July 2011 in the Southern Hemisphere

[Tecophilaea King]

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.

[Tecophilaea King]

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.

[fleurbleue]

You are lucky to grow it Bill 

[angie]

Bill that's amazing. Had no idea that a Dahlia could grow as tall as that. Thanks for showing us.

Angie

[arillady]

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?

[Maggi Young]

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? ...........

Sorry, Pat, no sympathy here for the "lack" of flowers!

[Lesley Cox]

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

[arillady]

Lesley I have never seen that plant before - it is lovely.

[Lesley Cox]

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.

[Lesley Cox]

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.

[Brian Ellis]

 

[Tecophilaea King]

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?
 

[Tecophilaea King]

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.
  

[Lesley Cox]

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.

[Sarmienta]

They look very good  Lesley I believe the seedpot has reached the maximum size . I am a bit jealous