Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => Flowers and Foliage Now => Topic started by: Roma on January 02, 2015, 01:09:11 PM

Title: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Roma on January 02, 2015, 01:09:11 PM
Not much in flower here.  The first Eranthis is just showing colour.  A promising sign of Spring :)
Galanthus reginae-olgae (corcyrensis) is still hanging on.  The first flowers opened at the beginning of November.
Fred's Giant nearly there
A few Narcissi in the greenhouse
A pot of Cyclamen coum brightening things up   
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Anne Repnow on January 02, 2015, 03:33:52 PM
A lovely touch of spring to come! Thank you, Roma
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on January 03, 2015, 01:50:48 PM
Wintersweet, Chimonanthus praecox, today. Grow it near a path to enjoy the winter fragrance.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Anne Repnow on January 03, 2015, 03:25:51 PM
A beautiful shrub!
Not much flowering here...
(Nandina domestica)
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leon on January 04, 2015, 03:42:46 AM
Some years here in the Heartland of the USA we have some bloom this time of the year.  Not this year.  Winter has us in her grip and she is unrelenting. Not a sign of Hellebore bloom or even Narcissus leaves yet.  10°F (-12°C) is forecast for tomorrow morning.  I am elated that days will soon be getting longer.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on January 04, 2015, 06:53:57 PM
Some of the sunken lanes on the North Downs here in Kent have splendid ferns growing on the banks.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: meanie on January 05, 2015, 07:42:30 AM
Ipheon Rolf Fiedler...................
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8591/16181706691_637aa6c08b_z.jpg)

The only good thing here as the trip switch went in the breaker board in the shed (water had got into the breaker board) cutting the power to the greenhouse and thus the heater. It hit -5°c and there have been losses  :o
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ian mcenery on January 05, 2015, 12:37:37 PM
I suppose we are all getting our fixes from wherever we can find them at the moment

Here Adonis amurensis poking its nose through the ground
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Anne Repnow on January 07, 2015, 04:52:11 PM
Here is something for you to have a good laugh at.
While on the Greek island of Santorini last autumn I was charmed by the beautiful and unusual flower of Pancratium maritimum (pic 1)

This plant - though apparently fairly common round about the Mediterranean - is highly protected on Santorini, because there is an endemic variation, Pancratium maritimum 'Oia' (Pic 2).

I would never dream of nicking a protected plant. But there was a strong wind and I noticed some large black seeds being blown across the road (they are very light). They found their way into my pocket and into a pot of sandy soil when I was back at home. I was astonished that they all sent up a green leaf and thinking they will need all the sun they can get, I put them outside when the sun came out (Pic 3).

Apparently it is very difficult to get them to flower in northern Europe. We'll see...
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ruweiss on January 08, 2015, 07:37:18 PM
Carex alburyana,
Got this plant from Czech rockgardener, a seedling which he raised
some years ago from seed exchange material.
Unfortunately he had no more information of this small grass, maybe
one the expert forumists can help me.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Anne Repnow on January 09, 2015, 07:23:27 PM
Are you sure it isn't called Carex albula?
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Anne Repnow on January 09, 2015, 07:28:16 PM
Here's looking at you, kid ...

((Ophiopogon japonicus 'Minor')
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on January 10, 2015, 12:22:08 AM
The January "heat wave" is over, however it is still way too warm for this time of year. 62 F (16.5 c) today! At least it was overcast. Our 3 year drought continues - no rainfall so far this January.

After pruning in the orchard I had some time to poke around the garden. Not much is going on, which is good. A few early bloomers.

1.) Viburnum x bodnantense 'Dawn'

2.) Prunus mume - It might be 'Peggy Clark' the label is long gone. The varieties with good fruit for Umeboshi are still in bud.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ruweiss on January 10, 2015, 07:13:43 PM
Are you sure it isn't called Carex albula?
Anne, many thanks for your reply,
It is possible, that the seed donor of this Carex used the
wrong name. (like so often!)
I will see and compare this plant in the coming season.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leon on January 11, 2015, 03:49:18 PM
Ipheon Rolf Fiedler...................
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8591/16181706691_637aa6c08b_z.jpg)

