Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => Flowers and Foliage Now => Topic started by: Gerdk on March 02, 2008, 05:08:00 PM

Title: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 02, 2008, 05:08:00 PM
I hope I didn't open this topic twice ? ???

Here are two pics from an own selection of blue Corydalis solida

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 02, 2008, 06:11:49 PM
Here is a pic made by my good friend Heinz Rehfeld
Leucojum vernum - north of Ballenstedt/Harz  - february 23rd

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Armin on March 02, 2008, 06:13:45 PM
Gerd, beautiful.
All are green tipped?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 02, 2008, 06:17:44 PM
Sorry, I don't know it  ???

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on March 02, 2008, 06:33:09 PM
Quote
Here is a pic made by my good friend Heinz Rehfeld
Leucojum vernum - north of Ballenstedt/Harz  - february 23rd

Gerd
Then our thanks to your friend Heinz for this photo of such a wonderful  display!  8) :D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 02, 2008, 06:46:50 PM
Maggi,
I'll deliver a message to Heinz - also have to ask for the 'green tips'  ;)

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on March 02, 2008, 06:50:54 PM
Gerd, please also thank Heinz  for the pic of the siskins... Ian's favourites!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on March 02, 2008, 08:01:56 PM
This blue Corydalis is a very interesting plant Gerd!
You should try to propagate it, there are admirers for it!  :D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 02, 2008, 08:42:37 PM
This blue Corydalis is a very interesting plant Gerd!
You should try to propagate it, there are admirers for it!  :D

I hope the plants will act in the way as the red selections do, i.e. when separated from the other colours there will similar tinted seedlings appear. Also I'll try to look for a division for you.

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Paddy Tobin on March 02, 2008, 08:53:06 PM
Gerd,

Great start to the new month with two excellent plant. It is so unusual to see large plantings of the leucojoum and the blue Corydalis solida  is very unusual and certainly there is another admirer here.

Paddy
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: johngennard on March 02, 2008, 08:55:46 PM
Gerd,wonderful picture of leucojums,I didn't realise that they would naturalise in wooded conditions though they do mseed around prolifically in the open ground with me.I must try them in other positions.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Martin Baxendale on March 02, 2008, 08:58:13 PM
I can see some yellow tips amongst those leucojum.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 02, 2008, 09:16:42 PM
I can see some yellow tips amongst those leucojum.

Martin,
I can't  :). I believe that's your special ' yellow snowdrop searching look '  ;D

- until now no answer from my friend concerning the colour of the tips -

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Paddy Tobin on March 02, 2008, 09:21:52 PM
Martin,

I grow some of the yellow-tipped leucojum, var. carpathicum? They enjoy wet conditions.

Paddy
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Martin Baxendale on March 02, 2008, 09:26:41 PM
There's one very obvious yellow-tipped one in the bottom left-hand corner, and some others close by it, plus one or two others I think I can see dotted around.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Paul T on March 02, 2008, 10:01:28 PM
I love that blue Corydalis solida.  Beautiful!!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on March 02, 2008, 10:47:21 PM
This blue Corydalis is a very interesting plant Gerd!
You should try to propagate it, there are admirers for it!  :D

I hope the plants will act in the way as the red selections do, i.e. when separated from the other colours there will similar tinted seedlings appear. Also I'll try to look for a division for you.

Gerd

That's great Gerd, I will be patient!
Seeing the reactions you could start a business.  ;D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Tony Willis on March 02, 2008, 10:57:33 PM
I can see some yellow tips amongst those leucojum.

Martin I am surprised you have had time for the forum today,I thought you would be glued to the TV watching the royal hero come home.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Martin Baxendale on March 02, 2008, 11:14:00 PM
Martin I am surprised you have had time for the forum today,I thought you would be glued to the TV watching the royal hero come home.
As an ex-journalist, I have to admit it's all been a very well crafted (and thoroughly pre-meditated) piece of PR work for HRH, the Royal Family and the Army. Someone at the MoD must be getting a serious slap on the back right now.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 03, 2008, 07:41:50 AM
There's one very obvious yellow-tipped one in the bottom left-hand corner, and some others close by it, plus one or two others I think I can see dotted around.

mail from Heinz Rehfeld:

most tips were yellow - some yellow - green
so you are right Martin 8)

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Anthony Darby on March 03, 2008, 09:29:42 AM
There's one very obvious yellow-tipped one in the bottom left-hand corner, and some others close by it, plus one or two others I think I can see dotted around.

mail from Heinz Rehfeld:

most tips were yellow - some yellow - green
so you are right Martin 8)

Gerd



Well spotted Martin. Right now, you should be getting a serious slap on the back. ;D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Tony Willis on March 03, 2008, 11:21:05 AM
here are some orchids in flower at the moment. I know that one at least has been renamed, papilionacea  and the lutea has been divided into sub species to numerous to count. I am ignoring this and just putting up the pictures. It is snowing heavily as I post this,glad winter is over!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: mark smyth on March 03, 2008, 02:43:40 PM
indoor or outdoor orchids?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Tony Willis on March 03, 2008, 03:30:32 PM
hardy in a warm dry climate,so with me pots in greenhouse for autumn and winter. I then put the pots in the garage out of the way for the summer when they die down in about April
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Hans A. on March 03, 2008, 04:02:19 PM
Tony, really beautyful orchids - some of the Ophrys started to flower  in the local Pinewoods.
Gerd - I never have seen such a blue solida! :o  - little more work in selections and you will get one similar to cashmiriana - just much easier to grow in central europe (I hope) ;)
Great population of Leucojum vernum!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on March 03, 2008, 10:13:52 PM
Hans A... how nice to SEE you now!  8)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 04, 2008, 09:10:13 AM
Gerd - I never have seen such a blue solida! :o  - little more work in selections and you will get one similar to cashmiriana - just much easier to grow in central europe (I hope) ;)

Hans,
Thank you - unfortunately I am no breeder but a dreamer (of cashmiriana blue :))
Maybe Ruksans has better blues - I never ordered one from him.

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Hans A. on March 05, 2008, 07:59:55 AM
Yes Maggie - the pics give a personal touch to this great forum.  :D
Gerd i think this blue is really beautyful - as in my climatical conditions it will be  impossible to grow this Corydalis I did not check Janis Corydalis list - I will do if I should move back to Germany . ;)

Hans
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 05, 2008, 04:20:57 PM
1. After white (Leucojum) and yellow (daffodils) this patch is turning to blue
2. Viola dalmatica - first open flower
3. to 6.
    Primula marginata with a touch of blue and the 'normal' blue one

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Katherine J on March 05, 2008, 04:41:38 PM
Primula marginata already flowering in the open garden??? :o
Mine has just now awoken.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 05, 2008, 04:56:38 PM
Primula marginata already flowering in the open garden??? :o
Mine has just now awoken.

Kathrine,
This species is always very early here. Do you have doubts concerning its hardiness?

P. marginata is a very tough Primula - no problems with cold, dryness, shade or sun here.

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on March 05, 2008, 05:43:38 PM
I agree, Primula marginata is very tough, but here in Aberdeen only one plant is showing any growth and opening its flowers.
1)this little plant is about 12cms across, it is on a raised bed.
2) this one is still asleep, although only a metre away from the first
3) a Saxifraga opening its flowers in the same bed
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Katherine J on March 05, 2008, 06:47:42 PM
Do you have doubts concerning its hardiness?

Noooo Gerd, I was only surprised because of flowering so early at you.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Katherine J on March 05, 2008, 06:53:19 PM
It must be tough, it was full of mites last summer here, and survived! Because of spraying it's leaves became dull green, but recovered and it looks absolutely healthy now. :D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: mark smyth on March 05, 2008, 08:26:10 PM
When I next struggle upstairs I must show a lovely Muscari I have M. leucostomum. Flowering now it's a lovely addition to the garden. It's black with a white mouth.

Anyone know if Muscari can be twinscaled?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Martin Baxendale on March 05, 2008, 08:34:38 PM
Muscari can certainly be chipped and twin scaled, Mark. I've chipped Muscari macrocarpum very successfully in the past.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on March 05, 2008, 08:54:52 PM
Here's a colourful corner in my garden :

1) clockwise, starting at the bottom :
- Sax. apiculata - flowering very poorly as a young plant and doing better every year now .
- chionodoxa "Pink giant"
- Sax. megasaeflora "Jupiter"
- Scilla Tubergenii - almost over
2) Same group, from another angle.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on March 05, 2008, 09:00:04 PM
Colourful indeed, Luc. A lovely grouping. I do like Sax. 'Jupiter'.... good foliage as well.
 I rather like the Chionodoxa 'Pink Giant', too.... but mine are only leaves as yet, just 5cms out of the ground by my front door and no buds showing yet!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on March 05, 2008, 09:04:20 PM

Belgium obviously has a more Mediteranean climate than Aberdeen Maggi  ;D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 06, 2008, 06:05:19 AM
Do you have doubts concerning its hardiness?

Noooo Gerd, I was only surprised because of flowering so early at you.

Sorry Kathrine - I did not imagine that spring in my region is further than in Hungary.
I forgot the maritime influence we have.

