Narcissus April 2017

[Rogan]

Well, Ugly Betty's out of the starting blocks here way west of Down Under - why do I grow something so ugly? Probably just because I can - one of my 'friends' asked me recently why I don't pull it out and burn it! 

[ArnoldT]

What did that Shakespeare guy say, no not the Leicester City Coach the other Shakespeare say something about the "eye of the beholder"

[Jupiter]

From seed to bloom in two years! I'm pretty happy with that. I had this labelled as N. obsoletus but Rafa has identified it for me as Narc. deficiens.

[Maggi Young]

What did that Shakespeare guy say, no not the Leicester City Coach the other Shakespeare say something about the "eye of the beholder"

 I prefer the  paraphrase used by the  inimitable Miss Piggy - "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it may be necessary from time to time to give a stupid or misinformed beholder a black eye."

[Gail]

Well, Ugly Betty's out of the starting blocks here way west of Down Under - why do I grow something so ugly? Probably just because I can - one of my 'friends' asked me recently why I don't pull it out and burn it! 

But the scent Rogan. Isn't that the main attraction? Although actually I like jade green and starry and autumn flowering...

[Jupiter]

Three out of six precious seeds of N. viridiflorus germinated and were trying to sink themselves deeper into the pot. Now carefully repotted and waiting for autumn rain.

[Rogan]

Very precious, Jamus - good luck with those (just don't let my 'friend' near!) 

[Gail]

Anyone any idea what this one is - 12-15" tall, flowers to 3" across, open with a yellow cup developing to pinky-peach supplied by Sarah Raven as 'Keats' which it definitely isn't. And as an aside, anyone know where I can get true 'Keats'?

[johnralphcarpenter]

Ah! So it's not just me. I bought these too and was disappointed with what came up. Shame on Ms. Raven!

[johnralphcarpenter]

It was registered by Lady Skelmersdale of Broadleigh Gardens, so maybe they sell it

[Gail]

It was registered by Lady Skelmersdale of Broadleigh Gardens, so maybe they sell it

Thanks - I've just emailed them to see.

[Gail]

Ah! So it's not just me. I bought these too and was disappointed with what came up. Shame on Ms. Raven!

Anemone nemorosa 'Marts Blue' as supplied by Paul Christian on left compared with Anemone x lipsiensis as supplied by Raven on right (have not emerged...)

[Gail]

Thanks - I've just emailed them to see.

Wow, very speedy response from Broadleigh, although not promising;
"Thank you for your enquiry. We sold off all our non miniatures last autumn I am afraid and no longer grow Keats. I will keep an eye out among the varieties scattered round the garden but i don't think I have any left.
Kind regards"

[Roma]

No.  I wasn't in Holland on Sunday.  These fields of narcissus are in Scotland, between Fettercairn and Laurencekirk.

[Roma]

Narcissus 'Red Hackle', an old Brodie of Brodie variety.  A good doer and increases well'
Narcissus 'Rip van Winkle'  I had it in a pot and it was looking a bit unhealthy so I threw away the bulbs into long grass at the edge of the wood.  Two flowers this year and lots of healthy looking foliage.
Narcissus bulbocodium seeding around
An attractive white seedling.  Likely parents are 'Roseworthy'  which is a prolific seeder. ( I am careful to dead head it now) and 'Empress of Ireland' or 'Mount Hood'