Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => Flowers and Foliage Now => Topic started by: Tecophilaea King on July 01, 2011, 01:36:49 PM
-
The first of July already and although still winter with a few light frost up to now, there is already a hint of spring in the air with a handful of the early Narcissi and Iris to start the July month in the Southern Hemisphere.
I am always looking forward and especially pleased to see the first of the charming Narcissus cyclamineus every season, one of my favourite species.
The large, (up to 50 mm) wide spreading N.bulbocodium seedlings I did select from a collection Narc. romieuxii mesatlanticus, with another little vase of an early miniature tazetta hybrid called Narc.Beesknees
I also have several of the winter flowering Iris unguicularis Purple Trinity seedlings flowering for the first time, this seedling is one of the better form and colour, although slightly overexposed.
-
Just a bit of a novelty with the giant (double white) tree Dahlia imperialis up to 4m. (18 ft) or more still flowering in the nursery despite the frost.
-
You are lucky to grow it Bill ::)
-
Bill that's amazing. Had no idea that a Dahlia could grow as tall as that. Thanks for showing us.
Angie :)
-
Bill you certainly have a knack with plants. Here in South Oz there is not much flowering yet.
But I thought I would pick some of the things that were flowering in the mist of winter.
And playing with different setting on my camera inside.
Some of the flowers include: Eremophila (three different), double roman, paperwhites, the small flowered white narcissus whose name escapes me, a hoop ex Monocot years ago, single species wallflower, a geranium (double pink), the pale blue Echium, the fruit of the Chinese.......... :-[the daisy (?) and the quondongs and the ?dusty miller?
-
Here in South Oz there is not much flowering yet.
But I thought I would pick some of the things that were flowering in the mist of winter.
And playing with different setting on my camera inside.
Some of the flowers include: Eremophila (three different), double roman, paperwhites, the small flowered white narcissus whose name escapes me, a hoop ex Monocot years ago, single species wallflower, a geranium (double pink), the pale blue Echium, the fruit of the Chinese.......... Embarrassedthe daisy (?) and the quondongs and the ?dusty miller?
Oh, yeah, right.... nothing much flowering at all, apart from the Eremophila (three different), double roman, paperwhites, the small flowered white narcissus whose name escapes me, a hoop ex Monocot years ago, single species wallflower, a geranium (double pink), the pale blue Echium, the fruit of the Chinese.......... the daisy (?) and the quondongs and the ?dusty miller? ........... ::) 8)
Sorry, Pat, no sympathy here for the "lack" of flowers! ;D
-
Here's a favourite flower for winter, the delicate North African Ranunculus calandrinioides. There are better forms, with deeper pink, wider, overlapping petals but this is mine and I'm happy with it. 2 pictures
[attachthumb=1]
[attachthumb=2]
-
Lesley I have never seen that plant before - it is lovely.
-
Yes Pat, it certainly is a beauty and I'm sure will be in Australia somewhere, maybe with Otto, or another grower of alpines and it would probably do well with you as it comes from North Africa and doesn't mind a very hot, dry summer when it is dormant. It flowers now from thick tuberous roots and only seems to ask to be well drained and sunny. The bigger clumps are easily divisible, the thong-like roots falling apart, in summer.
-
I'm posting a few pics here of seedlings and 1 pod, for Wim van den Berg, finally unmixed from Wim Boens. (They know what I mean, even if I don't. ::))
First the mature but still unripe pod of Asteranthera ovata. There are 6 on the plant and this is the biggest, about 1.5cm in diameter. It has looked just like this for about two months and isn't progressing towards ripeness but still seems quite turgid and firm so even if it waits until spring, I hope it will eventually yield some seed.
The others are seedlings of John Weagle's dark red dahlia, Anne Wright's Cosmos atrosanguineus and Brian Ellis's rose coloured Iris innominata. They're all in my tunnel and have a frost cloth thrown over at night to be on the safe side so look a little pale (though they're not so pale in the flesh, so to speak. I aim to keep the Dahlia and Cosmos growing until spring and on from there as I think I'd lose them if they were to die down at this stage, so young and small.
