Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => Flowers and Foliage Now => Topic started by: Hans A. on February 02, 2010, 10:49:20 AM

Title: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hans A. on February 02, 2010, 10:49:20 AM
Urtica bianorii (Knoche) - the only member of this genus which I am really glad it likes my garden. It is an beautiful, endemic species of Mallorca/Balearic Island - a near relative to U. atrovirens.
(Apart of the beauty of this plant also the name of the person who described it is interesting 8))
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on February 02, 2010, 11:12:26 AM
That is a very smart looking nettle, Hans.

That Knoche fellow has often been busy in your islands describing the plants, hasn't he?  8)  ;)
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hans A. on February 02, 2010, 11:47:48 AM
Yes it seems so - but I still did not met him here...  ;)
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on February 02, 2010, 12:40:37 PM
Yes it seems so - but I still did not met him here...  ;)

Really? Perhaps he is very shy?  ::) :D
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gerdk on February 02, 2010, 01:39:10 PM
That is a very smart looking nettle, Hans.

That Knoche fellow has often been busy in your islands describing the plants, hasn't he?  8)  ;)


Thanks god it wasn't me whose name is associated with a stinging nettle   ;) - it is Hermann
Knoche, who wrote 'Flora Balearica' for instance.

Gerd
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on February 02, 2010, 02:44:51 PM
Now, Gerd, don't be hard on Hermann.... it is a very nice nettle and he spends time to describe Euphorbia etc also!  :D
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gerdk on February 02, 2010, 06:34:02 PM
Of course - an interesting plant and a famous botanist. Just a joke!  ;)

Gerd
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hans A. on February 03, 2010, 01:23:26 PM
 ;D ;D ;D ;)
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Stephenb on February 03, 2010, 05:21:42 PM
Urtica bianorii (Knoche) - the only member of this genus which I am really glad it likes my garden. It is an beautiful, endemic species of Mallorca/Balearic Island - a near relative to U. atrovirens.
(Apart of the beauty of this plant also the name of the person who described it is interesting 8))

Wow!! Thanks for showing that beauty.... As a self-confessed Nettle-nerd I've never seen that one before - well, i have a picture of this species at Kew, but it is wrong.

If you ever see seed, please think of me and I'll make it worth your while..... :)

Is it now recognised as a separate species? I've seen it as a Urtica atrovirens ssp bianorii.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hans A. on February 04, 2010, 07:33:10 AM
Stephen I will keep an eye on this nettle for seeds, it appeared in various locations in the garden and especially in seedpots for other species, so it should be possible to collect some.  ;)
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hans A. on February 07, 2010, 05:25:34 PM
Leucojum aestivum subsp. pulchellum in flower here.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Mike Ireland on February 09, 2010, 10:45:16 AM
First day with the sun out for ages.  A few plants in flower.
Adonis amurensis
Adonis amurensis from seed ex Japan
Cyclamen coum
Hepatica nobilis from seed ex Japan

Mike
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Diane Whitehead on February 10, 2010, 01:13:10 AM
Did you buy the Adonis amurensis seed from a Japanese
company, or was it sent to an exchange? 
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Diane Whitehead on February 10, 2010, 01:33:02 AM
I do have some little plants in flower - like Trillium ovatum
maculosum which keeps to its California timetable, and
Synthyris missurica.

It is so much easier to stand up and photograph the many
shrubs that are flowering.  I didn't even have to go outside
for this picture of Camellia Cornish Snow, outside the window
where I have kept my pepper plants since digging them up
in the fall.  I've been harvesting them all winter.  This one
is Cambuci, a type of Friar's Hat.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Mike Ireland on February 10, 2010, 11:42:27 AM
Diane
The seed of the adonis was a swap with a Japanese grower who I made contact with through a site called GardenWeb.  http://www.gardenweb.com/
I germinated the one plant from a batch of 50 seeds, not a high success rate.  The grower used a powder to sterilize the seed before he sent it to me, not sure if this would have effected the viability of the seed.

