Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => Flowers and Foliage Now => Topic started by: fermi de Sousa on February 28, 2010, 11:29:05 PM
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The cooler weather over the weekend makes it feel like autumn, but we'll wait to see if the fire season is really over!
Still flowering nicely in the Rock garden are the Colchicums, this one is grown in our group as "Mrs Craig's Colchicum"; it's possibly a form of C. cilicium
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This is the C. cilicium I posted last month
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Cyclamen graecum is still in full swing
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Amongst the Aussie native plants, Halgania caerulea cyanea is impressively blue,
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cheers
fermi
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Nice Halgania, fermi... what family is it? Looks like boraginaceae :-\
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Nice Halgania, fermi... what family is it? Looks like boraginaceae :-\
Love them borags!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halgania
I note there appears not to be a Halgania caerulea, but there is a Halgania cyanea in the link above, that looks similar.
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Thanks, Mark!
I've corrected the original post.
cheers
fermi
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Does it set seed Fermi? ;D
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Oh what a relief to see me in my less glamourous but more natural form. ::)
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Oh what a relief to see me in my less glamourous but more natural form. ::)
lol--i couldn't quite tell what was going on in that other pic..... ;)
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Mark McD had given me gilt hair with tsunami-type waves, and earings like snowdrops but as I couldn't enlarge the avatar, I kept seeing them as those fat rollers women use (still?) to roll some bends into their hair. They never worked on me anyway. ;D
I see he's smoking heavily now. I guess the nicotine may be useful in the control of aphids. ???
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Mark McD had given me gilt hair with tsunami-type waves, and earings like snowdrops but as I couldn't enlarge the avatar, I kept seeing them as those fat rollers women use (still?) to roll some bends into their hair. They never worked on me anyway. ;D
I see he's smoking heavily now. I guess the nicotine may be useful in the control of aphids. ???
ah, is that what was going on! i thought it might be a joke, but couldn't be sure you hadn't gone all dame edna on us!
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After a well deserved fortnight holiday away with the camper, touring the North Island with my brother and his wife from the old country, well rested and sunburned, we came home to find the nursery almost overgrown with weeds while we were away enjoying ourselves.
Anyway after a big cleanup for the last week, and a few knapsacks of roundup, its back to tipping, cleaning, sorting and generally getting ready for dispatching of the mail-orders again.
Although very busy, I found time to snap a few pictures of some of the autumn flowering genera like the Worsleya, Brunsvigia, Bessera, and the Lycoris.
One of these of course is the beautiful Worsleya rayneri, a large spectacular native of Brasil and rare in cultivation.
Successful cultivation depends on providing suitable conditions, we grow ours in a large container in a well-drained and aerated, acid potting mix, for best results.
Also flowering at the moment are the magnificient and striking Brunsvigia orientalis and Brunsvigia marginata.
They normally grow in a variety of soils in their habitats, but all have long resting periods during the summer drought.
In cultivation they should have well-drained soil or containers and full sun in a position which remains relatively dry during summer.
Usually some of the the bulbs are very large, and may take up to 10 years to reach flowering size.
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We missed your explosions of colour on the Forum Bill !!
Nice to have you back with these beauties !
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Bill, your Worsleya rayneri is absolutely stunning - what a flower!
Great to see your postings again :)
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Just as well I hadn't post frit bulbs to you Bill, if you weren't there to receive them. I'll get some away early next week with luck.
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Bill,
I concur Robin. Worsleya rayneri is a stunner 8)
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Bill ,
you are very fortunate to own and let alone flower the elusive Worsleya raineri.
on the rare occasions when a flowering bulb was available here for sale ,the asking price was up to 2000 (two thousand !) dollars . -far beyond my finances .
Otto.
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Thanks, Mark!
I've corrected the original post.
cheers
fermi
Fermi , I too grow an identical Halgania to your's , but with the specific name H. preissiana - from Kuranga Nursery . Do you know which is the current correct name ?
also another blue Australian : the double form of Wahlenbergia stricta in bloom at the moment in my garden .
Otto.
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When Worsleya was offered for sale here some years ago, I think it was for about $50.
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Hi,
It's finally rained here in Adelaide. After recording only .5mm since January we had a welcome 9.5mm on the weekend and it's really starting to feel like autumn. Appropriately the first crocus has bloomed. Much to my surprise it's C. boryi (usually C. pulchellus, C. goulimyi and C. hadriaticus are up before C. boryi). It may be because this is its first full year in the ground. I planted it out this time last year after having it in a pot for a few years. C. hadriaticus is just showing the first green shoot so the crocus season is about to get underway.
