October in the Northern Hemisphere

[Gabriela]

Thanks Gabriela
Osmunda regalis is rare in Norway and I have never seen it in the wild here myself. As far as I know it is not connected to habitats where Myrica grows.

But I have seen it in Madagascar! (The books say it is the same species!) No bog myrtles there but a lot of other ferns - and a bunch of palefaces in the "shady" canyon.
(November 2015)

Quite rare in Ontario as well and when growing in the shade it looks like the one in your picture. In full sun though, wow! - I'll look for the pictures later.

[ian mcdonald]

We have both Osmunda and Myrica on the local patch. The tallest osmunda is about five feet in height img 2865 (this is not the tallest).

[Robert]

Robert, although I don't know the scent of tarweed I can imagine how it feels!

Some nice flowers you have in bloom now. Zinnia is used as a summer bedding plant here but it is not common. I have grown it a fewtimes myself also but it prefer more sun and drier climate than we have here, I suppose.

Trond,



Centromadia fitchii  This native annual species is responsible for much, but not all, of the pungent scent after a rain in our area.



This species grows mostly in waste areas. It is extremely glandular (both long and short glandular hairs) - very sticky. The flowers open at night, or stay open on cloudy days. It is extremely xeric.



Madia elegans is another one of our native scented species. Once again the flowers are open mostly at night, or on cloudy days. What a shame as the flowers are quite beautiful. It is another xeric species.



Epilobium brachycarpum This native species is most likely considered weedy.



It can grow up to 2 meters tall and does not have much in the way of foliage. It is extremely xeric and is often seen in waste areas.

[Robert]

Horseweed, Erigeron canadensis, is a native species also seen is waste areas. It is extremely xeric. Plants often grow 2 meters tall or sometimes a bit more.



Prickly Lettuce, Lactuca serriola, a common non-native species often seen in waste areas.



Salix lasiandra, a common native species. Hydric!



Helianthus 'Sheila's Sunrise, at the farm. It moves around a bit in the garden, however I still enjoy using this tall late blooming species.



Salvia sonomensis at the farm. It gets no irrigation during the summer (and no rain for 5 months or so). This species has highly scented foliage. It does not grow near the farm so I now grow them in our garden.

[Robert]

Eriogonum ursinum growing in the rock garden at the farm. It is looking great considering it was completely neglected this past summer.



Penstemon hetrodoxus, also in the rock garden. It too is looking good considering the lack of attention this past summer. I am looking forward to a good crop of flowers this coming spring. 

[Hoy]

Robert,
Erigeron canadensis (syn Conyza c.) is a weed here also. Do the Helianthus spread by runners or seed? Penstemon heterodoxus looks great!

[ian mcdonald]

E. canadensis is also an alien weed here.

[Robert]

Robert,
Erigeron canadensis (syn Conyza c.) is a weed here also. Do the Helianthus spread by runners or seed? Penstemon heterodoxus looks great!

Trond,

I am not surprised to find that Erigeron canadensis is weedy in Norway. Although "native" in our area it certainly is weedy. 30 + years ago when I was grafting fruit trees it was a pesty weed in the fields where the rootstock/grafting stock grew.

Yes, the Helianthus spreads by runners - caution is needed! - some can be extremely invasive (this may not be a strong enough term!    ). Even in our Class I farm soil in Sacramento it does not spread too much. Other species can be terrible in their ability to spread and regenerate from the smallest of pieces. So I guess we have lucked-out! 

The Penstemon hetrodoxus was grown from seed gathered in the Carson Pass area of the Sierra Nevada. Now that my growing methods have improved, it has been easy-to-grow and generally blooms well. The heat at the lower elevations causes the flowers to fade in their intensity. I wish that I could find a form that retains the rich flower color - so I keep growing more hoping for the chance seedling that might provide something different.

[Robert]

E. canadensis is also an alien weed here.

How pesty?  For us E. canadensis grows mostly in waste areas and disturbed sites. I never find it in wild areas. This seems odd to me since it is listed as a "native" species. 

[ian mcdonald]

E. canadensis seems to have spread through the country via the railway tracks from the south of England. It has now reached many areas due to its seeds which are wind borne.

[Robert]

E. canadensis seems to have spread through the country via the railway tracks from the south of England. It has now reached many areas due to its seeds which are wind borne.

Seems pesty to me. Not a good situation.

[Gabriela]

How pesty?  For us E. canadensis grows mostly in waste areas and disturbed sites. I never find it in wild areas. This seems odd to me since it is listed as a "native" species. 

Here E. canadensis also grows mostly on disturbed sites Robert, occasionally can be seen in wetlands. Rarely that tall as you mentioned (2 m +) though. To note that there are other Erigeron species very similar and hard to distinguished.
It is mainly a bother for farmers being one which developed fast resistance to glyphosate.

[Gabriela]

We have both Osmunda and Myrica on the local patch. The tallest osmunda is about five feet in height img 2865 (this is not the tallest).

That was about their height here as well, even if the picture doesn't show it very well. Also in very large patches - Osmunda spectabilis (August, 2016).


And a picture of yesterday, even if it seems out of place - Viola nephrophylla in the garden, confused about the seasons

[Hoy]

Nice violet, Gabriela 

Nice Osmundas also. Have to try more of them in the garden!

Clematis heracleifolia has been in flower for weeks now.







I have two Chusquea culeau in the garden - from seed sown 2013. They are only 1/2 m tall. One of the plants is in full bloom now! A bit early (I would rather have waited a few more years!). I am afraid it dies after flowering but I hope for fertile seeds.

[Gabriela]

"I have two Chusquea culeau in the garden - from seed sown 2013. They are only 1/2 m tall. One of the plants is in full bloom now! A bit early (I would rather have waited a few more years!). I am afraid it dies after flowering but I hope for fertile seeds".

Trond, a bit unusual Latin name for a plant - first I thought you wrote something else by mistake 
Did my homework afterwards...very interesting species (C. culeou).