Meanie,
That is a beautiful photo of Rolf Fiedler.  I grew it here for a number of years along with Ipheon 'Wesley Blue' but now both have died out.  I think our long hot dry summers were not to their liking.  Ipheon is a most enjoyable plant.
Leon
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: wooden shoe on January 11, 2015, 07:25:34 PM
It is rainy and stormy outside, but Clematis 'Winter Beauty' is giving a great show. With this type of weather it is difficult to make proper photographs, but I managed to take a photo of a flower. The other photo's were not good enough to show due to the bad light and the rain, so I have added some 2 weeks old ones of the plant and the buds.
You may be able to see it has hundreds of flowers. My former record was 5 and last year it was one.
Many years it didn't flower at all as it is not really hardy here. I almost lost it 2 times, so I'm delighted to see this year's result.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on January 11, 2015, 09:59:11 PM
What species of Clematis is 'Winter Beauty'?  Wonderfully thick looking flowers.

Leon, Hot and Dry summers shouldn't be a problem for the Ipheion I would think..... at least they aren't a problem for them here anyway?
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on January 12, 2015, 01:13:49 AM
Leon,

The same here in hot, dry California - Ipheion seems easy to please as long as they get some irrigation.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: meanie on January 12, 2015, 06:53:14 AM
Meanie,
That is a beautiful photo of Rolf Fiedler.  I grew it here for a number of years along with Ipheon 'Wesley Blue' but now both have died out.  I think our long hot dry summers were not to their liking.  Ipheon is a most enjoyable plant.
Leon

Thank you! The light on that day was appalling so I was particularly pleased with it.

Ipheon are a strange one for me because the garden outdoors in winter can go to hell as far as I'm concerned - it's cold and it's wet and I really do loathe the winter. But I really like Ipheon in all its forms. I was led to believe that Rolf Fiedler was a bit borderline in the ground but it grows well enough to please me in a small pot. Anyway, like all my winter bulbs it will be dry all summer tucked away on the bottom shelf of the greenhouse and that seems to do it no harm.

I get my kicks indoors during the winter seed sowing and from the houseplants.

Kalanchoe x houghtonii....................
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7549/15575080123_bfd7238101_z.jpg)

(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g430/longk48/DSC_0513a.jpg)

Gasteraloe..............
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7488/16257895575_a79acee6ee_z.jpg)

(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g430/longk48/DSC_0521.jpg)
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on January 12, 2015, 10:16:07 AM
What species of Clematis is 'Winter Beauty'?  Wonderfully thick looking flowers.

Gorgeous, isn't it?  Not very hardy in UK, I hear but it would love your place, Paul, if it is available.
I think it's a Clematis urophylla type.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on January 12, 2015, 10:19:51 AM
I get my kicks indoors during the winter seed sowing and from the houseplants.

Kalanchoe x houghtonii....................

  (I loved the Ipheion pic too)   
Was just thinking how super a photo this was of the Kalanchoe  and then went on to view the pic of the whole plant...... Wow! what a surprise! I know nothing of this species and was completely taken aback to see the size of the plant. A really stylish house plant!
Todays' house plant lesson  for me - though there will be members who could grow this in the garden, I'm sure.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on January 12, 2015, 12:10:00 PM
Never even heard of that species of Clematis, Maggi.  But that isn't really that surprising.  So what doesn't it like about the UK?  The cold in combination with wet?  Or just that the winter days don't warm up at all?  That is of course the advantage we have here.... we can get to -8'C overnight and then hit 12'C during the day with bright sun.  And we get the "maturation" factor of summer that seems to give stronger plants for winters.  Of I think that is what we've tended to work out in the past when people ask me how the heck I can grow something in -8'C that they can't grow in the UK in -5'C.  ;)
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on January 12, 2015, 12:10:47 PM
Meanie,

That Kalanchoe is absolutely amazing!!  Never seen anything like it.  Wow.  :o
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on January 12, 2015, 12:19:31 PM
Never even heard of that species of Clematis, Maggi.  But that isn't really that surprising.  So what doesn't it like about the UK?  The cold in combination with wet?  Or just that the winter days don't warm up at all?  That is of course the advantage we have here.... we can get to -8'C overnight and then hit 12'C during the day with bright sun.  And we get the "maturation" factor of summer that seems to give stronger plants for winters.  Of I think that is what we've tended to work out in the past when people ask me how the heck I can grow something in -8'C that they can't grow in the UK in -5'C.  ;)

It can do okay as a conservatory plant here, I think - but not outdoors. The evergreen Clematis as a whole tend to be borderline in Scotland, anyway.  I think it is , as you say, as much a question of unripened wood  being the problem as much as the actual low temperatures. That  goes for flower production as well as hardiness, of course.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: meanie on January 12, 2015, 05:03:28 PM
  (I loved the Ipheion pic too)   
Was just thinking how super a photo this was of the Kalanchoe  and then went on to view the pic of the whole plant...... Wow! what a surprise! I know nothing of this species and was completely taken aback to see the size of the plant. A really stylish house plant!
Todays' house plant lesson  for me - though there will be members who could grow this in the garden, I'm sure.