Cheers Anita
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You'll be pleased Anita, that your rain wasn't like what poor old Melbourne received a couple of days ago. Rivers down the streets and hail big as golf balls. :o Wish we could have some rain too. I don't think we've been so naughty that we're not allowed any. ::)
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Knowing the lack of rain suffered by so many of the Down-Underers, we were shocked to see the nasty flooding in Australia on the TV news....never where you want the wretched stuff, is it? :'(
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Lesley,
I must admit I was happy with my 9mm which fell gently... rather than the downpour and hailstones which hit Melbourne.
Now if we could only get those Queenslanders to share some of their rain, we could all be happy!
Anita
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Fermi , I too grow an identical Halgania to your's , but with the specific name H. preissiana - from Kuranga Nursery . Do you know which is the current correct name ?
also another blue Australian : the double form of Wahlenbergia stricta in bloom at the moment in my garden .
Otto.
Otto,
H. preissiana has foliage like a miniature holly leaf, H. cyanea has a simple linear leaf. Yours looks like H. preissiana.
Lesley,
according to the news reports over here the hail was the size of lemons! :o And Jupiter Pluvius barracks for the Aussie Cricket Team! ;D
cheers
fermi
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Here are a few more Brunsvigia species flowering for us at the moment.
This time its the beautiful Brunsvigia bosmaniae and Brunsvigia gregaria, with other species budding up and some species flowering for the first time, after waiting sometimes for up to ten years, but always worth the wait.
The variable B.gregaria come in various colours of soft pink to darker shades and almost red, always a surprise.
More Brunsvigia species to come.
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Bessera elegans still going strong for the last 3-4 weeks, and promising a good seed set.
Yes we could do with some rain as well, nothing for the last month.
I forgot to ask Lesley, how's your Bessera elegans doing? should be in full bloom by now.
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Oh yes, well we won't discuss the cricket this morning thanks. :'(
Bill, my Bessera is growing well and there are two with buds. But they were planted a lot later than yours after all. I'll get a picture later.
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Super looking plants as usual guys n gals. Anita,happy crocus season to you!
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Bill,
those brunnies are wonderful!
Some other amaryllids flowering this week:
Ismene (?) festalis
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Rhodophiala bifida
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Lycoris.radiata
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Lycoris elsae
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And a clump of Acis autumnalis which came (via Otto) from Portugal!
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cheers
fermi
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Fermi, nice stuff, great pics! I don't think I ever saw Lycoris elsae, it's a stunner! Love the Rhodophiala too. :)
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Very nice Fermi.
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Fermi, plants that I can only dream off, thanks for the pictures.
Angie :)
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This seasons daff bulbs have just arrived so busy labelling. I hope the weather is OK in the weekend.
Lesley, you would be so proud of me. I just spat my spleen at a politcally correct nincompoop, online for all the world to see. It will probably come back and bite me but whatever.
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Another genus flowering this time of the season is the striking Haemanthus varously known as Blood lily, Paint brush, Bible plant and Elephant's ears.
The Haemanthus coccineus is grown as much for its large strap-like leaves as for its scarlet flowers, which resemble paintbrushes with their central clusters of golden stamens.
As summer progresses, the large fleshy rounded leaves appear, these lie flat on the ground, and last until early the following summer when they dry off as temperatures rise.
The Haemanthus humilus "The Giant" is another spectacular species with leaves as large as 60 cm and has enormous flower heads.
Look like perhaps a few more Haemanthus species budding up.
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Well done Ross. I am indeed proud of you. Will you share with us what it was that moved you to these extreme? ;D
Good Lord Bill, what a fantastic sight!!! Do photograph them again when in full leaf because I think that would be equally exciting.
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Had word this morning that my order from Marcus Harvey will be packed today, so plenty to do in coming days and weeks. Fortunately I'm having a two week holiday from my job, starting March 18th.
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Well done Ross. I am indeed proud of you. Will you share with us what it was that moved you to these extreme? ;D
I have been organising a soap swap between 7 soap makers in NZ with the understanding that we would be reviewing. Anyway one person apparently only wants the reviews to be sweet and nice (as opposed to constructive, IMO). My long email could be summarised to "get a life".
I anyone says to me "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything" I reply, "If you can ONLY say somethig nice, don't say anything".
Just FYI for anyone interested my new site (soap and chain maille jewellery) is up and running - www.wild-hybrid.co.nz
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Well done Ross. I am indeed proud of you. Will you share with us what it was that moved you to these extreme? ;D
............I have been organising a soap swap between 7 soap makers in NZ..........
Not a spectator sport then? :P ;D
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This interesting species Crossyne flava syn. Boophane flava from the Cape, has pale yellow flowers with brown tips, that are small but many, with tepals much recurved on long pedicels.
Flowerheads with more than 200 flowers is not uncommon.
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Bill, every time I see one of these amazing flowerheads, I think it must be November 5th and time for a firework display!