-
;D
-
Here's a favourite flower for winter, the delicate North African Ranunculus calandrinioides. There are better forms, with deeper pink, wider, overlapping petals but this is mine and I'm happy with it. 2 pictures
Very nice Lesley, would Ranunculus calandrinioides do well in Tauranga? I can supply the warmer conditions, but not always the dry summers, and of course can supply plenty of drainage (in container?)
Another plant for the wishlist, and possible reciprocal exchange with other treasures when dormant?
-
The first of the always popular Iris reticulata's and a nice colourful Lachenalia pendula flowering.
Looking forward to more Irises and Lachenalia species flowering soon.
-
It would be well worth a try Bill. It shouldn't mind some humidity as it's dormant in summer but you could always keep it in a pot anyway. Your most likely source would be Hokonui Alpines in Gore.
-
They look very good Lesley ;) I believe the seedpot has reached the maximum size . I am a bit jealous :o
-
I can't imagine it getting any bigger. Just wish it would show some sign of ripening. ::)
Although, in theory, this is our coldest time, I have first flowers out on Iris ret. 'Pauline,' I. danfordiae (I didn't plant any this last summer so this is a second year one. :D and on many crocuses. CC. cvijicii and its hybrids with veluchensis, sieberi atticus, s. 'Hubert Edelsten,' chrysanthus from Mt Parnassus, c. 'Zwanenburg Bronze,' biflorus alexandri, and a halfway decent patch (6 out) of baytopiorum. Also double snowdrops 'Laby Beatrix Stanley,' 'Lavinia,' 'Dionysus' and 'Tubby Merlin,' heaps of Cyc. coum especially the Pewter Group corms and the Bellarine primulas 'Summer Skies' and 'Pink Ice.' Not bad for mid winter. I'll do some pictures when there are more out in the patches. There should be 20 or more flowers on I. r. 'Pauline' and the others are coming along nicely.
-
Lesley, thanks for reminding me to look at the Hokonui Alpines catalogue full of sumptuous, desirable treasures which was updated only a fortnight ago.
Apart from many precious gems, I discovered a few charming Iris species that I have been after for a while as well.
Looking at such treasures in their catalogue is very addictive and understandably could not help myself sneaking in another order while my wife is away for a week ;D ;D visiting our daughter and grandchildren in Nelson and worry about the….and expenses later.
I was tempted to get some more but this list will do for now, otherwise I am in trouble with (guess who).
ANDROSACE vandellii, CAMPANULA G.F.Wilson, CAMPANULA pulla, DIANTHUS Whatfield Wisp, GENTIANA depressa,
IBERIS pygmaea, IRIS gracilipes alba, IRIS lacustris, IRIS verna, LEWISIA leeana Kardinal, LEWISIA tweedyi alba, OURISIA coccinea,
PENSTEMON rupicola, POTENTILLA nitida rubra, SAPONARIA Bressingham, SILENE hookeri bolanderi, SILENE hookeri ingramii, SOLDANELLA carpatica alba, VITALIANA primuliflora.
We're also looking forward to the pictures of all those lovely bulbs you mentioned.
-
In Australia we can only dream about having such plants available from a nursery!
Thank Heavens for the Seed Exchanges and Seed merchants like Kristl and Kurt where we can get some of the many treasures we saw on our European "vacation" in April and May!
cheers
fermi
-
I'm still wearing my "Gone to seed" T-shirt. ;D
-
A few pics from the garden this morning,
the first double snowdrop, Galanthus Lady Beatrix Stanley
[attachthumb=1]
A stray hoop petticoat daff, possibly a seedling of a Narcissus romieuxii Cv,
[attachthumb=2]
and a poor pic of the first look at Sternbergia candida for the year!
[attachthumb=3]
cheers
fermi
-
Photos are so much better if taken in daylight as I found today.
In order of attaching:
Iris pseudopumila (Sicily x Gargano)yellow brown spot (ex Harald Mathes seed) cross that did not take - it has pollen so the cross with an aril did not take. It flowers early and often so I am going to try crossing it again with an aril this year.
PT0022 - I showed this last year but this photo is showing the right colours. Iris mariae x Iris haynei hybrid dark form
And then two of: Iris kirkwoodiae x Iris atropurpurea (again Harald Mathes seed) showing the details better.
Edit : to change kirkwoodii to Iris kirkwoodiae Chaudhary
-
Gosh these are early Pat, and beautiful!