Meanie,

That Kalanchoe is absolutely amazing!!  Never seen anything like it.  Wow.  :o

I do grow it in my succulent area too, although it is only an annual here in the UK. It is not what you would call hard work though as it drops so many plantlets from the leaves.............
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g430/longk48/DSC_0519.jpg)

Here is one in the bed in April/May 2014 after the winter in a frost free greenhouse...........
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7354/14152515144_4dd021f52f_z.jpg)

As you can see the flowering habit is different under different conditions.

Maggy - I have plenty of plantlets to spare.

Paul - if you can track one down in Oz it may stand half a chance as a perennial of sorts in Canberra.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on January 12, 2015, 05:20:25 PM
When you were writing about Bryophyllum daigremontianum the other day, I didn't put two and two together that the Kalanchoe was one of those viviparous plants   :-[ - yes, I'm dim, I know!

I'd be delighted to try a plantlet, please - will send you my address by pm ! :D
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: meanie on January 12, 2015, 06:57:00 PM
When you were writing about Bryophyllum daigremontianum the other day, I didn't put two and two together that the Kalanchoe was one of those viviparous plants   :-[ - yes, I'm dim, I know!

I'd be delighted to try a plantlet, please - will send you my address by pm ! :D
No probs!
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Anne Repnow on January 12, 2015, 07:22:12 PM
That Kalanchoe really is something else!  :o (I only ever got it to grow to about 3 inches...)

In Germany it is called Goethe-Pflanze (Goethe plant), because this famous writer got to know and love this plant (which originated from Kew via Hannover Botanic Garden). He even wrote an essay about it in the 1820s which, however, wasn't published. And he wrote a little poem about it to one of his beloved muses:

Was erst still gekeimt in Sachsen,
 soll am Maine freudig wachsen;
 Flach auf guten Grund gelegt,
 Merke wie es Wurzeln schlägt!
 Dann der Pflänzlein frische Menge
 steigt in luftigem Gedränge.
 Mäßig warm und mäßig feucht
 ist, was ihnen heilsam däucht;
 Wenn Du's gut mit ihnen meinst,
 blühen sie Dir wohl dereinst.

How is that for a useless bit of information??
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on January 12, 2015, 07:45:48 PM
Quote
How is that for a useless bit of information??   
Fantastic!  It is these "asides" that make it so easy to learn so much here! Thanks, Anne!
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: meanie on January 12, 2015, 08:48:47 PM
That Kalanchoe really is something else!  :o (I only ever got it to grow to about 3 inches...)

How is that for a useless bit of information??

The Bryophyllum just about grew to that in the same time that it took the Kalanchoe to hit those heights.

My useless contribution - after the potted ones flower I cut them right back to about 10cm. They then branch out and start again. The removed parts can then be cut up into sections of 6cm or more, most of the leaves removed and laid on top of a pot of sandy MPC. They will root and send up several new stems. I can see no difference in the growth rate between that method and the plantlet method but if you're growing it commercially it really is a win/win type of plant.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on January 12, 2015, 09:20:12 PM
Meanie,

Or a "weed weed" type of plant. ;-)  Only in warmer areas of course.  I'd be a little nervous if every leaf that dropped off produced plantlets.  At least here the frost would cull them.  So not as tall an elegant outside then, by the looks of it?
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on January 12, 2015, 09:52:19 PM
With relatively warm weather the plants are moving along - a lot sooner than I would hope.  :( We could easily get a wicked frost that burns everything down.

1-2.) Geranium macrorrhizum in winter mode. A good, easy plant even in our hot climate. Give it a bit of afternoon shade and a little bit of irrigation during the summer and it is happy.

3.) The first good flowers on Cyclamen coum. Around here they throw a few blossoms in December. The container plants will start looking good now to March or so. The plants in the ground start later.

Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: meanie on January 12, 2015, 10:04:26 PM
Meanie,

Or a "weed weed" type of plant. ;-)  Only in warmer areas of course.  I'd be a little nervous if every leaf that dropped off produced plantlets.  At least here the frost would cull them.  So not as tall an elegant outside then, by the looks of it?
.

The leaves remain on the plant but the plantlets drop off the leaves.

The height is limited by where it had got to before spending the winter in a cold greenhouse. But not as elegant. However, it bloomed in the ground from late April through to July. Useful to add early season colour to the succulent area - as it finished the Aloe striatula started followed by the Echeveria.

I am getting more interested in easily propagated houseplants that make good annual bedding plants. There is a lot of tat sold over here annual wise that is cheap but a very average Impatiens niamniamensis will sell for anything up to ten pounds. Yet it is so easy to strike cuttings of and it is twice the plant in the right spot outdoors................
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5610/15339333819_9d2b405b41_z.jpg)

Towards the end of the season I chopped it up and got twelve plants for next year and for friends. Next year it will be joined by Impatiens kilimanjarii.
So whilst I believe that perennials are the mainstay of any garden I also want to see something that is out of the ordinary too. Seasoned gardeners have come here and seen it and said that they "had no idea that it would grow well outdoors".

Apologies for going off topic!
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on January 13, 2015, 12:20:17 AM
I'm with you, I like annuals.

For me it is our California native annuals and those from similar climates. Around here there are many native wildflower books that go around with wonder scenes of beautiful California native wildflowers. I like to see them in the garden rather than a book.   ;D I will admit that the natural scenes in the books can often inspire some good planting ideas. I have one of them right now and am busy taking notes.

I was cleaning up in the garden today and saw the first Galanthus of the new season. I can't believe it got along so far without me noticing it.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Tony Willis on January 13, 2015, 12:56:53 PM
A colchicum species I collected at Nemrut Dag in Turkey,the one with the heads not the extinct volcano.I have no idea what it is?
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on January 13, 2015, 05:05:24 PM
Although it isn't cold here it's very gloomy and wet so plants don't grow much. The days are short too so it's dark when I leave home and dark when I'm back so no chances to take any pictures!

Robert, Geranium macrorhizum is very good here also and I don't need to irrigate it! I use it as a groundcover.


Meanie, I have never seen any annual Impatiens for sale here except the common I. walleriana cv. They do good here in the humid climate.

Here's Impatiens kilimanjari growing in the Kalimanjaro rainforest, one I think is a I. pseudoroseus and one unknown from the same place.

Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ruweiss on January 13, 2015, 08:24:15 PM
Our weather is much too warm for the winter season until now.
Today I measured 14°C, the forecast for tomorrow is colder with
shower weather.
I was amazed to find this ragged Ranunculus calandrinioides flower
today;the usual flowering time for my garden is in march.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ian mcenery on January 16, 2015, 05:38:31 PM
One of the most unusual looking plants to show at this time Gymnospermum albertii

The second picture shows young plants raised from Kurt Vickery seed
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Corrado & Rina on January 16, 2015, 07:05:51 PM
Lithops optica rubra has kept the proper biological rhythm.

[attachimg=2]

Corrado
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Uli Lessnow on January 16, 2015, 08:29:55 PM
Hi Ian,
your pics look very good, I like Gymnospermium albertii very much.
This week I got seeds and I hope you can give me some information how to sow.
Uli
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ian mcenery on January 16, 2015, 11:19:28 PM
Hi Ian,
your pics look very good, I like Gymnospermium albertii very much.
This week I got seeds and I hope you can give me some information how to sow.
Uli

Hi Uli

I used my normal method of sowing  for this seed , so nothing special, first soaking them for 24 hours  then sowing with just a light covering of compost and topped with 1.5 cm of grit. I then left them outside in a well ventilated frame until I saw germination. I then brought them under cover in the greenhouse. These are 4 year seedlings

good luck

Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Lori S. on January 17, 2015, 01:31:51 AM
One of the most unusual looking plants to show at this time Gymnospermum albertii
Fabulous plants!
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: johnstephen29 on January 17, 2015, 01:51:07 AM


I am getting more interested in easily propagated houseplants that make good annual bedding plants. There is a lot of tat sold over here annual wise that is cheap but a very average Impatiens niamniamensis will sell for anything up to ten pounds. Yet it is so easy to strike cuttings of and it is twice the plant in the right spot outdoors................
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5610/15339333819_9d2b405b41_z.jpg)

Towards the end of the season I chopped it up and got twelve plants for next year and for friends. Next year it will be joined by Impatiens kilimanjarii.
So whilst I believe that perennials are the mainstay of any garden I also want to see something that is out of the ordinary too. Seasoned gardeners have come here and seen it and said that they "had no idea that it would grow well outdoors".

