April 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere

[meanie]

Very impressive!

From some of your photographs it looks as if things are making a good come back after the greenhouse disaster.

Losses were heavy amongst the succulents and the damage to the Cantua was disappointing but on the whole I've been pleasantly surprised.
Most surprising is how the three vines coped with it. Thunbergia gregorii, Kennedia nigricans and K.rubicunda were prime candidates to succumb I thought but they're in growth again and K.rubicunda is starting to produce its blooms.

[Brian Ellis]

Here's Sanguinaria 'Star' this morning, bought from Pitcairn Alpines in 2011 and settling in nicely.  Missed out on buying the pink form of sanguinaria this year and unfortunately no sign of Sanguinaria 'Mizar' (yet?).  Such a shame the single form of sanguinaria comes and goes so quickly but at least we have this and fl.pl. to admire

[astragalus]

So much more than just a white buttercup! Ranunculus alpestris is a joy.

One of my favorites in the Dolomites.  Don't think the hot and humid summers here would be to its liking.

[Irm]

Today in my Berlin garden

Jeffersonia dubia alba
Jeffersonia dubia

[Irm]

Tulipa alba coerulea oculata

[Irm]

a nice corydalis

[Robert]

Losses were heavy amongst the succulents and the damage to the Cantua was disappointing but on the whole I've been pleasantly surprised.
Most surprising is how the three vines coped with it. Thunbergia gregorii, Kennedia nigricans and K.rubicunda were prime candidates to succumb I thought but they're in growth again and K.rubicunda is starting to produce its blooms.

Glad to hear that things are recovering well. Hopefully the lost plants can be replaced.

[meanie]

Glad to hear that things are recovering well. Hopefully the lost plants can be replaced.

Thanks.

How is the drought situation up your way?

[David Nicholson]

Four very nice pictures Irm.

[Maggi Young]

Today in my Berlin garden

Jeffersonia dubia alba
Jeffersonia dubia

Especially lovely. 

[Roma]

Chaenomeles 'Nicole'

[Maggi Young]

Chaenomeles 'Nicole'

 Pretty  - Dear "fleurbleue" should be growing this - have you got this, Nicole?

[johnw]

Clivia 'Vico Yellow'  - full sun outdoors, spring to mid autumn, seems to give it the necessary jolt to set buds.

That's a 14" pot.

johnw

[Robert]

Thanks.

How is the drought situation up your way?

The drought situation is getting strange. Our irrigation district has everyone on a 25% mandatory cut back on water, and yet they want to sell 16,000 acre feet of water (about 1/2 to 1/3 our current supply) to the Westlands Water District (Gigantic corporate farms - they are willing to pay big money). I am not the only farmer out of business. Other farmers have lost all their fruit trees and the farmers' market has thinned of vendors considerably. The produce also tastes terrible now! Tough, woody and dry.  Stay tuned. Now we have to get through the summer and fall.

[fredg]

A short video of the start of the Prumula season at Pleasley Pit.
Cowslips, Primroses and Oxlips.