Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => Flowers and Foliage Now => Topic started by: fermi de Sousa on December 03, 2008, 02:07:20 AM

Title: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: fermi de Sousa on December 03, 2008, 02:07:20 AM
Well, it's officially summer here in Australia, though we've had some cloudy days and no serious heat yet.
Since arriving home on Sunday night we've managed to have a look around the area and it's obvious that the small amount of rain that had fallen in the last half of November has kept things a bit greener than usual.
Some things had finished flowering while we were away but ther's still some colour in the garden.
I'll post some pics once I can download them!
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: David Nicholson on December 03, 2008, 09:45:05 AM
Welcome back Fermi.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: fermi de Sousa on December 03, 2008, 11:45:10 PM
Thank you, David.
Here are some pics from our garden this week.
A delightful dwarf Peruvian Lily, Alstroemeria hookeri,
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The late afternoon flowering Moraea gracilenta.
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And a nicely flowered Dianthus haematocalyx ssp pindicola, grown from Seedex seed,
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The powdery-silver Salvia cryptantha with mauve flowers from pinky-purple bracts,
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A different form of Pelargonium triste which I got a nursery at Lara,
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The first flowers on Acantholimon hohenackeri,
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Cheers
fermi
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Lvandelft on December 04, 2008, 06:40:51 AM

A delightful dwarf Peruvian Lily, Alstroemeria hookeri,
The late afternoon flowering Moraea gracilenta.

fermi   

Fermi, what a beauty, this Alstroemeria. Thank you for showing the whole place where it grows in the garden.
It tells a lot about what it likes.
And seeing the Dianthus haematocalyx ssp pindicola, does it grow in the same (soil) circumstances?

Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: ian mcenery on December 04, 2008, 12:19:49 PM
Fermi great to have you back delighting us with your wonderful plants
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Armin on December 04, 2008, 04:39:13 PM
Fermi,
this salvia is extraordinary too :o
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Michael on December 04, 2008, 07:05:38 PM
i particularly like the Pelargonium. Very unusual pattern :)
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: mark smyth on December 04, 2008, 07:21:11 PM
Fermi your P. triste looks like mine
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: fermi de Sousa on December 08, 2008, 02:07:02 AM
Fermi, what a beauty, this Alstroemeria. Thank you for showing the whole place where it grows in the garden.
It tells a lot about what it likes.
And seeing the Dianthus haematocalyx ssp pindicola, does it grow in the same (soil) circumstances?
Hi Luit,
The dianthus is growing in a different part of the garden but a similar raised bed mulched with gravel. It is fairly exposed to the elements, with a lot of sunshine. I do water that part of the garden during really dry periods but not excessively due to dormant bulbs in the area. If the late spring is dry the alstroemeria also gets a bit of artificial watering otherwise it tends to go dormant without flowering! This year we got enough rain so I haven't had to water it much.
BTW the ixias have nearly gone dormant!

Fermi your P. triste looks like mine
Hi Mark,
this is the second form of P. triste that I grow and it came from Roraima nursery down on the coast. The one I showed earlier was the one I grew from seed from Silverhill Seeds in RSA. Did I send you seed of it?
Here's a few things in the garden,
Clematis "Hagley Hybrid"
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A red/orange flowering pelargonium which I also got from Roraima Nsy,
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This is a bad shot of its pinnate foliage,
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Does anyone know which species it is?
Cheers
fermi
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on December 08, 2008, 09:17:49 AM
Great show Fermi !!!  :D
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 08, 2008, 10:13:26 AM
Howdy All,

Some stuff in flower here at the moment (Yes, I've finally caught up.... well on my garden pictures anyway.  Still plenty of the Aussie Native pictures to post)

Click on the pic to see a larger version.

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A double mauve Campanula which I don't have a name for.  Quite a delicate little thing to less than 30cm tall.  Doesn't seem to spread much either.  I'm sure I've asked about a name for this before, but I don't think we ever came up with one?

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Cypella aquatilis, flowering madly at the moment in a bog/water bowl.

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Dicentra macrocapnos, which I think I read recently is no longer that genus, but instead is something relatively unpronounceable.  ::)

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Geranium 'Summer Skies'

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Linaria vulgaris is a bit of a thug, but I still love it.  Flowers for such a long period.

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This was photographed at a friend's garden.  Magnolia sieboldii
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 08, 2008, 10:24:06 AM
Some Cactus for those who are interested.....

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An Echinocereus that flowers prolifically at this time every year.

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Neoporteria napina, with it's flower larger than the plant.  ;D

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Parodia mairanana produces flowers almost all year around.  This is about a 15cm pot at the most, so there are a lot of offsets packed in there with more of them coming into flower all the time.

And a few other things....