Gerd

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: art600 on March 06, 2008, 09:40:59 AM
Could you please confirm the identity of this Romulea.  I have it as clusiana
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on March 06, 2008, 12:58:52 PM
Could you please confirm the identity of this Romulea.  I have it as clusiana

Arthur, according to the PBS Wiki it's known, by some, as Romulea bulbocodium var. clusiana, and by others as R. clusiana,so yer pays yer money and takes yer choice! Lovely little plant though whatever it's called.


http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/EuropeanAndMediterraneanRomuleas#clusiana


Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Hans J on March 06, 2008, 02:06:41 PM
Here a other Romulea from me which is flowering today :
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Anthony Darby on March 06, 2008, 02:19:15 PM
here are some orchids in flower at the moment. I know that one at least has been renamed, papilionacea  and the lutea has been divided into sub species to numerous to count. I am ignoring this and just putting up the pictures. It is snowing heavily as I post this,glad winter is over!

Tony, never thought to put my orchids in the garage. I just leave them in situ and they dry out in the greenhouse. My Ophrys spp. are some weeks from flowering by my Orchis (Anacamptis) papilionacea is out now, as is my Barlia (Himantoglossum) robusta.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: gote on March 06, 2008, 05:18:40 PM
It is too early for Corydalis here. They are just above ground so I cannot post under this thread
I can, however, recommend you to get Ruksan's catalogue. He has a very high standard on the corms he supplies.
Until now I have never seen a blue solida that is as blue as elata or better forms of ornata or turtchaninowii.
Corydalis solida 'Blue gigant' looks like the blue one in the beginning of this thread. (and can be bought)
Göte
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: mark smyth on March 06, 2008, 05:29:30 PM
Thanks Martin. I have a few nice ones that should get the propagated

Here is the almost black one I have. Source unknown
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: derekb on March 06, 2008, 06:48:15 PM
 I am always amazed at what comes out of a mass of Roots? if you give this to anyone they think it is rubbish.
Gagea fibrosa.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Paul T on March 06, 2008, 11:49:45 PM
Mark,

Great colouration.  Far darker than I have seen before!!

Derek,

Nice little display there.  ;D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Katherine J on March 07, 2008, 07:46:00 AM
The first "alpine" flowering here: Draba lasiocarpa in my miniature garden. I grew it from seed collected nearby on a "mountain" which is dolomitic, and in the middle of last century was planted with Pinus nigra which expands very well and so the famous native flora is slowly disappearing. :'(
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on March 07, 2008, 11:33:50 AM
Derek: don't you think Gagea get a bad press, anyway ?.... few people seem to grow them; they often seem dismissed to me. I am glad to see you growing  one 8)
Often times in a talk, someone will show a picture with, for example, one little blue flower in, surrounded by dozens  of bright yellow faces.... all the description is of the blue flower.... what is the yellow, I ask? .... oh, it's JUST a Gagea .... comes the reply..... seems its a hard life being a Gagea  :P
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on March 07, 2008, 11:35:40 AM
Kata, neat little garden.
At least there are people like you who are aware of the loss of your native flora...  if only there could be more who care about this situation in ALL our countries !
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: gote on March 07, 2008, 02:05:33 PM
If anyone wants Gagea minima, please mail me privately. I expect to have some homeless ones a little later in the year.
They grow in my grass.
This is a pic from a previous year.
Göte
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Armin on March 07, 2008, 09:47:49 PM
I am always amazed at what comes out of a mass of Roots? if you give this to anyone they think it is rubbish.
Gagea fibrosa.

Derek,
I like Gageas! I seems these species are too much neglected!
Yours is beautiful 8)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on March 07, 2008, 10:12:28 PM
I think we need to form our own group... the Gagea Gang, to encourage these plants to be more appreciated!! ::)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Paul T on March 07, 2008, 11:10:03 PM
Maggi,

Yeah, but it's difficult to gauge how popular it would be!!  ;D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on March 07, 2008, 11:14:07 PM
Quote

Yeah, but it's difficult to gauge how popular it would be!! 

[attach=1]
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: mark smyth on March 07, 2008, 11:16:05 PM
Paul if it sets seeds I'll send you some
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Kenneth K on March 08, 2008, 12:29:12 PM
The first Saxifraga this year, Saxifraga 'Johann Kellerer'.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 08, 2008, 03:37:23 PM

Tulipa Humilis Alba Caerulea Oculata ?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: mark smyth on March 08, 2008, 03:47:51 PM
One of my favourites Michael. Mine arent showing any colour
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 08, 2008, 04:18:40 PM

Ornithogalum Fimbriatum ?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 08, 2008, 04:29:03 PM

Frit Hermonis Armana ?
Frit Bucharica ?
Frit Bithnynica ex Turkey ?
Frit Paudica ?
Helleborus ?
Narcissus rockery white ?
Narcissus bulbocodium  ?
Tulipa Gusippe Verdi. ?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: derekb on March 08, 2008, 04:30:17 PM
  The latest Frit, to flower,

  Fritillaria crassifolia Kurdica.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: art600 on March 08, 2008, 06:00:01 PM

Tulipa Humilis Alba Caerulea Oculata ?

Michael

If it sets seed, could I put my name on the waiting list.  It is a wonderful tulip.

You keep making my mouth water - is there nothing that you do not grow to perfection.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 08, 2008, 06:08:43 PM
Arthur, I have it tickled and and if the result are as expected your name is first on the list. Pm me with your address so I can put it on file
or I might forget. I am getting to that age you know.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on March 08, 2008, 06:30:59 PM
Here some plant flowering with me in and round the garden:


Corydalis transsylvanica Rosea
One of the earliest bulbous Corydalis in the garden.   

Heloniopsis orientalis   1     
This plant was neglected for some years and now it flowers much better with me.

Leucojum vernum var. carpathicum                 
Narcissus Jetfire res                   
Ranunculus ficaria The Giant         
Scilla bifolia
Anemone pavonina       
Tropaeolum polyphyllum 2     Should be Trop. tricolorum         
Tropaeolum polyphyllum 3   
                                    Trop. polyphyllum is yellow I think
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Hans A. on March 08, 2008, 06:37:33 PM
Hello Luit,
really beautyful pics- even  if your Tropaeolum polyphyllum seams to be a Tropaeolum tricolorum  ;)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Paddy Tobin on March 08, 2008, 06:56:53 PM
Jeepers, Luit,

That tropaeolum is a stunning colour; would certainly brighten up dull day. For preference I would grow the Corydalis transylcattica 'Rosea'. It's a beautiful plant.

Michael, good to see you posting and, as ever, a fabulous selection.

Paddy
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 08, 2008, 07:03:50 PM

Tropaeolum Tricolorum. ?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on March 08, 2008, 07:05:10 PM
Hello Luit,
really beautyful pics- even  if your Tropaeolum polyphyllum seams to be a Tropaeolum tricolorum  ;)

Sorry, Senior moment    ??? ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)     :-[
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 08, 2008, 07:45:44 PM

Narcissus Unknown.?

I bought this in the market today,can anyone identify it. It is about 12 cm high.
  DaffSeek  is not working today.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: mark smyth on March 08, 2008, 08:02:13 PM
Michael you forgot to edit the photo. Here it is. It can only be Jet Fire or Tete-a-Tete. It doesnt look orange enought for Jet Fire
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 08, 2008, 08:14:11 PM
 :o ooops
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: mark smyth on March 08, 2008, 08:16:21 PM
You'll be at the show in a month?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: johanneshoeller on March 09, 2008, 06:24:04 PM
After snow strong frost and then sunny and warmer
Iris K.H., Helleborus f., Call. anem., Androsace hedraeantha, Daphne mezereum, Trillium nivale, Viola ?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: johanneshoeller on March 09, 2008, 06:36:24 PM
Some more pics
Androsace ciliata, carnea ssp. brigantiaca, Iris winogr., "Schlüsselblume"
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on March 09, 2008, 06:41:53 PM
Obviously some things unhappy outside, Hans; but I presume the Androsace etc were safe under cover?
I hope the very bad weather that we are told will affect the UK in the next few days will leave you alone over there... you have had enough wind for a while, eh?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on March 09, 2008, 07:07:24 PM
Beautiful shots Hans - they show well what these little plants can stand don't they  ;)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 09, 2008, 08:23:19 PM
Presumably they all stand up again as soon as the frost thaws? They do here but I don't think my winter is as cold as yours Hans. :)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: mark smyth on March 09, 2008, 08:29:15 PM
Next few days, Maggi! Tonight
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on March 09, 2008, 08:48:59 PM
Our weather man at the BBC today said the next few days as well as tonight, Mark!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Armin on March 09, 2008, 10:18:30 PM
Some more pics
Androsace ciliata, carnea ssp. brigantiaca, Iris winogr., "Schlüsselblume"


Hans,
your "Schlüsselblume" is Primula elatior (Waldschlüsselblume oder Hohe Schlüsselblume) ;)
It is an very early one! My have set buds but will need some more days for flowering.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: John Forrest on March 11, 2008, 07:58:24 PM
Here are a few more things that have put their noses above the parapets.

