Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => Flowers and Foliage Now => Topic started by: Parsla on May 03, 2019, 11:18:32 AM

Title: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Parsla on May 03, 2019, 11:18:32 AM
Hello all and Happy May.

A few more crocus showing up.
1. Crocus caspius - a nice fat one..
2. Crocus cartwrightianus
3. Crocus banaticus - just the one thus far
4. Crocus pumilus kindly gifted by Otto - this one is striped
5. Possibly Crocus hadriaticus
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on May 03, 2019, 11:23:13 AM
Hi, Jacquie, happy  May to you too!  Just  started  snowing  here  so could be  better!
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Parsla on May 03, 2019, 11:30:34 AM
Hi Maggi,

Oh goodness. Shouldn’t you be going into Spring/Summer?

Jacqui x
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on May 03, 2019, 01:18:58 PM
Happily  it was  just  a  short  sharp blast!  Sun out  again now, meantime   but  snow  is around and weekend  forecast  isn't  great. Sigh!  Yes, you'd think we'd be be truly  into  better weather  by  now, wouldn't you?  Our weather  is  so changeable  all year  round - it would be  good to have seasons that  began and then stayed, until the  next  one, rather than swapping between them all through a  single  day!  :'(
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Parsla on May 06, 2019, 07:05:41 AM
hi all

one last snap i managed to catch on the weekend before the rain and birds destroyed it...
crocus laevigatus
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Jupiter on May 07, 2019, 10:13:39 AM
I had fun on the weekend with the autumn flowering bulbs. We had cool sunny weather which opened lots of flowers.
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Parsla on May 08, 2019, 09:39:04 AM
You are such a whizz with a camera Jamus.
Lovely photos.
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Jupiter on May 08, 2019, 01:06:12 PM
Aww gee thank you Jacqui.  :-*  I really enjoy capturing beautiful plants to be able to share them and go back and see them whenever I like. They are so fleeting after all! I often go to work and miss them all together..  :'(  Today I asked Beck to take a pic of two pots of goulimyi I have in bud, it was her day off.

Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: bibliofloris on May 08, 2019, 03:26:26 PM
She did a beautiful job — love those bees! :) And I’m still entranced by Narcissus viridiflora — I’d never seen it before joining this forum.
Kelly

Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: fermi de Sousa on May 08, 2019, 04:09:59 PM
Finally, we have some autumn crocus flowering!
Crocus ochroleucus from Marcus Harvey in 2003 x2 pics
Crocus pulchellus x 2
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Parsla on May 10, 2019, 01:26:20 AM
They look so healthy fermi.
White anthers ever so attractive
Title: Sad news from Tasmania
Post by: Maggi Young on May 10, 2019, 11:49:51 AM
 Members will be  aware, I am sure,  of the  former  Wood Bank Nursery  in  Tasmania and  of the Gillanders  who ran it. It  is  my  sad  task to inform the forum that  Ken Gillanders' wife, Lesley, has died.

We are  most  grateful to Sandra who has  been in contact with  SRGC friends on behalf of Ken Gillanders.

" Lesley passed away peacefully on Monday evening with Ken and  daughter Sandra by her side.  Lesley was at home happy with family until this past Saturday and spent only a short period with family in palliative care and was very comfortable.  Dad asked me to let you know."

Sincere condolences to Ken, Sandra and  family  on this  sad loss.


Ken, a nurseryman for over 50 years (now retired) and his wife Lesley started Woodbank Nursery on a bush block in Tasmania. Woodbank Nursery specialized in rare, exotic, unusual and native plants. As their nursery and its reputation grew so did their spectacular gardens containing many rare plants. Ken and Lesley collected seeds in Chile, Ecuador, New Zealand, China, South Africa, and Lesotho.
 
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Parsla on May 10, 2019, 12:23:39 PM
Terribly sorry to hear that Maggi,  thank you for passing on the news.
I’m sure all our thoughts are with Ken Gillanders and Sandra.
I have never met Ken or Leslie, but have heard only lovely things about them.
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Parsla on May 12, 2019, 12:27:20 PM
Autumn leaves are starting to turn - it all  seems very late this year. The fothergilla is a delight.
Also, quite a bit of variation in this clump of crocuses. Not sure if all are laevigatus???

Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Jupiter on May 13, 2019, 12:43:18 AM
Yes I think they are all colour forms of laevigatus Jacqui. They have beautiful markings don't they? I have some similar ones flowering, from Paul Tyerman in Canberra.

Here are the little ones from Otto a few years ago.
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: fermi de Sousa on May 13, 2019, 07:28:32 AM
A couple more crocus:
1 & 2: Crocus hadriaticus
3 & 4: Crocus niveus
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Parsla on May 16, 2019, 07:59:24 AM
Lovely crocus, fermi and jamus,

i am getting such a lot of joy from the crocus this season, especially now the garden is heading for the barrenness of winter.