Just FYI for anyone interested my new site (soap and chain maille jewellery) is up and running - www.wild-hybrid.co.nz
Ross, never let it be said that our Forumists are a dull and unimaginative bunch..... soap AND chain mail jewellery..... who'da thunk it?!!! 8)
(BTW: do you ship?)
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Bill, every time I see one ofthese amazing flowerheads, I think it must be November 5th and time for a firework display!
Me too, they just explode with energy and colour but, unlike fireworks, they are better longterm value ;D
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Well done Ross. I am indeed proud of you. Will you share with us what it was that moved you to these extreme? ;D
............I have been organising a soap swap between 7 soap makers in NZ..........
Not a spectator sport then? :P ;D
Might be like watching paint dry (or seedlings germinate)
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Ross, never let it be said that our Forumists are a dull and unimaginative bunch..... soap AND chain mail jewellery..... who'da thunk it?!!! 8)
(BTW: do you ship?)
Absolutely
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Also flowering for us is the elegant Lycoris longituba known as the White Spider Lily is a large handsome plant from China with the flower stems up to 50-60 cm.
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For a bit of a change in the scenery, here are a few Dahlia's classified as the Collarette group of Dahlia's.
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Also flowering for us is the elegant Lycoris longituba known as the White Spider Lily is a large handsome plant from China with the flower stems up to 50-60 cm.
Fantastic photo of great looking flower Bill - when do plants become referred to as male (handsome) or female (?) ;D
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Bill,
The Lycoris is not longituba! I am curious if the leaves appear in autumn or spring? In Flora of China, depending on the arrival of leaves, it would key to L. straminea (being ochraceous) or L. x albiflora, but the stamens and style are likely too long for the latter.
Aaron Floden
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Bill,
I'm in general not a great fan of Dahlia's because they are not hardy here but your Collarette Group Dahlia's are real beauties. 8)
What is their height ?
The Lycoris sp. is top, too 8)
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Super Lycoris, whatever its ID. Dahlias are not geat favourites of mine either though I do grow and like very much the 'Bishop of Llandaff.' I used to have one which was a single red with flakes of white on the petals and was called 'Denmark.' It had some sentimental attachments because I was given it by an elderly friend who lived in Denmark Street in Fairlie (South Canerbury) and she had bought it because she had seen it painted on some Copenhagen porcelain when she was in Denmark. Had bought a piece with it depicted, at the factory.
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Bill,
The Lycoris is not longituba! I am curious if the leaves appear in autumn or spring? In Flora of China, depending on the arrival of leaves, it would key to L. straminea (being ochraceous) or L. x albiflora, but the stamens and style are likely too long for the latter.
Aaron Floden
Good to hear from you Aaron, most of the Lycoris species and hybrids originally were imported from a reputable source in the US.
Nevertheless, I stand to be corrected, especially when I also grow the L. x albiflora.
Will keep an eye on wheather the foliage will appear in the autumn or spring and keep you informed.
Thanks.
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Fantastic photo of great looking flower Bill - when do plants become referred to as male (handsome) or female (?) ;D
That's an interesting, intriguing question Ragged Robin, handsome could also be described as attractive, elegant, graceful, gracious etc.
Other examples of female plants could also be: Angels Tears (Narcissus triandrus), Fairy bells (Dierama), Lady's locket (Dicentra), Widow's tears (Achimenes), Naked Ladies (Amaryllis belladonna).
The same goes for (common names) male plants like: Bashful Ben (Trillium cernuum), Friar's cap (Aconitum napellus), Jacob's rod (Asphodeline), Jack in the pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), and not to forget Naked Boys (Colchicum autumnale).
What about Lord's and Ladies (Arum maculatum), Adam and Eve (Erythronium grandiflorum) for both sexes?
Does that answer your question RR? ;D ;D ;D
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Bill,
I'm in general not a great fan of Dahlia's because they are not hardy here but your Collarette Group Dahlia's are real beauties. 8)
What is their height ?
The Lycoris sp. is top, too 8)
They normally grow up to 1 meter in height Armin, but need staking to stop them from blowing over.
Another interesting hybrid is the Dahlia variety "Knockout" with almost blackish, dark brown foliage and contrasting yellow flowers,
bred by Keith Hammett from Auckland, who also hybridised new varieties of pom pom dahlia's, not to forget sweet peas and Clivia's.
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See post 48
Does that answer your question RR? ;D ;D ;D
Wonderful humour and it more than answers it Bill :o
Nick names have a knack of raising a smile and are a wonderful way of describing what would otherwise be considered sexist (amongst flowers) :o
As female with a male name during my career it posed a few problems but mostly has been beneficial ;D
My chosen Forum nick name:
Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi) suggests I'm female - but not completely cuckoo ;D
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Bill,
I'm in general not a great fan of Dahlia's because they are not hardy here but your Collarette Group Dahlia's are real beauties. 8)
What is their height ?
