January 2011 - Northern hemisphere

[Paul T]

I certainly had no idea that there were 4 white species.    I'll definitely have to keep an eye out for them in seed exchanges etc, although I rarely get much from there these days.  I find if I don't look at all the wonderful things there I won't be tempted...... because I can never help myself.    White Eranthis thought would be worth the temptation. 

[Hans A.]

Thanks a lot, glad you liked the pictures.

Hans you're making us drool once again ! Magnificent series !  But....
It was -6°C here last night - all Galanthus and Helleborus flat on the ground and then you show this... 

Will be hard to believe but last week I also had to scrape ice from the windshield - seversl times

[Diane Clement]

Will be hard to believe but last week I also had to scrape ice from the windshield - seversl times

welcome to our world, Hans          

[Rafa]

Hans is the Boss.... 

[Maggi Young]

Is Anthirrinum valentinum a Valencian endemic, Rafa?

[Rafa]

you are right Maggy.

[Maggi Young]

Thanks, Rafa. So, quite a small area of distribution then? ( My  Spanish geography is not so good   )

[Paul T]

That's really pretty.  Is it a shrub?  Sort of looks like it could be shrubby rather than growing like the traditional varieties?

[Rafa]

Yes it is Maggy, most of rocky perenial species are endemic from a small area. Indeed, there are species like A. subbaeticum that occurs in only two crevices. This A. valentinum grows in many places between Alzira and Gandia, but only in Valencia.

The flowers are almost one centimeter and the plant could make a big clump, hanging in a limestone crevice.

[Maggi Young]

Thanks, Rafa, for this information about plants I know very little about. Good to learn! 

[KentGardener]

Something flowering in my garden that isn't a snowdrop 

[Brian Ellis]

I don't generally like the doubles John, but that is absolutely super

[Paddy Tobin]

Yes, the double hellebore is beautiful, John, but I wonder if it looks like a red wine stain on a white carpet?

Paddy(Joking!)