May 2016 in the Northern Hemisphere

[David Nicholson]

This peony I rescued from an abandoned small garden in Oslo in 1973. It was only a little piece of root with one leaf left. I planted it in my parent's garden where it made a considerable clump in the following years. I brought one little piece with me when I moved. It has not increased that much here! I think it is Paeonia anomala but I am not sure. Any suggestions?

Trond we have discussed this quite a lot in previous years, the following might be helful.
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=3114.135

[Mike Ireland]

Two plants from the garden today,
Tulipa sprengeri
Ramonda nathaliae alba

[meanie]

First bloom on Solanum laciniatum today................


Asphodeline lutea..............


Despite having shown it before Vestia foetida is looking really good now.............

[Regelian]

This Vestia is fascinatingly beautifull, Meanie.  Only thing I have that comes close is Iochroma!  Not the same thing.

Also attached, two shots of Papaver bracteatum.  Always earlier than P. oriental and, lets face it, the colour is pretty great.

[meanie]

This Vestia is fascinatingly beautifull, Meanie.  Only thing I have that comes close is Iochroma!  Not the same thing.

They're both in the Solanaceae family. Best of all the Vestia is so far proving to be hardy here. Depending upon the source -5 to -10°c is quoted as its limit.
That's a nice Iochroma. I.australis (although I believe that has been reclassified) is the hardiest that I have or have grown. This year I'm looking forward to my I.fuchsioides seedling blooming.

[Maggi Young]

Mike- your Tulipa sprengeri display is lovely-  one to rival that of Roma Fiddes up here!

I do sympathise about your Ramonda nathaliae alba - 
such a pity you can't grow one of a decent size!!!!   
 

[shelagh]

Regelian your Incarvillea delavayi is very early ours have just started poking through in the rock garden.  I have sown 2 new ones this year and look forward to seeing them flower in the future. The white version of I. delavayi called "Snowtop" and I. mairei var. multifoliata

[Regelian]

Shelagh,
best of luck with them.  This one volunteer is the only Incarvillea I've 'managed' to grow!  As I am creating two new rockery areas in the garden, I'm hoping to get ahold of seed with the next seed-ex.
By the way, love that collection of fotos you posted.  Thanks!

Jamie

[johnw]

Such an elegant tree, Nothofagus antarctica, so we are praying for a bumper crop of seed.  A rarity in eastern North America aside from the mildest areas of coastal Nova Scotia and easternmost Newfoundland; the hot humid summers elsewhere will decimate it in a flash.  Perfect weather for it today - dense fog and 8c.

john

[illingworth]

Lewisia tweedii today in the garden.  We used to grow as many as we could manage but gradually our attention was diverted  by other plants.   A mistake.
 -Rob

[Leena]

Wonderful Tulipa sprengeri group! And also Lewisia picture is lovely. 

[Gabriel B]

It's been a long time since I posted on the forum.

Many flowers this spring (finally) on European lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea subsp. vitis-idaea) and the smaller North American lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea subsp. minus), here shown with a mining bee.

The latter I got from my friend Betty Ann Addison. Mine thrived, but hers faded away. It's so tiny and cute; I can't help but admire it every time I go outside. I wonder how often it's grown in gardens.

[David Nicholson]

Syringa 'Josee' purchased from Ashwood Nursery last year and settled in quite well here. It will grow 4-6 feet in height and will re-bloom until the first frosts. Said to be deer resistant too (but not a problem for me).

[Maggi Young]

Lewisia tweedii today in the garden.  We used to grow as many as we could manage but gradually our attention was diverted  by other plants.   A mistake.
 -Rob

Oh yes, that mistake has been made here too.

[Maggi Young]

It's been a long time since I posted on the forum.

Many flowers this spring (finally) on European lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea subsp. vitis-idaea) and the smaller North American lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea subsp. minus), here shown with a mining bee.

The latter I got from my friend Betty Ann Addison. Mine thrived, but hers faded away. It's so tiny and cute; I can't help but admire it every time I go outside. I wonder how often it's grown in gardens.

Hi Gabriel -  I know in the UK a lot of us who love "erics" - the ericaceae and the smaller types particularly
the smaller types, enjoy growing these little sweeties.