Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => Flowers and Foliage Now => Topic started by: Leena on April 07, 2018, 04:58:07 PM

Title: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on April 07, 2018, 04:58:07 PM
Most of my garden is still under snow, but in the warmest bed snowdrops are coming up, and also Helleborus multifidus has big clumps of flowers coming up. :)
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gunilla on April 07, 2018, 06:28:17 PM
That looks promising, Leena. March has been very cold this year. Let's hope spring is here to stay now. I saw the first bees this week and they usually appear much earlier.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on April 07, 2018, 07:00:02 PM
Spring is here at the west coast of Norway! Bumblebees and butterflies in the garden today and the first tulip opened also. Sorry no pictures  - I was busy with other things.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Yann on April 07, 2018, 08:35:15 PM
yes spring finaly is here too, flowers emerged from everywhere in few days, such a pandora's box 8)

Pulsatilla slavica, from Vojtech Holubec seeds
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: arisaema on April 08, 2018, 05:51:21 AM
Dendrobium nobile is looking quite good now, too bad it gets so floppy.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on April 08, 2018, 08:10:16 AM
March has been very cold this year. Let's hope spring is here to stay now. I saw the first bees this week and they usually appear much earlier.

March was coldest in five years this year, and spring almost a month later than long term average. I haven't seen bees yet, but soon they wake up also here. :)
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 08, 2018, 02:41:58 PM
Spring is here in Northern California.

The garden is full of blooming plants. Here are a few.

[attachimg=1]

Layia gaillardioides - Many flowers are open on this California native annual. They look great, unfortunately this was the only photograph that turned out.

[attachimg=2]

Erysimum pulchellum in tub.

[attachimg=3]

Mimulus bicolor - another California native annual. A fantastic species. Blooms for many weeks!

[attachimg=4]

Triteleia ixioides ssp. scabra

[attachimg=5]

Aristolochia californica - They bloom very early in the season and are easy to miss. At least we will have some seed from this forming seed pod.  :)
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 08, 2018, 02:47:31 PM
[attachimg=1]

Lachenalia liliiflora

[attachimg=2]

Zephyranthes treatiae

[attachimg=3]

An early blooming form of Rhododendron occidentale from the Feather River Cayon.

[attachimg=4]

They thrive in the heat, bloom profusely, and smell divine!  :)
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: David Nicholson on April 08, 2018, 05:28:26 PM
Spring is here in Northern California..............................

It certainly is Robert, very colourful.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leucogenes on April 08, 2018, 06:44:01 PM
I've waited four years for this moment. I think...it was worth the wait.

Synthyris pinnatifida var. lanuginosa from Olympic Mts., Washington (all year round outdoors, with a cover)...I am very happy about it. ;D

Thomas
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: David Nicholson on April 08, 2018, 06:49:13 PM
Congratulations Thomas, well done.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Yann on April 08, 2018, 07:32:45 PM
This afternoon i made a royal 30km trip from the house and found something almost extinct in the north of France.
I've visited the woods may be 10 or more times in search of the graal, today i won the ticket.

Gagea lutea, Narcissus
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Yann on April 08, 2018, 07:34:58 PM
a few more
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ashley on April 08, 2018, 07:35:46 PM
That Synthyris is very nice Thomas, and new to me.

Fritillaria meleagris
Illicium anisatum

both from seed exchanges over the years :)
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leucogenes on April 08, 2018, 09:38:35 PM
Thank you for the kind words regarding the Synthyris...David & Ashley.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 09, 2018, 02:48:49 PM
It certainly is Robert, very colourful.

Thank you David, things are indeed very colorful now.

Now a few more photographs.

[attachimg=1]

Cornus nuttallii is looking great in our Sacramento garden. Sorry, the lighting made photograph difficult, but I just had to share the beautiful monment.

I discovered a good selection in the wild and grafted it onto Cornus florida as a rootstock. The graft is very compatible. Cornus nuttallii is much easier to grow in the garden when growing on C. florida as a roostock. The tree has been in our Sacramento garden for over 10 years.

[attachimg=2]

Cornus nuttallii - A close up of the flowers.

[attachimg=3]

One of many Azaleas blooming in our garden now.

Yesterday, my wife and I removed about 20-30 Rhododendrons-Azaleas from our Garden. We are keeping only the “cream-of-the-crop”. We also removed a huge Cupressus cashmeriana. It was a nice tree, but our small garden does not have much room for big trees. Now we have much room to plant smaller woodland species and rock garden plants.

[attachimg=4]

A much better photograph of Mimulus bicolor.

Mimulus torreyii and Lupinus stiversii are coming on well. I will be overjoyed if I can get Lupinus stiversii established in our garden, as well as many more of our annual California native Mimulus species. So far, so good.

Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on April 09, 2018, 05:07:44 PM
The Bulb Despot, Ian Young , posted a new video  yesterday, before  he went off for a few days on the West Coast of Scotland, to take part in the Erythronium Festival at Inverewe - here is a link to the video, followed by some photos I took today of some of  the plants  he features

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7jTzRtH55I&t=27s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7jTzRtH55I&t=27s)

[attachimg=1]


[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

[attachimg=4]
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on April 09, 2018, 05:09:26 PM
and....

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

[attachimg=5]

[attachimg=4]
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on April 09, 2018, 06:10:34 PM
It is such a colorful time for many now. :)
Here it is still mostly white, but spring is advancing fast with many plants and noses to be found every day.
This is H.niger today, it was already in bud in January, but survived well through the winter covered by snow (and some spruce branches to keep off the rabbits from eating them).
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 10, 2018, 02:26:54 PM
Leena,

There is such a beauty to the new growth emerging with the lingering snow. It does not snow in Sacramento, California, but I can enjoy scenes like yours when visiting the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the spring. Thank you for sharing such scenes.  :)   8)

[attachimg=1]

A nearly white Iris macrosiphon in our garden yesterday.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on April 10, 2018, 07:00:49 PM
Spring has sprung at last. Today the we hit the 12C mark and the temperature is still above 10 now in the evening. But it takes time to wake the dormant plants. Only the spring bulbs are in flower. The earliest ones are already finished.

An unknown tulip species.

[attachimg=1]


Iris reticulata hybrid.

[attachimg=2]


Narcissus cyclamineus. These are from seed and one plant is always a week or two before the others.

[attachimg=3]


The yellow ones are the common garden form but the others are seedlings. All my crocuses are planted in the lawn. Just a few corms have multiplied, mostly from self seeding. The biggest flowers are more than10cm across.

[attachimg=4]


Mostly vernus offspring.