Apologies for going off topic!
Hi meanie I have just read your comment about house plants as bedding, have you thought about spider plants? I have used them for the last couple of years and they look great. You have to keep an eye on them though, slugs and snails like them as well.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: meanie on January 17, 2015, 03:52:57 AM

Meanie, I have never seen any annual Impatiens for sale here except the common I. walleriana cv. They do good here in the humid climate.

Sadly that is all that we ever see here as well. The good thing about the taller species is that they seem to do well in a tricky but prominent shady spot. And grown indoors over the winter they never get too leggy and are keen to start blooming once the winter solstice has been passed. Baby I.kilimanjari started blooming almost as we were speaking...............
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7499/16286659111_16d0b45ce0_z.jpg)


Hi meanie I have just read your comment about house plants as bedding, have you thought about spider plants? I have used them for the last couple of years and they look great. You have to keep an eye on them though, slugs and snails like them as well.
Not really as bedding but I do use them in my one hanging basket along with Lotus berthelotii.


One of the most unusual looking plants to show at this time Gymnospermum albertii

What a wee gem of a plant!

Lithops optica rubra has kept the proper biological rhythm.

Corrado
That is a beautiful form! Sadly Lithops are one houseplant that I am truly proficient in killing  :(
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on January 17, 2015, 08:10:01 AM
Sadly that is all that we ever see here as well. The good thing about the taller species is that they seem to do well in a tricky but prominent shady spot. And grown indoors over the winter they never get too leggy and are keen to start blooming once the winter solstice has been passed. Baby I.kilimanjari started blooming almost as we were speaking...............


I had a couple of plants for some years but lost them during the winter (inside). They did very well outside in our humid climate during the summer. Do you know of a seed source (kilimanjari)?
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Corrado & Rina on January 17, 2015, 09:22:16 AM
That is a beautiful form! Sadly Lithops are one houseplant that I am truly proficient in killing  :(

I probably water it 8 - 12 times a year depending on the weather conditions and only when it starts to wilt. The watering are not distributed regularly: I do not water at all when the plant is loosing the previous year two leaves and putting the beginning of the two new leaves (this is very important or the plant will not be able to loose the previous year leaves), and I water more around flowering time when the flower has already formed and it is nearly ready then I water once abundantly (like the classic torrential rains in the natural habitat), but NOT  on the leaves or they may rot. All the other times, I water sparingly, simulating the morning dew!

Compost is very poor: 50% John Innes Nr. 2 + 50% "fish tank" grade sterile grit, but I think it may even be too rich initially and the plants only settles after a while ....

I fertilize with seaweed extract (Maxicrop Natural) at 25% recommended concentration (1ml/liter) at every watering, keep it on a windowsill on top of the stairs away from main heating facing south. It took around two years to adapt, and then it went back to its natural cycle, flowering in the winter .... last year it made two flowers, this year the weather conditions are appalling.

Best,

Corrado
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ian mcenery on January 17, 2015, 11:21:18 AM
Fabulous plants!

Thank you Lori. This has very reptilian foliage as it emerges and this I find fascinating. Now I have more than 1 plant flowering I should be able to get the plants to set seed

Here the candy striped Colchicum kessellringii
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: meanie on January 17, 2015, 05:01:46 PM
Do you know of a seed source (kilimanjari)?

I have this bookmarked................
http://impatiensexchange.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/my-impatiens-list-plantsseeds-available.html (http://impatiensexchange.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/my-impatiens-list-plantsseeds-available.html)

It does specifically say for exchange but an email will not kill anyone - you may be able to strike up a deal.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on January 18, 2015, 10:47:23 AM
Meanie,

I'm with you on getting something unusual into the garden.  Rarely see any interesting impatiens here, unfortunately.  The occasional times I have, I've ended up not getting cuttings taken before the winter.  :-\

Ian,

Beautiful picture of Colchicum kesselringii.  I think I've lost mine again.  The other species do so well for me, but the winter ones just disappear one year for reasons I have no idea of.   :-[ :'( 
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on January 18, 2015, 04:09:10 PM
I have this bookmarked................
http://impatiensexchange.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/my-impatiens-list-plantsseeds-available.html (http://impatiensexchange.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/my-impatiens-list-plantsseeds-available.html)

It does specifically say for exchange but an email will not kill anyone - you may be able to strike up a deal.