-
Yes the flowering is at least a month early.
-
Pat,
those arils are stunning!
I got a better pic of the Sternbergia candida on the weekend,
[attachthumb=1]
And a few galanthus,
Galanthus elwesii
[attachthumb=2]
and Galanthus "Comet"
[attachthumb=3]
cheers
fermi
-
Serveral September flowering rhododendrons are out in local gardens, shivering with cold but flowering well and haven't been frosted. And this morning I passed a garden with Michaelia doltsopa in almost full bloom. This is early July for Heaven's sake! A few magnolias showing colour as well, especially M. campbellii.
-
the first "spring" crocus in our garden,
Crocus sieberi ? "Firefly"?
[attachthumb=1]
and a tiny snowdrop, Galanthus rizehensis
[attachthumb=2]
cheers
fermi
-
I've been worried about my precious Sternbergia candida, with your in bloom Fermi, mine not even showing though it had a healthy contractile root back in the summer/autumn. I had a bit of a look yesterday and the stem is there, just below the pot surface so it shouldn't be long.
So many crocuses, Narcissus, Galanthus and Cyclamen in flower that spring almost seems here. But hardest frost of the winter this morning. I'm very impressed by N. 'Mitimoto,' a single bulb from Marcus summer before last. It flowered last year and I thought nothing special, but this year it has increased four fold and the flowers are HUGE. Will take a pic later if I can stop sliding about.
-
Hi There,
Haven't made a post for a while. Deep in the hellebore season now. Thought I'd post a couple of my latest creations. I particularly like the first, a double white picotee, almost good enough to eat in a raspberry sundae sort of way.
Cheers, Marcus
-
Those are really lovely Marcus, though it's a bit cold for raspberry sundaes today. -4C overnight and though the sun's out, the temp is still just 3C. Brrr.
-
Hi Lesley,
Yeah those glittery, icecream dripping days seem a long way off but we've turned the corner. Its not as cold as that here but I have been "out in it" for too many days so it feels like it. The sun has just peeped weakly out of a cloudy sky so I can cope!
Cheers, M
-
Yes. I agree with you Marcus, that double white picotee is lovely.
-
Trying to find something for pictures, that isn't battered by winds, rain and now frosts. There are a few Iris unguicularis (syn stylosa) and the first retics are out, both these irises earlier than usual but I'll wait for the retics until a few more are open.
In the meantime, Narcissus 'Jumblie' is one of the best I think, totally reliable every year no matter what the conditions or how it is treated.
[attachthumb=1]
Cyclamen coum is everywhere, again earlier than usual and this is a pot of seedlings I should have separated last year.
[attachthumb=2]
I especially am fond of the coums with pewter leaves, which I just know as Pewter Group. I have about 30 good plants now, to plant out in a patch.
[attachthumb=3]
This is one of the Bellarine double prims which have been about the last couple of year. 'Pink Ice,' an appropriate name for today.
[attachthumb=4]
-
Earlier in the week I bought a group of 6 double primroses, no names or other tags, but not expensive and lovely colours. With the exception of the white, all have rather richer colour than my camera shows. The red, for example is the colour of a fully ripe and juicy tomato. All have a delicious perfume, same as polyanthus but with a slight touch of lemon added. The largest deep gold flower is filled with ice.
-
I also meant to add the pictures below because of a note in the latest AGS Bulletin. (My June Bulletin arrived about a week after my July SRGC Journal!). There is a note about Geranium papuanum saying, "As far as I know, it's the sole introduction, until recently (and probably still) in cultivation from the two seedlings that germinated with me,..."
I don't know when Roy Elliott had his seeds from Canon Crutwell but it was introduced to New Zealand (as Geranium niu-guinii) as long ago as, I think, the 70s, and first catalogued by Parva Plants, back in the Ken White days (maybe not again though). I believe Ken too had received a little seed from his source. I have had it ever since and hope to list it next summer.
It makes a very neat mat with stolons to enlarge it and the flowers are a clean magenta colour. Even in the south here I have never had it frosted so it is reasonably hardy in spite of its homeland. I do sometimes take the precaution of throwing a frostcloth over on colder nights, but forgot to, last night and it is quite untouched. Even now, through winter there are still flowers and quite a lot of buds so the flowering is almost non-stop. I've only had a very few seeds from it and didn't do anything with them except sow them around it, in a raised bed. A single seedling was accidentally weeded out. I'll take better notice in future.
