Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => Flowers and Foliage Now => Topic started by: kaydale on February 01, 2008, 11:15:50 PM
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I thought that I might start the thread this month! I went out and took photos this morning, after finally preserving most of the fruit that desperately needed doing thank goodness. I'd already missed some of the Merendera Montana and just caught Veratrum Nigrum as it was flowering. Also the first few Cyc Hederifolium. So here goes,
Lesley
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Howdy All,
Time to start a Feb thread I think. Lots of stuff in flower here at the moment.... here's a few.
The Beaugainvillea is still flowering for me, and will remain so until around June. Excellent productivity, that is for sure!!
The Linaria vulgaris spreads by underground runners, but never seems to be a problem as it is quite light and airy so other things can grow through it. Flowers for a long period, and brightens things up beautifully.
One of a few different ones I have... Liriope 'Royal Purple' is such a good strong purple.
And lastly for this post.... Urginea maritima flowers every year for me, despite the fact that it is not supposed to like as cold as we get it here. It grows out permanently in an old wheelbarrow, receiving -8'C most years (although this year didn't get down as cold as usual). I wish the Eremurus would do as well for me over long periods as this one has done.
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I have a few different varieties in flower at the moment, but this Salvia 'Hotlips' is always interesting as it's flowers vary so much. Not sure if this plant is introduced from elsewhere, or has been bred in Australia? As you can see from the main plant photo there are different colours throughout the plant. Technically it is supposed to be the white with the red lip, but it can get pure white or pure red flowers well (I've posted pics of each of the flowers to show you. It does seem to be affected by the temperatures as the plant tends towards white in summer heat, red in the winter, and the proper split colour in spring and autumn. With the weather being so up and down recently we have a good random smattering of the various colours throughout the plant now though.
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Lesley,
Looks like we were posting these at the same time. Maybe the powers that be will combine the two of them together into one.
The Veratrum look fantastic!! Must go and check my Merendera and see whether they're starting up here yet. I don't recall them being this early, but with the strange weather this year you just never know!! Great pics!!
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The Linaria vulgaris spreads by underground runners, but never seems to be a problem as it is quite light and airy so other things can grow through it. Flowers for a long period, and brightens things up beautifully.
Not in my sandy soil, I needed many years to get it away.
It is a wild plant here near the dunes where it not only propagates by runners but also is seeding around.
Nice to see a close-up of the Bougainvillea.
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Luit,
I can understand it could be a problem in the right situation. The area of my garden it is in definitely isn't sandy, but there is a bank not far from there which has a lot of sand in it to improve drainage..... I will make sure I keep it out of there. Thanks for the warning.
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I wish I could get Linaria vulgaris to establish in my garden! I wouldn't care if it ran around as I can't imagine it ever being a nuisance. I love seeing it by the roadside around the Cotswolds and Devon and Cornwall, but I just can't get it to stay in the garden despite various attempts with plants from seed (bought, of course - not nicked from the wild).
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Looks like great minds think alike! :)
It has been a weird year for bulbs though, I don't remember the Merendera's flowering this early either. I got a shock when I went up through the bulb rockery and saw that it was flowering, three flowers were already finished! We also have the first few Colchicums flowering, completely confused poor things.
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Usually around the beginning of March here for the first of the Colchicums, although this year you just never know. I guess I'd better get to repoting them sometime soon! ::)
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And because of your Merendera comments I actually DID start repotting some today. Only a small start, but at least some of them are done. Alas Colchicum autumnale album has gone to the great garden in the sky... unless I happen to have a second pot of it amongst the rest of the Colchicums in the area. I don't think so though! <sigh> Neglect is a terrible thing, but at least I can partically blame it on ill health! ;D
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Paul, I have a nice bit of Col Autumnale Album so if you ever want a replacement . . . .
I actually grow all mine in the ground, admittedly I have to watch my sister when they are dormant as she is prone to planting something on top of them! But they have survived and done fairly well. The smaller Colchicums/Merendera's didn't survive as well until I put them in the bulb rockery.
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Monty Don's Around the world in 80 gardens was in Australia and New Zealand tonight
It is more of a travel program, but does feature gardens and plants and should be available on the bbc iplayer for 7 days
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/page/item/b008x3nl.shtml?q=80+gardens&start=1&scope=iplayersearch&go=Find+Programmes&version_pid=b008x3mh
Sorry for the long link, I couldn't remember how to sorten them
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If they had cut all the shots of Monty Don gazing wistfully into space we may even have seen some of the gardens. I thought it was an awful programme.