Thanks!

I have sent an inquiry and hope for a positive answer ;)
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: YT on January 23, 2015, 09:03:34 AM
Europian native Ranunculus ficaria and watercress have already naturalised in a small stream at a local garden near my house.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: François Lambert on January 23, 2015, 03:16:34 PM
Europian native Ranunculus ficaria and watercress have already naturalised in a small stream at a local garden near my house.

That's very early in the year for the Ranunculus ficaria.  In my garden there is still nothing to see on the spots where they usually grow, even if until last week we have had a very mild winter.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Tony Willis on January 24, 2015, 05:07:09 PM
a Romulea sp from Greece
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on January 25, 2015, 01:10:48 PM
Hamamelis doing well at the moment and in Belgium, there is a beauty contest for them at the Kalmthout Arbotetum    arboretumkalmthout.be

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on January 25, 2015, 01:12:36 PM
Hamamelis timelapse


 http://youtu.be/kGKp5pETbuY (http://youtu.be/kGKp5pETbuY)

Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Roma on January 25, 2015, 04:49:20 PM
Lovely to see the Hamamelis, Maggi.  I had a dental appointment on Thursday and Dobbies is only a slight detour on the way home.  The Hamamelis I'd had for ages had been sickly for a while and died a couple of years ago.  They are rather expensive but I had some Garden Centre tokens from my daughter for my birthday last week so I decided to buy one.  There were only a few plants but a wide choice of colour.  I had been thinking about getting 'Pallida' but finished up with 'Jelena'.  The others were 'Orange Beauty' and 'Livia' which is a very dark red.  Tempting but maybe difficult to place to see it properly. 
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on January 25, 2015, 05:53:32 PM
Jelena is a real favourite for us, Roma. Flowers show well in most lights but in afternoon sun they just glow.
Agree with you that while dark red might be  tempting, in might also be difficult to place and show up well.

You could have come by for a cuppa.....
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on January 25, 2015, 08:21:08 PM
Hamamelis doing well at the moment and in Belgium, there is a beauty contest for them at the Kalmthout Arbotetum    arboretumkalmthout.be


Looks a bit familiar Maggi  :D
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on January 25, 2015, 08:22:13 PM
a Romulea sp from Greece

 :o Looks fantastic Tony . Compact and with big flowers .
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on January 25, 2015, 08:36:16 PM
Looks a bit familiar Maggi  :D
Beatrice mentioned it earlier in the month I think?
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Roma on January 26, 2015, 01:24:01 PM
Jelena is a real favourite for us, Roma. Flowers show well in most lights but in afternoon sun they just glow.


Hamamelis 'Jelena'

When the ground thaws out she will be planted where my lovely birch trees were and should catch the morning sun as well as the afternoon.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Anne Repnow on January 26, 2015, 01:29:18 PM
An excellent choice to chase away the winter blues!
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Matt T on January 26, 2015, 02:22:48 PM
My favourite cultivar. A grand specimen too! Hope it gives you many years of pleasure.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on January 26, 2015, 03:39:15 PM
I lost my 'Jelena' several years ago. Seems I have to get hold of another one! The only Hamamelis I have now is 'Pallida' and it has just started to flower.

A few other plants are also in flower these dull days.
Some snowdrops have been out for a couple of weeks, but the most advanced clump was destroyed by deer or something the other day. All the leaves and flower stalks were eaten while the damaged flowers lay on the ground.

[attach=1]  [attach=2]


This is the most advanced now and also an anemic yellow one is in flower. Sorry no names! Also the Crocuses are coming. Here is one showing colour already.

[attach=3]
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on January 26, 2015, 03:53:08 PM
The different Cyclamens I have stood the weather well. They even came through the hurricane without leaf damage. Here is one with rather huge (amongst mine anyway) leaves.