1 Scilla greilhuberi which has a lovely flower but like the bluebell is a bit tooo enthusiastic with its foliage.
2 Scilla greilhuberi detail shows the very, perhaps too much reflexed petals
3 Scilla amoena is much more restrained and delicate in every way.
4 Scilla amoena detail whose flowers put me in mind of an Erythronium and aren't the anthers striking.
5 Romulea clusii flowers don't last for long but they certainly zing whilst open.
6 Romulea clusii again
7 Tecophilea cyanocrocus and who could resist it (perhaps why it was nearly driven to extinction in the wild

They will all probably put their noses back down later tonight with 80 m.p.h. winds forecast.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on March 11, 2008, 08:12:09 PM
Very nice John, especially the Scilla amoena, I must look out for that.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 11, 2008, 10:08:17 PM
I do agree with you David. Overall, I think Scilla is a strongly under-rated genus with many lovely species.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Armin on March 12, 2008, 06:38:41 PM
John, superb pictures!

Is S.amoena hardy outside? And where is its natural distribution?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: olegKon on March 12, 2008, 09:01:16 PM
Scilla amoena is absolutely hardy outside and a good grower even in extreme conditions of Moscow. I have never heard anything about its natural distribution but it is said to naturalize in Western Europe
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Diane Whitehead on March 13, 2008, 12:27:31 AM
This spring I have caught a bad case of what Maggi calls "White
Fever." I just lifted up my eyes from the last snowdrop to flower and
discovered there are other flowers in bloom. I think I'm recovering.

Here are a few plants I have just bought.  They are being walked
around the garden to see where they should be planted.

They have to be in one of the places that gets watered in the summer,
so they'll probably be squeezed in with my Arisaemas and Hepaticas.
It's getting a bit crowded, and I worry that if I dig a hole for something
new, I might destroy some plant that is not showing yet.

The brown leaved plant is Corydalis quantmeyerana 'Chocolate Star'
which I haven't seen before.  I don't know what it is likely to do - is
it grown mainly for its foliage?  Does it get huge?

Anemonella is something I try every few years but have had no success
growing in the 30 or so years I've been trying.  Maybe it will survive next
to my moisture-loving Arisaemas.

A blue Hepatica, Cyclamen coum and Heloniopsis orientalis are also
in the photos.  Cyclamen grow well for me.

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Katherine J on March 13, 2008, 07:12:15 AM
Diane,
This Cardamine enneaphylla is the same as Dentaria enneaphyllos?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on March 13, 2008, 09:27:48 AM
Diane, the name of your new Corydalis rang a bell..... see this page in the Old Forum:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/discus/messages/4/35733.html

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Brian Ellis on March 13, 2008, 09:47:54 AM
Quote
I think I'm recovering.

Sorry Diane, you are quite misguided in this assumption ;D ;D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Paul T on March 13, 2008, 11:51:32 AM
Yes, it's only temporary.... until next year!! (Mwaah haa haa haaaaa!) (Where's an "evil laugh" smiley when you need one?) edit byMaggi.... right here. Paul ....[attach=1]

I think I watch too much television!  ::)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Diane Whitehead on March 13, 2008, 02:04:58 PM
Well, you're right. The White Fever is abating only somewhat - now
I am hovering over the dead flowers to see if my pollinating "took".

Yes, Kathrine, Dentaria and Cardamine often refer to the same plants.
I'm not sure which name I prefer.  The Cardamine that grows best for
me is a little weed that I eat for salad  - it tastes like watercress.

I followed the link Maggi gave, and am very pleased to see the Corydalis
is good in dry shade.  That's what I have most of.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Anthony Darby on March 13, 2008, 02:24:15 PM
Here's a nice wee grape hyacinth: Muscari pseudomuscari.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 13, 2008, 09:16:46 PM
A little cutie Anthony. I have a pretty white form as well.

OK Ambrose, get your damned century then shuffle OFF!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 13, 2008, 10:36:15 PM

Cyclamen Creticum-Meiklei
Frit  Argolica ?
Frit ex Tunisia ?
Hepatica Jap.Shikouden
Hepatica Jap Haruno Awayuki
Primula Hyb 1.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 13, 2008, 10:46:47 PM
Primula Asiatica nana,? desimated by the storm.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Martin Baxendale on March 13, 2008, 10:56:01 PM
All lovely, Michael. Another stunning primula hybrid (your own, I assume) and that Cyclamen creticum is fantastic.   8)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 13, 2008, 10:59:39 PM

Primula Campbell's Tear, own hyb.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 13, 2008, 11:02:37 PM
Thanks Martin, there are a few coming into flower now  The storm did not help them much as most of them are outside just covered on top 
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Martin Baxendale on March 13, 2008, 11:05:23 PM
Keep them coming, Michael. I just love showy European primula hybrids like this.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 14, 2008, 12:23:51 AM
Martin, a few more.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Paul T on March 14, 2008, 01:24:01 AM
Stunning, Michael.  8)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 14, 2008, 01:36:41 AM
I love those hybrids with a very subtle colour range, in reply no 101. I've had something similar using Pr. x pubescens `Rufus.'

'Campbell's Tear' is a fine plant Michael but why were you tearful? Looks like one for great joy, to me.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Paul T on March 14, 2008, 02:21:54 AM
Lesley,

haven't you heard the term "Crying tears of joy"?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on March 14, 2008, 06:57:43 AM
Lovely hybrids Michael!
Primula Campbell's Tear looks very good indeed, as well Hybr. no. 1 and no. 6 .
(Well, that's my choice)
Show us more.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Katherine J on March 14, 2008, 07:09:50 AM
Lovely indeed. I love especially those which have less contrasted colors.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: art600 on March 14, 2008, 10:05:49 AM
Michael

Your Primula hybrids are wonderful - I have yet to grow these as I believe they nedd tender loving care, though possibly less than dionysias.

I am not sure that your Cyclamen creticum is correct - a lovely plant, but the flower looks to be the wrong shape.  Could be a hybrid.  What is the origin of the plant?

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Viola on March 14, 2008, 10:13:41 AM
Pulsatilla grandis and
Pulsatilla pratensis ssp.nigricans from Dürnstein- Wachau- Austria
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 14, 2008, 11:41:28 AM
Moody pictures of the beginning of spring in a magnificent landscape.
Thank you !

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on March 14, 2008, 12:48:09 PM
Very nice series Michael !
I love all of them !
Frit. argolica is very nice too !  8)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on March 14, 2008, 01:09:35 PM
I was just enjoying Michael's lovely hybrid primulas... what a good range and so pretty.....a delightful treat.......and then more treats:  I come  upon Kurt's pulsatilla photos.... my word! I'm in heaven, I adore these flowers and it is so exciting to see them growing naturally.
Pulsatillas are just so photogenic  8)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on March 14, 2008, 01:30:07 PM
Absolutely wonderful Pulsatilla's Karl (Viola) - truly beautiful  :o
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on March 14, 2008, 02:50:17 PM
Thank you for sharing these Pulsatilla's in Nature with us Karl.
We would never have the possibility to see this with our own eyes.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on March 14, 2008, 03:02:16 PM
Pulsatilla grandis and
Pulsatilla pratensis ssp.nigricans from Dürnstein- Wachau- Austria

Lovely pictures Karl, thanks for posting them.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: gote on March 14, 2008, 03:29:58 PM
Scilla amoena is a problematic species.
It is described in Species plantarum as having UPRIGHT flowers.
Old floras describe it as fairly common or as garden escape but in the last fifty years or so it fades away.
I have the impression that most of the plants reported as amoenas are chinodoxas which have upright flowers and have some resemblance to Scillas.
The old Swedish school flora will key out a chinodoxa as Scilla amoena
Somewher I saw it described as a "garden hybrid"
A friend of mine made a dedicated search for it some twenty years ago. He doubted that it existed. He eventually found some at the botanical garden of Uppsala.
It is all very unsatisfactory.
We have two good monographs over Galanthus but no over scillas and other small useful and beautiful. bulbs. - Or is there one???
I grow it too  (I think  ???) It is hardy but it is the most difficult Scilla I grow.
Göte.



Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: olegKon on March 14, 2008, 03:47:11 PM
I received Scilla amoena from Norman Stevens (Cambridge Bulbs) in 2004 and has never had difficulties in growing and flowering it in the open garden ever since. It doesn't look Chionodoxa. We may have different plants. I believe spring in central Russia and Sweden cames the same time, so we'll have a chance to compare.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 14, 2008, 06:05:54 PM
Quote
'Campbell's Tear' is a fine plant Michael but why were you tearful? Looks like one for great joy, to me.

Lesley, my son named that plant a few years back, so to keep the peace I left it. None of these  plants are in circulation so I don't suppose it matters much about names. Actually that is the only one with a name ,the others are all  just numbers.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 14, 2008, 06:19:41 PM
Quote
I am not sure that your Cyclamen creticum is correct - a lovely plant, but the flower looks to be the wrong shape.  Could be a hybrid.  What is the origin of the plant?

Arthur, it Probably is a hybrid as that particular group of plants are very promiscuous,and it is difficult to get the true plant.
That one was grown from my own seed so could have crossed with anything in the group. It is a very good one whatever it is and flowers like this every year. I have some seedlings from it so will be watching to see if  they come true . Meiklei has darker foliage and flowers about a week later, while this one is closer to the Repandum group.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 14, 2008, 06:33:19 PM
Quote
Lovely indeed. I love especially those which have less contrasted colors.

