Bulb Log 06 (2015)

[Alan_b]

I cannot see pictures of all those beautiful white-flowered Eranthis species without wanting to grow them outside in my garden, alongside the yellow ones.  Do you think that will be possible?  I have been encouraged by my increasing numbers of seedlings from the cream-coloured form(s) of Eranthis hyemalis to hope that the same thing might be achieved one day with other species.

[Maggi Young]

It may happen one day, Alan - we never what is ahead - but I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.
For a start, the whites are for the most part, tiny in comparison to the yellows, or even the gold/orange types.  The flowers of pinnatifida, even when growing well and fully mature would fit inside a half open  flower of hyemalis.   It is a joy to be able to have the digital photos of them to be able to enlarge them enough to be able to appreciate all the delicious intricacy of their parts.  To the naked eye in a pot they are  so tiny that it would be easy to overlook them altogether.  In the open garden  in the UK you would likely never spot them, even if the slugs left them alone long enough for them to flower.

Bulb Log 6 of 2015   http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2015Feb111423653854BULB_LOG_0615.pdf



Now , of course, life and the internet being what it is, I expect someone will come along to say they have carpets of the whites, with flowers the size of dahlias ......... I'll believe it when I see it!

[Alan_b]

Well yes in fact this post from Don B is as close as we get to that, Maggi http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=8447.msg236660#msg236660 .  But why is this only achieved in his garden in Iowa?

[Yann]

Again a fabulous log, Ian a great thank you!

[Ian Y]

Thank you Yann.

Alan, these Eranyhis  are perfectly hardy for us and they have survived in pots in an open frame for years.
I do intend to plant a few Eranthis pinnatifida seedlings in a raise bed but wil choose the spot carefully so that they can be seen and enjoyed.

[Alan_b]

Just thinking of the regular Eranthis hyemalis: they can sometimes be a bit slow to get established but once they start self-seeding there is no stopping them.  That seems to be the experience of Rob B in Iowa with pinnatifida and stellata.  But almost everybody else seems to cosset them to the point that that if they are capable of been grown in the garden few of us will ever get the opportunity to find out.

[SJW]

Hi Ian - in the latest bulb log you write A wider picture of the Ornithogalum species...showing more of the leaves and the compact habit – if you have any suggestions to the identity of this plant I would be pleased to hear from you.

I posted some pics of plants flowering in the Wisley Alpine house last week here: http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=11356.msg323938#new. How does the photo of Ornithogalum lanceolatum compare with your plant? A possibility?

[Ian Y]

Yes Steve there is a strong similarity and the collection came fro Turkey so I will mark it as a possibility, thanks.

[annew]

Some lovely daff seedlings, Ian, but the white eranthis are an artist's dream - What colour combinations!

[YT]

Thank you for sharing further growing information for eranthis, Ian You fed them more than I imagined. I’ll feed them a little more than before this growing season. And Crocus laevigatus which has longest flowering period and beautiful hoop petticoats are also interesting!