and ready seeds have gone missing and puzzled by where they have gone and who/what caused it to happen.
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Theft by humans?
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Lesley,
Commiserations!!
I've had exactly that neat removal by something in my garden. I am assuming birds, rather than possums. Always completely gone, nothing left behind, not that I've had it happen very often (I rarely get seeds on my Trilliums). I know it isn't humans removing mine.
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Hi Lesley,
What about rats? They will have a go at trilliums and just about anything but its usually opportunistic rather than sustained. Sorry to hear of your misfortune. It's a downer when something like this happens.
Re the earlier conversation regarding degrees of difficulty, etc. I guess we all have our "holy grail" and I too will have to concede that oncos take up too much space and to much of my time than they should. The only thing I can say in my defence is that they are so damn beautiful why wouldn't I. But there is more to it than that. When oncos like you there there's nothing stopping them, its easy, when they don't, they are a pack of miserable bast ....ds! Its a constant learning curve. It's being able to "unpick" those factors that drive these two opposite states. There are people on this thread that show the way, they've gone further along that path, and they are shining examples of what is possible. Occasionally it brings out the "green eyes" when one is "down" but mostly they are an inspiration. Us southerners don't use controlled environments because we are blessed with a naturally more benign climate but these outdoor conditions bring with it their own set of problems (and solutions). Its complicated! But very interesting.
Cheers, M
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Here ants will harvest trillium seed and sometimes plant them in rather strange places, so watch for unexpected seedlings after a couple of years. Rob will sometimes pick the seedpods just before they seem ripe, with a short piece of stem, and put them in a glass of water until the pods drop off.
- S.
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Not ants. They wouldn't have taken the whole, unbroken pods! And I don't think rats either Marcus. We have found old rat droppings in the ceilings but the house was treated for pests before we came here and haven't seen either mice or rats since we arrived, even in the winter when they would come in. No sign of them in the various outbuildings either. If I knew that any specific person had been here while I was away and if that person recognised or had an interest in trilliums, that would seem most likely but Roger says he didn't see anyone. Next year I'll take measures to protect the pods better. I do, fortunately, have seed germinated from 2012 and sown from 2013 but I had hoped to send this lot to the NZ Trillium Group.
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But Paul, you are probably right and it's birds. We have masses of birds here especially blackbirds and thrushes and they take kilos of every kind of fruit. We never got a single cherry or strawberry or currant this spring/summer. They should all be netted of course but the cost of that is prohibitive. Birds take those red plums from the re-leaved Prunus trees (of which there are about a dozen here), and they're about the same size as the trillium pods. In fact, that seems even MORE likely now that I think of it as they are not too dissimilar in colour and being a bit softer, the birds would have thought they'd hit the jackpot. The b's and s's pick the plums from the trees then smash them against something to open up the still hard flesh. All day we hear tap-tap-tap as the birds apply plums to rocks, concrete blacks or even the side of a time shed.
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Bad luck with the seed "theft", Lesley - time to get some gauze bags like Viv uses to protect her trillium seeds from the thieving wasps!
The first of only two stems on Lycoris incarnata this year (none last year but better in earlier years)
cheers
fermi
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I've adopted a new policy. Feed the birds. Not with expensive bird food, but scraps. Solved my "blackbirds pinching the tomatoes" problem. Might not work with more tempting fruit though, but cherry growers in England find bird feeders cheaper than a student with a tin of marbles!
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Cherry growers in Kent now net the entire garden or grow in polytunnels. (Round here a cherry orchard is called a cherry garden). I'll try to remember to take pictures this summer.
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Hi, its the same here in Tasmania where cherries are a multi million dollar export business. But as an interesting aside, in Greek Macedonia the orchards are never netted and the branches are groaning under the weight of their fruit. So what's going on here? Hehe they killed and eaten all their blackbirds or they just don't exist in the region?
Cheers, Marcus
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Marcus:
Cherries may be native to Macedonia whereas they are introduced to Tasmania.
Could be the cherries in Europe have been there so long they found a way to co-exist with birds.
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Cherries are important for some farmers in Norway too. They use to cover the trees with tarpaulins when the fruits ripen to avoid splitting in rainy weather. Water is absorbed through the skin of the fruit, not the roots.
I have cherries at my summer house but there the fruits are eaten by both thrushes (not only blackbirds) and seagulls.
