Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia

[Tristan_He]

Wonderful pictures Tristan! I wonder how an earth we manage to grow Saxifraga oppositifolia here (admittedly not too well) with only around 600-700mm of rain annually?! Actually Asplenium ceterach and A. trichomanes also grow quite well in the sand bed with some irrigation in the driest periods but I would definitely prefer the landscape to go with them!!

I think Saxifraga oppositifolia really doesn't like being dried out or being baked in summer Tim. Even in Snowdonia it tends to grow in north facing locations and / or on the north side of boulders. The microclimate is really critical though - I reckon I have about double the rainfall you get and I have lost purple sax growing in a southerly aspect. But it is very easy to grow (and flowers well) tucked in a shady crevice with a northerly aspect. The 30 tonne boulders do add a certain something though don't they!

Asplenium ceterach and A. trichomanes both grow happily in an old mortar wall near my parents house in Devon, so these really don't particularly high rainfall. I've not found them easy to establish though (at least not by transplanting).

[ian mcdonald]

Asplenium ceterach, rusty back fern, in my dry-stone wall. The only concern is hot dry weather, when they curl up and look "crispy." A good watering soon picks them up again. img. 1010117. There is a soil bank behind the "wall" which plants can root into from the front of the wall. Getting the plants to survive the first year is the hardest part. Keep watering them for at least a year to get them established, as with all plants, is the best thing. There is a layer of soil between the stones, just like a dry mortar.

[Maggi Young]

While not a native plant, Ramondas do well in similar situations as Ian's Asplenium ceterach, also getting frighteningly "crispy" in hot dry weather, but reviving with water  - my point being to reiterate that it is worth making an effort to establish plants in such places.

[Tim Ingram]

I remember seeing lots of Asplenium ceterach in a wall next to the car park in Beddgelert (and wonderful lichens on the trees alongside the river), and A. trichomanes next to the Cathedral at Dunblane in Scotland. These small rock ferns are delightful, would really like to grow more of them.

[Gabriela]

Thanks for the links Tristan. The legends always make for interesting reads 

[Narcissus]

Many years ago I had my introduction to rock climbing in Cwm Idwal on the famous Idwal slabs (Faith, Hope and Charity).  I've never managed to find any Gagea (=Lloydia) serotina on the ledges, but I did once find Saxifraga caespitosa.

[ian mcdonald]

Hello Robert, it is one of the few alpines I have not seen in the wild. Easy to grow from seed though.

[Hoy]

Hello Robert, it is one of the few alpines I have not seen in the wild. Easy to grow from seed though.

Ian, if you really want to see Saxifraga cespitosa you should visit Svalbard

Here are a few examples:

[ian mcdonald]

Nice pictures Trond. I know where it is in Scotland but it is a long hike and an overnight camp, to see it.

[Narcissus]

Dear Ian and Trond,

  Nice photos - I've never seen it like that !   

I have some seed potted up from last year's seed exchange but still waiting !

Robert

[ian mcdonald]

Hello Robert, I also grew it from exchange seed. It flowered for several years then I lost it. It may be too dry in this area.