April 2015 in the Southern Hemisphere

[Jupiter]

Glad you made it home safely Fermi. Seven hours if you drive straight through without rests! and not much to see on that inland road. It was fantastic to meet you both and you must come back one spring. What did you buy from Tupelo grove?

ps. Robert I don't grow the North American sedums... I should. Please tell me more about them.

pps. It's raining!!! 70mm in the last 2 days, proper soaking rain and so sorely needed over here.

[ashley]

New wild populations of Leptinella filiformis and Dysphania pusilla found in South Island NZ: a short account here.

[Maggi Young]

And apropos this :

New wild populations of Leptinella filiformis and Dysphania pusilla found in South Island NZ: a short account here.

  Dunedin Botanic Garden

   

This Friday HortTalk launches 10 new fact sheets about native plants, in partnership with New Zealand Plant Conservation Network.

"High noon, info centre - see you there for your free copies."

[Robert]

ps. Robert I don't grow the North American sedums... I should. Please tell me more about them.

pps. It's raining!!! 70mm in the last 2 days, proper soaking rain and so sorely needed over here.

Jamus,

Our California native Sedums and Dudleyas are, in general, very easy to grow and 100% xeric, my main motivation for asking. Most are prefect tiny plants for the rock garden and seem perfect for summer - hot, dry climates such as yours. I will post photographs as I come across them or when they are looking good here in the garden. In the garden, some will be blooming soon.

Glad to hear that the rains are returning! Here it is well into spring and we are having a major "winter type" storm with low snow levels in the mountains. It will not end our drought conditions, however it will certainly help.

[Jupiter]

No snow here unfortunately. That would do my galanthus and crocus the world of good.

[Anthony Darby]

My pot of Narcissus obsoletus continues to bloom. 15 flowers and counting.

[Maggi Young]

My pot of Narcissus obsoletus continues to bloom. 15 flowers and counting.

 It's done very well, hasn't it? I'd be well-pleased with that.

[Anthony Darby]

I'm absolutely delighted. It's taken four years. I like the variation in shape of the flowers. I also have two pots of Narcissus malacitanus and one of N. X alleniae, which are a year behind, so hopefully next year. I have one pot labelled N. serotinus, but no flowers yet. I'm hoping my pot of four year old N. viridiflorus bulbs will produce a flower, as I never get more than one seed from my other pot, even though I had fourteen flowering stems last year.

[Matt T]

N. x alleniae will be something quite special to look forward to, Anthony.

[Anthony Darby]

N. x alleniae will be something quite special to look forward to, Anthony.

Can't wait for this and Narcissus malacitanus to flower. Next year, perhaps? Need to get more seeds to sow. Collected some Albuca spiralis seeds if anyone wants any.

Here's more promise of things to come. A nice pink Cyclamen mirabile leaf. A shame they fade. Looks like I'll get my first flower on Massonia jasminiflora seedling this year. The genus was named for Francis Masson, a Scottish student gardener at Kew, who was sent to the Cape [South Africa] by Sir Joseph Banks in 1772 to collect seeds.

[Anthony Darby]

Brunsvigia litoralis flowering now.

[Jupiter]

Androsace lanuginosa, made it through the summer and is rewarding me with flowers.

[David Nicholson]

Cracking picture Jamus

[Jupiter]

Thanks David. There are a lot more buds to open; it's done very well considering. I'm just thrilled to have it in the rock garden.

[Otto Fauser]

Jamus , great photo of the Androsace . I will divide my clump of Gentiana paradoxa shortly . It is an easy Gentian to please here .

   here a few "every day ' plants from my autumnal garden .