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Our commercial cherries are netted, often fully, as in an area with netting walls and "roof" entirely enclosing the crop of trees but sometimes just by row on row of net applied each season as the fruit sets. I'll have to do something like that next year. Roger put netting to enclose the currants, red and black and they seemed fully protected but blackbirds found a way in by scratching the soil out at the base of the netting. This morning it's that damned rooster, scratching out new plantings of bearded irises early today. The rhizomes and their labels are thrown back and everywhere, leaving the disturbed, newly cultivated and composed soil for him to dig for whatever may be there, only some general fertilizer I think as there is virtually no fauna in the area, the occasional worm maybe.
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Blackbirds..... darn rotary hoes with wings. #$@@%@###$#$#!!!!%^ And thieving mongrels. There are periods of time where I give up completely on doing work in my garden due to their predations..... just no point doing anything when it is destroyed every morning. Sigh! I love birds of all sorts, but Blackbirds are an exception. Their song is lovely, but unfortunately not worth the effort and the sheer cost of lost plants from their destruction. Such a shame, as they'd be lovely otherwise. :'(
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Paul,
your blackbirds are the same as the European? (and descendants of immigrants as well . . .)
I have had problems with sparrows in addition to blackbirds in a new bed last summer. Also the sparrows like to dig in the soil and tear out newly planted seedlings. A lot of plants were lost >:(
Lesley,
I used to protect my currants with nets but they always found a way in. When the neighbour's cats came they were scared and was caught in the net. They were usually dead when I found them so I got rid of the nets eventually.
I have a flock of blackbirds in my garden all winter and they ransack every square inch of ground searching for worms etc. It loosens the soil but destroy especially delicate plants.
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Paul,
your blackbirds are the same as the European? (and descendants of immigrants as well . . .)
Yes, the appropriately named Turdus merula!
;D
cheers
fermi
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Marcus' comments on the healthy cherry crops in Greece do bring to mind the reports of wholesale slaughter of song birds in some mediterranean countries - perhaps that has some bearing on the matter.
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A pretty good idea, Maggi!
When the blackbirds eat my berries, I eat the blackbirds (no need of cherry pudding for dessert either). Then I'll have more cherries next year!
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Sing a song of sixpence! Although whether the same blackbirds are referred to there I have heard conjecture on. ;) ;)
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Interesting comments about bird damage. Here in California the Sparrows, Juncos, and Towhees dig and scratch at everything all winter. I have to use bird netting to keep them out of the seed pans. This year they are now plucking all the flowers off the Crocuses, and all of the foliage off of new planted perennials and annuals, a first time occurrence. It certainly is making gardening a challenge! :(
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A pretty good idea, Maggi!
When the blackbirds eat my berries, I eat the blackbirds (no need of cherry pudding for dessert either). Then I'll have more cherries next year!
Joking, I hope?
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Lori,
what do you think?
Blackbirds are not rare so it shouldn't matter if I ate a few ;) But I don't. It is the neighbours' cats which do the eating here - and a few birds of prey.
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Hi Guys,
If I may break the blackbird nexus? (Which I will quickly add are considered an introduced noxious pest in Tasmania and I would presume NZ?)
A few lilies from a very cool and wet Tasmania.
Lilium speciosum
Lilium duchartrei
Lilium davidii var. willmottiana
Lilium davidii var. unicolor
I have a few more out and will post later.
Cheers, Marcus
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Lovely, Marcus. Speciosus is in flower here for me too, earlier than some years by quite a bit.
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Hi Paul,
I have a pure white one out in flower too. I will post a few more when I get through a batch of seed orders.
Cheers, Marcus
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Speciosus albus hasn't done well for me this year..... half the height and no flowers. No idea what it hasn't liked this year (or didn't like last year). Maybe just not enough food as so much has been neglected the last couple of years.
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Hi Paul,
It's great to have you back here :)
My white is quite floriferous but short. I haven't been home much so none of my lilies are getting any special care.
They are almost over now. There's a few Lilium nepalense and primulinum to go. The weather here is extremely depressing.
I will post later.
Cheers, M
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Thanks, Marcus.
My nepalense flowered weeks ago..... only phillipense to start yet, with 'Leslie Woodriffe' and similars in flower, Black Beauty, plus the speciosus have first few flowers out and last of the henryi.
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Hi Paul,
This has been a very slow season. We have had 4 days in a row around 15 degrees!