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Yann on April 10, 2018, 07:23:20 PM
that's a very nice patchwork, it's really the start of spring.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gunilla on April 10, 2018, 07:53:12 PM
All my crocuses are planted in the lawn. Just a few corms have multiplied, mostly from self seeding. The biggest flowers are more than10cm across.

None of my crocuses are planted in the lawn but they grow there anyway  :D I like it.

New buds open every day now when the winter cold (hopefully) is over.

Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gerdk on April 11, 2018, 03:35:59 PM
Flowering since a week here

1 + 2   Anemone pavonina ex Macedonia - survived the extreme weather conditions once again
3 + 4   Corydalis marschalliana

Gerd
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on April 11, 2018, 08:31:32 PM
Almost summer today. 17C and still 12C at 8PM. Seems it will last at least another week!

Corydalis seedlings went from barely visible to blooming in one day. Also the Erythroniums bursted into flower today.

[attachimg=1]


[attachimg=2]


[attachimg=3]
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on April 11, 2018, 08:46:24 PM
Here the weather is never two days the same. At least the flowers are working hard to cheer us! 
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on April 11, 2018, 09:41:15 PM
Here the weather is never two days the same. At least the flowers are working hard to cheer us!

Maggi,

Yes, you seem to have a lot of flowers already. It is not that long since your garden was covered by snow if I remember rightly.

Regarding weather, usually it changes from one day to the other but this year has been exceptional. Long periods with sunny dry cold weather - and now seemingly a long period of rather sunny and warm period.

I wonder, what next?
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on April 12, 2018, 11:33:47 AM
Real Spring and then glorious summer, I hope, Trond!!
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 12, 2018, 02:35:30 PM
Hi Trond,

It seems like you have had some wild swings in the weather. What has been the over all effect on your garden? From earlier posts, it seems that there was some cold weather damage, however clearly some plants are doing well.

Here we are having typical spring weather - some warm days, then cool and rainy weather, then back again.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: shelagh on April 12, 2018, 03:02:16 PM
Not sure I can match some of the splendid pictures above but just had a quick flip round a very very cold Bury garden.  We have had endless grey days, plenty of rain, a little snow and biting winds this winter.

A Camellia given me by a friend as a single Supermarket stem.
 A Cruciferae I can never remember the name of. ...... edit to add  : Pachyphragma macrophyllum
A double Ranunculus just coming into bloom.
A favourite of ours Haquetia epipactis.
The wonderful Melycitus alpina, in full flower.  At a Glasgow Show a few years ago we put a magnifying glass next to it so people could see the flowers. It's a member of Violaceae.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: shelagh on April 12, 2018, 03:07:02 PM
A few more flowers.

Muscari.
The wonderful  Primula Groeneken's Glorie which comes through all the weather and cheers you up.
A Porophyllum Sax.
Scilla melaina.
Tulipa tarda.

Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: shelagh on April 12, 2018, 03:07:51 PM
Finally Trillium albidum.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: meanie on April 12, 2018, 06:51:17 PM
Slowly I feel the black dog that winter brings lifting from me and, this winter, from the garden as well. The last cold spell bought heavy losses, most of which where amongst those that I least expected (Salvia radula, Digitalis obscura, Eucomis etc.) whilst the tenders were largely unscathed  ???

Anyroads;
Salvia coerulea is the first Salvia of 2018.............
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/794/41369199782_86c8c4fc0b_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/262DXPd)Salvia coerulea (https://flic.kr/p/262DXPd) by longk48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/35724365@N05/), on Flickr

I bought this Justicia rizzinii for £1.50 just before the last cold snap. It was kept frost free and is now blooming...............
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/809/39564296860_facbbcb7e7_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/23han4j)Justicia rizzinii (https://flic.kr/p/23han4j) by longk48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/35724365@N05/), on Flickr

I'm pleased with the number of blooms on Aeschynanthus 'Mona Lisa' but I wish I could get the foliage to look better after the winter..............
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/811/41328702912_49466bffff_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/25Y5pvj)Aeschynanthus 'Mona Lisa' (https://flic.kr/p/25Y5pvj) by longk48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/35724365@N05/), on Flickr

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/784/39562235840_2e4c480218_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/23gYNou)Aeschynanthus 'Mona Lisa' (https://flic.kr/p/23gYNou) by longk48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/35724365@N05/), on Flickr

This Lewisia was a small division last year so it stayed in the greenhouse and is way ahead of the others that were outdoors all winter.........
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/893/40598955714_c9c167a62e_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24RAg65)Lewisia (https://flic.kr/p/24RAg65) by longk48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/35724365@N05/), on Flickr

Erythronium 'Pagoda' benefitted hugely from its sheltered spot............
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/872/40598956094_b078e07bdc_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24RAgcC)Erythronium 'Pagoda' (https://flic.kr/p/24RAgcC) by longk48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/35724365@N05/), on Flickr

Corydalis cheilanthifolia is another plant that I treated to 'greenhouse love' this winter passed. Great foliage plant.................
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/896/27290190188_370936366e_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HzxmLu)Corydalis cheilanthifolia (https://flic.kr/p/HzxmLu) by longk48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/35724365@N05/), on Flickr

Lachenalia aloides has been in and out of the greenhouse all winter trying to hold the blooms back until the light was better..............
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/794/40268432105_95fc882059_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24moeWa)Lachenalia aloides (https://flic.kr/p/24moeWa) by longk48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/35724365@N05/), on Flickr
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Carolyn on April 12, 2018, 08:44:44 PM
Shelagh,
The crucifer whose name you can never remember is Pachyphragma macrophyllum, I think. (I have to check the name every year - some names just won't stick)  Such a good doer in the shade. I have it beside leucojum aestivum which is a nice combination.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Lesley Cox on April 12, 2018, 10:35:11 PM
I was able to collect quite a bit of seed from my Pachyphragma this year but like you Shelagh, still couldn't remember its name and had to go searching back though planting lists. It's a great plant under trees and looks especially good with the shiny angelica. Mine was from seed originally, from Viv Condon in Australia if I remember correctly and I wouldn't like to be without it but yes, it has a name not easily to be remembered. It's one of those occasional plants which many people want when they see it but if they read of it in a list are not even slightly interested.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on April 13, 2018, 07:52:18 AM
Real Spring and then glorious summer, I hope, Trond!!


Maggi, we already have the glorious summer! I hope it will last. 8)



Hi Trond,

It seems like you have had some wild swings in the weather. What has been the over all effect on your garden? From earlier posts, it seems that there was some cold weather damage, however clearly some plants are doing well.

Here we are having typical spring weather - some warm days, then cool and rainy weather, then back again.

Robert,

Yes, the weather is a bit crazy. From freezing cold well below average to rather hot for the season, well above average. Seems most bulbs and other perennials have survived in good condition but it is too early to conclude for woody plants. Rhododendron blooming is delayed by several weeks but most of them look good (well, not damaged by the winter anyway).

