April 2018 in the Southern Hemisphere

[Jupiter]

Yes that's right Gordon, I need some shrubs for protection and as a backdrop for my little plants. I had a BIG Isoplexis canariensis and it died this summer, because I pruned it too hard.

[GordonT]

Sorry to hear of your garden losses (drought induced?). Hydrangea quercifolia is in our front garden... Isoplexis would be an annual here- or a potted plant to be shuffled into protection. I've seen a few Isoplexis/Digitalis hybrids available in the nursery trade here, doubt any can make it through our winters.

[Parsla]

Thank you Maggi for the identification, and to jamus and fermi for their postings.  Clearly i need more crocuses!

We are crying out for rain still in melbourne, although mercifully the temperatures have dropped so can cope with less.  the large eucalypts dry out the soil immensely though.

Just three:

1. Anopterus glandulosa - in my hands a very finicky understory plant that should do better than it does.
2. Oxalis massoniana from Otto (orange) and Oxalis hirta rosea (hot pink) from the last ags vic. meeting. The massoniana seems to thrive on neglect - it has been in a tiny wee pot for a couple of years in all weathers.
3. Crocus laevigatus naturalising under the cherries.

[Jupiter]

Hi Jacqui, yes it has been a very tough summer and we're not out of the woods yet. I like your Oxalis, Otto gave me some O. massoniana a few years ago and it gets better and better each year. I love it. My second picture is a beautiful Correa reflexa given to me by my friend Matt Coulter. It's a great rock garden plant don't you think?
 

[Jupiter]

Some Cyclamen in pots.

[vanozzi]

Some more cyclamen in pots

[Jupiter]

Beautiful plants Paul. I look forward to having more Cyclamens. Did you join the cyclamen society? I haven't as yet.

[vanozzi]

Thanks for showing your appreciation Jamus.
That lot is half of the seedlings raised from my first shipment of seed from Jan Bravenboer and I can't believe how good some are.All the species had germination except one, but it may still.
Haven't joined the Cyclamen Society.Did you try any seed from Jan?

[Jupiter]

No I didn't Paul, because I don't know her! Sounds like I need to.

[vanozzi]

Jamus, sadly Jan passed away late last year.

Together with his wife, Mieke, they ran the wonderful Green Ice Cyclamen Nursery in The Netherlands.

The cyclamen collection is now in England.