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I have just received the January Gardens Illustrated and the programme was dealt with there. When I went onto the site, I was told it is not available out of the UK, so we may never see it, unless it is available on video or DVD. Then maybe it is not worth it anyway.
Susan
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Susan,
Believe it or not...Mary just now put on a video of this programme which a friend taped for her.
Goodbye, I'm off, hate Monty Don but like where he is visiting.
Paddy
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When I got back from NZ I found a few things new in flower:
Lycoris squamigera
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Anthericum racemosum
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An annual morning glory that romps around the rock steps.
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Oenothera missouriensis, still flowering well,
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And the first spike up on Calostemma purpurea this morning (Mark, this is the "nerine" of which I gave you seeds at Prague)
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cheers
fermi
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Went around the garden this morning and went camera happy :), a mixed lot this time. Lilium Wardii is first up, I had hoped that this would flower in time for the local lily shows but as usual it was late. Also a Galtonia, Colchicum and two leatherwoods. One our native pink and another an American species, the flowers are close to three times the size.
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Nice Lilium, Lesley.
And what an early Colchicum, do you know which one it is?
Here is the Calostemma purpurea now in full flower,
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And the autumn Leucojum, Acis autumnalis,
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cheers
fermi
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Fermi,
There is a good area covered in Calostemma purpurea along our dirt road - and on our access track there is a large patch of a white version. I have the odd plant coming up in the top paddock where I grow the arils and rose cuttings. They have such strange bulbs?
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I have several Urginea maritima around the garden - the original in a large tin bucket, then several single clones in the front garden - one of which has two spikes coming up - and then the really large clump up the back which should have about 6-7 spikes this year. Seems early. Another bulb that I have in pots and some trying to survive in the garden is a large flowered pink Rainlily -this bulb seems to predict rain in summer. I noticed a single flower about a week or so ago and then two days later there was a little rain. It doesn't always work this way. I will try to remember to mention it if it happens again. I then clean out the gutters so that I collect any rain that falls. We are not on the mains and rely on rainwater and the borewater for the garden.
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Fermi, I have no idea what the Colchicums name is. It is one that mum bought years ago and the ticket has long since gone :)
I have a few other liliums flowering at the moment, will go and take photos of them tomorrow. Also I walked past and caught Merendera Sobolifera flowering! I have missed it the last couple of years because it comes and goes so quickly. I will take the photos in the morning.
Lesley
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Fermi,
Just love the Calostemmas. A favourite Aussie bulb of mine. I have a few different ones, but seldom get flowers as they're in pots I think. I do theoretically have a white form, but have never had it flower, so Pat if you're ever wandering past and find seed and have some to spare or trade please let me know. Ditto for any other colours other than basic yellow or red. I'd love to collect a whole swathe of different colour forms of them, like some of the ones that can be seen here in the National Botanic Gardens in Canberra. Some lovely pink and yellow/red combinations.
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Some pics taken this morning or in the last couple of days.....
The Beaugainvillea has really taken off flowering-wise in the last week or two. Different angle to my earlier pic.
Clematis macropetalla 'Maidwell Hall' is having it's second flush of flowers for the season, which I didn't expect. I'd imagine it is due to the last couple of weeks being cooler and rainier than usual for this time of year, or does it normally flower multiple times during summer?
This Dahlia has a name, but I don't remember it. Lovely and tall, deep red and so noticeable in the garden at the moment.
The tiny Leucojum roseum (now Acis roseum) is flowering at the moment.
Almost the last of the Liliums...... this is L. speciosum that has just opened.
And lastly the first of the Rhodophiala for this year. After last weeks rain and a repot it put up a flower head within days. Was bought as a pink R. bifida, but with 7 flowers to it's head most years it obviously isn't that species. Very nice and very freely flowering.
Enjoy.
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Finally got around to taking those photos, Merendera Montana is looking really good and putting up more buds which is nice. We had some nasty winds last night and L Philippinense got blown to bits so I was glad that I took it yesterday.
I have also decided to put up a photo of the Podophyllum pods, and a photo of the seed germinated from last years crop. I think that the pods are nearly as pretty as the flowers, plus they last alot longer!