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This is named Ornithogalum 'Chesapeake Snowflake' here in Aus.

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A couple of waterlilies in some of my water features.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: David Nicholson on December 08, 2008, 02:01:42 PM
Your garden must be a pleasure to see at this time of year Paul.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on December 08, 2008, 07:25:08 PM
Lots of variety there Paul !
The double geranium is a real gem  :o how tall does it grow ???
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 08, 2008, 08:42:10 PM
David,

My garden is a mess at the moment.... too stuffed after work to get anything done.  ::)

Luc,

The geranium gets to between 30 and 40cm tall.  Flowers well too.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Lvandelft on December 08, 2008, 11:13:09 PM
A double mauve Campanula which I don't have a name for.  Quite a delicate little thing to less than 30cm tall.  Doesn't seem to spread much either.  I'm sure I've asked about a name for this before, but I don't think we ever came up with one?

Paul, Campanula trachelium 'Bernice is a possibility, but this grows here about 50 cm.
But looking at the leaves it might be something like C. trachelium or macrantha etc.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 09, 2008, 02:23:18 AM
Thanks Luit.  I'll look them up when I get the chance.  That's way more than I had to go on before. 8)
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Otto Fauser on December 09, 2008, 05:08:24 AM
A double mauve Campanula which I don't have a name for.  Quite a delicate little thing to less than 30cm tall.  Doesn't seem to spread much either.  I'm sure I've asked about a name for this before, but I don't think we ever came up with one?

Paul, Campanula trachelium 'Bernice is a possibility, but this grows here about 50 cm.
But looking at the leaves it might be something like C. trachelium or macrantha etc.
     

  Paul,
 I too think it could be C. trachelium 'Bernice', which was available from David Glenn , and other nurseries.
      Otto.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 09, 2008, 05:10:13 AM
Paul,
 I too think it could be C. trachelium 'Bernice', which was available from David Glenn , and other nurseries.
      Otto.
Otto,

Thanks for the confirmation that it is here in Australia.  I picked it up at a nursery somewhere without a name, so good chance it originated somewhere down there at some stage.

Thanks again.
P.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 10, 2008, 11:01:39 AM
I have got to post a pic of something that opened for me today.... Deinanthe caerulea  I am SO chuffed.  Otto gave this to me when I was down there visiting, and to be honest I had no idea what it was and I never got around to looking it up.  When the first flower opened today I was amazed.  I had no idea what to expect, but it certainly wasn't this!!!  The pic shows this as mauve/lavender, when it is really a beautiful blue.  I'll try to get a better pic of the colour at some point in a different light, but I couldn't wait to post the pics up so I did it anyway.  The flower is just so different.  I hope that this isn't a common plant overseas and that everyone doesn't just think "so what".... it certainly isn't common to me, that is for sure!!  ;D

Thank you SO much Otto.  I am totally blown away.  8)

Added 11-12-08 : Actually, the colour in this pic is spot on.  It IS a lovely lavender colour not true blue.  ::)  I think my brain is turning to mush!  :o
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on December 10, 2008, 11:13:28 AM
Fab plant, Paul.... in the Hydrangeaceae..... correct spelling of name is Deinanthe caerulea
The flower certainly puts me more in mind of a passiflora,  than a hydrangea.  :)
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 10, 2008, 11:19:34 AM
Sorry Maggi, that would be my lysdexic typing (well actually my reading from the tag obviously).  ;)   I've corrected the name.
We too commented on the Passiflora-like flowers, but the funny little "bract" near the buds is very hydrangea-like.  Never seen anything quite like it, so VERY cool.  8)

Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 11, 2008, 05:16:48 AM
Howdy All,

I've just updated the closeup pic of the flower of the Deinanthe.... it didn't seem to be able to open up the larger version, so I have put a new one up there and it seems to be working now.  Just wanted to let people know in case they had tried and it didn't work.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Gerdk on December 11, 2008, 06:52:34 AM
Paul,
Either you are a superb photographer or you have an extraordinary large flowering plant (or both?). I never noticed so good looking flowers on my plant - now I am aware of that it is something very special!

Gerd
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 11, 2008, 06:58:56 AM
Gerd,

Each of the two flowers I have out currently on the plant (2 separate shoots, the first flower on each) are around 3.5cm across. The flowers angle downwards, at around 45' or so.  The plant in total is approximately 25cm tall.