Mike
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Ragged Robin on February 10, 2010, 12:09:13 PM
First day with the sun out for ages.  A few plants in flower.
Adonis amurensis
Adonis amurensis from seed ex Japan
Cyclamen coum
Hepatica nobilis from seed ex Japan

Mike

Mike, what a glorious Adonis amurensis - a bowl of sunshine beautifully shot; as are all your plants.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Ragged Robin on February 10, 2010, 12:12:58 PM
Quote
...This one is Cambuci, a type of Friar's Hat

Diane, is it very hot?
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Diane Whitehead on February 10, 2010, 04:09:35 PM
The "petals" are not hot at all and the centre is a little hot. Seeds available.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Michael J Campbell on February 10, 2010, 09:23:46 PM
Romulea tetragona
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Armin on February 10, 2010, 09:51:12 PM
Very beautiful flower. 8)
Is it winter hard, Michael?
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Michael J Campbell on February 10, 2010, 10:00:01 PM
Armin,that one is in the greenhouse but I have some planted out in a unprotected bulb frame and I will know in a few weeks how Hardy it is. They have survived for five years outside but we usually get mild Winters, this year has been the coldest for over 50 years. The foliage looks fine so I might be lucky as the frame is facing south and is close to the house and that affords it a little protection
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: David Nicholson on February 11, 2010, 09:42:39 AM
Lovely Romulea Michael.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Michael J Campbell on February 11, 2010, 04:37:28 PM
I found this little Cyclamen alpinum at the back of the greenhouse today.

Cyclamen alpinum
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Mike Ireland on February 12, 2010, 04:43:49 PM
Some seed from Myosotis glabrescens was accidentally dropped, not all was picked up.  Over the winter months it has germinated in the tufa in the greenhouse.  I think I shall have to leave it where it is.

Mike
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on February 12, 2010, 04:54:43 PM
That's a bit of luck, Mike.... great looking little plants there.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: johnw on February 12, 2010, 05:44:09 PM
A few plants in flower today:

Naricissus pallidiflora ex
2 shots Primula William Earle
Tecopilaea cyanocrous Leichtlinii

johnw   - +5c and overcast
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: daveyp1970 on February 12, 2010, 06:47:26 PM
these are few pics of my baby Cyclamen hederifolium seedlings different leaf forms and a couple of a minuter florist cyclamen with nice leaves.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: David Nicholson on February 12, 2010, 08:10:16 PM
Ipheion (or whatever it's called today!) 'Charlotte Bishop'

Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: annew on February 12, 2010, 10:07:23 PM
A lot of promise in those seedlings.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: daveyp1970 on February 12, 2010, 10:26:45 PM
Anne these are the first cyclamen i have grown from seed and it was with the kind advice from the people on this forum that they are here,there is plenty more to come just waiting for my coum to show there first leaf and i can take them out of the dark.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: johnw on February 14, 2010, 12:18:48 AM
Dave - A very smart-looking dwarf persicum.

johnw
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: WimB on February 14, 2010, 07:36:19 AM
Bought this one this winter and I haven't been able to plant it out, since it is still freezing here in Belgium. Now it's flowering inside.

Soldanella 'Spring Symphony'
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: David Nicholson on February 14, 2010, 09:59:55 AM
Nice Wim, I have failed miserably with every Soldanella I have tried.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: WimB on February 14, 2010, 10:08:07 AM
Thanks David,

they seem to like a place in the shade, a leafy soil and not drying up in summer.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gail on February 14, 2010, 10:15:18 AM
Looks lovely Wim, I've just bought this one from Edrom nursery but it's not flowering yet.  I really like soldanellas and grew S. villosa for a few years until my chickens got a taste for it.  I was intrigued to see that in the last four years of the AGS online show there has not been a single entry in the Soldanella class so presumably other people find them difficult??
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: fleurbleue on February 14, 2010, 10:36:34 AM
I read once it needs no water from 1st November to 1st March  ;) as it was under snow  :D
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hristo on February 14, 2010, 03:51:39 PM
Possibly the smallest bulb / flower we have growing in the rock garden;
Gagea minima
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Ragged Robin on February 14, 2010, 04:21:45 PM
Just shows that: 'small is beautiful" Hristo  :)
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hristo on February 14, 2010, 05:35:55 PM
True RR, though small is also bad knees and back as you lie down on the cold,cold ground to take a picture!! ;) ;) :D

