January 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere

[Roma]

Not much in flower here.  The first Eranthis is just showing colour.  A promising sign of Spring
Galanthus reginae-olgae (corcyrensis) is still hanging on.  The first flowers opened at the beginning of November.
Fred's Giant nearly there
A few Narcissi in the greenhouse
A pot of Cyclamen coum brightening things up   

[Anne Repnow]

A lovely touch of spring to come! Thank you, Roma

[johnralphcarpenter]

Wintersweet, Chimonanthus praecox, today. Grow it near a path to enjoy the winter fragrance.

[Anne Repnow]

A beautiful shrub!
Not much flowering here...
(Nandina domestica)

[Leon]

Some years here in the Heartland of the USA we have some bloom this time of the year.  Not this year.  Winter has us in her grip and she is unrelenting. Not a sign of Hellebore bloom or even Narcissus leaves yet.  10°F (-12°C) is forecast for tomorrow morning.  I am elated that days will soon be getting longer.

[johnralphcarpenter]

Some of the sunken lanes on the North Downs here in Kent have splendid ferns growing on the banks.

[meanie]

Ipheon Rolf Fiedler...................


The only good thing here as the trip switch went in the breaker board in the shed (water had got into the breaker board) cutting the power to the greenhouse and thus the heater. It hit -5°c and there have been losses 

[ian mcenery]

I suppose we are all getting our fixes from wherever we can find them at the moment

Here Adonis amurensis poking its nose through the ground

[Anne Repnow]

Here is something for you to have a good laugh at.
While on the Greek island of Santorini last autumn I was charmed by the beautiful and unusual flower of Pancratium maritimum (pic 1)

This plant - though apparently fairly common round about the Mediterranean - is highly protected on Santorini, because there is an endemic variation, Pancratium maritimum 'Oia' (Pic 2).

I would never dream of nicking a protected plant. But there was a strong wind and I noticed some large black seeds being blown across the road (they are very light). They found their way into my pocket and into a pot of sandy soil when I was back at home. I was astonished that they all sent up a green leaf and thinking they will need all the sun they can get, I put them outside when the sun came out (Pic 3).

Apparently it is very difficult to get them to flower in northern Europe. We'll see...

[ruweiss]

Carex alburyana,
Got this plant from Czech rockgardener, a seedling which he raised
some years ago from seed exchange material.
Unfortunately he had no more information of this small grass, maybe
one the expert forumists can help me.

[Anne Repnow]

Are you sure it isn't called Carex albula?

[Anne Repnow]

Here's looking at you, kid ...

((Ophiopogon japonicus 'Minor')

[Robert]

The January "heat wave" is over, however it is still way too warm for this time of year. 62 F (16.5 c) today! At least it was overcast. Our 3 year drought continues - no rainfall so far this January.

After pruning in the orchard I had some time to poke around the garden. Not much is going on, which is good. A few early bloomers.

1.) Viburnum x bodnantense 'Dawn'

2.) Prunus mume - It might be 'Peggy Clark' the label is long gone. The varieties with good fruit for Umeboshi are still in bud.

[ruweiss]

Are you sure it isn't called Carex albula?

Anne, many thanks for your reply,
It is possible, that the seed donor of this Carex used the
wrong name. (like so often!)
I will see and compare this plant in the coming season.

[Leon]

Ipheon Rolf Fiedler...................

Meanie,
That is a beautiful photo of Rolf Fiedler.  I grew it here for a number of years along with Ipheon 'Wesley Blue' but now both have died out.  I think our long hot dry summers were not to their liking.  Ipheon is a most enjoyable plant.
Leon