So does that put me into the "superb photographer" or "extraordinarily large flowering plant" category?  ;D
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Lvandelft on December 11, 2008, 07:21:20 AM
Paul this is indeed a super picture of Deinanthe.
Really a so called "must have"plant. I grow it somewhere in the shade and must have made pics of
it too, but never managed to make such one like yours, because its flowers are hanging a bit and
the plant with me is rather low by the ground.
I presume your plant is still in a pot? I don't believe it likes being in pots too long. :-\
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 11, 2008, 07:29:10 AM
Luit,

Yes, the plant is still in a pot.  I will be keeping it there too I think, as I will be able to keep track of it (And therefore look after it) better there.  I'm intending to pot it carefully up into a bigger pot very soon, disturbing it as little as possible, just to give it some more root insulation for summer as it is in a small pot at the moment.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: fermi de Sousa on December 11, 2008, 07:52:46 AM
A few more from our place.
The first is a Pelargonium rapaceum I got last year from Garry and Sue Reid who sell a lot of bulbs, especially from South AFrica.
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It has foliage which is reminescent of a pulsatilla!
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The next is also from the Reids as Zephyranthes zeymeri,
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A new flower is Alstroemeria diluta which was from last year's NARGS Seedex,
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It's a bit elongated from being grown in the shadehouse, I think.
Conanthera campanulata flowers in the garden each summer but seems to be starting earlier.
A bit hard for me to capture on film; I'll have to invest in a piece of grey cardboard! ;D
[attachthumb=8]
Another new flower is a tiny penstemon, P. caespitosa, raised from NARGS Seedex 2004,
[attachthumb=9]
cheers
fermi

Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 11, 2008, 07:58:00 AM
Fermi,

All great stuff!!  Love the Pelargonium in particular.  Thoroughly enjoying the red one I got from you in September (which you posted pics of here recently) at the moment.  Have you noticed that unlike most Pelargoniums I've seen it keeps shooting new flowerheads from the fork at the top of the flowering stem?  It has the the almost pinnate leaves at the bottom, then the flowering stem, and at the top there is a "branch" from which new flowers are appearing.  I have 3 flowerheads produced so far, but no idea whether there will be more.  Such a great red too.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: mark smyth on December 11, 2008, 09:06:34 AM
Paul are you talking about P. 'Ardens'?
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 11, 2008, 09:55:17 AM
Mark,

No, although that is one I covet badly for that glorious colour.  Midway down the first page of this topic Fermi posted a pic of a red Pelargonium that he has in flower at the moment, plus a pic of it's leaves.  I got a pot of it from him when I was visiting in September and it is flowering for me to.  Great colour, and interesting leaves, but I have never seen quite the arrangement of the buds on the stems before.  I have taken a pic of mine if you're interested?
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: David Nicholson on December 11, 2008, 10:02:40 AM
Nice Fermi. The Zephyranthes and the Conanthera take my eye in particular. I'm growing Conanthera campanulata from seed so now I know what to look forward to in a couple of years time.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: fermi de Sousa on December 14, 2008, 10:24:40 PM
Nice Fermi. The Zephyranthes and the Conanthera take my eye in particular. I'm growing Conanthera campanulata from seed so now I know what to look forward to in a couple of years time.
Hi David,
there are a few other conanthera species that are worth growing and more showy that this one; I'm hoping to get a few more from seed soon.
This morning I got a couple of pics in the garden,
Oenothera missouriensis,
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And O. acaulis
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A spiny dianthus which I'm told is now D. webbianus, but I know as D. erinaceus,
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And if you liked the zephyranthes, here's the promise of things to come after the rain on the weekend!
[attachthumb=5]

[attachthumb=6]
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: David Nicholson on December 15, 2008, 02:51:43 PM
Hi Fermi, it will be a year or two before I can risk any Zephyranthes out in the garden. Thanks to Hans Joschco I have seed growing from Z. chlorosolen, Z primulina and Z smalli.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: ian mcenery on December 15, 2008, 05:16:52 PM
Paul that Deinanthe is lovely and a favourite of mine. Its name apparently means "wondrous flower" a very apt description. I am suprised that it does so well in Oz as it seems to like water shade and cool here
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Rogan on December 15, 2008, 09:54:34 PM
December is a special month, not only due to the fact that it is X-mas, but also because it is Disa uniflora season! I do not grow many orchids, but for some reason D. uniflora does well here (some seasons), despite it being sub-tropical. This is the true wild species from Table Mountain (I wouldn't grow any other...):
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 15, 2008, 10:00:33 PM
Rogan,

Beautiful!!