Katherine, here is with little or no contrast,
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Viola on March 14, 2008, 06:40:06 PM
Pulsatillas in my garden-Austria
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Martin Baxendale on March 14, 2008, 06:53:47 PM
Pulsatillas in my garden-Austria

Fantastic, Karl! I just want to reach out and stroke them - especially that gorgeous pink one.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on March 14, 2008, 06:59:52 PM
Michael, I nearly missed your Primulas, you have some beautiful plants there.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 14, 2008, 07:03:17 PM
Thanks David, you must pay attention in future. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: art600 on March 14, 2008, 07:50:22 PM
Quote
I am not sure that your Cyclamen creticum is correct - a lovely plant, but the flower looks to be the wrong shape.  Could be a hybrid.  What is the origin of the plant?

Arthur, it Probably is a hybrid as that particular group of plants are very promiscuous,and it is difficult to get the true plant.
That one was grown from my own seed so could have crossed with anything in the group. It is a very good one whatever it is and flowers like this every year. I have some seedlings from it so will be watching to see if  they come true . Meiklei has darker foliage and flowers about a week later, while this one is closer to the Repandum group.

Michael

Some of the hybrids are very colourful and very lovely, and your plant shows this very well.  I just wanted to make sure that the Galanthophile - Martin - did not think it was a coloured Creticum.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: John Forrest on March 14, 2008, 08:20:31 PM
Wonderful Pusatillas Karl and if Martin has the pink one I will take the P. slavica, the light coming through the hairs is beautiful.
Here are a few thing in flower now.
1  Ipheion Alberto Castillo
2  Ipheion Alberto Castillo detail
4 Hepatica Good Red grown from seed given to me by John Saxton from his Farrer medal plant. It had a very distracting backgroun so I removed it in Photoshop.
5 Erythronium albidum ssp mesochorum I grew from my own seed (fortunate since I lost the parent) I really love this Erythronium for its delicate markings and its diminutive stature of aabout 8-9cm
6 Erythronium albidum ssp mesochorum detail
7 Fritillaria hermonis amana (yellow) grwn from exchange seed. I must say I was surprised when it opened with such flaring petals.
8  Fritillaria hermonis amana (yellow) detail
9 Scilla reverchonii again, grown from exchange seed. I'm very fond of the Scillas generally band was not disappointed by this one.
10 Scilla reverchonii detail
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: art600 on March 14, 2008, 08:24:43 PM
Karl

Your Pulsatillas are wonderful - hope there are more
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Martin Baxendale on March 14, 2008, 08:25:54 PM
Michael
Some of the hybrids are very colourful and very lovely, and your plant shows this very well.  I just wanted to make sure that the Galanthophile - Martin - did not think it was a coloured Creticum.

I'm afraid to say I did think it was a (fantastic) pink creticum. Although I still get the Cyclamen Society journal I'm afraid I don't pay as much attention to the latest ins and outs of the cyclamen world as I used to, and I'm easily taken by surprise by new developments and discoveries. I haven't grown creticum for many years, having lost all my seed-raised ones in a hard winter (remember those?) so I just assumed that there must be some pink creticum around now, thanks to new collections, new colour breaks or whatever.

I should concentrate more instead of just swooning over amazing forum pics!   :-\
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: art600 on March 14, 2008, 08:28:09 PM
John

An excellent selection of some of my favourite flowers.  Particularly like the Erythronium - not one I have grown.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: art600 on March 14, 2008, 08:38:46 PM
Michael
Some of the hybrids are very colourful and very lovely, and your plant shows this very well.  I just wanted to make sure that the Galanthophile - Martin - did not think it was a coloured Creticum.

I'm afraid to say I did think it was a (fantastic) pink creticum. Although I still get the Cyclamen Society journal I'm afraid I don't pay as much attention to the latest ins and outs of the cyclamen world as I used to, and I'm easily taken by surprise by new developments and discoveries. I haven't grown creticum for many years, having lost all my seed-raised ones in a hard winter (remember those?) so I just assumed that there must be some pink creticum around now, thanks to new collections, new colour breaks or whatever.

I should concentrate more instead of just swooning over amazing forum pics!   :-\

Martin

I would not know so much about Snowdrops without the assistance of you and other knowledgeable Forumists.  As Membership Secretary for the Cyclamen Society I should expect to know a little about the genus.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 14, 2008, 08:47:56 PM
Arthur,you have just let the cat out of the bag.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Rafa on March 14, 2008, 09:15:41 PM
beautiful plants!

another one
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Paddy Tobin on March 14, 2008, 09:36:28 PM
Rafa,

Do tell  more. Is this in the wild?

Beautiful blue, fabulous.

Paddy
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Rafa on March 14, 2008, 10:29:41 PM
hello Paddy,

no, this is in the bulb frame. This species don't grow in Spain, here there are just Gladiolus communis (G. communis subsp.
byzantinus, G. communis subsp. communis, G. communis subsp. illyricus), G. italicus, G. illyricus, G. dubius, G. reuteri and  G. tristis, but this escaped from the gardens.

Note: JAJAJJAJAJAJAJJAJA (translation: HAHAHAHHAHAHHAHA) Sorry, I hadn't notice that funny title that you have granted me! I feel honoured!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Paul T on March 15, 2008, 10:54:56 AM
Rafa,

Great Gladiolus!!  Love those species!!

John F,

Fantastic pics as always.  The Erythronium albidum in particular is just beautiful.  Haven't seen that variety before as I recall, nor that Fritillaria which is amazing!!

Karl,

Those Pulsatillas are glorious!!  The deep coloured one is striking, and that lovely clear pink.  Not seen either of those before.  Beautiful!!  :D

Thanks all for posting!! 8)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Martin Baxendale on March 15, 2008, 02:53:58 PM
As Membership Secretary for the Cyclamen Society I should expect to know a little about the genus.

Ooer!! I think I owe you some money!! Seriously though, Arthur, I'll send you a personal message 'cos I forgot to increase my C.S. membership standing order before it was paid this year and I've forgotten how much extra I need to pay.  :-\
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 15, 2008, 09:59:41 PM
A few more cyclamen.

Cyclamen Persicum white form
Cyclamen Persicum, two for the price of one. One tuber only.
Cyclamen Pseudibericum Roseum.?
Cyclamen Pseudibericum?
Cyclamen Repandum album.?
Cyclamen Repandum Group seedling?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 15, 2008, 10:07:33 PM


Anomatheca = Freesia laxa subsp. azurea.

Muscari ?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Paul T on March 16, 2008, 12:07:22 AM
Michael,

Great Cyclamen!!  That pink Muscari is pretty unusual!!  8)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 16, 2008, 08:58:07 AM
Here are some pics from yesterday - a nice sunny day

1. Anemone ranunculoides
2. Anemone blanda - from seeds collected in Turkey
3. Anemone heldreichii
4. + 5. Daphne blagayana
6. Tulipa neustruvae
7. Viola jaubertiana - from Mallorca, unfortunately not hardy here
8. Viola alba - a superb small matforming variant

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: johanneshoeller on March 16, 2008, 10:40:37 AM
A half day with sun, then rain again.
Pteridophyllum (before sending to Ola)
F. aurea
E. dens canis
Some Helleborus seedlings and a very tiny green H. (unknown?)
Primula allionii alba
And the first Cypripedium buds

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on March 16, 2008, 11:12:46 AM
This week during a visit at the nursery of Sjaak de Groot I spotted the following plants:

Anemone bucharica       
Colchicum kesselringii 
Fritillaria stenanthera  sel. 
       (A better selection as i showed last week in the Connoisseur Collection)
Romulea spec.
Iris aucheri

 and a very dark blue selection of it::
Iris aucheri sel.
Tulipa neustreuvae       
Iris tubergeniana

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on March 16, 2008, 11:16:17 AM
And the following:
Tulipa hissarica     
Tulipa schrenkii     
Tecophileae cyanocrocus 1
Tecophileae cyanocrocus 2         
Tecophileae cyanocrocus 3   
Tecophileae cyanocrocus 4             
Tulipa albertii           

and finally one of the rarest tulips I think:
Tulipa regelii       
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: mark smyth on March 16, 2008, 11:47:58 AM
Seeing all of those Tecophelia growing outside makes me ask why we pamper ours under glass. Mine are going out and staying out!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 16, 2008, 01:39:42 PM
Luit,
Very interesting contribution. Hard to believe - Tecophylea in the sand  ::) ::) ::) - and superb grown!
Are they lifted in summer?

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Viola on March 16, 2008, 04:04:53 PM
Here are some pics from my garden.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on March 16, 2008, 04:11:21 PM
Quote
Hard to believe - Tecophylea in the sand 

I would say come and see Gerd.    8) 8)

Quote
Are they lifted in summer?

Yes, otherwise he would not be able to sell his corms.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on March 16, 2008, 07:31:24 PM
Thank you Gerd, Hans, Luit and Karl some beautiful plants to see there.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: olegKon on March 16, 2008, 07:32:59 PM
The first greeting of spring here. Snowdrops started pirsing the snow and feel quite happy even on a gray day like today at +3 C after a frosty night
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: John Forrest on March 16, 2008, 08:47:56 PM
What a wonderful selection of flowers posted, amazing and uplifting. To see Tecophilea growing like a park bedding scheme is truly amazing but Mark steady your head before you do anything rash. I would experiment with 1 bulb first because I lost all the ones I put out.
Title: Re: Tecophilea planted out.
Post by: Paul T on March 16, 2008, 11:22:52 PM
Mark,

I don't think they'd like the cold you get there.  I protect mine in winter as they don't like frosted leaves, or at least nothing major anyway.  I'd be assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that the mass planting pictured above is in a low frost area?  Are we talking Netherlands?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Diane Whitehead on March 16, 2008, 11:29:16 PM
I say I have sandy soil, but nothing like the sand in the nursery Luit
photographed.  It looks like a beach.  Is the sand added, like a sandbed,
or is it natural to that area?

