Bulb Log 2017

[Robert]

Hi Ian,

It should not be surprising that Veratrum fimbriatum thrives in your Scottish garden. This species grows in the summer fog belt along the northern California coast. The summer fog brings very cool summer temperatures and drizzle. This is nothing like interior northern California - extremely hot and dry.

I have never seen Veratrum fimbriatum in the wild, however it is quite typical for the leaves of Veratrum californicum var. californicum to become tattered and insect eaten in the wild. For me, this is one of the many signs of autumn in the high Sierra Nevada. The plants would not look right if the leaves did not become yellow, tattered and eaten by autumn. I am attempting to establish this species in our Sacramento garden. If successful, I hope the leaves do look yellow, tattered and eaten by autumn. If they looked perfect it would not bring the look and feeling I want in our garden. Nobody wants their garden ravaged by pests, however less than "perfect" actually is, or at least can be in my mind, perfect.

Thank you for all your efforts to bring us the Bulb Log.     

[Ian Y]

Robert, thank you for the first hand information of Veratrum fimbriatum growing in the wild, sounds like I should not worry about the leaves being chewed and tattered when it flowers.

Thanks also for your kind words of support.

[Robert]

Hi Ian,

I took this photograph of Veratrum californicum var. californicum today in the Sierra Nevada.

[Ian Y]

Hi Ian,

I took this photograph of Veratrum californicum var. californicum today in the Sierra Nevada.

and growing far away in Aberdeen it looks very similar.

[Robert]

Ian,

I take it from the photograph that you also grow Veratrum californicum in Aberdeen?

Veratrum californicum does not need to deal with snails in the Sierra Nevada!

I am not sure what eats the foliage in the Sierra Nevada, however when they first emerge and come into growth the foliage is perfect and never eaten.

Thank you for sharing the photograph. 

[Maggi Young]

Photo is of V. fimbriatum, Robert.

[Ian Y]

This week's Bulb Log brings more autumn flowering Colchicum, Crocus, Cyclamen along with other seasonal colour.


http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Sep201505901969BULB_LOG_3817.pdf

[Ian Y]

The autumn colours bring the growing season to a close but in the Bulb Log this is the beginning.


http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Sep271506503128BULB_LOG_3917.pdf

[Carolyn]

The hamamelis leaves look wonderful beside the cyclamen!
It looks to me that your eucomis bicolor are growing in at least partial shade. Is this correct, or were the photos just late in the day? I have always put eucomis in full sun - it would be good to know if they will be OK in shade too.

[Maggi Young]

The Eucomis  do get some sun, Carolyn - as much as any plant can in an Aberdeen garden! Poor things have to take their chances here.

[Carolyn]

Thanks, Maggi, I will leave mine where they are - maybe we will have a sunny summer next year! We can only hope.

[Ian Y]

This week's Bulb Log brings Fruits, Flowers,colour and some planting out in the garden.


http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Oct041507112237BULB_LOG_4017.pdf

[fermi de Sousa]

Thanks for another interesting Bulblog, Ian.
Freesia laxa is in leaf here and will be in bloom soon not long after yours!
cheers
fermi

[Ian Y]

Colour, digging and bulbs flowering in the sand beds all in this Bulb Log.


http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Oct111507718934BULB_LOG_4117.pdf

[Ian Y]

Autumn tasks continue in the Bulb log - lifting leaves,planting out, while more Crocus flowers open.


http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Oct181508322541BULB_LOG_4217.pdf