A good thing is that I have almost no slug damage so far. I hope this will last!
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: shelagh on April 13, 2018, 11:35:26 AM
Thanks Carolyn and Lesley as soon as I read it I remembered.  Now I really must write it down where I can find it when I need it.  No promises mind.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on April 13, 2018, 06:56:56 PM
Starting to look a little like Spring here.

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leucogenes on April 13, 2018, 10:22:45 PM
A few impressions of today...
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: kris on April 14, 2018, 04:38:00 AM
very nice flowers Thomas. My alpine bed is slowly clearing out of snow.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on April 14, 2018, 09:45:27 AM
Leena,
There is such a beauty to the new growth emerging with the lingering snow. Thank you for sharing such scenes.  :)   8)

Thank you Robert. :)
Spring is advancing in big steps, we are not so much behind now. Lovely to see pictures of crocuses and other spring flowers. The first crocuses are also flowering here (in the warmest bed), and I hope to see the first Hepatica flowers in a week or two. :)
H.multifidus is one of the earliest for me, this picture is from yesterday.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on April 14, 2018, 09:48:27 AM
Pachyphragma macrophyllum, I think. Such a good doer in the shade. I have it beside leucojum aestivum which is a nice combination.

It looks really nice in Shelagh's picture! :)
I have sowed it twice from seed ex seeds but it has never germinated. I still have pots saved, hopefully several cold warm cycles break their dormancy.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Michael J Campbell on April 14, 2018, 01:20:46 PM
Townsendia spathulata.[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leucogenes on April 14, 2018, 02:33:22 PM
Hi Michael

What a sight for sore eyes. I love Townsendia very much. T. spatulata is one of the most attractive. The colour is colossal. I suspect that you cultivate this jewel in the alpine house. I haven't had much luck with Townsendia so far. Therefore I would be pleased about all information to the substrate, irrigation etc..

I have some T. In this year's sowing. Unfortunately, only 2 seeds of T. spatulata germinated. I'm hoping to get it big.  :)

Again... my absolute admiration.

regards
Thomas

Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: David Nicholson on April 14, 2018, 06:06:08 PM
Very nice Michael.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 14, 2018, 07:10:52 PM
So many nice garden scenes this time of year.  8)

Leena,

The emerging shoots in your garden look just like a scene from a high Sierra Nevada meadow. Very inspirational. My wife and I are trying to imitate such things in parts of our garden, but the valley climate certainly does not cooperate.


[attachimg=1]

An okay scene from our garden this morning. New water meters are being installed in our neighborhood. Wire hoops and wire fencing is required to keep the construction workers and their tools off the plants in the garden.

[attachimg=2]

The first wave of flowers in this part of the garden. Dichelostemma capitatum ssp. capitatum and Eschscholzia caespitosa in bloom. California native Alliums and Eriogonums will be blooming next in this tiny section of our garden.

[attachimg=3]

Layia gaillardioides and Eschscholzia caespitosa providing annual color in this part of the garden.

[attachimg=4]

Only one portion of a nice patch of Triteleia ixioides ssp. scabra. Penstemon hetrophyllus var. purdyi and low dwarf varieties of Eriogonum umbellatum will be next in this spot. After that, Allium validum, various forms of Symphyotrichum, and Cirsium andersonii. Slowly this section of the garden is shaping up.

[attachimg=5]

I thoroughly enjoy the California native annual Salvia carducea. The inflorescence and open flowers are incredibly fascinating as well as beautiful. I hope I can get a gob of seed this year to scatter around!
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 14, 2018, 07:19:54 PM
[attachimg=1]

A few Azaleas in bloom this morning.

Azalea Idthi’s Laugh – One of out own hybrids. There is nothing special about it, other than we created it ourselves. It towers > 2 meters high in garden now.

[attachimg=2]

‘Idthi’s Laugh’ – A close up of the flowers.

[attachimg=3]

A very nice advanced generation Rhododendron atlanticum x flammeum hybrid. It has been in our Sacramento garden for over 10 years and is still < 0.5 meters tall. It blooms profusely every year.

Another one of our own creations, and once again nothing special, but we do like it.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: David Nicholson on April 14, 2018, 07:29:17 PM
Lovely Robert you should be proud of them.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Yann on April 14, 2018, 07:46:25 PM
Fritillaria meleagris in the wild, not far the house.
Petasite hybridus, something not to introduce in any garden except if you don't know what to do for the next 20 years :)
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gerdk on April 14, 2018, 09:13:08 PM
Fritillaria meleagris in the wild, not far the house.
Petasite hybridus, something not to introduce in any garden except if you don't know what to do for the next 20 years :)

Yann, what a variation - thank you for showing it!

Gerd
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gerdk on April 14, 2018, 09:15:40 PM
Here are
Pulsatilla patens , doing well in the sandbed
and
Fritillaria moggridgei

Gerd
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 15, 2018, 12:34:24 AM
Lovely Robert you should be proud of them.


David,

Thank you for the encouraging comment. It is fairly easy to create beautiful deciduous azalea hybrids. I still have my breeding stock for dwarf, late blooming hybrids. If I ever get going on this again and bring the project to completion, well, that will be an accomplishment.  :)
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 15, 2018, 02:58:26 PM
I thought that some of the forumist would like some background information on the name of our Azalea “Iedhi’s Laugh”.

First I could not find the symbol for an ‘edh’ or ‘eth’ on my computer, however it looks a bit like the Greek letter δ. “Iedhi’s Laugh” refers to the Azalea’s gold color and abundance of flowers. The name was derived from a Kenning, from an Old Norse legend. Qlvaldi died and his sons took as much gold as each could hold in his mouth. One son was named Iedhi, thus the name ‘Iedhi’s Laugh’.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ashley on April 15, 2018, 06:43:59 PM
... I could not find the symbol for an ‘edh’ or ‘eth’ on my computer ...

Robert, ð is Unicode(hex) 00F0 and Ð is Unicode(hex) 00D0. 
For example in Word under the Insert tab choose Symbol then in font:(normal text) scroll down to the Latin-1 Supplement set of characters where you'll find eths & other goodies ;D.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ruweiss on April 15, 2018, 09:24:51 PM
The warm and sunny weather brings a lot of flowers in the
Alpine house and the open garden:
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on April 15, 2018, 09:27:20 PM
Interesting Robert!