What is under it?

I saw a small vegetable garden on one of our beaches once.  Beets, and
some others I can't remember.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on March 17, 2008, 10:13:07 PM
I say I have sandy soil, but nothing like the sand in the nursery Luit
photographed.  It looks like a beach.  Is the sand added, like a sandbed,
or is it natural to that area?

What is under it?

Diane I can only give you one answer:  Sand.

These places used to be dunes until the dune-sand was dug away down to appr. sealevel and used to make sandstone bricks of it.
On these grounds you can grow very many plant because of a pH 6 to 7, and a very good drainage.
And this is ideal for many bulbous plants.
The sand in my own place goes about 30 m deep until you will find some small stones (about 5 cm.) because we live in the Rhine Delta.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Thomas Huber on March 18, 2008, 10:33:29 AM
What a wonderful selection of flowers posted, amazing and uplifting. To see Tecophilea growing like a park bedding scheme is truly amazing but Mark steady your head before you do anything rash. I would experiment with 1 bulb first because I lost all the ones I put out.

I grow my Tecophilea outside for 3 years now and they do well:
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: John Forrest on March 18, 2008, 08:21:28 PM
But you grow wonderful Crocuses in your lawn Thomas and all I get is daisies, dandelions and other assorted weeds.   :'(
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: gote on March 19, 2008, 01:03:53 PM
Michael,
Re your pink muscari. Are you sure about the name. Someone could have mis-read M. armeniacum. The muscaris, leopoldias, bellevalias hyacintellas and whatnots seem to play musical chairs with the names. ;D
Janis Ruksans sold a Muscari botryoides 'Carnea' last year. I bought one but it is not even above ground in my climate. He said that it is a very rare garden variety. We will see what it looks like (I hope :D )
I have one he calls M. species nova 'Whiterose Beauty' (first pic) It is not very prolific.
I think Muscaris are overlooked because many are easy. I am afraid these pictures are from last year.
'Valeri Finnis' and 'Mount Hood'
PS
Maggie should this be a new thread?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on March 19, 2008, 01:10:57 PM
 Göte, I think we'll just leave your Muscari pix here meantime. While they are from last year, they refer to other plants posted in this thread and so are relevant.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: gote on March 19, 2008, 01:56:20 PM
Johannes,
Could your unknown be viride? It looks very much like mine but mine always have green leaves.
Viride is the only reliably hardy Helleborus here and it looses all leaf well before the new year unlike all others I have grown.
Sorry! Old picture again but normally they flower in May here.

Have a nice Easter all of you

Göte
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: johanneshoeller on March 19, 2008, 04:13:08 PM
No Göte, it is not viride. This plant is very small every year (max 10cm)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 19, 2008, 07:16:36 PM
Quote
Michael,
Re your pink muscari. Are you sure about the name.

Gote, you are correct,it is Armeniacum. I went out in the dark to check the label and obviously did not read it correctly.

Althimzers, I have  forgot how to spell it.
 
 
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on March 19, 2008, 07:38:14 PM
Quote
Michael,

Althimzers, I have  forgot how to spell it.


 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 19, 2008, 07:56:31 PM
Very pleased to seed Muscari `Mt Hood' as I've just bought it. Definitely snow-topped.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Tony Willis on March 19, 2008, 08:24:52 PM
A few muscari species are now starting to flower.Most are un-named but still quite nice
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on March 19, 2008, 08:29:54 PM
Great show everyone !
Love that M. macrocarpum Tony and I shall definitely be looking for Mount Hood, Gote !

Here's good old M. azureum !

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Tony Willis on March 19, 2008, 09:56:28 PM
some more
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on March 19, 2008, 10:02:08 PM
Tony this one from Greece is a beautiful one.
But did you see on the M. macbethianum what I see?   :o :o :o ;D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: mark smyth on March 19, 2008, 10:19:19 PM
I see them also. It is way too warm again here now and they are multiplying fast. All my Crocus were sparyed today after work.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Tony Willis on March 19, 2008, 10:52:58 PM
Oh the shame,I feel like throwing myself into the pond!Will I ever be able to post again  Not to worry it was last years photograph,it has been too nice to take pics this week I have spent all my time weeding.They will be dead by now,but what fine specimens they were.

here are a couple more.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Paul T on March 20, 2008, 02:23:54 AM
Tony,

I love that macbethianum.  What a cutie!!  8)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Katherine J on March 20, 2008, 07:17:43 AM
No Göte, it is not viride. This plant is very small every year (max 10cm)

Isn't it dumetorum?

Is this the same?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Katherine J on March 20, 2008, 07:23:28 AM
Sorry, here is my pic:
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: SueG on March 20, 2008, 09:08:52 AM
Tony
I'm deeply envious that you get the M mcbethianum to flower - not of the greenfly, that I can do myself quite well - I can keep them alive but not flower - any tips on how to induce flowering?
Sue
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: gote on March 20, 2008, 09:28:26 AM
Really nice to see so many Muscari. Wish I had some of them.

Michael,
You are not alone. I googled M. americanum and got several hits. I misread myself all the time.

Luc
I tried to google Sjaak deGroot but they are to many. Does he sell retail and has he a homepage?
If Thomas can grow Tecophilea outside in Hessen I am tempted to try myself.

I lost my azureums many years ago and now I cannot find a supplier. A nursery anyone?

Göte   
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on March 20, 2008, 09:46:36 AM
I've never been in touch with Sjaak de Groot Gote - can't help there.

If you don't find any M. azureum, pm me - mine are getting a bit congested and I might lift them next summer... if I don't forget by then...  :-\
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Thomas Huber on March 20, 2008, 09:55:57 AM
I've never been in touch with Sjaak de Groot Gote - can't help there.

If you don't find any M. azureum, pm me - mine are getting a bit congested and I might lift them next summer... if I don't forget by then...  :-\

Luit told me, that Sjaak only sells to wholesale dealers  :'(
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Tony Willis on March 20, 2008, 10:04:18 AM
Sue

I cannot give you any real clues other than how I grow all my muscari.They are repotted in July into J.I (whatever number I have in the shed) with extra grit and kept moist until they die down in summer when they are almost dry.I find a lot of species(I do not know what they are of course with a few exceptions)do well such as nos 82 and 117 pictured below but others such as mirum slowly fade away and have never flowered. Some which appear easy such as aucheri which grows in very wet cold conditions have good and bad years. Perhaps the Mc... flower head was racing skyward to escape the greenfly crawling up the stem.

here are another couple of species
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Tony Willis on March 20, 2008, 10:13:29 AM
Here is a picture of my H. dumetorum.It is a tiny delicate looking plant which I collected in Hungary in 1997.Being quite rare I kept it in a pot until last year when it was released into the garden This was a bit like the Goverments early release system for criminals and to reduce the greenhouse population lots of plants were sent out into the garden to make their own way or die. The hellebore has thrived in a dryish spot under a hawthorn.It is about 25cms high and is quite distinctive,not at all like viride
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: derekb on March 20, 2008, 01:16:04 PM

  Muscari macrocarpum golden fragrance.
 And a pot of something that is not what was on the packet.

Derek
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: ashley on March 20, 2008, 01:36:38 PM
Muscari macrocarpum golden fragrance.
Nice muscari Derek, and it looks less inclined to recline than mine!

Quote
And a pot of something that is not what was on the packet.
Romulea, probably bulbocodium I'd say.
 
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 20, 2008, 08:45:18 PM
A few in flower yesterday when we had some sunshine.

Moraea tricolor
Moraea tricolor detail
Moraea atropunctata
Moraea atropunctata detail
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 20, 2008, 08:48:31 PM
I agree, Romulea bulbocodium.  Oh Michael, what GORGEOUS Moraeas!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 20, 2008, 08:51:04 PM
Narcissus bulbocodium
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 20, 2008, 08:54:17 PM
Thank you Lesley.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on March 20, 2008, 08:56:56 PM
Michael, those Moraeas are outstanding, did you grow them from seed, and if so at what time of year did you sow them please?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 20, 2008, 09:06:19 PM
David,just popped out to have a look at the label, it reads the 26/07/02 AGS seed,
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on March 20, 2008, 09:23:00 PM
Is this their first flowering Michael?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 20, 2008, 09:27:30 PM
Yes David, and here is Moraea aristata from last year, not in bloom this year for another few weeks .
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 20, 2008, 09:36:15 PM
David, this one is nice in a pot but do not plant it in the garden because it is a thug.
Moraea vegeta
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 20, 2008, 09:51:35 PM
This one is quite safe in the garden,
Moraea  polystachya
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Paul T on March 20, 2008, 10:10:08 PM
Michael,

Fantastic Moraeas.  Great pics!!  Is the M. polyschaya still flowering for you?  It's usually an autumn/winter flowerer as far as I know, which is why I ask.  Mine are just coming into bud at the moment!!  A great species, and flowers for so long.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 20, 2008, 10:13:54 PM
Paul, it flowers  from October until Late December here  depending on the weather conditions.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Paul T on March 20, 2008, 11:16:39 PM
Michael,

Ah, so it isn't in flower at the moment.  That makes more sense.  THought your climate may have skewed it into spring instead of it's usual autumn/winter.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: gote on March 21, 2008, 08:26:36 AM
Thank you very much Luc you are very generous.
 I really intended to buy somewhere so I hope that I will find a commercial source.
However, if I fail, I will try to keep your offer in mind.
Göte
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: mark smyth on March 21, 2008, 08:36:57 AM
Michael I never knew you had such a varied collection
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on March 21, 2008, 01:43:05 PM
David,just popped out to have a look at the label, it reads the 26/07/02 AGS seed,

I'm never sure when to sow South African stuff, it's always a problem to find out whether they are Winter growers or Summer growers and the PBS Wiki is not always clear on that respect. Of yours tricolor seems to be Winter as is vegetata; polystachya seems to be Winter or Summer; and I haven't found out what atropunctata and aristata are.