The Lycoris sp. is top, too 8)
They normally grow up to 1 meter in height Armin, but need staking to stop them from blowing over.
Another interesting hybrid is the Dahlia variety "Knockout" with almost blackish, dark brown foliage and contrasting yellow flowers,
bred by Keith Hammett from Auckland, who also hybridised new varieties of pom pom dahlia's, not to forget sweet peas and Clivia's.
Bill,
thanks for your reply. "Knockout" is very beautiful. 8) Marvelous color combination of flower and foiliage.
I can imagine why Dahlia enthusiasts got "knocked out". ;D
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Fantastic photo of great looking flower Bill - when do plants become referred to as male (handsome) or female (?) ;D
That's an interesting, intriguing question Ragged Robin, handsome could also be described as attractive, elegant, graceful, gracious etc.
Other examples of female plants could also be: Angels Tears (Narcissus triandrus),
I'll have to remind you, Bill, that the "Angel" in that name refers to the boy who was guiding the daffodil hunters to find it - a diminutive of Angelo, perhaps?
The Lycoris (maybe) longituba is stunning - does it set seed? ;D
cheers
fermi
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Unfortunately Lycoris elsae doesn't set seed :'( but it does flower quite nicely after "bulking up" over the past 6 years!
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The rain lilies appreciated the 3inches of rain we got last week: Zephyranthes candida
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And two of its offspring, "Ajax"
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and "Grandjax"
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The real thrill was to see the first Sternbergias!
Sternbergia lutea
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and S. sicula (grown from seed from Rannveig Wallis in 1997)
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And the white Cyclamen graecum is now in (sparse) bloom,
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cheers
fermi
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Fermi your Lycoris elsae is a dream!
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Fermi,
you have a wunderful collection :D So many nice plants I can't grow here. :'(
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Thank you, Luit and Armin,
some of these plants grow well for us but a lot of the ones that don't like the heat I only get to see when I visit Otto or Tim or Viv in the Dandenongs! ;D
Lycoris aurea is just opening here, just 2 stems this year,
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A seedling Amaryllis belladonna from Peter Genat (of nerine fame) has just flowered - he knew it would be pink but said both its parents were white! I think it has a slight "picotee" effect - we'll see if it retains it as it ages,
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This little colchicum flowered last year and it was declared that it wasn't as the seed was labelled "C. bivonae" but some other, much smaller species - any guesses?
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Another shot of the smaller Cyclamen graecum in the Rock Garden -much paler pink that the older plant I showed earlier.
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And the Sternbergia sicula is so stunning in the morning light I can't refrain from posting another pic!
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And the promise of things to come, a spike on Brunsvigia josephinae flowering for the first time (I got it 2 years ago from Helen in our local AGS Group)
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cheers
fermi
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I'll have to remind you, Bill, that the "Angel" in that name refers to the boy who was guiding the daffodil hunters to find it - a diminutive of Angelo, perhaps?
The Lycoris (maybe) longituba is stunning - does it set seed? ;D
cheers fermi
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I think your quite right fermi, about Narcissus triandrus albus which Peter Barr called Angel's Tears.
The story goes, that those tears were not celestial, but very real ones of the native guide Angelo, who wept from exhaustion when Mr Barr (whom he was suppose to be leading) dragged him to a spot, high in the Austurian Mountains, where this little daffodil grows.
As far as the Lycoris longituba? is concerned, like your Lycoris elsae, I am afraid no seed so far,
On the other hand Lycoris Xhaywardii is fertile and has set seed, perhaps we could swap a few seeds later on. :)
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Here are a another couple of the magnifecient Haemanthus species flowering for us.
This time its the Haemanthus amarylloides and Haemanthus namaquensis, both very colourful and desirable.
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Bill you are so lucky to be able to grow these amazing plants, how long does the flower of Haemanthus last for.
Angie :)
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the Sternbergia sicula is so stunning in the morning light I can't refrain from posting another pic!
Fermi your Sternbergia sicula is glorious - what a colour and such a good group - morning light is very special through flower petals; you have some wonderful flowerings in your rockery
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the Sternbergia sicula is so stunning in the morning light I can't refrain from posting another pic!
And please feel free to post another when fully open - I love it!
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Bill you are so lucky to be able to grow these amazing plants, how long does the flower of Haemanthus last for.
Angie :)
It depends on the species, the temperatures, and the weather Angie, if cool and dry, up to 2-3 weeks, if wet or to warm much shorter.
Whatever the weather they always make a welcome splash of colour this time of the season, with the various Haemanthus species flowering consecutive for months.