I didn't recognize the name of Iði! (You can just copy the letter ð or whatever you want from any text on internet) Interesting theme and I really liked the  colour of 'Iedhi's Laugh'! I have one looking a bit similar - from seed I found on a shrub in a garden somewhere :)
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ruweiss on April 15, 2018, 09:27:55 PM
More pictures:
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Philip Walker on April 16, 2018, 12:10:04 AM
Pulsatilla vulgaris
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: GordonT on April 16, 2018, 02:16:44 AM
Philip, Spring is much further advanced for you! Our Pulsatillas are only now testing the air to see if it is safe to get growing. Other plants are getting on with the show.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Véronique Macrelle on April 16, 2018, 05:41:53 AM
an apparition this year: is it Hepatica acutiloba?
 probably a seed transported into the pot of another plant!
it's always nice to have surprises like this.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 16, 2018, 02:52:33 PM
Robert, ð is Unicode(hex) 00F0 and Ð is Unicode(hex) 00D0. 
For example in Word under the Insert tab choose Symbol then in font:(normal text) scroll down to the Latin-1 Supplement set of characters where you'll find eths & other goodies ;D.

Hi Ashley,

I did indeed go to the ‘Inset’ tab on my version of Microsoft Word:mac 2011. Under symbols I found this đ . This is not quite the letter I am familiar with, however it is close and most likely how a machine (computer) deals with the letter. Thank you for the suggestion, anyway.

Interesting Robert!

I didn't recognize the name of Iði! (You can just copy the letter ð or whatever you want from any text on internet) Interesting theme and I really liked the  colour of 'Iedhi's Laugh'! I have one looking a bit similar - from seed I found on a shrub in a garden somewhere :)

Trond,

I like your suggestion on finding the symbol for edh. Now I just have to find an internet site where I can copy and paste a slating lower case edh.

P.S. I just copied the edh from your posting. It worked ð! Thanks!  8)   :)

Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ashley on April 16, 2018, 03:01:37 PM
I did indeed go to the ‘Inset’ tab on my version of Microsoft Word:mac 2011. Under symbols I found this đ . This is not quite the letter I am familiar with ...

In my version of Word ð and đ (Unicode(hex) 0111) are different.  To be honest I've never come across đ before & don't know what it's used for. 
Anyway, whatever works ;D
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: meanie on April 16, 2018, 05:04:21 PM

I thoroughly enjoy the California native annual Salvia carducea. The inflorescence and open flowers are incredibly fascinating as well as beautiful. I hope I can get a gob of seed this year to scatter around!
It's a shame that your Californian Salvia seem impossible to bloom here - very nice indeed!
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on April 16, 2018, 07:33:17 PM
In my version of Word ð and đ (Unicode(hex) 0111) are different.  To be honest I've never come across đ before & don't know what it's used for. 
Anyway, whatever works ;D

đ and ð represent the same letter. đ is used in the Sami language among others.

Here you have some other unusual Latin letters:

Áá · Ââ · Àà · Ăă · Ää · Ǟǟ · Ãã · Ąą · Ą̊ą̊ · Ⱥⱥ · Ɓɓ · Ḇḇ · Ƀƀ · Ƈƈ · Ćć · Ĉĉ · Čč · Çç · Ċċ · Ȼȼ · Ɗɗ · Ḓḓ · Ďď · Ḑḑ · Đđ · Ðð · Ɖɖ · Ḏḏ · Éé · Èè · Êê · Ěě · Ëë · ‌Ẽẽ · Ęę · Ėė · Ẹẹ · Ɇɇ · Ƒƒ · Ɠɠ · Ḡḡ · Ǵǵ · Ĝĝ · Ǧǧ · Ğğ · Ģģ · Ǥǥ · Ġġ · Ĥĥ · Ȟȟ · Ḧḧ · Ħħ · ‌Ḥḥ · İi/Iı · Íí · Ìì · Îî · Ïï · Ĩĩ · Įį · Ịị · Ɨɨ · Ĵĵ · J̌ǰ · Ɉɉ · Ƙƙ · Ḱḱ · Ǩǩ · Ķķ · Ĺĺ · Ḽḽ · Ľľ · Ļļ · Ḷḷ · Łł · Ƚƚ · Ɫɫ · Ⱡⱡ · Ṃṃ · Ŋŋ · Ńń · Ṋṋ · Ňň · Ṅṅ · N̈n̈ · Ññ · Ɲɲ · Ņņ · Ōō · Ơơ · Őő · Óó · Òò · Ôô · Ŏŏ · Ȯȯ · Ȱȱ · Öö · Õõ · Ȭȭ · Øø · Ǫǫ · Ọọ · Ƥƥ · Ᵽᵽ · Ɽɽ · Ŕŕ · Řř · Ŗŗ · Ɍɍ · Śś · Ŝŝ · Šš · Şş · Șș · Ṣṣ  · Ťť · Ṱṱ · T̈ẗ · Ţţ · Țț · Ŧŧ · Ⱦⱦ · Ūū · Úú · Ùù · Ûû · Ŭŭ · Ưư · Űű · Üü · Ųų · Ůů · Ũũ · Ụụ · Ʉʉ · Ʋʋ · Ṽṽ · Ŵŵ · Ƴƴ · Ýý · Ŷŷ · Ÿÿ · Ỹỹ · Y̨y̨ · Ɏɏ · Źź · Ẑẑ · Žž · Żż · Ƶƶ  Åå · Ææ · @ · ȸ · & · Ƕƕ · Œœ · Ȣȣ · ȹ · ß  · ᵺ
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on April 16, 2018, 09:29:07 PM
This Corydalis is in flower now. Anybody who knows the name?

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ashley on April 16, 2018, 10:28:49 PM
đ and ð represent the same letter. đ is used in the Sami language among others.

That's interesting Trond; thank you.  I'd never realized the complexity of Sámi orthography.
But sorry everyone for prolonging this digression.  Now back to April 2018 ::)
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 17, 2018, 12:11:11 AM
It's a shame that your Californian Salvia seem impossible to bloom here - very nice indeed!

meanie,

There are a lot of plants that I see on this forum that will never grow well here in the hot part of California. I just try to do the best I can with what is available here (not much) and what will do well. I have to admit our garden is looking nice these days despite having to be very creative with the few plants I have to work with.






Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gabriela on April 17, 2018, 12:59:15 AM
Beautiful images from all!

Robert - your spring garden always reminds me of summer :)



Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: meanie on April 17, 2018, 09:33:20 AM
meanie,

There are a lot of plants that I see on this forum that will never grow well here in the hot part of California. I just try to do the best I can with what is available here (not much) and what will do well. I have to admit our garden is looking nice these days despite having to be very creative with the few plants I have to work with.
If it's easy it ain't no fun!
Do you grow Tricyrtis? I'd imagine that they would be challenging.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on April 17, 2018, 09:47:53 AM
There are a lot of plants that I see on this forum that will never grow well here in the hot part of California. I just try to do the best I can with what is available here (not much) and what will do well.

