Early spring in the Southern Hemisphere

[fermi de Sousa]

Hi Luc,
well the Dampieria is hardy here with temperatures between -7^oC to +40^oC. I think we've had this plant about 5 years but it spreads by suckering and this bit was moved to its current location about 3 years ago.

Other blooms on the Paeony are opening.


cheers
fermi

[Lesley Cox]

Your Euphorbia looks pretty like my E. myrsinites Fermi, quite large and it arches out and over. I've had this for at least 30 years. But I also bought a very dwarf form from Ann Cartman 3 or 4 years ago. It must be a variety or subspecies or something. Pics below. I'd like to see yours in the flesh to compare.





As you see from the Viola dubyana growing in it, this little one is only a couple of inches high and perhaps 7 inches across, after 3 years.






The top and 3rd pics were taken from the same distance from the plant which gives some idea of relative size. The big one seeds around but the little one has never produced fertile seed, or nothing has germinated anyway. As you can also see, in the large one both flowers and calyces are rich lime green but in the small one, the calyces are the same sea green of the leaves. I love them both.

[Gerdk]

Thanks god, finally another violet fan in this Forum!
Lesley, has your Viola dubyana a distinct black marking inside its 'face' ? From the foliage it may be a hybrid. Pansies are very promiscuous.

Gerd

[Maggi Young]

Thanks god, finally another violet fan in this Forum!

Gerd, take heart... I am a great fan of violets, it is simply that I do not grow many.... you must show us lots to cheer us!

[Gerdk]

Thanks god, finally another violet fan in this Forum!

Gerd, take heart... I am a great fan of violets, it is simply that I do not grow many.... you must show us lots to cheer us!

Sorry Maggi, forgot your kind comments about Viola spathulata.
There are only few violets flowering now but I'll do my very best.
Please have a look to ' Flowers and Foliage now '.

Gerd

[Lesley Cox]

Gerd the viola doesn't have a truly black marking, but more very, very dark violet, right in the middle then going out and down as whiskers, surrounding a tiny yellow centre. I have no reason to think it's a hybrid. I've had it for many years and it always comes true from seed.Would you like some later in our summer?

I'll zip out and get a couple of pics.

[fermi de Sousa]

Also in flower in the "native section" of the rock garden is an Eriostemon species, it possibly has had a name change recently and may be Philotheca or something but I haven't checked! They are known as Native waxflowers.


In the shade bed the electric blue Bellevalia dubia has started,



as has the "Blue" daphne, D. genkwa,



And in the sunnier Rock garden, a dwarf kniphofia which we got as "Candlelight" is blooming, though it looks a lot like one sold as "Little Treasure"



A late daff is one I got as "Samba" but it doesn't match the description in the books. It appears to be a type of tazetta, but only has one flower this year which gives it more of an appearance of a poeticus! Any suggestions?



cheers
fermi

 

[Otto Fauser]

 Yes Fermi ,Eriostemon species are now under Philotheca-we had a workingbee at the Ferny Creek Hort. Soc.Garden today ,about 10 of us getting the native Australian Plants Garden ready for planting out.Amongst many others I planted a few Philotheca species ,they are all very beautyful, When you come to our monthly meeting in 2 week's time ,you will be amazed at the transformation of the old Rockgarden-see Maggi my fractured ribs have almost healed and I am back with my hands in the soil
  Ciao Otto.

[Maggi Young]

Otto, how  wonderful to hear your are well enough to be gardening. Excellent news.


I must do some reading to discover why the taxonomists are changing those plant names. super whatever they are called, but the name changes don't make life any easier for us trying to remember, do they?

[Gerdk]

Gerd the viola doesn't have a truly black marking, but more very, very dark violet, right in the middle then going out and down as whiskers, surrounding a tiny yellow centre. I have no reason to think it's a hybrid. I've had it for many years and it always comes true from seed.Would you like some later in our summer?
I'll zip out and get a couple of pics.

Lesley,
Please have a look at the following pics (photographed from copies).
V. dubyana has leaves which are orbicular at the base, those above lanceolate to linear. It is a very delicate plant.
Of course I would be glad if you'll post some additional pics later.
But please, tell the plants that they have to look right into the camera. There is a trick here in Germany when we make photos from small children. We tell them: " Look, here is a little bird visible ".
Don't know if it works with violets.

Congratulations for being able to cultivate Viola pedata successfully. I had always very bad results althoug a built a special bed with very poor soil and good drainage.

Gerd

[Lesley Cox]

No, that's NOT mine. Here it is below.







Needless to say, I'd be very happy to get a positive ID for this lovely plant. I'm sure it's a species, not a hybrid. Seed is available in the coming few months for anyone who would like it.

[fermi de Sousa]

Thanks, Otto, Glad you are able to garden again!
Lesley, I think what we grow in Australia is the same as your V. dubyana, so maybe it should just be v. dubius?!
We got some rain overnight and this morning which is a boon, but not enough to break the drought.
Despite the weather conditions, I managed to get a few more pics before work this morning.
Firstly, Narcissus "White owl" a multi-headed white and cream.


And double triandrus hybrid, "White Marvel".




I've also posted some new pics on the South African Bulb Thread!
cheers
fermi
 

[Lesley Cox]

Lesley, I think what we grow in Australia is the same as your V. dubyana, so maybe it should just be v. dubius?!

I'm doubtful about that Fermi

[Luc Gilgemyn]

That Viola is a real stunner Lesley ! 
It does have flower power
If it's not too much trouble - I'd be glad to be on your list for some seed 

[Gerdk]

No, that's NOT mine. Here it is below.

Needless to say, I'd be very happy to get a positive ID for this lovely plant. I'm sure it's a species, not a hybrid. Seed is available in the coming few months for anyone who would like it.

Sorry, the determination of wild pansies is very difficult. Don't know what it is. Just take it for a wonderful violet.

Gerd