I am pleased you're enjoying the pictures, makes it all worth while showing them.
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While we're on the subject of the Brunsvigia's, here are a few more pics of them flowering in the nursery.
The first one is a nice collection of the Brunsvigia gregaria in a blaze of colour,
The second pic are two more of the magnifecient Brunsvigia bosmaniae, which somehow seem to be slightly different and more vigorous than the Br.bosmaniae I showed before, I think this clone/species came from an other area in South Africa, from Silverhill seeds.
With most Brunsvigia sp. flowering and a few more to come, the last picture of Brunsvigia josephinae has already set seeds and ready for harvesting.
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2 Cyclamen species in my garden at the moment ,having enjoyed a dry , warm summer rest and rewarding me with lots of flowers : a ten year old tuber of C. africanum and a younger C. graecum with handsome foliage ( from R. Wallis seed)
and the "cute" little Biarum davisii
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Wonderful Cyclamen, Otto.... Especially that C. africanum... what a medal winner!
Seeing these plants in your garden and those from Bill, it is all too obvious that you are a world away!
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2 Cyclamen species in my garden at the moment ,having enjoyed a dry , warm summer rest and rewarding me with lots of flowers : a ten year old tuber of C. africanum and a younger C. graecum
Magnificent picture of your ten year old C. africanum Otto, not to forget your C.graecum.
That reminds me of a pregnant container of a Cyclamen graecum tuber that I found in a forgotten part of the nursery, like your C.africanum, this tuber could be up to ten years old, and by now the size of a dinner plate (32 cm.) as the ruler shows.
Amongst the foliage I also found a lot of small tubers, apparently self sown and germinated over a number of years.
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Otto and Bill,
really nice clumps of cyclamen.
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Bill, those brunsvigia bosmaniae are to die for. Yes I am enjoying your pictures so much. Just one thing I get a bit jealous.
Otto lovely cyclamen.
Angie :)
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Just to add a bit to the Crossyne flava information, I will show a closeup of each individual flower, and the attractive leaves appearing after they finish flowering,
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Amaryllis belladonna "Purity" seed pods ready for harvesting.
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Nerines always make a nice colourful addition to our garden this time of the season.
This time a couple of Nerine hybrids, the first one a nice smokey variety that I lost the name off and another good red flowering for us.
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great to see all these exotic plants!
the crossyne leaves are really nice, bill--do they go on to become long, or stay small?
looking at the time of flowering for your nerines, it strikes me that if i try seed again (not any urgency on that!), i will be better off to get it from the southern hemisphere--i got some haemanthus seed from the u.s. in fall that got here before it was too cold, but another batch of haemanthus, nerines etc that came in early winter seemed cold damaged, and i only got one cyrtanthus seedling out of that..
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Bill, the exotic flowerings are so superb Brunsvigia bosmaniae, Crossyne flava and the Nerines are glorious, especially the flame red one (I wonder if it is hardy?)
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Bill,
once again some great pics!
Is the Amaryllis "Purity" a pure white, i.e. no yellow in the throat? I'll send you a Pm about some swaps! ;D
The first nerines are finally opening here, this is what I have as N. fothergila "Major"
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Gail,
here's a pic of the Sternbergia sicula with flowers a bit more open,
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cheers
fermi
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Cheerful images to greet me this morning, thanks Fermi! :)
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great to see all these exotic plants!
the crossyne leaves are really nice, bill--do they go on to become long, or stay small?
looking at the time of flowering for your nerines, it strikes me that if i try seed again (not any urgency on that!), i will be better off to get it from the southern hemisphere--i got some haemanthus seed from the u.s. in fall that got here before it was too cold, but another batch of haemanthus, nerines etc that came in early winter seemed cold damaged, and i only got one cyrtanthus seedling out of that..
Good to hear from you again Cohan, and yes the Crossyne leaves eventually grow much larger as they mature.
I will have plenty of seed of the Crossyne flava at the moment, would you like to try some?
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Bill, the exotic flowerings are so superb Brunsvigia bosmaniae, Crossyne flava and the Nerines are glorious, especially the flame red one (I wonder if it is hardy?)
With us the Nerines are semi hardy Robin, and will easily survive light frosts, and if this flame red Nerine set seed you would be welcome to some.
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This weekend on one of my early morning walks in the Te Puna Quarry Park I came across this beautiful climber.
Stephanotis floribunda aka Madagascar jasmine, Waxflower or Hawaiian Wedding flower is a vigorous flowering climbing plant. Its trumpet shaped blooms are in season year-round, long-lasting, waxy, star-shaped and highly scented and are a popular component of bridal bouquets.
Stephanotis floribunda grows best in sunny, semi-tropical conditions, or inside. They can grow from 2-6 meters, and are widely cultivated as garden plants.
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Bill, once again some great pics!