-
Some lovely plants Lesley. I quite like the geranium. Must be a highland species as Papua is tropical and a place I must visit before I die.
-
Deep in the hellebore season now. Thought I'd post a couple of my latest creations. I particularly like the first, a double white picotee, almost good enough to eat in a raspberry sundae sort of way.
Yummy Marcus :P.
Mine aren't as nice although these 3 were raised from Aussie seed.
A couple of picotee.
[attachthumb=1]
[attachthumb=2]
A double.
[attachthumb=3]
Crocus sieberi 'firefly' .
[attachthumb=4]
Wonderful feathering of Crocus biflorus ssp biflorus -i think that's what it is --long leaves at flowering --yellow throat.
[attachthumb=5]
I've had this Narcissus tazetta ? for a number of years now but has never increased.Yes I've just noticed the unwanted visitor.... :).Don't know where the foliage ,(stem) has gone as the flowers look like they are suspended in space...
[attachthumb=6]
Finally --Iris 'katharine hodgkin'
[attachthumb=7]
Interestingly I've never noticed seedlings from the Geranium Lesley--- i have it planted out,( it even makes a wide flowering patch in semi shade),and is easy to propagate from Irishmans cuttings ;D as it layers quite a bit....
Cheers Dave.
-
It's a joy to see your spring folks. Much better than our grey old summer.
-
Nice plants from the southern folk
Is it time for me to visit and see the flowers Dave ? Have to see Arne soon . Might keep going :)
-
It's a joy to see your spring folks. Much better than our grey old summer.
Just what I was thinking David. Roll on spring.
Dave nice seeing your Hellebore's, just finished cutting off the last of my dead flowers today.
Angie :)
-
Hi Guys
Thought you northerners night like to see what we call winter in the Deep South. I am grabbing hellebores for mail orders and I'm sure I am probably breaking some OH&S law by being out in the snow!
Cheers, Marcus
-
Crikey! :o
-
Hi Guys
A couple more interesting hellebores:
Slate ; reverse picotee/white blotch ; Double purple brushmark.
Cheers Marcus
-
Sorry - Pulled the trigger too soon!
-
I suppose with the short summer and long winter nights you've got nothing better to do than breed these fabulous varieties. ;D I like that double! 8)
-
Dave nice seeing your Hellebore's, just finished cutting off the last of my dead flowers today.
Thanks David/Angie.
Thought i had done that previously as well Angie however i see a multitude of seedlings popping up around a number of the different coloured doubles ::) ---Having no need of any more I've potted up at least 50 for David Lyttle .(his mammoth crevice garden needs filling somehow ;D ;) ).
Nice plants from the southern folk
Is it time for me to visit and see the flowers Dave ? Have to see Arne soon . Might keep going :)
You are welcome anytime Bud.
Just a few early things out so far Steve --the peak will be at Trillium time ,normally early Sept onwards,(although with this very mild winter so far who can tell..).
Actually I'm up past your way tomorrow giving a talk on Fiordland to the Outram garden Club.Probably be back in your area about 3.45--4 ish --- cuppa maybe ??
Cheers Dave.
-
Hi Anthony,
Its not that bad! I believe we have more sunlight hours than Melbourne ..... 8)
Although as I get older I think the winters are getting longer ;). Perhaps that's why I have a tendency to take off to Greece every other year in May.
We have a few really good growers of hellebores in Australia and they have laid down such a good foundation that doubles, picotees and anemone-centres, things that one only dreamed about a decade ago, are commonplace. The public are so spoilt for choice they now only want the very best and I frequently get detailed orders requesting certain shades and markings!
Cheers, Marcus
-
:) :) :) giving a talk on Fiordland to the Outram garden Club.Probably be back in your area about 3.45--4 ish --- cuppa maybe ?? :) :) :)
Read about your talk on page 17 of todays paper (ODT) under the heading "What's On" 8) . Will put the kettle on then
-
Hi Anthony,
Its not that bad! I believe we have more sunlight hours than Melbourne ..... 8)
Must be quite nice then? 8)
-
Hi
Two rare yellow crocus out this morning.
