November 2023 in the Southern Hemisphere

[fermi de Sousa]

The middle of the month seems an odd place to start but here goes!
This Amsonia is one I grew from seed - label long gone! I wonder if Robert or anyone else might recognise it,
cheers
fermi

[Robert]

Hi Fermi,

We have only one Amsonia species that is native to California. Amsonia tomentosa is native to the Mojave Desert and fringe parts of the Sonoran Desert in Southeastern California. This is definitely out of my range here in Northern California, however there are plenty of plants of horticultural interest in this region.

I am hoping to revisit a Pulga Bridge-like site in Northern California this spring. The “Cliftonii” ecotype of Erythronium multiscapideum found at the Pulga Bridge site has been overworked by collectors. Fortunately there are better locations that are still little known. In addition, the ‘Cliftonii’ genes are found in Erythronium multiscapideum throughout its range, often showing up in the phenotype of individuals that are misidentified as another species, or a new species. The horticultural potential of this species is still under utilized.

Calochortus coeruleus

There are some outstanding plants in this region. Calochortus tolmiei (a similar species pictured is Calochortus coeruleus), a number of Fritillaria species, a good stand of Lilium humboldtii ssp. humboldtii, as well as a great ecotype of Rhododendron occidentale can be found in this area. Over 20 years ago I made 5 selections from this ecotype. They have all proven to be extremely heat tolerant. In addition, they bloom 30 to 45 days earlier than the type species and come in a range of colors not found in the Sierra Nevada populations. Needless to say there are many fine species in this region that have horticultural value and have under utilized potential.

[pfirsich48]

I would guess A. montanum

[Robert]

Fermi

BTW – What side of the precipitation anomaly were you on in Southeastern Australia this past October? Dry or wet? Or maybe in between? Right now our weather has been uneventful. It has been too dry and too warm for the last week or so, but it is currently overcast with rain expected by this afternoon.

[fermi de Sousa]

Fermi

BTW – What side of the precipitation anomaly were you on in Southeastern Australia this past October? Dry or wet? Or maybe in between? Right now our weather has been uneventful. It has been too dry and too warm for the last week or so, but it is currently overcast with rain expected by this afternoon.

\
Hi Robert,
This October's total rainfall was 36.8mm compared to last year's 217.0mm - but that was a La Nina year!
So far for November we've only had 23.6mm from one rain event.
We're expecting a hot and dry summer ahead,
cheers
fermi

[Robert]

Hi Fermi,

Your precipitation totals for October and November would be considered average for April and May here in our part of Northern California.