May 2015 in the Southern Hemisphere

[Anthony Darby]

Narcissus viridflorus coming into bloom.

[Gerdk]

Congratulations, Perfectly cultivated!

Gerd

[Maggi Young]

Viv, I'm pretty sure that Peter's 'Seven Bells' (with reference to his career in the British Navy and his second-in-command status (I think) during the Falklands War) is a selection from the wild. It is certainly pure laciniata, not a hybrid. Seed from that one would be exciting but there is huge variation within laciniata. Even here, there are perhaps half a dozen clones in various shades. My best is a clear blue though not so dark as SB while the others range from deep pinks through magenta. I like the blues best, such an unexpected colour in Oxalis.

 Captain Peter Erskine RN was commanding officer of the 'Sheffield Swan' from 1979-1982  (and another Oxalis is named for this ship )

[vivienne Condon]

I must admit I love the blue's as well, they are the Oxalis that caught my eye when we were in the UK. Thank you Lesley for your helpful information.
We are off to Spain soon to the Pyenees, Picos de Europa, Sierra Nevada and down in the limestone area's of Grazalema and Ronda, we will be camping so hope it does not rain too much.
Any one have any places or gardens they can recommend please the only garden I can find is the Goudie garden in La Pobla de Lillet and the Alpine garden in France near Tourmalet,
 Thanks Viv

[Maggi Young]

Vivienne, here are two links which I believe will be of interest = and use- to you in regards to  European Alpine Gardens:

http://www.botmuc.de/en/garden/alpine_gardens_map.pdf

http://botany.uibk.ac.at/bot-garden/alpen/index_en.html

Have a great holiday!

[David Nicholson]

Viv, reachable from the Grenada area, but easier from Malaga perhaps is El Torcal. Loads of information on Google about it. Still worth going even if the Spring flowering stuff will be well over. Also in the same area is the town of Antequera again well worth a visit.

[vivienne Condon]

Thank you David and Maggi, will do far more research Viv

[fermi de Sousa]

The South African oxalis do well here at least
Here's the "Salmon-Pink" form of Oxalis hirta,
cheers
fermi

[Jupiter]

Fermi that is beautiful. Very nicely photographed.

[fermi de Sousa]

Still flowering well in the Rock Garden is this rather large Zauschneria (I refuse to call them Epilobiums); I wonder if it should be trimmed after flowering?
cheers
fermi

[meanie]

Narcissus viridflorus coming into bloom.

That is a stunner! You have finally introduced me to a "Daff" that I am utterly smitten with 

[Robert]

Still flowering well in the Rock Garden is this rather large Zauschneria (I refuse to call them Epilobiums); I wonder if it should be trimmed after flowering?
cheers
fermi

Fermi,

Looking good!

I trim my Zauschnerias in the late winter right before they start into growth. In general they are very cold hardy and can die back to the ground, however I get varying degrees of die back on them during the winter. For me trimming them in late winter works best - and they look good into and past the flowering season.

[fermi de Sousa]

Thanks, Robert,
I'll try to remember to do that!
cheers
fermi

[Lesley Cox]

Zauschneria (I refuse to call them Epilobiums);
cheers
fermi

You must be joking!

[fermi de Sousa]

You must be joking!

No, I'm serious - I refuse to call them Epilobiums!
 
cheers
fermi