I will check L. nepalense when the sun comes out ... :-[
Meanwhile I am posting:
White henryi
oriental hybrid - massive flowers and tones of them. Does anyone know its name? I came in a batch from Lake Nursery. I gave these to Susan as bulbs.
auratum hybrid
Lankon - the other, darker spotted version.
Cheers, Marcus
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Again, lovely, Marcus. Love that white henryi in particular.
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Nice to see your lilies, Marcus.
Still some time till summer here. Got 2cm of snow last night. Although Paul's choice is very nice I think Lankon is the most interesting one!
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Hoy,
I had the Lankon flower here a few weeks ago, so I'd already been spoilt. ;) The white henryi isn't something I grow, so it increased in "value" in my eyes. The Lankon is gorgeous..... but you can see my reasoning. :D
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Paul,
quite understandable! Actually I grow too few lilies so any lily is welcome for me!
Here is a lily grown by a friend of mine - picture taken a few years ago. Don't know the name though. -And one of mine, Lilium 'Cappuccino'.
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A few from a very wet Tassie:
Iris schachtii obviously very confused by our summer
You two liliyphiles forgot rosthornii
and auratum which is also still in flower
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Ah, the wonders of the lilium!
That auratum of yours is a beauty Rob. I have never grown any of the rubrivittatum group.
My partner Susan would like to know why anyone would name that lily Cappuccino? We received it as a changeling when we bought some Golden Trumpets from Lake Nursery. I am sure everyone in southern Australia received the same when the ordered Golden Trumpets from any of the big suppliers!
I have just received some seeds from Dr. Pilous so I better get to and sow the perennials. Plenty of water around here.
Cheers, Marcus
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Rob,
Didn't "forget" it, just don't grow it. 8) That auratum is stunning! :o
Trond,
that clump of your friend's is impressive. Wonderful display.
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Marcus , I have greatly enjoyed your moving account of Essie,s life . and so beautiful written .
I too like the white form of your Lilium henryi , nicer than the type . I did not know it was grown here .
to add to your lily postings : a few late flowering Orientals from my garden today .
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Hi Otto,
Thanks for your kind words. I hope lots of people read it!
Seriously though, we are so bereft of characters in our recent gardening past, except for bloody celebrities, that our outlook seems to have been reduced to shopping lists.
Isn't that haemanthus lovely? Your fellow is later than mine to start. Such an exquisite pink, and such a lovely little surprise.
Cheers, M
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Agree with the (implied) comments re celebrities in our gardening world. Who do they think they are? Absolutely no-one 9 out of 10 times and who do they think WE are that we're expected to turn up to their pitiful little events and fawn all over them? We're not that stupid - are we?
I've noticed the same "stars" now rule the real estate world. Looking for a house to buy or sell? The agent is the thing. Companies announce in big advertisements that SOMEONE has joined their firm. WOW! Who cares? I blame TV shows myself.
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I'd never heard of Essie before your posts and have enjoyed reading your stories immensely, Marcus. Your wonderful writing really gives a sense of who she was.
Gardening 'characters' like Essie do still exist I think, as opposed to todays TV gardening celebrities of which we have more than our fair share here in the UK. Thankfully, many members of this club and Forum are great characters as well as being excellent plantspeople and knowledgable about about an amazing variety of subjects, which encourages me that we're not yet all lost.
Looking forward to your next instalment on Essie's life.
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Hi Matt,
Thanks for your kind words. Unfortunately I have had an adverse reaction to the treatment I'm on and it has affected my sight but I will struggle on with the last part.
Cheers, Marcus
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That is bad news ,Marcus - I hope you know you have the good wishes of all here.
Hang in there, Pal!
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Very sorry to hear that Marcus. Wishing you all the best.
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Thanks guys. I have my fingers crossed. This is one mean machine of a "therapy"! But I think it works.
Lots of luv, M
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....
Trond,
that clump of your friend's is impressive. Wonderful display.
Thanks Paul, I'll tell her! It is given sheep dung, they have a sheep farm and plenty of manure ;)
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Sorry to hear about this Marcus. Hope your 'therapy' works, and quickly.
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Thanks Anthony, much appreciated.
I don't have any options. I have 4th stage melanoma. It will surely kill me. These immunotherapies are very new and have many adverse side effects but they do work for some people. I am symptom-free at 6 months from diagnosis. Many melanoma patients are already dead by this stage. Draw your own conclusions.
Cheers, M
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Hi Marcus,
Very sorry to hear that! I am crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.
PS. Have some nice Crocus seedlings coming up now outside, second year but no flowers yet!
Trond