Also flowering today, Galanthus elwesii, or as it is known here, 'Snow Knots', or 'Snow Buns' ( Bun as in a knot of hair ) These ones came with the garden and are getting big year on year as we dump more and more sawdust and bark on the garden.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: WimB on February 14, 2010, 05:43:14 PM
@ Gail: They don't seem to have any problems growing here.
One of my S. montana's flowering last year is here:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3329.msg85314#msg85314

@Nicole: it gets water here during the entire year (Belgium = constantly raining  ;))
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gail on February 14, 2010, 05:49:10 PM
Lovely picture Wim - I feel a new addiction coming on....
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on February 14, 2010, 07:53:59 PM
Love your Soldanella Wim...
I could never get them to flower properly here... so I gave up !  :( :'(
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Ragged Robin on February 15, 2010, 09:47:10 AM
Wim your Soldanella 'Spring Symphony' is a beautiful colour - I am going to try growing them here one day  8)
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: WimB on February 15, 2010, 11:48:58 AM
@ Gail, at least it will not be a very expensive addiction, there seem to be no more then 25 species, some crosses and some 'alba' forms. So you can try to collect them all!!  ;)

@ Luc, they really aren't that hard to grow over here if you give them shade and a good leafy soil

@ Robin, you really shouldn't have any problem growing them where you live, I think they would really like it in Valais  ;)
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Mike Ireland on February 16, 2010, 11:10:47 AM
The sun decided to shine this morning which helped the Adonis amurensis open a few more flowers. The foliage just starting to unfurl in the second picture.

Mike
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hristo on February 16, 2010, 01:29:54 PM
Very nice indeed Mike, how old is this plant?
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Mike Ireland on February 16, 2010, 04:52:06 PM
Hristo, this plant was purchased from Rob Potterton in late 2005.  January 2006 was the first time of flowering for me.
The photo is from 2006.
Mike
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hristo on February 16, 2010, 05:18:40 PM
It's certainly done some growing for you Mike! Adonis amurensis is in the open garden here, was going to flower for the first time in Bulgaria but something took a fancy to half the flower bud! :'(
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Michael on February 17, 2010, 03:53:20 PM
Another bunch of a few random things currently blooming.

Scadoxus puniceus (Hans how's the one i sent you 2y ago?)
(http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab183/Michael_Benedito/Amaryllidaceae/IMG_1560.jpg)
(http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab183/Michael_Benedito/Amaryllidaceae/IMG_1561.jpg)

Hesperantha vaginata:
(http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab183/Michael_Benedito/Iridaceae/IMG_1283-1.jpg)
(http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab183/Michael_Benedito/Iridaceae/IMG_1268.jpg)
(http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab183/Michael_Benedito/Iridaceae/IMG_1271.jpg)
(http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab183/Michael_Benedito/Iridaceae/IMG_1277-1.jpg)

A Restrepia, aka "cockroach orchid" according to my mother.
(http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab183/Michael_Benedito/Orchidaceae/IMG_1620.jpg)
(http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab183/Michael_Benedito/Orchidaceae/IMG_1627.jpg)
(http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab183/Michael_Benedito/Orchidaceae/IMG_1618.jpg)
(http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab183/Michael_Benedito/Orchidaceae/IMG_1686.jpg)

Dendrochilum glumaceum (with a heavenly scent!!)
(http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab183/Michael_Benedito/Orchidaceae/IMG_1696.jpg)
(http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab183/Michael_Benedito/Orchidaceae/IMG_1698.jpg)
(http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab183/Michael_Benedito/Orchidaceae/IMG_1699.jpg)