Ian,

It is only new to me this year thanks to Otto in Victoria, but it is so far looking pretty decent.  One can but hope.  How long does it remain above ground for you?  Does it stick through the whole of summer?  If guess as a reference I should also ask how long Trillium stay above ground for you as well, as that is so dependent on microclimates.  A friend here in Canberra has Trilliums that remain above ground for at least 6 weeks more than mine do, yet both hers and mine flower just fine.  Obviously my higher sun in my garden forces them dormant earlier, but gives them more food while they're in growth so they still end up flowering.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Rogan on December 15, 2008, 10:06:54 PM
While we're on the subject of orchids, here's another charming little fellow that has taken a liking to the many Cupressus trees that grow in and around Pietermaritzburg. Mystacidium capense has 'naturalised' itself and flowers in countless thousands on the branches and trunks of these trees during December - a very remarkable sight indeed:
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on December 15, 2008, 10:14:33 PM
Quote
Mystacidium capense has 'naturalised' itself and flowers in countless thousands on the branches and trunks of these trees during December - a very remarkable sight indeed:

Now that's what I call a good Christmas decoration !  8)
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Lvandelft on December 15, 2008, 10:17:35 PM
WOW, that would be something to have naruralised in here our Dutch garden, Rogan.  8)
But think I will have to remain dreaming.  ;D
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: ian mcenery on December 15, 2008, 11:27:52 PM
Paul mine pretty much stays above ground all summer but will sulk if it gets hot and then the foliage suffers. My original plant was from Jack Drake and I planted it in too much sun- here you have to remember this is Britain. I only found out what a marvellous plant it was when I moved it to a more shady position and kept in moist. Funny how perceptions of what the perfect climate would be for this because until I moved it to more sheltered quarters it never flowered and I would never have thought anything hotter or drier might be suitable. There is obviously more to this gardening lark than I thought :-\.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 16, 2008, 12:29:25 AM
Ian,

Mine came from Otto this season, so buds would already have been set up I assume?  I have it in morning sun and it can still get pretty warm where it is, but I do keep the water up to it mostly (has wilted a bit a couple of times without any apparent harm).  I've just carefully repotted it into a bigger pot to give it more nutrients, root insulation, and water holding capacity.  That was maybe a week ago and it is still looking fine so I think it was successful.  Same with the Cypripedium that I received at the same time..... it also repotted and looking OK.  I'll be hoping for flowers from both next year.  If it gets too warm I can move them to the shadehouse, but I thought that both would like some morning sun rather than full shade.  At the moment while it is working I am not moving them!!  ;D

Here, The Trilliums are already looking rather sad, but in Lyn's garden I am sure they are still looking fine.  They'll be dormant here within a few weeks, then their noses will appear again about April or so, before starting to shoot in about August/September.  Just to give you an idea of how long they're in growth, for relative climate info.  Then again, our sun here is stronger, so should actually create more nutrients while they are in growth, which is why I think the shorter growing season in my garden doesn't seem to bother them.  ???
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 16, 2008, 02:17:30 AM
I did my best to filch the Deinanthe while Paul wasn't looking, when we were at Otto's, but he noticed. Wish I'd been sneakier.

Two manukas or Leptospermums in flower at present are L. lanigerum, an Australian species from 2004 seed and about 2 metres in height so far.

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and this little one, a seedling from L. scoparium which like Topsy, "just growed." It's in a raised bed and will probably get too big but for now it is fairly prostrate. The colour is deeper, richer than the picture suggests, real crushed raspberry colour.

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Primula flaccida is looking surprisingly good considering how dry it has been until this last few days. These few are in the nursery and as there are both pin and thrum-eyed plants I've been banging their heads together (gently.)

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Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 16, 2008, 08:09:32 AM
Lesley,

Given some of the fantastic nursery plants of yours that you've posted here at times I think that a visit to your place would be truly heartbreaking, knowing that they I could take them home with me.  You grow some VERY nice plants for sale!!!!  8)

And I'm glad you weren't sneakier.  I never would have found out how wonderful the Deinanthe was if you had.... I just love it!  :D
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 16, 2008, 08:33:43 AM
Paul no heart break. You only get to see the tiny parts that are civilized here.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: t00lie on December 16, 2008, 09:00:21 AM
"You only get to see the tiny parts that are civilized here".
Sounds like my place as well Lesley.

Another couple of bulbs from seed.

Lilium medeoloides ---August 01 NZAGS.
A Japanese lily about 35cm in height.What i'd class as an apricot colour.

Lilium kelloggii --- Feb 03 AGS .
A West Coast American about 75cm tall.Soft pink with a yellow central stripe.Heavily spotted.

Only one flower on each plant ---which seems the norm here for most lilies having their first flowering.

Cheers dave.

Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 16, 2008, 09:55:26 AM
Lesley,

civilised or not, they're still very desirable plants!  ;)  If I was allergic to weeds I couldn't live at my place, that is for sure.  I'd most definitely be well and truly dead!  :o

Dave,

Great Liliums.  I noticed a species (or species hybrid) had opened at my place today as well, but it was just before dusk and I didn't check to see what it was or photograph it.  I think from memory it was a pardalinum hybrid, but not 100% sure.  I already have a couple of lilies in flower including L. candidum, regale and a striking asiatic called 'Tinos'.  Looks like it will be a good year for the Liliums this year though, as some very good stems on some of them.  I lost a bunch of species that got too warm a few years ago unfortunately, which was so disappointing.  If I get them again I will keep them in more shade.  Live and learn!!  ::)
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: fermi de Sousa on December 17, 2008, 01:27:24 AM
David,
your new lilies are lovely.
I can take no credit for this one as it was given to me for my birthday
Lilium amabile,
[attachthumb=1]
Alstroemeria angustifolia,
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Brodiea californica
[attachthumb=3]
cheers
fermi

Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: kiwi on December 17, 2008, 03:19:45 AM
Aroid time, best time of the year!
Bear with me I'm a virgin photo uploader.



Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 17, 2008, 03:20:24 AM
Did you get the message about seed Fermi? If possible I'd like to get it away tomorrow if you still want it. there are 17.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 17, 2008, 05:04:35 AM
Greetings Kiwi, or name unknown..... some lovely plants there.  Do you have names for them?  I recognise some, but am interested in others.

Fermi,

Love that Lilium, and that great Alstro species.  beautiful!!
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: kiwi on December 17, 2008, 05:25:27 AM
Hi Paul, a couple of the Arisaema are mutated so I added them for interest value.
Arisaema triphyllum
Arisaema formosanum
Arisaema taiwanense
Meconopsis sp.
Sauromatum venosum
Sauromatum venosum
Arisaema coninnum?

My favourate Arisaema are just emerging so stay tuned.All the best,
Doug.
P.S. Hows the Wallabies going this year? (dig dig)
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: kiwi on December 17, 2008, 05:50:00 AM
While someone is interested, here are some more Arisaema...
Arisaema thunbergii var urashima
Arisaema sikokianum
Arisaema franchetiaum
Arisaema tortuosum
The great Kiwi icon, Silver fern

Cheers,
Doug.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 17, 2008, 06:09:39 AM
Wonderful pics Doug.  Some very nice Arisaema in that lot, that is for sure.

The Wallabies aren't going as well as our cricketers!!  ;D
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: fermi de Sousa on December 17, 2008, 06:41:53 AM
Hi Paul,
Doug.
P.S. Hows the Wallabies going this year? (dig dig)
Hi Doug,
I think you'll find that Lesley is the only Southerner to follow the Thugby on the Forum ;D
Here are a few more from our garden.

Firstly a nice little Sub-shrub from Western America, Scutellaria suffrutescens,
[attachthumb=1]
And a couple of South African shrubs, Relhania pungens and Pelargonium sidioides
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a close up of the Relhania,
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And a rather large plant for the rather large Rock garden, a yucca we got (mis)-named as Y. brevifolia!
[attachthumb=4]
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 17, 2008, 07:22:52 AM
Fermi,

Is THAT what the Pelargonium sidioides looks like!?  :o  I was looking at buying it at the Ferny Ck show, but they didn't describe it as anywhere near that nice.  Should have bought one.  ::)
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Lvandelft on December 17, 2008, 09:26:42 AM
Lovely colour for a Scutellaria, Fermi. Thanks for showing.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 17, 2008, 09:33:59 AM
Luit,

I'm glad you mentioned that... I was so taken with the Pelargonium that I didn't even notice the Scutellaria pic.  That IS a nice pink, isn't it?  I have purple, purple and white, white and purple, and lemon yellow in the genus, but haven't seen a pink like that before.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 17, 2008, 07:10:35 PM
A VERY nice Scutellaria. You know the usual question Fermi. ;D
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: fermi de Sousa on December 18, 2008, 12:28:54 AM
A VERY nice Scutellaria. You know the usual question Fermi. ;D
I've never noticed any seed on this but I'll have a look later in the season.
Here's a quick look at a row of Habranthus in flower 4 days after the pic I posted on Dec 14!
[attachthumb=1]
I'll post a few more to the "Zephyranthes and other amaryllids" thread.
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 18, 2008, 07:42:45 PM
This is gorgeous Fermi. Which is it?
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 18, 2008, 10:03:10 PM
Fermi,

I have a flower on seedlings from Habranthus 'Russell Manning' (that is what I received the seed as).  The flower is similar to the foreground of your pic and the flower is absolutely massive.  The largest of any rainlily I have yet come across, although not as round as the grandiflora.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: fermi de Sousa on December 18, 2008, 11:55:31 PM
This is gorgeous Fermi. Which is it?
Hi Lesley,
the habranthus is a seedling I raised from H. "Russell Manning" which I presume is a selection of H. robustus; as Paul has said it has an enormous flower. Though the seedling isn't as large, it seems a bit more prolific. As can be seen in this pic taken yesterday evening.And yes it does seem to set viable seed, though I don't think I've flowered any of the next generation.
[attachthumb=3]
This is a pic to compare the size of RM against H. martinezii,
[attachthumb=1]
And for something different, the first flowering on Calochortus clavatus grown from AGS Seedex (?2005)
[attachthumb=2]
BTW,Lesley, I'll post a pic later to the iris thread which may be of interest to you ;D
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 19, 2008, 02:25:04 AM
I'll look forward to it. 8)
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Ross Graham on December 20, 2008, 10:22:40 PM
Wow thanks all the posters for showing the amazing things in there garden this month. It inspired me to post a couple of pics to show my puny weeds that are flowering right now in my Dunedin New Zealand garden:

Celmisia philocremna taken at the start of the month, now not looking so pretty

Leucogenies grandiceps

Myosotis oreophylla given to me by a friend of David lyttle and David Toollie, this is a rare plant and I think they are trying to propagate some to replant on site, not sure about that though. It grows on the North Dunstans  on the fellfields. Iv only seen it once, when I visted it with Prof Alan Mark, when I was a student

Aciphylla glaucescens flowering for the first time in my garden, every day it gets taller and I think it hasnt reached its tallest yet. It must take a huge amount of energy away from the plant.

If you want to see what was flowering in my garden earlier this year, in the spring, please visit this page on my website:
http://alpine-plants-new-zealand.110mb.com/Spring%202008.htm (http://alpine-plants-new-zealand.110mb.com/Spring%202008.htm)

Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: mark smyth on December 20, 2008, 10:53:41 PM
Fermi and Paul I think your Pelargonium is P. fulgidum. Are the leaves soft and downy? I have the pink form
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: mark smyth on December 20, 2008, 10:55:20 PM
Ross welcome to the SRGC forum. I would love to see larger photos of your plants
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Ross Graham on December 20, 2008, 11:13:16 PM
Thanks Mark, I will try and edit the post and put bigger pics Im new to this as you can guess.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 20, 2008, 11:17:05 PM
Mark,

Definitely more furry than some of them, that is for sure.  I like your pink as well.  8)
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: ranunculus on December 21, 2008, 12:08:58 AM
Welcome Ross ... great to see you on this forum ... kind regards and season's greetings to you and, of course, to Steve Newall.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Ross Graham on December 21, 2008, 01:02:36 AM
Hi Cliff,
I will say hi to him if I see him, although I dont see him much in the summer and autumn months although my wife is teaching his son Japanese, so I see his son alot.
This photo is for you:
Ranunculus serricophyllus taken this spring growing in a polystyrine trough.
Steve was quite impressed when he saw it.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: ranunculus on December 21, 2008, 02:50:17 AM
No wonder, Ross ... it's a stunner!
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: t00lie on December 21, 2008, 07:20:36 AM
Hello Ross.
Welcome to the forum.

You seem to be having more success than me at growing our native alpines.

What's the soil mix /ratios in your pots and troughs ?.
Ta.

Cheers dave


 
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Ross Graham on December 21, 2008, 07:29:00 PM
I use 1 part sieved bark 1 part sieved gravel 1/2 part peat. I think the trick is to re-pot regularly. I don't think my mix is that amazing, its just they need lots of Love!
You also need a big compost heap for all your failures. But seriously I do have a good location. When Steve looked at my plants he complained about the cold wind!
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: mark smyth on December 21, 2008, 09:29:50 PM
Fermi your Pelargonium sidoides looks like it is P. reniforme. Does it look like this?
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: fermi de Sousa on December 22, 2008, 12:24:50 AM
Fermi your Pelargonium sidoides looks like it is P. reniforme. Does it look like this?
Hi Mark,
no, the colour is much darker. I think my pic isn't very good for showing its true colour. It seems to match pics on the web for P. sidioides. I don't think I've got reniforme.
I think you're right about P. fulgidum, thanks for the ID.

Ross,
very nice to see you here and to see your plants.
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 22, 2008, 04:29:07 AM
Mark,

If the plant that they were selling at the show down there is the same as the one that Fermi has, then it is not reniforme.  I have reniforme (well that is what i bought it as anyway) and it has somewhat smaller leaves (in my conditions at least) that aren't the same shape.  I think I would have recognised reminforme if I saw it there?

So how big does reniforme grow for you Mark?  Stays quite small and slender here for me.  Survives the frost, although happier in more cover.  Delightful leaves and flowers, and such a stong colour.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: fermi de Sousa on December 22, 2008, 10:30:43 PM
Here's a close-up pic of the Pelargonium sidioides, which still doesn't capture the depth of colour but is closer than the previous one.
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on December 22, 2008, 10:33:32 PM
That is a good dark colour, Fermi.  :)
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on December 23, 2008, 08:38:14 AM
Great colour Fermi !!!
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 23, 2008, 08:54:59 AM
Wow!  :o
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: mark smyth on December 23, 2008, 08:11:42 PM
Would the colour be close to black?
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: fermi de Sousa on December 23, 2008, 10:05:33 PM
Would the colour be close to black?
Yes, Mark,
the colour is a blackish maroon, darker than in the pic.
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: maggiepie on December 23, 2008, 11:30:25 PM
How lovely!
I haven't seen any of this type of pelargonium before.

Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: fermi de Sousa on December 24, 2008, 12:37:35 AM
How lovely!
I haven't seen any of this type of pelargonium before.
It's one of the myriad of species from South Africa, I think.
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: t00lie on December 24, 2008, 07:42:49 AM
Another plant from South Africa Fermi is Gladiolus pappei.

Flowering quickly from seed --sown 20 March 2007 x NARGS.

Opens dark pink which fades after a day or two.

Cheers Dave
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: David Nicholson on December 24, 2008, 10:56:30 AM
Very nice Dave.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Hans J on December 24, 2008, 11:00:18 AM
Here's a close-up pic of the Pelargonium sidioides, which still doesn't capture the depth of colour but is closer than the previous one.
cheers
fermi

Hi Fermi ,

Do you make your own medicin from this plants ?
In Germany they sell it under "Umkaloabo"
Never seen this plant before - really nice !
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on December 24, 2008, 04:20:06 PM
Beautiful Gladi Dave - how tall does it grow ???
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: t00lie on December 25, 2008, 08:46:42 AM
Hello Luc

The plant stands at about 25 cm high---thin linear leaves.

Although our garden is classed as woodland i'm delighted on how well most of these later Cape bulbs cope with part shade.
Growing most of them in pots means i can move them under cover in winter to control moisture levels.
 
As a result of my continued fascination with the flora of that region i have many other species yet to flower,so it's going to be an interesting following year or so.

Cheers dave .
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 27, 2008, 09:39:07 PM
Howdy All,

A few Lilium that are in flower for me here in Canberra at the moment..... apologies to those who have already seen these on Lilium-L (although those were much smaller pictures of course).....

[attachthumb=1]
Lilium 'Orania'

[attachthumb=2]
Lilium occidentale x pardalinum

[attachthumb=3]
Lilium 'Tinos'

[attachthumb=4]
Lilium 'Triumphator'

Enjoy.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on December 27, 2008, 09:45:52 PM
Thanks for those, Paul.... 8)
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 27, 2008, 09:49:51 PM
You're welcome, Maggi!
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: maggiepie on December 27, 2008, 09:52:40 PM
Lilium 'Tinos' is very striking Paul.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 27, 2008, 10:35:18 PM
Helen,

Personally, I don't think the 'Tinos' photo ever does it justice either.  It is an asiatic, but the markings are quite intricate.  The contrasts just don't quite make it into a photo, no matter how many times you take it. ::)
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: annew on December 28, 2008, 10:40:05 AM
Your photos are superb, Paul.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 28, 2008, 11:13:22 AM
Why Thank You Anne, but I think you're over-rating them.  Now Cliff Booker's and a couple of other posters pics are superb, but mine most definitely are not up to a "superb" tag.  ;)  I do thank you for the compliment though.  ;D
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 31, 2008, 06:36:37 AM
Howdy All,

A few more Liliums that are in flower for me now, or were earlier this month....
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on December 31, 2008, 06:40:59 AM
And now some other stuff......

Arisaema candidissimum
Cyclamen intaminatum

Hypoxis nitida
and 3 Zantedeschia... 'Lilac Mist' (which is a VERY poor flowerer, to put it mildly!  Would never have bought it if I knew how few flowers it produces), a rehmanii hybrid (I think), and 'Sunrise'

I'll also post a couple of things in the Orchid, Aussie Natives, Wildlife, and Amaryllidaceae sections.

Enjoy.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Lvandelft on December 31, 2008, 08:16:55 AM
Thank you Paul. you brightened up this very grey, foggy and cold (-4C at the moment) morning
with your pictures.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on December 31, 2008, 08:25:19 AM
Wonderful pix Paul !!  So colourful and diverse.... marvelous !!
As Luit writes, all your colours make a change to the dark and cold winter days we're going through !
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: t00lie on December 31, 2008, 10:04:40 AM
A colour to match your current conditions Luc.

A clump of Lewisia seedlings raised from SRGC seed 2003/04 as L.brachycalyx.

However they have petals that appear misshaped and only open during sunny days which i understand applies to L.nevadensis and not L brachycalyx.

Followed by an unnamed Gladiolus species from Otago seed August 2003 --it is similar in flower shape to the G.italicus pic i posted a month ago in Nov in the Southern Hemisphere -- but has only 2 leaves per stem so i'm wondering whether it is G.kotschyanus.