This is a tiny little crocus, C. cambessidessii, with very sharp stripes right down its neck. It has only just come up. The very last of the crocuses to bloom this season, unless there is still a surprise still waiting in store for me.

Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Parsla on May 18, 2019, 08:24:04 AM
Its been a lovely day out in the garden - goodness knows there is little enough time to keep things in order.
The foliage has been very slow turning, but now some absolutely gorgeous colours coming through. The evening sunlight shows it up well  :)

1. Fothergilla has reddened since a week ago - brilliant colour
2. Cornus siberica alba
3. Cornus siberica alba berries
4. Disanthus cercidifolius foliage turns a velvety purple
5. Its tiny blooms are jewel-like

Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Parsla on May 18, 2019, 08:27:59 AM
...and a few more..

6. The picturesque seed capsules of exochorda macrantha "the bride"
7. Cyclamen seedlings in their second season show some lovely leaf patterning
8. The petite blooms of Crocus cambessedessi
9. The patch of Crocus laevigatus has filled out a little
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Leucogenes on May 18, 2019, 08:33:54 AM
Its been a lovely day out in the garden - goodness knows there is little enough time to keep things in order.
The foliage has been very slow turning, but now some absolutely gorgeous colours coming through. The evening sunlight shows it up well  :)

1. Fothergilla has reddened since a week ago - brilliant colour
2. Cornus siberica alba
3. Cornus siberica alba berries
4. Disanthus cercidifolius foliage turns a velvety purple
5. Its tiny blooms are jewel-like

What beautiful pictures... Parsla. A dreamlike atmosphere...with light and shadow. Thus the different colours come even better to the fore. My compliment. 👍
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: fermi de Sousa on May 18, 2019, 12:46:50 PM

4. Disanthus cercidifolius foliage turns a velvety purple
5. Its tiny blooms are jewel-like

Jacqui,
they are exquisite! Great pic!
Here's another crocus from Hillview Crocus longiflorus, first pic taken 2 days before the others
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 19, 2019, 11:41:14 AM
I have Crocus longiflorus from Hillview. Plus a couple of Cyclamen and another Crocus.
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Jupiter on May 20, 2019, 03:52:59 AM
Anthony is your third image Cyclamen purpurascens? It's very nice..
Jacqui, your Cyclamen seedlings are beautiful! Are they from Hillview seed? Cyclamen Society? A very impressive collection.

A few from my garden;
1. goulimyi var. leucanthus
2. longiflorus
3. caspius
4. biflorus ssp. melantherus
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Parsla on May 20, 2019, 02:02:12 PM

Hello all. I love seeing so many beautiful crocuses. And cyclamen.
The crocus longiflorus are gorgeous

Lifting spirits after this horribly depressing election outcome

Jamus,  many of the cyclamen seed were from jan bravenboer.
Some from other places and yes Marcus
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Jupiter on May 21, 2019, 02:50:31 AM

Jacqui I know just what you mean... my spirits are pretty low too. Here are some colourful autumn fruits to cheer us up  :)

Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Otto Fauser on May 21, 2019, 08:07:20 AM
gorgeous  photos  of autumn  flowering  Crocus  and other autumn  beauties  from Jacquie ,Jamus  and Anthony Derby . I think Anthony's third photo is of Cyc . mirabile  ,Jamus , and not of  Cyc. purpurascens  as you suggest . Crocus caspius  is such a vigorous and beautiful species here ,flowering in its second year and appearing all over the garden .
    Jamus your still life of autumn fruit should  be the subject of a painting . Rejoice in its beauty after the disappointment of the election results .
 America  voted for Donald , England for Brexit and Australia for Peter Dutton . What does that tell you ?

                                                                                                                                                               Otto
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on May 21, 2019, 10:59:41 AM
Quote
What does that tell you ?
Probably that we're all going to end up as stewed as  prunes.   :'(

 Jamus, what are the  green fruits  in the  bowl?  They  look like a  bald  kiwi fruit or a  giant   leathery gooseberry!
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: t00lie on May 21, 2019, 11:37:06 AM
Probably that we're all going to ends up as stewed as  prunes.   :'(

 Jamus, what are the  green fruits  in the  bowl?  They  look like a  bald  kiwi fruit or a  giant   leathery gooseberry!

I suspect they are Feijoa  Maggi.
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on May 21, 2019, 12:32:56 PM
Thanks t00lie!
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Jupiter on May 21, 2019, 09:18:12 PM
Hi Maggi, Dave is right of course, being a Kiwi. Feijoa are apparently worship and revered in NZ, and I share their enthusiasm! Have you tried it Maggi?
Thanks Otto, I've been thinking over the past few days that politics should be a subject in schools and kids taught skill to objectively analyse rhetoric and decode political spin?
I am excited to see quite a few Galanthus emerging in the garden which is a huge relief after the terrible, long, hot summer we've had. Early elwesii, ikariae, ikariae snogerupii, gracilis and some named hybrids and forms. The oncos are up and growing and so are early Narcissus. It's a wonderful time of year.
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 22, 2019, 01:32:32 AM
Yes, Cyclamen mirabile. I tried Feijoas once. Won't try them again, but then I don't like green kiwi fruit (aka Chinese gooseberry). Gold kiwis are nice though, and the ones with the red centre are even sweeter.
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: t00lie on May 22, 2019, 10:00:34 AM
Thanks t00lie!