Masdevallia penecaniceps (a definite pelican!)
(http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab183/Michael_Benedito/Orchidaceae/IMG_1524.jpg)
(http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab183/Michael_Benedito/Orchidaceae/IMG_1514.jpg)
(http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab183/Michael_Benedito/Orchidaceae/IMG_1509.jpg)
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hans J on February 17, 2010, 04:25:18 PM
Michael ,

I have sent you a PM

Hans
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: WimB on February 17, 2010, 05:09:16 PM
Nice pictures Mike.
I like the Hesperantha vaginata, looks a bit like a tulip.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Mike Ireland on February 18, 2010, 02:48:43 PM
Iris Katharine Hodgkin starting to flower in the cold greenhouse.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gail on February 18, 2010, 03:27:27 PM
And looking lovely Mike!  Which tropaeolum is scrambling over her?
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Mike Ireland on February 18, 2010, 03:57:39 PM
Gail
There are two tropaeolum growing in the bench, azureum & tricolorum.  The T. tricolorum usually covers the outside of the south side of the greenhouse as in the second photo from last year.

Mike
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gail on February 18, 2010, 04:05:44 PM
Wow Mike that's astonishing!  I thought I was doing well with a small potful of tricolorum!  It survives the winter outside here but won't flower, I keep a potful in the lean-to to ensure flowers.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: angie on February 18, 2010, 06:07:55 PM
Michael I am so jealous loved Dendrochilum glumaceum, just wish I could spell the perfume. Amazing Scadoxus.
Angie :)
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hristo on February 19, 2010, 05:18:14 PM
Mike,those tropaeolums are stunners!
More of the samll and yellow here;
Gagea lutea and Ranunculus ficaria
and hiding under a penstemon;
Iris x 'Dance On'
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gail on February 19, 2010, 05:28:23 PM
They're nice Chris - is the iris one of Alan McMurtrie's hybrids?
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hristo on February 19, 2010, 05:32:27 PM
Hi Gail,
Yes indeed it is, I have a soft spot for them and they are performing well in the open garden.
Do you grow any of Alan's hybrids?
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gail on February 19, 2010, 05:43:19 PM
I think I have 'Approaching Storm' and 'Velvet Smile' (but labels have gone walk-about).  I'm thinking of placing an order to Latvia so that may increase!
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hristo on February 19, 2010, 05:55:35 PM
Gail, get in there now, this is the lst year that some of the cultivars will be available from Janis.
Leonid Bonderenko has some interesting retics too.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Michael J Campbell on February 19, 2010, 08:49:51 PM

Cyclamen coum bed is coming to life.

Cyclamen coum bed 1
Cyclamen bed bed 2, I see a few imposter's have crept into this bed.
Leucojum vernum var carpaticum Podpolozje. I have some difficulty keeping this one going.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Armin on February 19, 2010, 09:21:24 PM
Michael,
nice Leucojum vernum var. carpaticum with two flowers per stem and yellow tips 8)
How long do you grow it already?
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Michael J Campbell on February 19, 2010, 09:28:08 PM
Armin, I have it three years but it did not flower last year and is making no effort to increase. I also have vernum var vernum which did not appear last year at all,but I see a nose appearing today.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Armin on February 19, 2010, 10:06:55 PM
Michael,

I lost L. vernum 3x times until I replaced my loamy soil by a sand/compost mix and deep planting (15-20cm). L. vernum does not like to dry out in summer and prefers cool conditions. I keep it moist and in shadow place. Placed in sun it is susceptile for Narcissus fly! Now it works!
If you give magnesia fertilizer yellow tips turn to green!

Same situation in my garden 1st. noses appeared.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: johnw on February 19, 2010, 10:38:23 PM
Leucojum vernum var carpaticum Podpolozje. I have some difficulty keeping this one going.

Michael - I too have had problems with this one.  I don't understand why that should be as the others all grow vigorously.