Is the Amaryllis "Purity" a pure white, i.e. no yellow in the throat? I'll send you a Pm about some swaps! ;D
Yes this is the pure white Belladonna without the yellow in the throat Fermi.
If you would like to try a few seeds, you'd be more than welcome.
Look forward to your pm and some swaps.
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Bill, the exotic flowerings are so superb Brunsvigia bosmaniae, Crossyne flava and the Nerines are glorious, especially the flame red one (I wonder if it is hardy?)
With us the Nerines are semi hardy Robin, and will easily survive light frosts, and if this flame red Nerine set seed you would be welcome to some.
Let's hope it does :D If you ever had any to spare it would be wonderful Bill, thanks.
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Here is another magnificent Brunsvigia undulata flowering for the first time. A beauty.
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Not to forget the autumn crocus Colchicum bivonae which is flowering dry just before planting.
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Back to the Haemanthus again, this time a hybrid cross between Haemanthus albiflos and Haemanthus coccineus flowering right now.
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That is a fascinating one Bill - is it one of your own crossing?
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That is a fascinating one Bill - is it one of your own crossing?
No, I can't claim credit for this Haemanthus hybrid Gail, I believe the honour goes to Terry Hatch from Pukekohe, Auckland, a well known plantsman and breeder of many plants including the beautiful Clivia species and hybrid varieties.
You're not doing to bad with your collection of bulbs and plants either, especially the Iris species, one of my favourites.
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Very nice plant, Bill.
On first view in thumbnail they looked like tulips made from play dough, I like it.
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You're not doing to bad with your collection of bulbs and plants either, especially the Iris species, one of my favourites.
I've got a number of haemanthus too - I just can't get the things to flower!
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Bill like that Haemanthus 8). I too thought they were tulips at first glance, Thanks for sharing it with us.
Angie :)
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I've got a number of haemanthus too - I just can't get the things to flower!
Hi Gail, have you tried growing the Haemanthus in a slightly warmer south facing sheltered position of the house/fence or glass-house/cold-frame?
What size pots/containers do you grow them in and what potting mix do you use?
Just curious. Bill
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H. coccineus is currently in a 18cm terracotta pot on my sitting room windowsill (gets light from east and south). Compost is a mix of John Innes and grit. I've just checked the label - I got it in 2000 and it has not flowered yet (embarrassing admission!). The leaves are just starting to die back at tips so I was going to give it a high potash feed then let it dry out for summer.....
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I'm wondering if there's a lot of point in giving the high potash feed as it is about to be dried out? Wouldn't it be best to give it when in strong root growth at least?
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Lesley is right, strong root growth is important, with additionally NPK ( 1-2-3 ) plus trace elements at the right time is also beneficial.
Container/pot grown plants of course can be successful if done correctly, but in many instances plants get rootbound or restricted in a small pot, especially bigger bulbs like Haemanthus.
I still think your Haemanthus being a South African plant that need plenty of sunlight, warm conditions and often baking in summer, does not get enough sunlight and/or other important aspects on your windowsill for successful flowering.
If all efforts have failed, I would still try to grow it in a nicely sheltered, sunny, south facing position outside, or glasshouse.
Anyone else with more additional advice or recommendations on this all to common problem?
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If all efforts have failed, I would still try to grow it in a nicely sheltered, sunny, south facing position outside, or glasshouse.
The only glasshouse I have is a rather manky lean-to with inadequate ventilation, things in there freeze in winter and cook in summer....
I may just have to move!
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If all efforts have failed, I would still try to grow it in a nicely sheltered, sunny, south facing position outside, or glasshouse.
The only glasshouse I have is a rather manky lean-to with inadequate ventilation, things in there freeze in winter and cook in summer....
I may just have to move!
http://australia.gov.au/topics/immigration (http://australia.gov.au/topics/immigration)
cheers
fermi
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The only glasshouse I have is a rather manky lean-to with inadequate ventilation, things in there freeze in winter and cook in summer....
I may just have to move!
http://australia.gov.au/topics/immigration (http://australia.gov.au/topics/immigration)
cheers fermi
You beat me to it Fermi, but New Zealand would/should be a better option, wouldn't agree? ;D ;D ;D
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Another interesting plant growing in the The Puna Quarry is the Yucca filamentosa, commonly known as Adam's needle.
Yucca filamentosa is readily identified from other Yucca by white threads (filaments) on the leaf margins.
Flower stems up to 2m. tall and bear masses of pendulous cream flowers, in late summer.
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The only glasshouse I have is a rather manky lean-to with inadequate ventilation, things in there freeze in winter and cook in summer....