That is something I'm trying to learn how to think: to try to grow plants which will do well also here, but it is difficult when I see so many lovely plants in the forum. :) It is also learning that some plants do well in some part of my garden, and just don't survive in another part, there are different micro climates depending on the soil and trees and bushes.
I like your garden scene in the previous page, it looks so natural. Also azaleas are very nice, but I can't grow them here because deer and rabbits eat them (they don't eat rhododendrons so much).

Hoy, very nice Corydalis, though I don't know what it might be.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 18, 2018, 12:11:31 AM
Hi Leena,

I agree our garden was looking nice until yesterday afternoon. A thunderstorm moved through our area and it hailed hard for about 45 minutes to an hour. After that there were more flowers and leaves on the ground than on many of the plants. The hail was accumulating on the ground to the point where the ground became white. There was still un-melted hail on the ground this morning. When I walked around the garden this morning, I found a mess, however in a week or two there will be another set of flowers and new leaves so, for the most part, everything will be fine.

Yes I too, enjoy seeing photographs of other gardens, such as yours, and being inspired. There is such a dearth of interesting plant material here in Sacramento. This not such a bad thing as our local native species are under utilized, so there is much creative work I can do with our local native plants. Occasionally a caravan will come by with packs of seed from a far away land.  ;D  This too can add to our garden.

I think at one point I saw our native Asarum hartwegii in your garden?
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on April 18, 2018, 08:10:52 AM
I think at one point I saw our native Asarum hartwegii in your garden?

Yes  :), I have one plant grown from seed, and it has survived over several winters but I don't know yet how it is after this long and cold winter. A.canadense and A.europaeum do well here no matter how the winter is.

I'm sorry to hear about hail storm, but it's good to know that plants will recover. :)
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 18, 2018, 02:14:51 PM
Yes  :), I have one plant grown from seed, and it has survived over several winters but I don't know yet how it is after this long and cold winter.

Leena,

If Asarum hartwegii survived the winter can you post the results?

I will certainly want to know the outcome.  :)
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on April 18, 2018, 07:49:32 PM
Leena,
If Asarum hartwegii survived the winter can you post the results?
I will certainly want to know the outcome.  :)

Yes, I will.
I went to look at it today, the ground is still frozen, but I'm almost sure it is alive, I'll know for sure when it starts to grow.

A picture from the garden today.
Galanthus 'S.Arnott' with Paeonia obovata coming up behind it. It is so hardy peony, I never protect it (except that I put sand on top of the crown in the autumn so that freezing water doesn't make ice on top of it) and it doesn't suffer from cold.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 19, 2018, 02:30:36 PM
Leena,

In its native habitat in the Sierra Nevada Mountains Asarum hartwegii grows in mixed coniferous, broad leaf forests. Although it can snow frequently during the winter at this elevation level (+ or –, 4,000 feet, 1,219 meters), the ground, more or less, does not freeze for prolonged periods of time.

I am going to be very curious how your plant(s) fair. Thank you for taking an interest.

It seems likes like early spring in your garden. The soil must have melted in the sunnier parts of your garden. In the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada (> 8,000 feet, 2,438 meters), snow and frozen soil can be very persistent in shady areas, especially shady north facing slopes. Last winter there were a few locations where the snow never melted by autumn! Nearby where the snow had recently melted the plants were coming into growth in October. This year I will have to take a look and see if they survived such a short growing season (maybe 7 to 14 days!).  :)
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Roma on April 19, 2018, 03:52:52 PM
This was a pleasant surprise.  I found a small black leaved Ranunculus ficaria in a pot of a reticulata iris I bought from John Amand 2 years ago.  I thought it was probably 'Brazen Hussy' but grew it on in case it was something else.  The flowers are a bright orange though it has not come out well in the photo.  Could it be a named cultivar or is it a random seedling?
Ranunculus ficaria (orange)
Ranunculus ficaria 'Brazen Hussy'
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: meanie on April 19, 2018, 04:30:07 PM
Fritillaria meleagris................
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/833/26692362227_daea60b402_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/GEHkkR)Fritillaria meleagris (https://flic.kr/p/GEHkkR) by longk48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/35724365@N05/), on Flickr

I think that Perriwinkle is an invasive weed but when I was offered a cutting of Vinca major var. oxyloba I had to accept. My first bloom............
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/805/26692368027_9833756639_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/GEHn4R)Vinca major var. oxyloba (https://flic.kr/p/GEHn4R) by longk48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/35724365@N05/), on Flickr

I keep trying to get rid of Muscari but it keeps coming back. Now I have this rather nice form...........
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/840/41560856851_d73340dc26_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/26jAfMr)Muscari (https://flic.kr/p/26jAfMr) by longk48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/35724365@N05/), on Flickr

Corydalis flexuosa 'Pere David'................
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/927/26692367397_b728773873_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/GEHmSZ)Corydalis flexuosa &#x27;Pere David&#x27; (https://flic.kr/p/GEHmSZ) by longk48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/35724365@N05/), on Flickr

Salvia coerulea...............
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/839/39752492030_f50d504069_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/23yMUVC)Salvia coerulea (https://flic.kr/p/23yMUVC) by longk48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/35724365@N05/), on Flickr

Salvia gesneriiflora (mountain form) is one of my absolute favourites............
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/928/26692377567_d5d2cc351c_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/GEHpUk)Salvia gesneriiflora (mountain form) (https://flic.kr/p/GEHpUk) by longk48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/35724365@N05/), on Flickr

Kalanchoe 'Azumi'.................
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/895/26692382697_b64e0a5f3a_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/GEHrqM)Kalanchoe &#x27;Azumi&#x27; (https://flic.kr/p/GEHrqM) by longk48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/35724365@N05/), on Flickr
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on April 19, 2018, 04:37:39 PM
I've been a little puzzled lately by the  pleasant glow in many of the photos being shown  - at last I've cottoned on to what it is - Sunshine!!  We've got some here today - and enough of it to be warm and  delightful!
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gunilla on April 19, 2018, 09:10:12 PM
It has been warm and sunny here too  :).

1. Helleborus seedling
2. Hacquetia epipactis 'Thor'
3. Hepatica transsilvanica 'Blue Jewel'
4. Hepatica nobilis
5. Corydalis solida
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: kris on April 20, 2018, 05:09:43 AM
The weather here suddenly turned warm and snow is melting fast.
still lots of plants under snow. I managed to take pictures of two plants.
I had a huge plant  of Eriogonum ovalifolium variety eximium but most of it died except a small portion.
Eriogonum ovalifolium eximium
Eriogonum umbellatum
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on April 20, 2018, 11:21:34 AM
Eriogonum feature  in the next issue of the International Rock Gardener e-magazine - online next Friday 27th April  8)
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ian mcdonald on April 20, 2018, 04:28:37 PM
Just back from my weekly visit to a local nursery and managed to stop short of an idiot who pulled out of a side road straight in front of me.