The Leucojums are just coming up here at the moment, looking forward to seeing them flowering.
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Lesley,
Which Podophyllum? I'm assuming something like peltatum as it only has a single flower? Lovely red pod.
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It is Podophyllum Hexandrum, the ones with pods are seedlings flowering for the first time from seed. Most had good mottling on the leaves and a single light pink flower that only lasts two days or so. I never got to see a few flower because just as they were opening my sister put on the monsoon sprinkler and it finished them straight away. I have several of the more common species but there are some spectacular mottled ones that I'd love to get. Oh well, have to have something to dream about :)
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Lesley,
I am only aware of hexandrum with a red flower, not a pink one. I've only seen them at Lyn's place here in Canberra, and they have multiple red flowers. Your pink sounds lovely and very desirable. I have a small piece of the same as Lyn's, but it doesn't do as well for me as hers by any stretch of the imagination. P. peltatum grows like a weed here. Those are the only two Podophyllums I have, or have ever seen available. I just love them, and like you would like to collect more types as I find them. haven't seen any with pink flowers before.
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It might not be Hexandrum then! That is what it was grown as from seed, I hunted through the photo files from last year and found the one and only photo that I took of it. I have a better photo of it from the year before when it was open. It comes out light pink and fades almost to white in a day. If it's not Hexandrum I'd appreciate it if anyone could name it for me.
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I have never seen a Podophyllum hexandrum with red flowers. Only pink something like pink.
P. peltatum is creamy-white.
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I have just purchased a new camera so I took a few snaps round the garden.
1 Red Achillea
2 Small Geranium
3. Japanese Anemone
4. Hebe speciosa hybrid
5. Welcome swallow. Dave, I saw your picture on the field trip thread, these birds are flying round my house - I intended to get one one the wing but my reflexes were not fast enough so here is one is sitting on my TV aerial.
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Lesley,
From what Luit has said yours is right and mine is wrong. Yours is definitely not the same thing as mine...... which has a pendulous cluster of red flowers in the axil, nothing upright. I do rather like yours, particularly that lovely flower colour. Unfortunately mine is so tiny I can't even offer to exchange with you, but if there is anything else that I have posted about that you're interested in I'd be very interested in a piece of your lovely podophyllum if possible?
David,
Strong colour to that Achillea isn't it! Nice Geranium too!!
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Paul, yours sounds like one I have called P Pleianthum. It has large (almost big plate size) glossy green leaves and red flowers in clusters underneath the leaves. I have one flowering size plant of this, I never thought to take a photo of it though so can't post one, and collected seed off it last year that germinated well. There are some lovely ones around, I'm happy to swap some Hexandrum for something when they are dormant.
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Folks,
Since I'm logged on and all...
This is a plant I got got from the perpetually generous Lesley Cox 2 years ago (I think). The first year it grew fine and then went dormant. This year it also grew fine and went dormant. Then, a week or so ago, I nearly tripped over the flower stalks coming out of the leafless pot in my 'winter dry' area. Gladiolus carneus (not to be confused with G. carmineus which I also have and like) has found itself a place in my collection from now on.
Thanks, once again, Lesley.
Andrew.
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Andrew,
Aren't the hysteranthous glads just great. Sudden flowers out of nowhere, so unlike the normal glads with their leaves for so long before the flowers. It's a great flower too, although I always feel it is a bit oversize for the size of stem. ::) Worse things to complain about though!! ;D
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Yes, Paul, I've often thought that Gladdies are hysterical - especially if you get caught with one on the noggin at a "Dame Edna" event!
Andrew, are you sure it isn't G.carmineus?
A few more "autumn flowers" while we're still officially at the height of summer!
The belladonna lilies (Amaryllis belladonna) are common in Aussie gardens even where we get winter temperatures dropping below 0oC and these dark pink ones are common in this area, so please suffer through a few of them! I just wish you could appreciate the scent!
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The last one shows that these open with a white throat that deepens as they age.
Lycoris incarnata has started in one part of the Rock Garden but not the usual larger clump; still 2 spikes are better than none!
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Finally, another shot of Acis autumnalis, but this little clump comes from the generosity of Otto; I saw it last year in his garden and noticed that it came from Portugal! had to have it , of course!