The first is the unusual form of chrysanthus called Sunspot.
The second is called something else now I think but David Stephens tentatively name it Edwards Gold. Purportedly a sieberi ssp sieberi collected as seed on Mt Idi - No way :o
Cheers, Marcus
-
Good snow yesterday and more overnight. Just about every road in the lower South Island is closed and police are telling residents in Dunedin not to use hill suburb roads and streets unless they have 4WD and chains. Hospitals haved cancelled all elective surgery and day clinics etc etc.
I'm thoroughly stuck at home. Roger took his car out with the dogs yesterday afternoon and landed in a ditch! had to be pulled out by nearby farmer's tractor. He was in a Toyota Carib, said his VW beetle would have been ok.
These pics say it all. The first shows my little bay tree in a sandstone tub, Salvia microphylla and Lola. The pic of Salvia confertiflora is taken through the kitchen window where I like to have it growing as both bellbirds and tuis love it. They come right onto the windowsill.
-
Hi Guys,
Looks like NZ is getting what we got a week or two ago!
Couple more spotty hellebores and a stripey iris.
Cheers, Marcus
-
Oh. I thought you were in New Zealand, Marcus? ;D Cold here too. 8oC when I took Lucy to hockey. :o
-
Marcus is in Hobart, Tasmania. Nice place.
-
Marcus, do you grow your "stripey" iris with the rest fo your collection?
-
Marcus is in Hobart, Tasmania. Nice place.
That rings a bell. Land of the tiger.
-
Not quite as cold as NZ or Tassie, here we had a few new flowerings for the season;
Iris "Harmony"
[attachthumb=1]
[attachthumb=2]
A crocus which came as "Sunkist" but which Hubi tells me is more likely a form of Crocus flavus,
[attachthumb=3]
Another one which is possibily C. garganicus
[attachthumb=5]
And a hoop-petticoat daffodil which is a strong and substancial one - more than the N. romieuxii anyway - and similar to some of Rod Barwick's range like "Smarple" of which it might be a seedling but flowering a bit earlier.
[attachthumb=4]
cheers
fermi
-
Very nice Fermi. Nothing 'Sunkist' about today, here. ???
-
Widespread snow predicted over the southern and eastern regions of South Africa today and tomorrow - and I thought I could detect the first stirrings of spring in the air! ::)
-
Alberto - how did I know it would be you who asked this question ;D.
Of course I don't - it has mosaic virus. I grows in a paddock on its own little lonesome but it is so pretty I can't resist picking its flowers.
I think Paul Tyerman put up a lovely pic of it some time ago on SIGNA?. Its called Blue Stripe and its sold here in Australia. Apart from the colour breaking in the flower its as vigorous as you like.
Cheers, Marcus
-
Marcus - do you know virus can be found in pollen?
-
We still have a lot of snow round the house but most of the airports and roads are open again. I hope there's some thaw today so I can see what little ones have been smashed or mashed. Predicted 11C temp.
-
And we here in South Oz are due to get 18C plus tomorrow - wow that will be soooo good.
Just hope the weather is good over the weekend when a few of us head to Renmark to prune and move roses at Ruston Roses in our Tea, China, Noisette Collection.
-
Although the real Spring has not arrived yet with snow and frost in both Islands, a few of my favourite species don’t take any notice of the weather and putting up a brave display, with the Iris reticulata, Galanthus plicatus and the Narcissus cyclamineus doing their little best to brighten up the winter garden.
I am not sure about the G. plicatus, perhaps someone could confirm or ID it. Thanks.
Iris reticulata Gordon
Iris reticulata Purple Gem
Galanthus plicatus
Narcissus cyclamineus
Narcissus Cyclades
-
Lachenalias put on a spectacular display, ranging in colour from hot red, yellow, mauve and multi-coloured varieties,
and are adaptable and easy to grow giving a better display when they are crowded.
Suitable for both containers, clumps in the garden or as a low border display.
