September 2015 in the Southern Hemisphere

[Jupiter]

Jamus, technically we can grow oncocyclus iris down here (iris iberica elegantissima from Otto, below) as well as trilliums (T. rivale dark leaf form from Viv). However in the 2 years I've had this iris I haven't had any flowers.

Show me flowers Jon. I haven't flowered any yet either so I'm hesitant to make any claims about my abilities to grow them, but it is heartening that you've kept Iris iberica elegantissima alive for two years at least, despite your soggy environment.

I got home from work a bit early today and spent an hour moving more oncos into the new raised bed. They are all looking very good at this stage.

[Parsla]

Hi Jamus, Jon,

Speaking of  oncocyclus, there is hope for us as they flower in even soggier places. in Hobart!

If you look back at this Southern Hemisphere thread on October 31st 2013, Marcus showed the iris Iberia elegantissima flowering, plus a couple of others.

Jacqui.

[Mini bulb lover]

Good work Jacqui! Although Hobart isn't as soggy as you would think. It's Australia's 2nd driest capital city, after Adelaide (according to the University of Tasmania's website). Maybe Marcus could shed some light on how he was able to achieve flowering?

Jamus - maybe this year will be the year they flower. Fingers crossed! They have multiplied though which I suppose is a good sign.

[fermi de Sousa]

Today David Glenn led garden tours in his garden to show people many of the bulbs which he grows at "Burnside", his home and Lambley Nursery at Ascot, near Ballarat in Central Victoria.
Here are some pics:
firstly, the man himself amidst Anemone pavonina in the Dry Garden;
Yucca and bulbs;
Euphorbia and ipheion;
Helleborus lividus
cheers
fermi

[Lesley Cox]

Diapensia lapponica is going to flower!!! I counted 3 buds yesterday and today there are 10.

My word that t00lie is a piece of work! I had literally not shut down my PC when he was on the phone about the Diapensia. From now on he'll be known as Doubting Thomas t00lie So sceptical was he about my Diapensia going to flower that he hot-footed it up the road yesterday (about 2 hours' trip), in order to prove me wrong. When he said on the phone he was coming up, I panicked and wondered had I had an optical illusion about the buds so tore out to look but no, all is as I said and yesterday there were 16 buds! Dave duly arrived, confirmed I hadn't been deluded and prostrated himself in apology (whether to the Diapensia or to me I'm not sure), and on the gravel driveway which must have been cold and uncomfortable following rain (more snow this morning. I don't believe it!). That will teach him not to believe his Granny.

Actually Dave was on his way north to Christchurch yesterday for the NZAGS Show which starts today, then tomorrow. Wish I were able to go up too.

[Lesley Cox]

Jamus, PM coming but later today. Rushed.

[melager]

Some really beautiful plants Mel, magnificent fritillaria and saxifrages.

Dave, I really love hepaticas. What a fantastic show you have.
Do you have a big collection?

Jacqui.

Thanks Jacqui
have been loving your photos as well, need to start getting into the habit of going on line each week and adding photos
Mel

[melager]

One little offering for the day.

A cyclamen rhodium f. vividum kindly gifted by Marcus a couple of months ago.

Talk about hot pink!
Quite different to the C. repandum I posted earlier (with identity confusion)   

Jacqui

the cyclamen rhodium f. vividum is fantastic Jacqui and Marcus

[melager]

Last Saturday the Victorian branch of the Alpine Garden Society hosted a lecture by Chris and Basak Gardner authors and photographers of “Flora of the Silk Road”, which traced their personal odyssey for flowers along the old silk trade route.  A genuine delight, I would recommend them to any SRGC members who have an opportunity to see them. Thank you to the organisers for their trouble in organising it.

Two small offerings from the garden:

1. The first bloom of Paeonia kesrouanensis – Thank you Marcus.
2. Trillium cuneatum (at least I think so).

Jacqui.

Oh my gosh Jacqui the Paeoia kesrouanensis is breathtaking, must try and source seed of it

Mel

[Jupiter]

I had the pleasure yesterday of meeting Richard and Bronwyn Illman and having an extensive personal tour, ahead of the rush today when their garden is open as part of the SA open garden scheme.
Lovely people and so knowledgeable. I even came away with a couple of treats, a Clematis and a Dianthus. 

Below are a few pictures of things of interest in their garden.

[Jupiter]

following on from above, Richwyn garden;

[Anthony Darby]

Here's the taller of my two dwarf Watsonias. I have been told it may be a hybrid of W. laccata.

[Otto Fauser]

a glorious sunny warm spring day here ,so I took photos of just a few of many plants in flower . I am fond of the yellow Fritillarias .

[Otto Fauser]

a few more

[Otto Fauser]

the last ones