I have seed of Moraea huttonii which the Wiki tells me is a Summer grower, but I sowed the seed last week and put it under the greenhouse staging in an unheated propogating case, maybe I should waited?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 21, 2008, 01:53:30 PM
Michael,
According their beauty for me Moreas are improved Iris if their flowers would last a little bit longer than only a day. My experinece with that genus is very limited. So my question:
Are there species with a longer lifetime for an induvidual flower?

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on March 21, 2008, 03:49:03 PM
Yesterday morning I was just able to make some pictures in my garden
before the weather turned into very cold and windy, with hailstorms and rain.
The pictures of my raised bed show just some colours by tulips, but not much more to see at the moment. And I am afraid after the hailstorms of yesterday and today these flowers will have suffered very much.

Prunus  Pandora   
Iberis pruitii                 
Prim. trough 1   
Narcissus Oz       
raised bed 20.03.08 1   
raised bed 20.03.08 2 
raised bed 20.03.08 3           
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on March 21, 2008, 04:33:52 PM
Seems to have been worse weather in Germany Luit, see Armin's pictures in the Weather thread
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Armin on March 21, 2008, 04:54:09 PM
David,
indeed ugly weather here today.

Luit,
nice pix from your garden. It seems you still have a lot of free space in you raised bed ;D
Have you already asked your collectors around your home to share some excess stock ;)
Best Easter Greetings!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 21, 2008, 05:31:45 PM
Quote
I'm never sure when to sow South African stuff,

David,I sow them all in late Summer or early Autumn and hope for the best,those that don't germinate in the Winter usually do so in spring.
Aristata, Atropunctata,and tricolor are winter growers and flower in spring,Vegata is a spring and early summer grower and flowers in mid to late summer and Poltstachya is a Summer grower and flowers in autumn. 
According to Goldblatt ,Huttonii grows in or close to water and flowers in early summer (July) October to December in the Cape.
Cheers.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 21, 2008, 05:38:24 PM
Quote
Are there species with a longer lifetime for an induvidual flower?

Gerd ,the Spring flowering forms last more than one day with me ,the Autumn ones only last one day but produce an abundance of flowers so there is always a few open when the sun shines or the temperature is high enough.
cheers.

Michael.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on March 21, 2008, 06:39:49 PM

 It seems you still have a lot of free space in you raised bed ;D

When I planned this bed I would not make the mistakes I made before and plant so much that for many plants was no room enough.
I hope to see plants develop and growing like in nature, so now after 3 years there is still free space, and after byuing new plants, I almost don't know where to plant them.
Frohe Ostern!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on March 21, 2008, 07:01:29 PM
Quote
I'm never sure when to sow South African stuff,

David,I sow them all in late Summer or early Autumn and hope for the best,those that don't germinate in the Winter usually do so in spring.
Aristata, Atropunctata,and tricolor are winter growers and flower in spring,Vegata is a spring and early summer grower and flowers in mid to late summer and Poltstachya is a Summer grower and flowers in autumn. 
According to Goldblatt ,Huttonii grows in or close to water and flowers in early summer (July) October to December in the Cape.
Cheers.

Michael, thanks for that, very helpful.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Paul T on March 21, 2008, 10:50:52 PM
Gerd,

Moreae spathulata, huttonii etc (there are about 5 in the species range of the same "type") have flowers that last for a few days at a time, and the clump is in flower in total a few weeks and there are always flowers there.  They look almost more like an Iris to be honest, rather than a Moraea.  I can post pics of the 2 species I mentioned if you are interested, and I have seed of M. spathulata I harvested a few months ago if you're wanting some.  These are evergreen species, with leaves a couple of feet long.  Extremely drought hardy and requiring absolutely no attention.

I think that Moraea polystachya (Michael posting a pic a couple of days ago) has flowers that last a couple of days I think (the first flower has just opened on mind, so I can confirm that if you want), rather than the single day like so many of them.  This species has a partially branching stem, which means you get multiple flowering points on the same stem with flowers open at the same time.  They can keep flowering for a couple of months in total, and depending which form of it you get they range from about a foot tall to more than 3 feet tall.  I have placed a small clump of the shorter form into my crocus garden as they won't be too tall and overpowering, while giving flowers through autumn into winter. 

Moraea villosa I think has flowers that last about 3 or 4 days unless it is really really warm.  They're a large flower and quite showy, but there aren't that many per stem.

That's a few that have a little less fleeting flowers.  Let me know if you want pics of the first two, either privately or here.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 22, 2008, 07:04:59 AM
Michael, Paul,
Thank you.
Paul,
I am interested in some pics of your moreas but no seeds, please (there is always a lack of space in my greenhouse.

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Paul T on March 22, 2008, 10:12:42 AM
Gerd,

Here's a few pics of some of the Moraeas I mentioned.  I think that loubseri also lasts a few days, so I've included a pic of it as well.  M. spahtulata is by far the largest of these, with flowers more than 4 inches wide, looking more like an Iris.  It's smaller relative huttonii is much more delicate.

I hope others will forgive me interjecting these pics here in the northern hemisphere thread.

Enjoy.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 22, 2008, 10:55:47 AM
Thank you Paul,
delightful plants, indeed.

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 22, 2008, 10:58:22 AM
I cant resist to send a pic of this trashy pansy - but I love the colours.

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Ulla Hansson on March 22, 2008, 11:02:13 AM

Hello.
Is it possible to grow Moraea in Sweden, I think I live in zone 5, they are so beautiful.
Ulla
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Paul T on March 22, 2008, 11:45:36 AM
Ulla,

I wish I could answer that for you, but I'm Zone 8/9 with -9'C absolute minimums in winter, so I'm not exactly authorative in answering this!!  I have no idea how cold particular species can take, so maybe others here can answer that for you.  I'd imagine that you'd be best growing them in a greenhosue or something like that, kept warmer than outside, but you would not need it to be frost free (well none of my Moraeas get frost free conditions, that is for sure!!).  Sorry I can't be more help.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Paul T on March 22, 2008, 11:46:27 AM
Gerd,

I love that colour combination on the viola.  Sometimes contrasts DO work well together!!  ;D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Kenneth K on March 23, 2008, 02:07:31 PM
Ulla
I have Moraea spathulata in my garden, south of Gothenburg, without problem. It's just young plants and has not flowered yet. In the botanic garden of Gothenburg they have had M spathulata for a long time. I have sent seeds to a friend outside Skellefteå to try it there. I have had no report of the result but I think it might be possible that it could survive in welldrained, raised bed, thanks to the snow in winter.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Kenneth K on March 23, 2008, 02:10:22 PM
Last night we had the coldest night here for the whole winter, -10 C in the middle of the city. A little worried about what could have happened in our garden at the summerhouse about 30 km south of Gothenburg, I went there this morning. I thought for example of all the new seedlings in the cold house and of the flowers in the bulb bed. No problem as far as I could see and I was a little surprised that the flowers looked as if nothing had happened. Take this Chionodoxa lochiae that is endemic of Cyprus. I don’t know so much about the climate in the mountains of Cyprus but it’s hard to believe that the temperature in spring gets as low as -10 C. I think it must have got the chock of it’s life but it shows no signs of any injuries.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: hadacekf on March 23, 2008, 08:20:35 PM
Here are a few pics of my present flowering plants.

Draba aizoides in a boulder.
Primula marginata in Rock Garden.
Scilla rosenii in bulb bed.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on March 23, 2008, 08:33:39 PM
Franz, when it seems winter has come again to many of us, it is even more pleasant to see your quality flowers in sunshine. Again, I must compliment you on the good forms that you grow.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 23, 2008, 08:53:51 PM
Franz,
What a beautiful marginata - so much flowers!

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 23, 2008, 09:14:55 PM
Beautiful pictures Franz. All your plants are so healthy and set off beautifully against wonderfully knobbly rock
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: hadacekf on March 24, 2008, 01:12:42 PM
Thank you all together for the kind comments, but plants grow well if they like the garden.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: ruweiss on March 24, 2008, 07:12:37 PM
Lieber Franz,
I love Pr.marginata and also have many forms of them,but never managed to get so many flowers.
What is the trick,beside your life-long experience?
Many thanks for showing us the pictures!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on March 24, 2008, 07:28:06 PM
Now, thats how to grow a P. marginata. What a beautiful plant Franz.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on March 24, 2008, 07:35:10 PM
Franz !
G O R G E O U S plants again... I also grow P. Marginata ... but it seems to be another plant compared to yours...  ;D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Viola on March 24, 2008, 07:52:50 PM
Franz beautiful Pr.marginata.