[attachimg=1]

Meadow saxifrage, S. granulata.

[attachimg=2]

S. cespitosa.

[attachimg=3]

Trailing azalea.

[attachimg=4]

A saxifrage in a tub.

[attachimg=5]

Every lawn should have some colour.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: meanie on April 20, 2018, 08:54:44 PM
Now I know that spring is here..............
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/880/39778097240_b3b38bfa24_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/23B49sL)Pleione (https://flic.kr/p/23B49sL) by longk48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/35724365@N05/), on Flickr

Outdoors all winter huddled up against the house where the eves make sure that the pot stays dry the worst damage that they suffered was from slugs 'n snails...................
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/840/41585932571_fe57ea662a_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/26mNLVr)Pleione (https://flic.kr/p/26mNLVr) by longk48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/35724365@N05/), on Flickr
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Yann on April 20, 2018, 09:56:49 PM
Spring's fiesta seems to happen everywhere
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leucogenes on April 21, 2018, 10:26:37 PM
Some impressions of today...
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: David Nicholson on April 22, 2018, 09:34:48 AM
Lovely garden Thomas.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 22, 2018, 02:12:48 PM
Despite the hail storm last week, the garden is looking fabulous!

[attachimg=1]

Adiantum aleuticum

[attachimg=2]

Dianthus - forgot to look at the label.  :-[

[attachimg=3]

A run of the mill Pacific Coast Iris hybrid.

[attachimg=4]

Lewisia cotyledon - not over bred - long lived and easy.

[attachimg=5]

Maiathemum racemosum

Maybe I will get berries this year.  :)
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 22, 2018, 02:22:51 PM
[attachimg=1]

My wife and I have been planting too.

This shady portion of our garden never gets any irrigation - ever.

Polypodium calirhiza, Micranthes californica, and Adiantum jordanii are perfect. They will go completely dormant and disappear during the summer. I will be adding a few other plants that need no irrigation but will provide summer interest. I even planted a piece of the lichen, Peltigera membranacea. It grows in similar habitats with the same plants. Who knows, maybe it will take hold.  :)







Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gabriela on April 22, 2018, 02:25:26 PM
Nice to already have so many flowers in your garden Robert. Your Maianthemum looks more like M. stellatum to me but not enough detail to say for sure.

I just want to mark the beginning of spring in this part of the Northern Hemisphere 8) (fingers crossed). I found the first flower opening under ice three days ago!
Iris 'Katharine Hodgkin'
[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leucogenes on April 22, 2018, 08:04:07 PM
Lovely garden Thomas.

Thank you for the kind words...David.

In fact, the garden is anything but tidy. The building is quite old and there is much to renew. Since I am unfortunately only at home on weekends for professional reasons and recently
 If I am slightly ill (arthrosis) everything takes a little longer. So I apologize for the partial disorder.

But every day in the fresh air is a good day!

Here are some more impressions from this weekend.

The garden and my wife make sure I never get bored..😁😁

Thomas

    View over the garden fence.jpg
    Garden 3.jpg
    Bergenia spec. 1.jpg
    Kalmia procumbens.jpg
    Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ssp. uva-ursi.jpg

Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on April 23, 2018, 07:44:23 AM
Spring advanced last week and now all the snow is gone, and ground is not frozen anymore. We had couple of very warm days, temperatures near +20C, the same time as it was even warmer in Europe. Now it is back to normal weather, days around +10 and nights a bit above zero or around it.
Snowdrops are at their best now, crocuses are starting to flower, and there are lot of buds in Hellebores, Corydalis and Hepatica. :)
Pictures from the week-end.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Véronique Macrelle on April 23, 2018, 07:49:01 AM
[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on April 23, 2018, 11:31:00 AM
I think this photo from Sue Simpson illustrates just why she has such success at shows !
 View  into one of the glasshouses at Sue and George's place, today ....

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 23, 2018, 03:01:25 PM
Nice to already have so many flowers in your garden Robert. Your Maianthemum looks more like M. stellatum to me but not enough detail to say for sure.

Gabriela,

Thanks for catching my mistake, the plant is indeed Maianthemun stellatum.  :)

A few more plants from our garden....

[attachimg=1]

Nemophila menziesii 'Frosty Blue' - seed from Ginny Hunt (seedhunt).

[attachimg=2]

Mimulus pictum - another California native annual. The plants are small. I grow mine in pots where they can be enjoyed close up.

[attachimg=3]

Mimulus aurantiacus var. pubescens - A subshrub. 100% exric.

[attachimg=4]

Allium falcifolium - Very common in the northern coast mountains of California.

[attachimg=5]

Allium falcifolium - A high elevation form with flowers that hold their deep color even at low elevations in the hot Sacramento Valley.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 23, 2018, 03:09:51 PM
[attachimg=1]

Digitalis purpurea - A common garden plant even in Sacramento. Common or not, they do look good in the garden.

[attachimg=2]

Sanicula tuberosa - Finally, I might be getting this species established in our Sacramento garden. At least I am getting them through the summer (when they are dormant). Next step is to try a few in the open garden and grow additional seedlings.

[attachimg=3]

Our raspberry colored Azalea.

[attachimg=4]

More deciduous Azaleas in our garden.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on April 23, 2018, 06:37:21 PM
Robert, your azaleas are beautiful. :)
I can't grow azaleas, because they are the favourite food of deer which come to my garden. They leave rhododendrons alone more, so I try to grow them.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on April 23, 2018, 07:28:28 PM
Robert,

when the foxglove is in flower it is full summer here! (It is a native in my parts of the word.)
So for me it looks like you have full summer!

Leena,

glad to see the snow has disappeared from your garden! It is still a lot of snow in the inland here.


We had a week of summer warmth, now it is back to normal weather - cool and rainy. Here are some plants flowering now.