I got it from Janis several years ago in a group order with friends and dearly want it to thrive.

johnw  
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gail on February 22, 2010, 07:49:37 PM
I brought my Adonis inside so that they could dry off and open out.  They are such beautiful sunny flowers they really make me smile.  The yellow is the widely grown 'Fukujukai', the coppery coloured one is 'Chichibushinko' (from Paul Christian 3-4 years ago).  'Fukujukai' is meant to be sterile. does anyone know about the other?  I've been waving a paintbrush around so I hope it is fertile!
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on February 23, 2010, 10:58:00 AM
Two great looking plants Gail !
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: David Nicholson on February 23, 2010, 12:03:30 PM
I've never tried Adonis, maybe I should? Lovely plants Gail.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gail on February 23, 2010, 01:42:31 PM
I've lost a few in the open garden - don't know why.  But these seem happy in pots and are certainly worth a bit of effort.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hans A. on February 24, 2010, 08:23:43 AM
Some slugs love especially Adonis vernalis - they first ate those in my old garden and only afterwards Cypripedii.
Only could keep them alive for some years by using snail bait  - now the garden is free of both genera.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gail on February 24, 2010, 09:40:27 AM
Some slugs love especially Adonis vernalis - they first ate those in my old garden and only afterwards Cypripedii.
Only could keep them alive for some years by using snail bait  - now the garden is free of both genera.
I wonder if it was slugs which had my Adonis vernalis.  I've currently got four ducks and they are doing a brilliant job of hoovering up all slugs/snails so I may have another go with the Adonis in the garden.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: jomowi on February 24, 2010, 09:57:54 AM
I have had several Adonis outside for several years in moist  shady spots.  They will even self sow. The hardest job is to get them established for the first year, then they develop a better basal system, they can be  a bit untidy and break at the base.  Slugs have never bothered them so  I wonder if that is the problem or just being broken off, a little stick or other support is needed. 
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hristo on February 24, 2010, 05:41:20 PM
IThe yellow is the widely grown 'Fukujukai', the coppery coloured one is 'Chichibushinko'
Stunners Gail, Bravo!
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: angie on February 24, 2010, 06:50:02 PM
I have had several Adonis outside for several years in moist  shady spots.  They will even self sow. The hardest job is to get them established for the first year, then they develop a better basal system, they can be  a bit untidy and break at the base.  Slugs have never bothered them so  I wonder if that is the problem or just being broken off, a little stick or other support is needed. 

Well that's good to hear I was wandering if we could grow them in Aberdeen. I do like the yellow one Fukujukai. Would I be better starting them in a pot first or do you think straight into the garden.
Angie :)
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Roma on February 26, 2010, 10:11:39 PM
the snow has melted round this patch of Cyclamen coum, but Crocus imperati, eranthis hyemalis and Galanthus elwesii are just poking through.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Sinchets on February 27, 2010, 11:28:59 AM
Flowering now in the Sakar hills of southeast Bulgaria- Anemone apennina in a range of white and pastels shades.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Giles on February 27, 2010, 01:15:02 PM
Spring madness I'm afraid.....
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Giles on February 27, 2010, 01:19:22 PM
Peonies sprouting...
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Giles on February 27, 2010, 01:20:48 PM
Lots of Daphnes...
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Giles on February 27, 2010, 01:22:25 PM
..did I say LOTS of Daphnes...
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Giles on February 27, 2010, 01:28:34 PM
and some more..
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Giles on February 27, 2010, 01:36:49 PM
last Daphne (Darjeeling)
and some new hardlandscaping round the greenhouses.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on February 27, 2010, 01:38:59 PM
Goodness me, Giles.... is that a blink of sun you've had down there?