The flowers is something delay at my garden, but lovely.

Primula marginata
Primula marginata
Draba aizoides
Saxifraga dinnikii
Rannunculus calandrinoides
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: hadacekf on March 24, 2008, 08:29:16 PM
I cultivated and collected 50 years primulas. There are primulas those badly grow, but some grows well and flower richly. This is a perfect flowering P. marginata for my garden. The ID is P. marginata var. crenata.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 24, 2008, 08:38:39 PM
Thank you all together for the kind comments, but plants grow well if they like the garden.

Plants like the garden if they like the gardener. :)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Viola on March 25, 2008, 05:42:04 AM
My garden today at morning.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 25, 2008, 08:28:48 AM
Karl,
Just the same view here. Let's hope this spook will not last too long  ???
Fine marginatas in your garden too.

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 25, 2008, 05:58:34 PM
Quote
Michael,
According their beauty for me Moreas are improved Iris if their flowers would last a little bit longer than only a day.

Gerd,
after your comments on the Moraeas, I made a more detailed check and can now tell you that the  Moraea atropunctata flower has
lasted for six days, and remained open at night.
Michael.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 26, 2008, 10:46:37 AM
Michael,
Thank you - that's a good time. This species is indeed worth to try it.

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: ian mcenery on March 26, 2008, 01:35:15 PM
A few things beginning to stir in the garden and the troughs
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 27, 2008, 03:14:32 PM
Nothing special but a reliable garden plant

Muscari latifolium

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Tony Willis on March 27, 2008, 11:24:28 PM
Not very exciting but the sun today brought these out
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 28, 2008, 06:51:32 AM
Tony,
Beautiful colours!

Anemone pavonina, A. hortensis and A. blanda?

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on March 28, 2008, 07:19:03 AM
Not very exciting but the sun today brought these out

 ??? ??? These red Anemones are not exciting??
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Tony Willis on March 28, 2008, 10:50:18 AM
I was contrasting them with some of the wonderful plants that had been shown earlier.

Gerd they are as you thought pavonina and hortensis but also coronaria.The blanda is a nusiance which has got into my plunge and comes up everywhere.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on March 28, 2008, 06:01:26 PM
Here's some from my garden, despite the rain, hail, snow and wind of the last 2-3 weeks...

Fibigia triquetra
Jeffersonia dubia
Tulipa humilis alba caerulea occulata (has been like this for two weeks and hasn't had one hour of sunshine to open up  >:()
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: mark smyth on March 28, 2008, 06:39:47 PM
This will cheer you up, Luc. This a close up from mine earlier this week
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: mark smyth on March 28, 2008, 06:42:41 PM
Not much happening yet with my A. pavoninas planted in the garden
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on March 28, 2008, 06:53:05 PM
Thanks Mark ! I guess it will be next year before I get to see them opened "live"...  ;D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on March 28, 2008, 06:56:22 PM
Here's some from my garden, despite the rain, hail, snow and wind of the last 2-3 weeks...


Spring is in the air, Luc?  :-\
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: John Forrest on March 28, 2008, 09:04:39 PM
I have been meaning to post these for a week or so. Ranunculus are high up on my favourite list of flowers, so forgive me for 3 shots of the same plant. The 1st is full stem & leaf, 2nd top view of the flower and 3rd after a few days as the pink colour intensifies.

Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Armin on March 28, 2008, 09:31:08 PM
This will cheer you up, Luc. This a close up from mine earlier this week

Mark & Luc,
very nice Tulipa humilis alba caerulea occulata.
It seems I've lost my 3 bulbs as no sights of grows :'(
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: ranunculus on March 28, 2008, 10:26:53 PM
Ranunculus are high up on my favourite list of flowers



...And on mine John...And on mine!!!!

Lovely images sir!
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: mark smyth on March 28, 2008, 10:34:25 PM
mentioning Ranunculus, last year Anthony gave me a plant of R. bullata. It died down very quickly due to neglect. It came into growth in the autumn. It is now dying back again. The only change this time is it's outside in a pot. Any idea what's wrong? I was hoping to see flowers this year
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Anthony Darby on March 28, 2008, 11:41:11 PM
mentioning Ranunculus, last year Anthony gave me a plant of R. bullata. It died down very quickly due to neglect. It came into growth in the autumn. It is now dying back again. The only change this time is it's outside in a pot. Any idea what's wrong? I was hoping to see flowers this year

Did you not get flowers Mark? Mine didn't flower either, but they are not dying down yet. Hopefully they will flower this autumn?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: John Forrest on March 29, 2008, 06:03:27 PM
Here are 3 pics taken when the weather has been kinder than it is today.

1 Cyclamen pseudibericum, which is growing strongly again after a die back in the middle of the corm. I scooped out the rot and cut back to new tissue and powdered with sulphur after letting it dry. The hole was filled with grit and repotted. It has taken a couple of years to get back to this but I'm so gald I didn't give up on it.

2 Draba longisiliqua from seed collected by Holubec.

3 The Magnolia stellata is just at bud burst and I thought the backlighting looked rather fetching.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on March 29, 2008, 07:13:57 PM
JoF, I am so pleased that your remedial work on that gorgeous cyclamen paid off; would have been awful to lose it.
I never thought I would hear myself say this - or even see myself write it  :-\-----that Draba is lovely!  ::)  It actually looks like a cushion plant in flower and not a green bun with ghastly yellow fireworks stuck on it! I  AM impressed  :o

Magnolias present good photo opportunities at every stage, don't they? So dramatic.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on March 29, 2008, 07:22:26 PM
John this Cyclamen is unbelievable.
I admire your performance, having so much patience and skill.   8)
But it is really rewarding.
Early Magnolia's here all suffered from frosts and are brown already.  :(
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 29, 2008, 10:45:25 PM
Three lovely pics John of super plants. You're not keen on drabas Maggi? Draba longisiliqua is one of the best in my book being quite as "choice" as DD polytricha and mollissima but flowering more solidly -as above - and Sooooo easy to proagate. No seeds on mine but little bunches of tiny cuttings root in sand in no time at all. My best plant is in a biggish pot and has had leaves over it all summer which started out as some shade to keep it cool but they've overgrown it and even sat on it yet the cushion is still grey-green and flawless, with no sign of legginess or damped off patches.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 30, 2008, 03:40:35 PM
A Sunday morning walk in an alluvial forest near the river Wupper:
After a long periode of cold and rainy weather this morning I had a beautiful time with mild sunshine watching flowers in a forest about 20 km from my hometown
Here are Anemone nemorosa, A. ranunculoides, Arum maculatum, Corydalis solida, Ranunculus ficaria, some cherry blossoms and a beautiful house at the border of the forest

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 30, 2008, 03:55:16 PM
And here is the rest

Pachysandra terminalis - a garden escape which seems to enjoy the woodland conditions here

The bank of the river Wupper (a tributary of the Rhein-Rhine)

and the cherry blossoms - forgotten in no. 1

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: johanneshoeller on March 30, 2008, 07:19:54 PM
The first gentiana
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on March 30, 2008, 07:26:30 PM
Quote
The first gentiana
So, perhaps this IS Spring??  ??? 8)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on March 30, 2008, 07:31:57 PM
A nice Sunday walk Gerd.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Katherine J on March 31, 2008, 07:37:14 AM
Here is our sunday walk:
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Paul T on March 31, 2008, 07:39:51 AM
It is so cool seeing all these things growing wild on people's walks.  So strange for those of us who find some of these things rare and unusual.  Great to see them in situ.

Thanks so much for the pics.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on March 31, 2008, 08:34:51 AM
Gerd and Kathrine, thank you for those pictures. Very interesting to see some plants
like Pulsatilla in nature.
No Sunday walk here, most of the day raining and at the moment still raining.  :( :( :'(
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 31, 2008, 01:54:36 PM
Here is our sunday walk:

Kathrine,
Beautiful pics, nice Viola alba - (which doesn't grow here in the wild).
The Primula species is veris - see the large calyx.

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Katherine J on March 31, 2008, 03:26:00 PM
The Primula species is veris - see the large calyx.

Yes, I was wondering about it, but as I know P. veris is scented. This wasn't at all.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on March 31, 2008, 07:19:37 PM
Kathrine,
You are right concerning the scent, but it seems there are exceptions.
According Fritz Köhlein - Primeln:
Primula veris is fragrant - seldom without scent
Primula elatior is usually scentless - very rarely a little fragrant

For me this is no problem - due to uncontrolled smoking (more than 30 Benson&Hedges daily - oh, what a taste! ;D ;D ;D) in my former life all flowers are
scentless - so for me scent is of no taxonomic value  :'( :'( :'(

Gerd



Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Katherine J on March 31, 2008, 08:01:47 PM
For me this is no problem - due to uncontrolled smoking (more than 30 Benson&Hedges daily

Oh, I see. Like my father...