[attach=1]


Can't say that of the Helleborus. Some of the flowers are badly damaged by the wind but a few have survived.

[attach=2]


Early flowering nameless primulas are often for sale at Christmas times. They are meant to live only for a month but I plant them out in the garden and sometimes they survive although they are not the best garden plants. A yellow one started before Xmas and the flowers are completely destroyed by wind and hail. The blue comrade has waited till now but I don't think I'll see much to the bloom.

[attach=3]


An Opuntia has also withstood the rain, hail, frost and wind till now.

[attach=4]

Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Matt T on January 26, 2015, 06:49:55 PM
We had damage to Cyclamen leaves, despite them being in a sheltered place. Wind is a familiar opponent here, but there's not much to be done in the face of 100mph, which doesn't happen too often thankfully.

Do you cover the Opuntia to keep excess wet off in the winter, Trond?
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: brianw on January 26, 2015, 07:48:05 PM
We had damage to Cyclamen leaves, despite them being in a sheltered place.

Me too. Dam Muntjac seem to like them; amongst many other plants. Planning a new fenced/hedged section of the garden hopefully free of deer :-(
They were in mixed pots of seedling plants that I was going to separate out the silver leafed forms. Now they all look the same; just stalks.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Corrado & Rina on January 26, 2015, 10:33:16 PM
An Opuntia has also withstood the rain, hail, frost and wind till now.

Is that a fully hardy Opuntia? What species is it?

Best,

Corrado
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on January 27, 2015, 12:42:39 AM
The first of the mazanitas to bloom this season, Arctostaphylos 'Sunset'
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on January 27, 2015, 08:39:53 PM
We had damage to Cyclamen leaves, despite them being in a sheltered place. Wind is a familiar opponent here, but there's not much to be done in the face of 100mph, which doesn't happen too often thankfully.

Do you cover the Opuntia to keep excess wet off in the winter, Trond?

Matt,

no, not this one.

I have decided to try it without cover. I have a few others coverd though. It is the first time I try cacti at home but at my summerhouse two plants have survived without cover for 2 years. They were damaged by trampling sheeps in the summer but have recovered.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on January 27, 2015, 08:42:20 PM
Is that a fully hardy Opuntia? What species is it?

Best,

Corrado

Corrado,

sorry, as usual I have lost (the blackbirds remove them, I collect them and put them somewhere) the label and it is many years since I stopped filing info of my plants!
But I hope it is fully hardy! I can try to find the name . . . .
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Corrado & Rina on January 27, 2015, 09:37:19 PM
Corrado,

sorry, as usual I have lost (the blackbirds remove them, I collect them and put them somewhere) the label and it is many years since I stopped filing info of my plants!
But I hope it is fully hardy! I can try to find the name . . . .

Thanks Trond! It would be really useful, it is amazing that it survives so well outside at your latitudes .... for me, this year it was the wind which blew away all labels but a couple ....

Regards

Corrado
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Johan K. on January 28, 2015, 07:28:59 PM
Asarum splendens
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on January 28, 2015, 11:08:46 PM
Cool.  Has stayed beautifully dense.  Mine keeps escaping out the holes in the bottom of the pot, leaving not much at the top to be a show.  ;)
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: SJW on January 31, 2015, 03:54:53 PM
Cyclamen coum and G. nivalis shrugging off the Pennine weather.
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on January 31, 2015, 04:14:13 PM
Nice, Steve. Think I have to plant more of Cyclamen coum!
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: SJW on February 01, 2015, 12:32:32 AM
Nice, Steve. Think I have to plant more of Cyclamen coum!

Thanks, Trond. Actually, the snowdrops have been there for many years and I did have a Daphne odora 'Aureomarginata' in a large pot which I decided to plant out next to them. I normally bung a few cyclamen in as well when I'm potting up a new shrub which will stay on the patio for a few years, to give a bit of extra interest. The Daphne told me what it thought of its new position by dying off but the C. coum have thrived!
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: WivekaR on February 24, 2015, 01:57:25 PM
My Cyclamen is not yet as big as Steve's but it is a very welcome sight this time of year. I bought this plant but I have many seedlings to plant out this year. It is so interesting to see what the leaf pattern will look like.
[attach=1]
Title: Re: January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on February 24, 2015, 06:03:08 PM
Hi Wiveka,  nice to see your cyclamen in flower  -  plants from seed are so much fun though, aren't they?
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