Lachenalia aloides var.tricolor
Lachenalia aloides var.vanzyliae
Lachenalia aloides var.quadricolor
Lachenalia pearsonii (in Bud)
Lachenalia pearsonii
Lachenalia contaminata
Lachenalia pendula
Lachenalia mathewsii
Lachenalia splendida
Lachenalia viridiflora
-
I love Lachenalia contaminata it really looks quite refined amongst it's blowsy bright neighbours.
-
A super display of Lachenalia Bill, as you say, they are spectacular.
-
Not quite out, but this was one of several dozen clumps of what looks like Asphodelus fistulosus growing on some waste ground on Westshore, Napier. Surely not? :-\
-
Most probably, Anthony. Th first flower opened this week here. Once again, curious that times coincide in so distant countries.
-
That plant Anthony, turned up in a raised bed here a few years ago. Where from for Heaven's sake? It's gone now but set masses of seed which I dumped.
Your Lachenalias are wonderful Bill. The ones you sent to me a couple of years ago aren't though the ground yet.
-
Dear Lesley, the Asphodelus looks like a terrible invader in a drier climate. Our abundant rains keep it at bay and I must admit it is lovely with a very long season of bloom.
-
What I can't understand is how it ever arrived with me in the first place. Not the sort of garden around me where such things might be found and there were no new nursery plants anywhere near. The flowers were exactly the same colour as A. acaulis so I wondered if I had some mutant form that had seeded off from that. Obvioulsly not. Anyway, it's gone now.
I've spent the very nice, sunny-after-a-good-frost morning, sorting out some plants to take for sale to the Trillium Weekend on Oct 8th-9th. Attenders may apply for a table to sell plants and I have some interesting things in small numbers.
-
I'm taking James to the rugby on 9th October. First weekend of the school holidays. It the seedings work out it will be All Blacks vs Scotland.
-
I have a one track mind. I read your post as seedlings. ???
-
I have a one track mind. I read your post as seedlings. ???
Me too -is it great minds or simple ones that think alike ??? ;D
Asphodelus fistulosa is also a problem here in Australia.
Bill, I love your lachenalias!
cheers
fermi
-
These were flowering last week on Westshore, Napier.
-
I hate to admit it but Napier has a nice climate, even nicer - some say - than Dunedin's. :)
-
Just catching up on this topic. I just have to comment on Lesley's Ranunculus calandrinioides, which is amazing. I didn't realise there were summer heat resistant type Ranuncs that look like that!! :o Also of note are Fermi's Sternbergia candida (mine went to the great garden in the sky the first year I grew it!! ::)) and that lovely Galanthus 'Comet' (which I've not come across before I think?). Also Pat's wonderful Iris, and the spectacular pics from Bill as always.
Thanks all.
-
The Ranunculus Paul, is really autumn and into winter flowering. It's still in good flower now so hopefully into spring as well. We had two days earlier in the week that were definitely spring. :D
Galanthus 'Comet' is (correct me if I'm wrong) what Marcus listed a few years back as 'Outer Green Tips' then adjusted the name to 'Comet.' It does well here. I took some reasonable pics of 'Lady Beatrix Stanley,' 'Dionysus' and 'Hughes' Emerald' last week and then accidentally deleted them from the card before uploading them. I can get another H E but too late for the others as they're past their best.
-
Thanks Lesley.
Re the ranunc, I was just surprised that one that looked like that was a summer heat type. The ones that tolerate that usually don't seem to look like your little gem.
The pics I've seen of Gal. 'Hughes Emerald' are lovely.
-
Hi
Two rare yellow crocus out this morning.
The first is the unusual form of chrysanthus called Sunspot.
The second is called something else now I think but David Stephens tentatively name it Edwards Gold. Purportedly a sieberi ssp sieberi collected as seed on Mt Idi - No way :o
Cheers, Marcus
Marcus,
Was just wandering through this topic again and realised that your Sunspot was already in flower in July. I'm guessing that bodes ill for my corm of Sunspot that I got this year and that has not yet appeared above the surface? Darnit, I was looking forward to seeing it in person as I've loved the pics that others have posted of this variety. :'(
-
Paul, I got 'Sunspot' last year, and it didn't come up at all. Maybe it's a little more difficult than some others? Generally chrysanthus forms do very well here.
-
Lesley,
I've roughly checked for mine and can't find remains of it either. Maybe it just prefers Tasmania and doesn't want to leave there? Such a shame. :'(