Anyway, thank you. This seems to be an exception then. Otherwise it really seemed like veris. ::)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 31, 2008, 10:25:39 PM
Please don't take this as a lecture. It's not (though it should be - my father, a heavy smoker, had throat cancer twice and ended up with a laryngectomy) but I do think how sad it is that some people have lost their sense of smell, because of smoking. Every time I go outside there's something new to sniff at and my life would be immensely poorer if it were not for the hundreds of different flower and foliage perfumes, let alone the wonderful scents of earth and rain and the sea and roast pork and millions of others.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Martin Baxendale on March 31, 2008, 11:32:06 PM
Please don't take this as a lecture. It's not (though it should be - my father, a heavy smoker, had throat cancer twice and ended up with a laryngectomy) but I do think how sad it is that some people have lost their sense of smell, because of smoking. Every time I go outside there's something new to sniff at and my life would be immensely poorer if it were not for the hundreds of different flower and foliage perfumes, let alone the wonderful scents of earth and rain and the sea and roast pork and millions of others.

This sounds like a new thread - favourite smells! (from the garden and elsewhere!). I have to say, one of my very favourite flower smells is the flowers of the common privet (Ligustrum vulgare). It's a scent that just shouts "SUMMER!!!" at me, especially on hot days, when the scent gets stronger. My maternal grandmother had lots of privet hedges and the smell of the flowers take sme right back to hot summer days in her garden. Personally I'm very glad I stopped smoking 15 years ago because my sense of smell has improved a hundredfold, which is a boon in the garden and when drinking wine, plus I might actually live to see my kids grow up.   
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: mark smyth on March 31, 2008, 11:36:21 PM
Privet!! Cant stand the smell. Sorry
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Martin Baxendale on March 31, 2008, 11:41:07 PM
Privet!! Cant stand the smell. Sorry

Lots of people can't stand it. It's a nostalgia thing with me. Like the sound of chickens. I love the sound of the chickens in the run a couple of gardens away as they remind me of my grandmother's garden with its large veg garden and chicken run.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Katherine J on April 01, 2008, 07:28:17 AM
I also don't like the smell of Ligustrum vulgare. :-\ But I understand your feeling, Martin.
My "nostalgia smell" that reminds me of summers at my grandparents (which were wonderful. :)) is the smell of animals like pig, cow, etc. And I like it! ::)

My favourite smell is that of the Syringa vulgaris. And also the smell of spring, maybe you know what I mean.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Katherine J on April 01, 2008, 07:42:19 AM
Our garden is full of Viola now (some are scented, some are not), newer were so many like this year. Needless to say, nobody planted any of them.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on April 01, 2008, 08:24:03 AM
Wonderful sight Kata !  :)
Makes a change for a Crocus lawn  ;D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: art600 on April 01, 2008, 10:40:27 AM
On scents and smells, has anyone noticed that males and females smell differently - I think I should say interpret smells differently.
Cyclamen libanoticum has, to me, an appalling smell - it reminds me of experiments in Chemistry lessons to produce acetylene.  However, most women think it is a wonderful scent.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on April 01, 2008, 11:39:00 AM
Wonderful sight Kata !  :)
Makes a change for a Crocus lawn  ;D

Luc,  - what can be a lovelier sight than a meadow full of sweet violets?
 ;D ;D ;D
Kathrine,
Thank you for this magnificent pic!

Gerd
         
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on April 01, 2008, 12:08:55 PM
Please don't take this as a lecture. It's not (though it should be - my father, a heavy smoker, had throat cancer twice and ended up with a laryngectomy) but I do think how sad it is that some people have lost their sense of smell, because of smoking. Every time I go outside there's something new to sniff at and my life would be immensely poorer if it were not for the hundreds of different flower and foliage perfumes, let alone the wonderful scents of earth and rain and the sea and roast pork and millions of others.

Lesley,
I don't take your comments for a lecture! You are totally right and you particularize clearly what I'm missing now. Especially for a plant lover scent is an important sense - but what's past is past. I quit smoking 20 years ago and so I am contented to enjoy the clean air around me.
Today I can't believe what a crazy person I was - take it of sins of one's youth.

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: gote on April 01, 2008, 06:07:02 PM
Katherine,
I thought I had violas in my grass.
I have nothing compared with this. Fantastic.
By the way, do you know what they are. Odoratas?
It looks like more than one kind.
Göte
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Katherine J on April 01, 2008, 06:57:47 PM
I also think there are more than one species (or subspecies?). Some are odorata, maybe, but I don't know violas so good. And there are also white forms. Or this is a different species (Viola alba, like Gerd said)? Tomorrow morning I will look a little better.
Here it is a white:
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Maggi Young on April 01, 2008, 07:09:08 PM
Kata, these violas are the prettiest carpet I have seen in ages.... so unusual to me. Are there many places where the violas grow like this ?
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on April 01, 2008, 09:28:27 PM
I also think there are more than one species (or subspecies?). Some are odorata, maybe, but I don't know violas so good. And there are also white forms. Or this is a different species (Viola alba, like Gerd said)? Tomorrow morning I will look a little better.
Here it is a white:

Kathrine,
Maybe I am somewhat overhasty with my determination - white violets aren't Viola alba usually! Maybe it could be a white Viola odorata. Scent doesn't help, both species are fragrant  ;D
Viola odorata: Leaves round at tip, runners with roots
Viola alba: leaves pointed at tip, runners without roots
See: http://blumeninschwaben.de/
- go to ' Veilchen '
There are good pictures!

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Katherine J on April 02, 2008, 08:49:04 AM
Maggi,
this is an exceptional year (at least in our garden), never were so many. In the woods there aren't manier as usual.

Gerd,
thank you very very much for this excellent website. It is very good for identifying. I can read german  ;), I have only to see what has to be seen on the living plants  ;D.

So, I made an inspection in the garden. ;D
I think there are mostly V. odorata vith many colour variations.
BUT, see the stipules here. Maybe this is alba. I've googled a little in the hungarian websites and my books, and they say that V. alba is quite frequent in the gardens here.
Sorry, I don't want to bore you much longer, but as long as you are a Viola expert, don't let you escape easiy  ;D.
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: gote on April 02, 2008, 09:14:30 AM
Kathrine,
Some thirtyfive years ago, I was taking a stop when driving on a small road. I stretched my legs and went into a meadow close to the road. I noticed Trollius europeus in abundance and a small white viola. The Trollius is protected and being a good boy I did not touch them. I did, however, take a piece of a white violet. Next year I passed the same spot. The owner had now a field of oats. No Trollius, no violas only Avena sativa.
This is the way protection sometimes works.  :( The Trollius is gone but I still have the white violets. :)
I am no expert on violas but I believe it is Viola canina in albino form and it looks very much like yours.
Göte
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Katherine J on April 02, 2008, 09:41:03 AM
Göte,
they say that on the V. canina the spur is yellowish-green, and the leaves are much longer then wide (http://blumeninschwaben.de/Zweikeimblaettrige/Veilchengewaechse/veilchen.htm#8). I don't think my are canina. ::)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: gote on April 02, 2008, 09:53:43 AM
Catherine,
You are right! Yours is not canina. I learn a little every day.

Gerd
I also say Danke Schön for pointing at this excellent site.

Göte
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on April 02, 2008, 09:55:03 AM
Kathrine,
If you can read German: Hüte dich vor selbsternannten Experten ! :)

Nevertheless your violet most probably is Viola alba ssp. scotophylla. Unfortunately alba and odorata are very close and hybrids are frequent where both do co-occure. If you don't find rooted runners alba is ok.

Göte:
Your violet is different -  probably canina. Kathrines violet is hairy.
May I ask you for some seeds of this unusual plant?-

Gerd
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Katherine J on April 02, 2008, 09:57:36 AM
No Trollius, no violas only Avena sativa.
This is the way protection sometimes works.  :(

It is very sad. And interesting, that many people here in Hungary think that things like this don't happen in Western-Europe. ;D :'(
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Katherine J on April 02, 2008, 10:06:24 AM
Hüte dich vor selbsternannten Experten ! :)

I don't think so.  :) Self education needs more work and although has many pitfalls, sometimes is more effective. ;D
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Ed Alverson on April 02, 2008, 07:08:16 PM
We have Viola odorata in Oregon as an introduced species growing in lawns, especially where shady.  At least I have always called it V. odorata, but now I am wondering if there may be several introduced species here.  My plants really only have a faint fragrance, not like a plant called "odorata" should have.  They also flower very early, usually February and early March in our mild-winter climate.  We distinguish V. odorata from native purple violets by the style which is hooked downward, in contrast to V. adunca and other natives that have a straight style.  Do the other species of European violets related to V. odorata also have a hooked style?

Ed
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Lesley Cox on April 02, 2008, 09:54:49 PM
Now if Thomas and Armin were to plant violas over their crocuses, instead of grass........ WOW!!! 8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: gote on April 03, 2008, 09:00:10 AM
Gerd
Selbstverständlich Oops I mean of course you can have seed. ;)
They set seed that germinate reliably in the summer after the main flowering.
But please remind me again in July. Otherwise i will forget.
Göte
Title: Re: Flowers and foliage March 2008
Post by: Gerdk on April 03, 2008, 12:41:49 PM
Göte,
Vielen Dank - oh sorry - Thanks a lot - I'll pm you then  ;D

Gerd
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