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a bit hard to photograph in the morning light, but a lovely little thing!
cheers
fermi
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Amaryllis belladonna is just the most stunning colour! 8) Particularly grey day here, so most welcome.
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I posted the first pics of this Crossyne flava in the South African Bulbs thread, but here it is on the third day with more flowers open,
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and look at the pollen, I wonder if it'll cross with the Amaryllis?
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And the first Colchicum I've found in our garden, not sure which one it is! I'll fossick around for a label later.
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cheers
fermi
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The first Colchicum is apparently "Princess Astrid"
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And another one is C. cilicium
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The Crossyne is in full bloom and is a little less understated!
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The dead foliage nearby is the Crossyne's.
cheers
fermi
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Fermi,
Oh I DO like that dark pink bella. Better form than the one dark pink type that I have. Looks like yours has lots more flowers too, so probably some Brunsvigia parentage in there somewhere. Might have to see if I can trade for a bulb or two of that at some point, as it is definitely different to any I have as far as I can see.
Colchicums have started here as well..... bivonae, 'The Giant', aggripinum, pale form of cilicicum are out so far, but more are pushing through now. Rhodophiala flowers are afoot as well, plus the belladonnas. First Biarum species is out (B. dispar), Sterngergias, Cyclamen, last of the Eucomis etc. Non-bulbous include..... Salvias, Dahlias (tuberous I realise), Roses etc.
I like that form of Acis autumnale. The flowers look much thinner, which I assume is their standard form rather than weather conditions? I have the "normal" type in flower here, plus A. roseum.
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Some flowerings.....
The first for the year was Colchicum bivonae, although as mentioned in my previous posting there are more out now.
The Biarum dispar has a rather odd smell. Not exactly like something has died, but more like something has blocked up your sewerage system and the smell is getting out!! ;D It's an odd pongy fruity smell. Not particularly pleasant, but not that distressing either.
I look forward to the Rhodophiala bifida every year, and will be moreso in the future as more types of the genus come to flwoering size from seed. Some fantastic plants that flower from very very little care or attention.
And lastly for now is Haemanthus coccineus which has put it's first flower up for the summer. Since this one first appeared there are a few different bulbs sending up buds, although still in the early stages. I will probably try to get out and tickle the flowers a bit and set some seed if anyone is interested.
More pics later most likely, but heading off for the morning now. Enjoy.
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Hi Paul,
that Rhodophiala is very hippie like isn't it! keep me in mind when it starts having pups!
Do you find the Haemanthus can tolerate a bit of frost?
The deep pink Belladonna seems to be a "local" selction and appears in a few gardens (ours came from a neighbour a few doors down); there is a lot of conjecture about the parentage of these hybrids with one line of thinking that it isn't actually Brunsvigia but Cybistetes that has been introduced into the breeding.
Here is a better pic of Colchicum "Princess Astrid" but I'm not sure if I have the right name as it's supposed to be quite a dark form.
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cheers
fermi
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Fermi,
I have plenty of the Rhodophiala bifida, so I'll include some in the package if you'd like that I am sending off to you hopefully on Monday with the other bits and pieces.
Haemanthus coccineus is full frost hardy here and can be grown outside with impunity. H. albiflos on the other hand toasts with frosts, although it can recover after frosts are gone if it isn't too badly damaged. Other species I haven't experimented with as yet. With the amount of coccineus seedlings I have coming along I will be up to my eyeballs in them before too long. ;D
I would have thought from your picture that your Colchicum WAS dark, at least as Colchicums go. My Princess Astrid isn't up yet so I can't send a comparison photo. I assume that PA has bivonae parentage, as the flower looks very similar (although darker) to the bivonae.
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A few more pics.....
Two different Amaryllis belladonnas that I have out at the moment..... the dark one has up to 25 or so flowers per stem, arranged in a full circle. Good strong colour to it. The other one (ex Mary, a neighbour of mine) starts out white with the pink tips and ages pinker.
The Epacris longiflorus is a small native Aussie shrub. No home should be without them as htey flower for long periods of time. Only problem with them is that they can get a little lanky at times, but Otto tells me that there is a form in production now that stays much more thick and compact.
And lastly a Crinum..... not sure what species it is so if anyone wants to ID it that'd be great. Was given to me by a friend as a moorei, but I think I read somewhere that that species has a bifurcated style which would mean mine can't be. Nice form to this with good pink to it. Whatever it is I like it!! ;D