Cheers dave.

Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on December 31, 2008, 10:39:33 AM
Another very fine Gladi Dave !!  8)
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: David Nicholson on December 31, 2008, 12:42:49 PM
Lovely colourful stuff folks.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Joakim B on January 07, 2009, 02:12:45 PM
Nice things love the colour.
Paul how Do You grow Your Zantedeschia? Do You have them in the ground or in Pots and do they grow wettish? Do they need winter protection at Your place that do get just below zero if I remember correctly or are they OK without protection?
The classic white grows well in Portugal and some of the smaller aslo grows but are really small compared with 1m foliage of the others.

Kind regards
Joakim

Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Michael J Campbell on January 07, 2009, 02:40:58 PM
Dave, you are correct, your Lewisia is nevadensis. It is difficult to get proper Brachycalyx seed from the exchanges.
I have the true plant and can send you some seed in the summer if they set seed this year. none last year because of the lack of sun. PM me if you are interested.
Cheers.
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Paul T on January 08, 2009, 11:12:09 AM
Nice things love the colour.
Paul how Do You grow Your Zantedeschia? Do You have them in the ground or in Pots and do they grow wettish? Do they need winter protection at Your place that do get just below zero if I remember correctly or are they OK without protection?
The classic white grows well in Portugal and some of the smaller aslo grows but are really small compared with 1m foliage of the others.

Joakim,

The Zantedeschia thrive for us here.  I grow them in pots or in the ground.  They don't require wet conditions, in fact some of the smaller colourful ones will I think rot if wet while dormant.  None of these coloured ones are anywhere near as big as the white ones (Zantedeschia aethopica_, but there is now a pale pink version of the aethopica, and there is a green and white form called "Green Goddess".  I do not know whether these are any less frost hardy than the straight species.  They are fine here in our temps, which can get down to -9'C some years (although not the last couple), with no snow cover (snow is a rare event here).  Even with that cold they are fine in pots, so they must be able to stand a decent amount of cold as the black plastic pots I grow them in would magnify the cold to a certain degree.  I give them no special attention, other than trying to give them a bit more water when in growth (this can increase their size, both in leaves and in flower) and some slow release fertiliser on the years that I actually get around to repotting them (which isn't that common). 

They are a great plant here and I look forward to them every year.  They are not as floriferous for me as they could be, because they don't get as much water as they would perhaps like, but I still get flowers from them anyway.  They just don't clump up quite as quickly.  Is any of that information of any use?  Is there any other information that I can provide? 
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Joakim B on January 08, 2009, 02:21:10 PM
Thanks a lot Paul I think that covered it all :) ;D
Funny that Portugal is warmer than Australia regarding minimum. At lest around the Lisbon area.
Just bought a small yellow and was thinking where to plant it. I have one under a Camelia and it is mostly foliage but have some flowers. Maybe a wetter place (due to watering) not to far away from the daylilies would be better?
Take care
Joakim
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Ezeiza on January 08, 2009, 03:28:07 PM
Hi Joakim:


                 The colored Zantedeschias belong to a cycle that is the opossite to that of aethiopica in all its forms. The colored Zantedeschias are DRY winter dormant, need good drainage and if you give swampy conditions to them, they will rot.

                  Z. aethiopica is mainly a summer dormant plant and although there are forms collected from higher altitudes that are hardy even in England, they have a geneti memory for summer dormancy and growth the rest of the year.

                  In this warm climate and if watered abundantly they grow year round and flower non stop.

Regards
Alberto
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Joakim B on January 08, 2009, 04:21:39 PM
Thanks Alberto for tha added information.
I had a feeling that they were not blooming the same time and good that You told me about the opposite cycles. This may also end up under the Camelia then.
Kind regards
Joakim
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Ezeiza on January 08, 2009, 05:25:44 PM
Hi Joakim:

                 Colored Zantedeschias and many other bulbs with an East African origin demand very drained soils and after a copious watering you let them dry a bit, then another good watering and so on. Not a constant degree of moisture or the leaves turn yellow and the rhizomes eventually rot.

                 In full sun and under proper conditions they clump well. The clump must not be divided for as long as possible. This is why they look so poorly in small pots. Whne in a large tub or rsied bed they produce powerful clumps with plenty of flowers. As soon as the color fades, the flower must be removed or useless seed will take the energy off the plant.


Good luck
Title: Re: December 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere
Post by: Joakim B on January 08, 2009, 05:51:16 PM
Alberto thanks for the great advice.
Hopefully it will grow better now.
I killed a few in Sweden trying to o have them in pots and over winter in a protected isolated spot.
Here in Portugal they are much better of.
All the best
Joakim
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