All looking good..... I do hope I live long enough to benefit from a fragrance button on the pc...... :-X
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Giles on February 27, 2010, 01:44:37 PM
..just putting on the 'Factor 50'...... 8)
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: WimB on February 27, 2010, 03:03:07 PM
Giles,

nice to see your spring is starting too.  :)

Flowering today in my garden:

Adonis amurensis 'Titibushinkou'
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Ragged Robin on February 27, 2010, 03:45:20 PM
Roma I love your photos of the first plants of the year poking out of the snow in defiance  8)
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Ragged Robin on February 27, 2010, 03:48:34 PM
Giles, I love your Daphnes in the greenhouse it must smell amazing in there and what a stunning view across the countryside  :D

The Daphne with green flowers is interesting - is it all looks or scent as well?
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Giles on February 27, 2010, 06:22:10 PM
I don't think any of the green ones smell, Robin.
I've got laureola, pontica, albowiana,arisanensis and none of them smell.
Some clones of laureola are said to be fragrant, but I think they need to be fed with rocking horse manure......
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: David Nicholson on February 27, 2010, 06:42:43 PM
Spring has sprung then Giles. Lovely show.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: angie on February 27, 2010, 10:44:10 PM
Daphnes are so lovely, I can imagine the scent in the greenhouse, Hope you don't mind if I come down with my chair and sit in your greenhouse for a couple of days or so ::)
Angie :)
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gail on February 28, 2010, 08:04:08 AM
Daphnes are so lovely, I can imagine the scent in the greenhouse, Hope you don't mind if I come down with my chair and sit in your greenhouse for a couple of days or so ::)
Angie :)
:D That's a good idea Angie - I'll bring a flask of tea!
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hendrik Van Bogaert on February 28, 2010, 11:52:45 AM
Here in Belgium very bad weather! Strong wind and a lot of rain.

For the lovers of the unusual beauties, herewith some 'galactic' plants. Flowering today.

Hendrik
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: WimB on February 28, 2010, 01:30:31 PM
 :o :o :o

Very beautiful plants Hendrik
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: cohan on February 28, 2010, 11:52:44 PM
holy cow! i had no idea!
at first i thought you were showing us asclepiads...
some of these have leaves and some don't right now?
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: TheOnionMan on March 01, 2010, 12:19:14 AM
holy cow! i had no idea!
at first i thought you were showing us asclepiads...
some of these have leaves and some don't right now?

In some of the photos you can clearly see the stubs of leaf petioles that have been cut off, probably to show off the wonderfully bizarre flowers in unfettered manner.  Since Asarum are mostly evergreen plants, the older foliage might be a bit tatty by flowering time.  All however show fantastic flower forms!
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: cohan on March 01, 2010, 12:21:37 AM
looking at those asarums a little, first site i came on was this:
http://www.asiaticanursery.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/plants.viewCategory/catID/3/index.htm

thanks, hendrik--i could see the leaf stubs, but thought the leaves were still there..
i did also see a couple of deciduous forms on the site above, which also have nice colour on the new leaves..
these are your plants, or not?
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: David Sellars on March 01, 2010, 02:04:56 AM
It's still February here not far from Vancouver BC and and it has been warm for two months resulting in very early flowering.  Below is a tiny Primula allionii in tufa, some self seeded Androsace carnea subsp brigantiaca and Saxifraga oppositifolia 'Michaud'.  We also have lots of species rhododendrons in flower.  Rhododendron fulvum is one of my favourites.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Lori S. on March 01, 2010, 03:44:34 AM
Very nice, David.  Once the Olympic furor is safely over, we will likely make a spring trip out that way. 
So that's Androsace carnea ssp. brigantiaca - beautiful.  (I was given a seedling, grown from seedex seed, that turned out to be a rather weedy white brassicaceae.  I must get the real thing, one day.)
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: cohan on March 01, 2010, 04:44:40 AM
It's still February here not far from Vancouver BC and and it has been warm for two months resulting in very early flowering.  Below is a tiny Primula allionii in tufa, some self seeded Androsace carnea subsp brigantiaca and Saxifraga oppositifolia 'Michaud'.  We also have lots of species rhododendrons in flower.  Rhododendron fulvum is one of my favourites.

hard to believe we live in the same country...lol..nice beginning to the year
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: David Sellars on March 01, 2010, 05:47:11 AM
Lori:

The flowers currently on our Androsace carnea subsp brigantiaca are much tighter to the leaves than normal.  It usually flowers in mid-April with the flowers on stems a couple of cm long. I grew several plants from the AGCBC seed exchange and they lasted a couple of years but all died last summer.  The plants in the photo came up from naturally dispersed seed and are only about a year old. So the flowers tight to the foliage may be a combination of the early Spring here and the fact that the plants are immature.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Ragged Robin on March 01, 2010, 01:15:39 PM
It's still February here not far from Vancouver BC and and it has been warm for two months resulting in very early flowering.  Below is a tiny Primula allionii in tufa, some self seeded Androsace carnea subsp brigantiaca and Saxifraga oppositifolia 'Michaud'.  We also have lots of species rhododendrons in flower.  Rhododendron fulvum is one of my favourites.

First flowers are always special and these look lovely and very happy on your Alpine Rock Garden David - the Rhododendron fulvum is fantastic - how big will the plant grow?
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Giles on March 01, 2010, 01:50:22 PM
 8)
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hendrik Van Bogaert on March 01, 2010, 06:01:44 PM
holy cow! i had no idea!
at first i thought you were showing us asclepiads...
some of these have leaves and some don't right now?

In some of the photos you can clearly see the stubs of leaf petioles that have been cut off, probably to show off the wonderfully bizarre flowers in unfettered manner.  Since Asarum are mostly evergreen plants, the older foliage might be a bit tatty by flowering time.  All however show fantastic flower forms!

Yes, indeed, I have cut off the older leaves to show you better the bizarre flowers.
The older foliage is now a bit tatty; new leaves will come very soon.
Hendrik
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: fleurbleue on March 01, 2010, 06:09:48 PM
 Hi Hendrik,
Somebody told me that Asarum were pollinated by slugs entering in flowers  ??? Do you know if it's true ?  :)
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hendrik Van Bogaert on March 01, 2010, 06:54:04 PM
Hi Hendrik,
Somebody told me that Asarum were pollinated by slugs entering in flowers  ??? Do you know if it's true ?  :)

I have never heard that slugs are the pollinators; slugs are a real nuisance when you grow asarums;
that's the reason I grow them in pots, above ground level; if not all leaves and flowers will be eaten ....
I think that rather beetles and other crawling (soil) insects are responsible for the pollination.
Don't forget that this plants grows in woods and that their flowers are often burried by leaflitter.
Hendrik 
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: David Sellars on March 02, 2010, 03:54:15 AM
- the Rhododendron fulvum is fantastic - how big will the plant grow?

Our R. fulvum is about 3 m high.  According to Cox (Encyclopaedia of Rhododendron Species) it can grow to 9 m.  The foliage is dark green with dark brown indumentum underneath and the flowers are exquisite.  Here is a close-up.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Ragged Robin on March 02, 2010, 09:31:31 AM
Glorious in close up too, David, thanks for your description.
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: fleurbleue on March 02, 2010, 12:43:37 PM
Thank you Hendrik  ;) I thought there was something the matter  ::)
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on March 03, 2010, 04:21:20 PM
Please note folks.... some posts moved to the new March thread

http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=5093.0     :D
Title: Re: February 2010 Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gail on March 25, 2010, 12:22:29 PM
I don't think any of the green ones smell, Robin.
I've got laureola, pontica, albowiana,arisanensis and none of them smell.
Some clones of laureola are said to be fragrant, but I think they need to be fed with rocking horse manure......

My plant of D. laureola 'Margaret Mathew' is fragrant - it doesn't hit you in the same way as D. odora etc but is definitely pleasantly scented.  We have wild D. laureola in the hedge just up the lane from us.  I haven't walked that way since we lost the dog but used to enjoy the walk at this time of year because of the fragrance - sometimes elusive but on a warm day it was wonderful.  As an aside it was noticeable that those plants growing actually in the hedge which was regularly flayed each year generally looked sick whilst those growing in the ditch alongside which would have escaped the flayer were much healthier.
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