Remarks from the Weekly KAVB Flower Show - Lisse

[TheOnionMan]

Must be some sort of Allium, but the only one I know the name of with stems like that is A. vavilovii?

Found a pic of Allium vavilovii, how about them stems!
http://haveylab.hort.wisc.edu/research/allium_vavilovii.jpg

WOW!! I didn't know these existed! Fantastic   and, dovetailing in nicely with the World Cup Thread and the Moraea vuvuzela, this is obviously the original inspiration for the vuvuzela!!  

Well, lots of vees for sure, but I think that "vavilovii" is a commemorative name.
Other possibilities of Alliums with the "fatter-in-the-middle" characteristics include galanthum, oschaninii, and cepa (see link), and the aforementioned fistulosum, vavilovii, and pskemense.  
http://database.prota.org/dbtw-wpd/protabase/Photfile%20Images%5CLinedrawing%20Allium%20cepa.gif

Allium pskemense is particularly distinct in this characteristic, as the leaves and stem are firm, if not hard to the touch, and glaucous blue-gray color.  I think there's a good photo on John Lonsdale's web site.

[TheOnionMan]

Here is Allium pskemense (described from the Pskem River, in the Flora USSR), from John Lonsdale's fabulous photo albums:
http://www.edgewoodgardens.net/Plants_album/The%20Plants%20-%20%20Complete%20Collection/Alliaceae/Allium/slides/Allium%20psekemense%200005.html

[angie]

Could it be some kind of Galtonia?

Angie

I think of Galtonia stems as being like fashion models.... straight up and down.....

Ok we are looking for something round and fat
I think Marks Allium looks more like it then.

Angie

[Ragged Robin]

Wonderful Agapanthus, Luit, I just love the different shades of blue.... but what is remarkable is how uniform in size they are - a wonderful display in your photograph  

If I knew my onions I would have a go at the puzzle 

[Lvandelft]

You did not disappoint me Mark, it's indeed what you said first! I heard that there are several other Allium with such fat stems.
Did you know that the bulbs taste very hot? Did not eat them myself but the grower told us.
The A. vavilovii look really fantastic.

the solution of the puzzle:
Allium pskemense 1
Allium pskemense 2

and the last ones
        
Zantedeschia aethiopica Pink Mist              
Zantedeschia aethiopica Pink Mist cl.                  

[Maggi Young]

Great puzzle, Luit! 


 That Z. 'Pink Mist' is a lovely colour.

[Lesley Cox]

Loved the Lonsdale image. I have a grass here which appears from time to time (a weed one), with swollen lower stems like that. I think it may be caused by a small mite or something similar.

[Lvandelft]

It's summertime, meaning that there are not so many entries at the show.
Here some pictures though:
               
Brodiaea Babylon                     
Dichelostemma Red Empire
Dichelostemma Red Empire cl           
Albuca nelsonii         
Albuca nelsonii cl                           
Pennisetum setaceum Fireworks   
then a not often seen plant from N.Z. I believe?:
Arthropodium cirratum           
Arthropodium cirratum cl             
             
Gladiolus Mirella
    A primulinus type, selected from G. Comet 

[johnw]

Wow Luit, that Dichelostemma 'Red Empire' is a cracker.  Is the Gladious 'Mirella' a winter-hardy one?

johnw

[Maggi Young]

Lovely plant of Arthropodium cirratum 
Who wouldn't be charmed by the Dichelostemma Red Empire ? What a cute cheery flower! Individually sweet and very striking  en masse.

[Lesley Cox]

Another lovely group Luit. I lost 'Mirella' last year and when I went to buy some more this last summer, there were a dozen or so vars but not Mirell." Must keep an eye out for it next summer.

The Arthropodium cirr(h)atum is certainly a New Zealander, from the warmer, northern coastal parts and not fully hardy in the south though this is dependant on the winter each year, whether mild or not. Though it always comes away, the frosted leaves look quite mushy and disgusting. It's used a lot for street planting and as undercover for tree plantings in many areas. There are many of selected forms now, some quite pink in flower, others with extremely broad leaves, looking very lush and tropical.

[Ragged Robin]

Even if less in the summer this is a interesting and fun group you have photographed to show us Luit

I love the blue Brodiaea Babylon but who could resist the spectacle of Pennisetum setaceum Fireworks!  I have a bit of a thing about fireworks in the garden at the moment 

 

[Lesley Cox]

All fireworks are beautiful aren't they? Robin, if you like that Pennisetum - and who wouldn't? - you'd like the NZ cordyline hybs that are around recently, with beautiful bright red, fine and falling leaves and sprays of pinky flowers which are fragrant. No picture unfortunately but I'm sure ithey will be in UK/European nurseries soon if not already. There's a beauty called 'Red Fountain' which says it all. It and the Glad. 'Mirella' are real fireworks plants and candidates for my (future) red garden.

[Lvandelft]

Wow Luit, that Dichelostemma 'Red Empire' is a cracker.  Is the Gladious 'Mirella' a winter-hardy one?

johnw

John, I know that G. primulinus are said to be more hardy, but don't think growers leave them over winter outside here.
As with many S. African bulbs the wet will be more a problem than the cold.

The Arthropodium cirr(h)atum is certainly a New Zealander, from the warmer, northern coastal parts and not fully hardy in the south though this is dependant on the winter each year, whether mild or not. Though it always comes away, the frosted leaves look quite mushy and disgusting. It's used a lot for street planting and as undercover for tree plantings in many areas. There are many of selected forms now, some quite pink in flower, others with extremely broad leaves, looking very lush and tropical.

Lesley, I had some problem about the naming. I always thought it's cirrhatum, but looking in the Plantfinder (book) I saw there is no h used. Therefore I changed. But my trust in those botanists is long gone already 
Did not know that there are other forms and colours, and had no idea that they even are used for plantings in NZ. Thanks for telling.

Even if less in the summer this is a interesting and fun group you have photographed to show us Luit

I love the blue Brodiaea Babylon but who could resist the spectacle of Pennisetum setaceum Fireworks!  I have a bit of a thing about fireworks in the garden at the moment 
 

Robin, the Brodiaea (and Dichelostemma) were pictured after being a whole week in the Hall.
They are rather good cutflowers I think

[Ragged Robin]

All fireworks are beautiful aren't they? Robin, if you like that Pennisetum - and who wouldn't? - you'd like the NZ cordyline hybs that are around recently, with beautiful bright red, fine and falling leaves and sprays of pinky flowers which are fragrant. No picture unfortunately but I'm sure ithey will be in UK/European nurseries soon if not already. There's a beauty called 'Red Fountain' which says it all. It and the Glad. 'Mirella' are real fireworks plants and candidates for my (future) red garden.

I shall look out for these, Lesley, they sound wonderful - fragrant too mmmmm