 :)
Hi Maggi, Dave is right of course, being a Kiwi. Feijoa are apparently worship and revered in NZ, and I share their enthusiasm!

I tried Feijoas once. Won't try them again, but then I don't like green kiwi fruit (aka Chinese gooseberry). Gold kiwis are nice though, and the ones with the red centre are even sweeter.


Unfortunately I have a reaction to eating Feijoas ... swelling of the lips and throat so they are off my menu.

Still very mild here in the deep south with Brugmansia sanguinea still in flower and more to come. It's flowered in this pot for a number of years without any feeding but needs planted out.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2] 

Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Parsla on May 22, 2019, 12:46:42 PM
Gosh you did well with the fruit Jamus.
Ever so colourful 

..another crocus ... this time melantherus



Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: fermi de Sousa on May 23, 2019, 10:15:53 AM
Although our King of the Crocus has been unimpressed by my crocus pics, I'll persist ;D
1) We got this Crocus vitellinus from Hillview last year and it has produced its first flower this week.
2) Colchicum decaisnei - another purchase from the Last ever Hillview catalogue,
3) Crocus niveus which we got from a commercial source over 15 years ago and it still flowers most years!
4) Galanthus peshmenii - couldn't resist putting on another pic of these
5) Narcissus 'First Stanza'
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Jupiter on May 23, 2019, 11:43:04 AM
Fermi I'm super impressed by your peshmenii from seed! Mine was pathetic this year, I didn't even bother to take a photo. It had one ugly, misshapen flower, but the leaves are coming now so all is not lost. I have flower buds on seed grown elwesii this year, for the first time ever! I hope they are different from their parent.

Speaking of growing from seed, did any of you place orders with Oron yet? I did. :) 
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Parsla on May 26, 2019, 09:56:39 AM
Love the orange crocus Fermi.

Now the weather is turning blooms are few and far between.
I have forgotten the name of this tubular-flowered bulb.

Also, i need advice on these tiny seedlings of iris paradox atrata in their second year's growth. I can scarcely believe they survived their first year and would like to know whether to leave in  the10 cm seed pot for another year or pot into something grittier.

Many thanks, Jacqui.
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Jupiter on May 26, 2019, 01:59:55 PM
Jacqui well done with the paradoxa! I would definitely repot them into sand and grit (no compost). Make a mix of half and half sand and grit, fill the pot 2/3 with this and plant the seedlings with the roots in the mix and pure grit around the rhizomes. Give them a good water to settle them in and then pop them in a bright, airy spot; as much sun as possible.
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Gail on May 26, 2019, 03:16:41 PM
I have forgotten the name of this tubular-flowered bulb.

The cream form of Cyrtanthus mackenii, I think.
https://www.farmergracy.co.uk/products/cyrtanthus-mackenii-cream-white-bulbs-uk (https://www.farmergracy.co.uk/products/cyrtanthus-mackenii-cream-white-bulbs-uk)

Is it scented?
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Parsla on May 26, 2019, 11:24:57 PM
Hi Gail,

Yes that’s it. I shall make a new label. Thank you.
I was impressed with your loropetalum identification. I would never have guessed it. So different to the chinensis.

Jamus thank you for your advice. I will put them on the north-facing wall near the two gorgeous oncos Otto gave me, which are flourishing but not yet flowering. I do hope this year.

I also thank leucogenes for his comments on my recent autumn foliage photos. I was ever so chuffed over the compliment.   :D

Well, rain has finally arrived. A week of showers predicted. It has been bone dry most of the year. The garden loves it.



Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Parsla on May 26, 2019, 11:27:24 PM
Gail,  oh goodness, you said lonicera.
Which I would not have guessed either.
I blame Monday morning idiocy.
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 27, 2019, 07:08:51 AM
One of my Paramongaia weberbaueri is flowering now. Alas, my other clone(?) seems to be much later this year.
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: t00lie on May 27, 2019, 07:15:51 AM
One of my Paramongaia weberbaueri is flowering now. Alas, my other clone(?) seems to be much later this year.

Wow !  :o what a flower Anthony. Stunning. :-*
Title: Re: May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: David Lyttle on May 29, 2019, 10:53:56 AM
:)

Still very mild here in the deep south with Brugmansia sanguinea still in flower and more to come. It's flowered in this pot for a number of years without any feeding but needs planted out.

Raising triffids, Mr Toole. Once planted out they are impossible to contain or kill!
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