Corydalis sp

[attachimg=1]


Primula sp

[attachimg=2]
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on April 23, 2018, 07:31:45 PM
Helleborus sp from seed

[attachimg=1]


Rhododendron sutchuenense

[attachimg=2]


Mahonia bealei

[attachimg=3]


Cardamine pentaphyllos pale pink

[attachimg=4]
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Yann on April 23, 2018, 07:33:26 PM
Wouah what a greenhouse Maggi!
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on April 23, 2018, 07:36:54 PM
Wouah what a greenhouse Maggi!
Sue and George have several, Yann!  And  a HUGE shed - and 6 acres on their small-holding.  Lucky people but  they work VERY hard! 
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on April 23, 2018, 07:47:32 PM
Soldanella villosa

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: David Nicholson on April 23, 2018, 07:52:30 PM
Nice close-up Ralph, nice plant too.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Yann on April 23, 2018, 09:38:08 PM
Sue and George have several, Yann!  And  a HUGE shed - and 6 acres on their small-holding.  Lucky people but  they work VERY hard!

no doubt, nothing magic happens without working hard, i didn't know they own such collection.
modestly a small part of the rockery in the garden
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 24, 2018, 05:42:30 AM
Robert, your azaleas are beautiful. :)
I can't grow azaleas, because they are the favourite food of deer which come to my garden. They leave rhododendrons alone more, so I try to grow them.

Leena,

I was up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains today. At 6,000 feet (1,829 meters), I encountered 15 cm of snow on the ground. The bottom 4 cm was rock hard ice. I needed an ice ax to chip through it. I encounter this characteristic in the Sierra Nevada snow frequently in the 'spring' as the snow is melting. Is this something you have to deal with in your garden?

In the future, I want to find out how deep the ground freezes at the high elevations in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I have a good idea that the ground does not freeze as deeply as it does in your garden in Finland.

Thank you for sharing the new spring growth in your garden. As I have said before, it reminds me of the new growth after snow melt in the high elevations of the Sierra Nevada. For me this is a good feeling!  :)
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 24, 2018, 05:55:16 AM
Robert,

when the foxglove is in flower it is full summer here! (It is a native in my parts of the word.)
So for me it looks like you have full summer!


Trond,

It is not summer here in our part of California. High temperatures have been 85-90 F (29.4-32.2 C). I guess this would be summer temperatures for you in Norway.  ;D  For us summer means day after day of 38-40 C, and sometimes even more, sometimes less.  :P  Gardening in such weather is challenging.

It looks like your garden is awaking. I hope most of your plants avoided cold weather damage. Everything looks great.  8)  Looking at postings of your garden and Leena's garden is my version of vicarious gardening!  :)
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Philip Walker on April 24, 2018, 10:42:33 AM
Androsace sarmentosa yunnanensis
Aquilegia formosa nana
Linum arboreum
Salix alpina
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: arisaema on April 24, 2018, 11:03:24 AM
I'm envious when I see all the spring pictures, it went straight from grey and smoggy winter to full summer and 30 degrees here... Some more Dendrobium below, pretty much the only plants that can survive me being gone for weeks in mid summer without much water.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gerdk on April 25, 2018, 06:28:06 PM
These are Fritillaria pyrenaica - normal colour and a 'yellow' selection

Gerd
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: meanie on April 26, 2018, 09:51:13 PM
A couple of cheaty Frits from me. A member on another forum sent me three F.imperialis bulbs which I potted up and left in the greenhouse over the winter. One is in bloom, the second has just broken the soil and the third is nowhere to be seen..............
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/819/40709590455_245ecdab5d_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/252nhWB)Fritillaria imperialis (https://flic.kr/p/252nhWB) by longk48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/35724365@N05/), on Flickr

They also lifted F.persica and sent me all their bulbs as they couldn't get them to bloom. Treated the same as F.imperialis I had to evict them from the greenhouse as they were too big and unruly. I now have more stems than bulbs that I received and all are in bloom or bud.................
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/951/26810360817_c8bb394682_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/GR97di)Fritillaria persica (https://flic.kr/p/GR97di) by longk48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/35724365@N05/), on Flickr

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/823/41677111061_ea5c954f12_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/26uS67n)Fritillaria persica (https://flic.kr/p/26uS67n) by longk48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/35724365@N05/), on Flickr
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: GordonT on April 27, 2018, 10:40:52 PM
Spring has shown up, all at once here! Crocus and Galanthus are well past it, and are now intent on setting seed. Jeffersonia dubia is starting into bloom, and has expanded well since last year. Is Jeffersonia self fertile- will a single plant set viable seed?
[attachimg=1]

Viburnum x bodnantense 'Dawn' is in full swing! It started to bloom in December, and then went into suspended animation over winter, when I thought the blooms would be lost to the cold, as they were quite advanced. This is its best showing yet.
[attachimg=2]

My first Erythroniums look promising in the woodland garden. Erythronium x Pagoda shows great potential, looking forward to the full display!
[attachimg=3]

An unknown Pulmonaria cultivar with plain leaves brightens the area below Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo"
[attachimg=4]

Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Rick R. on April 28, 2018, 02:28:36 AM
That's a fantastic shot of J. dubia.  Yes, it is self fertile.

And I'll bet that pulmonaria is Blue Ensign.  It has electric blue flowers held on a comparatively loose and upright inflorescence, and of course, plain green leaves.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 28, 2018, 06:10:32 AM
Gordon,

Pulmonarias are easy and work well in our early season woodland garden. I grow a few named varieties and let them self sow. A common garden plant but very  8)

We too grew Jeffersonia in our garden. They died off due to neglect. It wish I had them around still as they did well in our garden.

Erythroniums are fantastic! I finally have most of the western North American species planted out in our Sacramento garden. So far E. multiscapideum is the only species mature enough to bloom every season. The northern (Oregon, Washington, BC) high elevation species are impossible in Sacramento, however there is hope for some of our high elevation California species. I am working on a few tricks to see if I can keep them growing and bring them to flowering size.

Thank you for sharing the photographs. It looks like your gardening season is getting off to a good start.  8)
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: GordonT on April 28, 2018, 01:04:25 PM
Rick, thank you for the Pulmonaria identification. Now that you mention it, I remember hearing the name 'Blue Ensign' tossed into a conversation about garden escapees at a friend's place (the source for this plant). I'm glad you liked the photo of Jeffersonia dubia, and am glad to hear it is self fertile. The spot where this is growing, is crying out for more plants... my lone specimen needs companions to make a real statement.

Robert, all the gardens here are no more than 8 years old. When we bought the house in 2009 there was little going on except acres of lawn, and old workhorse shrubs such as common Lilacs, Forsythia and Philadelphus. There was a row of about 8 sickly Robinias along the north side of the house, and they were the first to go- but not without a fight... We had them taken down, and the stumps removed. Then we created a sloped garden, and planted it. The following year the residual roots from the Robinias sent up shoots through everything. Thankfully we had the hardware to deal with the Robinia invasion.
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It took about 2 years to eradicate all of the Robinia, but the results were worth the effort. Here are a couple of views of the garden today:
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Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 28, 2018, 03:04:21 PM
Gordon,

Your garden is looking nice, especially after such a short time! This is where you grow Pacific Coast Iris? I'll have to take a photograph of their natural habitat. This might help with there cultivation.