I may just have to move!
http://australia.gov.au/topics/immigration (http://australia.gov.au/topics/immigration)
cheers fermi
You beat me to it Fermi, but New Zealand would/should be a better option, wouldn't agree? ;D ;D ;D
;D Bill and Fermi, I can't decide where I would rather be, land of the duck-billed platypus or land of the kiwi. I'm going to have to see both before I decide!
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In late summer Rhodophiala bifida produces small lustrous pinkish red trumpets with maroon lines in the throat and prominent golden anthers.
It is easily grown in a sunny position and the bulbs can pull themselves deep into the soil, unlike Hippeastrums.
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Not 100% sure of this Lycoris species, but think its Lycoris rosea
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Not to the previous standards but my Haemanthus coccineus seems to be happy this year.
Arum pictum - a favourite of mine, only one flower so far this year unfortunately.
Paris Quadrifolia not sure if its coming or going with this crazy season we're having.
A late blooming Pachystegia rufa in the alpine garden.
Last of the seasons Arum seed - helped by my daughter.
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Arum pictum - a favourite of mine, only one flower so far this year unfortunately.
Very nice Arum pictum Doug, does it set seed?
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Love your Pachystegia rufa 8), looked it up as I had never seen this before, wish I could grow this one. I love anything with white daisy flowers.
Angie :)
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Two more cheerful autumn flowering species are Empoduim plicatum and Empoduim namaquensis
The E.plicatum has dwarf golden yellow star-like flowers which open in the afternoon in autumn and early winter.
With the E.namaquensis the flowers appear before the leaves, and while open, both have a very strong perfume, noticeable all over the nursery.
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Two more cheerful autumn flowering species are Empoduim plicatum and Empoduim namaquensis
The E.plicatum has dwarf golden yellow star-like flowers which open in the afternoon in autumn and early winter.
With the E.namaquensis the flowers appear before the leaves, and while open, both have a very strong perfume, noticeable all over the nursery.
Bill, those Empodium species are very attractive. The first one, Empodium plicatum, caught my eye as it looks very much some of the South American Hypoxis species I once grew. Looked it up, and indeed the genus Empodium is a member of the Hypoxidaceae. Interesting that the flowers are so strongly scented, as none of the Hypoxis species I grew had scented flowers. Thanks for showing this distinctive genus.
Glad to meet up with Pachystegia rufa, never saw that species in bloom before. Years ago, the dwarf form of Pachystegia insignis (var. minor, or 'Minor') was popular and I grew it for a few years, although it never flowered, but at least the foliage is most attractive. It was not a hardy plant here, but one that people grew in greenhouses or bright windowsill.
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Lovely Empoduims Bill - nice starry flowers and I like the corrugated leaves.
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Pachystegia rufa is interesting in that in nature it is exceptionally rare, its habitat being exclusively on one West Coast (South Island) farm. I was given cutting material from the site about 10 years ago and they rooted reasonably well (3 out of 4). The "rufa" refers to the reddish colour on the stems and the backs of the leaves and is very attractive. However, a good rain - or watering by hose - washes it off!!! and so it then looks exactly like the common Marlborough daisy, Pachystegia insignis.
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Very nice Arum pictum Doug, does it set seed?
Yes, I had two nice heads of berries last year for the first time.
The Pachystegia rufa is a beautiful plant but recently I was introduced to some hybrids between the three species,
insignis, minor and rufa and there are some real beauties out there. I have just pricked out a couple of trays of seedlings given to me of these crosses, and will keep you posted.
Lesley I was only aware of the one site of P. rufa growing On the 'Haldon Hills' of Marlborough, near Seddon? I have planned to make a trip up there to photograph them next season.
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Well perhaps my information was wrong then? I was given the cuttings by the people who had been given the job of protecting the site on their farm/station.
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Vireya Rhododendrons originate from the cooler areas of New Guinea, Borneo and the Philippines. Vireyas are an evergreen shrub that do well in cultivation and in most sheltered North Island areas. Colourful scented blooms, sometimes up to 3 times a year make Vireyas a welcome addition to any garden. A frost free dappled shade is the best position, with a well drained humus rich soil. Mulch well with an open mulch.
Many coloured varieties are now for sale and in cultivation, some of which I will post as they start flowering.
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Vireya Rhododendrons originate from the cooler areas of New Guinea, Borneo and the Philippines. Vireyas are an evergreen shrub that do well in cultivation and in most sheltered North Island areas. Colourful scented blooms, sometimes up to 3 times a year make Vireyas a welcome addition to any garden. A frost free dappled shade is the best position, with a well drained humus rich soil. Mulch well with an open mulch.
Many coloured varieties are now for sale and in cultivation, some of which I will post as they start flowering.
Bill , as in N.Z. , Vireya Rhododendrons are now widely grown here ( in a large number of hybrids and species , some of the dwarf ones I find particularly charming). We also have 2 species native to Australia , in Nth. Queensland .
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Yesterday I took another (very expensive) trip south to Hokonui Alpines. I bought a large number of very fine plants including a couple which I doubt have ever been offered in a general catalogue anywhere in the world, as plants, rather than as seeds. I also took just 1 photograph and while it doesn't look wildly exciting, it really is, because it is Primula wollastonii, in bud and out of its usual season. It should die down soon and flower again in the spring.
I also took a couple of pics on the way home of what I assume is Sorbus cashmiriana, wide and shrubby with large bunches of large, pure white fruit. I first saw this 3 years ago on the same trip south and took some seeds which are nice little bushes now, not fruiting yet. The last two years I've looked for it, couldn't see it and thought it must have been removed (it's in a church car park). I have some more fruit if anyone would like the seeds. The autumn foliage is yellow rather than red or orange like the other Sorbus species I grow.
The second Sorbus pic is one from the original sighting as the one I took yesterday was blurry and I didn't realize until I was home again. This one is better. All the leaves had fallen on that occasion.
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Marcus Harvey , who runs a marvellous nursery for rare bulbs in Hobart ,Tasmania , asked me to post his photo of Crocus autranii, which just flowered in his garden .
also a few Crocus pics in bloom in my own garden at the moment : the 'common' and easy C. speciosus , still one of the most beautyful.
C. banaticus , one of the success stories in my garden , so easy and beautyful and a marvellous multyplier ,
and the elegant C. vallicola which appreciates cool ond slightly moist conditions .
C. cancellatus ssp. pamphylicus
Otto.
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sorry ,this is Marcus Harvey's photo of C. autranii (4 blooms)
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That is a beauty Otto. I hope it multiplies quickly. :D
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Lovely to see your autumn crocuses Otto.
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C. banaticus , one of the success stories in my garden , so easy and beautyful and a marvellous multyplier ,
and the elegant C. vallicola which appreciates cool ond slightly moist conditions .
Otto your garden must look lovely with those Autumn crocus - I especially like the ones quoted above and am wondering if C. vallicola would grow on a moist semi shady bank here? Does it open enough to show inside?
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C. banaticus , one of the success stories in my garden , so easy and beautyful and a marvellous multyplier ,
and the elegant C. vallicola which appreciates cool ond slightly moist conditions .
Otto your garden must look lovely with those Autumn crocus - I especially like the ones quoted above and am wondering if C. vallicola would grow on a moist semi shady bank here? Does it open enough to show inside?
Robin , yes there are a lot of autumn flowering Crocus species in bloom at the moment , amongst them large patches of the easy ones : speciosus , nudiflorus and banaticus .With me C. vallicola never opens out fully , but I like it this way.The segments are just faintly purple-veined and one of it's attractive feature is that those segments are elongated into fine points .As it comes from moist alpine meadows in N.E.Turkey and the Caucasus , (but still well drained ) it should succeed in your garden . I find it a rather slow increaser . Good Luck .
Otto.
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Great news, thanks for all the info Otto - I love the shape too 8)
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For me, C. vallicola grows in a hot, dry place, really dry baked in summer, but of course I'm not so warm as Otto's place. Mine open perhaps a little more, but not much so perhaps that's it's natural way. It is quite quick from seed and now that I have several (from seed) clones, I'm getting some more each year.
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Otto,
it is nice to see rare autumn croci now. They are wunderful. Even the 'simple' C. speciosus is pretty as a picture, nicely contrasted and dark, like it!
That adoring clump of C. banaticus is wunderful, too.
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This time a few more of the smaller, charming autumn flowering Nerine species.
Nerine undulata is a very dainty spider flower which can give a wonderful display when mass planterd.
The soft pink flowers are produced abundantly and make excellent cut flowers for the vase.
Nerine humilis has slightly larger flowers than most other smaller species.
The flowers are usually soft pink, but in some forms can be salmon pink and rose.
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Bill, every detail of those lovely Nerines is so alive in your photos and pretty as a picture :)
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Today, on one of my walkes around the nursery, I found this charming little plant known as Stenoglottis longifolia from Natal, South Africa putting up a brave display.
This plant is a terrestrial orchid, very decorative when in flower, with attractive spikes of small. lilac, dotted flowers.
One of the easiest of orchids to grow and bloom, either in intermediate or cool conditions and partial shade.
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This time a few more of the smaller, charming autumn flowering Nerine species.
Nerine undulata is a very dainty spider flower which can give a wonderful display when mass planterd.
The soft pink flowers are produced abundantly and make excellent cut flowers for the vase.
Nerine humilis has slightly larger flowers than most other smaller species.
The flowers are usually soft pink, but in some forms can be salmon pink and rose.
these are very cute! just how small are they? are those leaves fully grown?