Robinia is not native to California, however a few land owners have the misfortune of having some near their gardens. They are certainly a bear to get rid of!  :P  A back hoe seems like the perfect rig to dig out the roots. Many of the Robinia trees in our area date back to the Gold Rush days, however some have been planted as non-thorny, pink flowering ornamentals. Sadly, the understock can still create major problems, especially if damage or the grafted top dies out. I would never plant one on our property, however maybe on "the back 40" they would be a good hedge to keep people out.  ;D  In your neck of the woods I am sure they are native? So one has to deal with whatever one has on their place.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ashley on April 28, 2018, 07:04:41 PM
Gentiana angustifolia never flowers very profusely for me, but is always welcome.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on April 28, 2018, 07:20:16 PM
There really is nothing so blue as  a blue gentian - I love them!   Great view into the trumpet, too, Ashley.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ArnoldT on April 28, 2018, 10:34:12 PM
Cydonia sinensis

Korean Quince.



Ovary below flower.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ArnoldT on April 28, 2018, 10:36:41 PM
Apple Calville Blanc
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ArnoldT on April 28, 2018, 10:37:55 PM
Stanley plum
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 29, 2018, 05:39:38 AM
Arnold,

Nice to see your fruit trees in bloom.

Are your Korean (Chinese) Quince any good? Our tree consistently produces plenty of fruit, however it is only of average flavor. We generally cook it with apples and jujubes. Not too bad prepared this way. I have to admit that I like the apple - jujube combo better.  :)
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ArnoldT on April 29, 2018, 07:01:27 PM
Robert:

The Korea quince if unpalatable off the tree.

Needs to be cooked and sweeten before even considering eating it.

The Koreans here slice it up and cover with honey to make a healthy tea.

One spoonful of the Quince honey mix in a cup of hot water.

I've not seen too many pollinators with apples, pears plums and quinces in bloom.

See the EU just posted a ban on one of the alleged bee killers.

Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on April 30, 2018, 01:09:15 AM
[attachimg=1]

This photograph was taken today, 29 April, at 6,800 feet (2,073 meters) in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The snow is beginning to melt from this meadow. The meadow is somewhat flooded with flowing water. Despite the swampy conditions, new sprouts are emerging everywhere. Deciduous shrubs are sprouting on the perimeter of the meadow. Herbaceous perennial species are sprouting even in the swampy soup in the middle of the meadow. Many annuals that sprouted with the first autumn rainfall are awaking from their winter sleep.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on April 30, 2018, 03:53:46 PM
Spring blooming, Jomfruland, Norway. Spring is a bit late but welcome!

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Hepatica nobilis. A bit late for most of them.

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Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on April 30, 2018, 03:57:26 PM
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Cochlearia officinalis.

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Native Viola tricolor, very common and very variable.

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Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on April 30, 2018, 04:13:16 PM
The island is famous for the spring blooming of Anemone nemorosa.

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Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on May 01, 2018, 05:15:45 AM
Hi Trond,

It looks like spring weather has finally arrived in your region. I like the Viola species. The last photograph looks like a cultivated Viola that has escaped its domestic home.  ???

Nice scenes of the expansive coast. It looks like it could go on that way forever.  :)
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on May 01, 2018, 08:11:48 AM
Robert, the spring comes and disappear! Now it is cold and rainy, barely above freezing!

The viola is Viola tricolor, a common native. It is very showy but variable. Some colonies are better than other.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on May 03, 2018, 08:04:03 AM
Some pictures from last Monday from my garden. Snowdrops are still flowering as are Crocus, Hepatica nobilis has been flowering for the past week, Corydalis is now at it's best, most Hellebores are now starting to flower. It is such a good time of year for me! :)
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on May 03, 2018, 08:07:44 AM
Erythronium sibiricum
Leucojum vernum
Early Helleborus niger finishing flowering
Helleborus multifidus has also been an early one
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gabriela on May 04, 2018, 12:49:18 AM
Lovely pictures Leena! It is such a wonderful time :) We are at the same stage almost, the Corydalis are flowering, Helleborus, Anemone... although it got so warm (25C+ yesterday) it feels like summer and the spring flowers will fade fast.
I love the depth of your pictures :) not possible in smaller gardens.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ashley on May 04, 2018, 06:34:01 PM
Lovely pictures Leena! It is such a wonderful time :) We are at the same stage almost, the Corydalis are flowering, Helleborus, Anemone... although it got so warm (25C+ yesterday) it feels like summer and the spring flowers will fade fast.
I love the depth of your pictures :) not possible in smaller gardens.

Yes beautiful.  That's a remarkably deep red corydalis (C. solida?) behind your Crocus herbertii in the second photo Leena.  Is it a named cultivar?
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: David Nicholson on May 04, 2018, 06:40:02 PM
It is lovely to see your garden now that your Spring has arrived Leena.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on May 05, 2018, 07:34:30 AM
Thank you.  :) I think also here the spring flowers will be over fast this year, but Hellebores are good in that way that they stay longer than other spring flowers.

Yes beautiful.  That's a remarkably deep red corydalis (C. solida?) behind your Crocus herbertii in the second photo Leena.  Is it a named cultivar?


Ashley, yes you are right.  :) There are two corydalis there. On the left there is C.kuznetsovii x solida 'Cherry Lady' (from Augis bulbs), very intense colour and a sterile hybrid. On the right there is bigger C.solida 'Royal Red (from Janis Ruksans).  I have bought named red cultivars so that someday I could have lots of red ones from seeds, but so far most of my seedlings are either pink or muddy blueish. I should weed out all the blueish ones..
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: David Nicholson on May 05, 2018, 09:19:31 AM
Ah yes Augis Bulbs does anyone know if Eugenijus Dambrauskas is likely to be selling again?
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ashley on May 05, 2018, 12:12:04 PM
Thanks Leena.  Both look wonderful.  Perhaps your more 'continental' climate also intensifies the colour.
Title: Re: April 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on May 05, 2018, 12:25:27 PM
Thanks Leena.  Both look wonderful.  Perhaps your more 'continental' climate also intensifies the colour.

I think that when it is warmer, the colours "fade" fast and when it is colder (less than 10C) then the colours stay stronger for a longer time. The picture with C.herbertii was taken in backlight so the colours seem very intense, but in reality especially 'Cherry Lady' is the most red which I have. C.solida 'Red Lion' is also very red. Many red solidas get more blueish tint in their red as the flowering advances. It is the same with red hybrid peonies.

Ah yes Augis Bulbs does anyone know if Eugenijus Dambrauskas is likely to be selling again?

I haven't heard about anyone in Finland ordering from him this year. :( Someone said that maybe he is finishing his business, but I don't know if that is true or not.
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