Specific Info of Seed Donations for '24

[Grahame Ware]

Hi: I had this idea that via the Forum format more specific information on individual seed could be shared with members on the upcoming '24 SRGC Seedex. I understand that not ALL seed needs to be detailed but that there are many that do. Eventually these entries could be organized (yes I'll volunteer!) and be something useful that members could go over before they order their seed. First, I'll start with one of my own donations-- Lewisia aff. triphylla.

Lewisia aff. triphylla (ex R. Simpson collection Mono Co., California >4000’)

This small succulent was collected by late Alpine Garden Club of BC member, Roger Simpson, in California in Mono Co. in the late 90’s. It was then gifted to UBC coming under the care of then alpine curator, Brent Hine, in about 2005 after Simpson’s passing. It was then given to me in 2010 by Brent Hine ostensibly because he had a hard time keeping Lewisia going at the UBC Botanical Garden and felt that it might have a better chance in my hands and on the drier east coast of Vancouver Island. He was correct. The collection notes were transmitted orally but Hine recalls that Simpson collected it from “high elevation at least 4000’ in Mono County, California”.
It has proven to be tough and durable living in a small slate pot (also a gift from Simpson/UBCBG) for these past 10 years. It is the first Lewisia to flower here, about March/early April. It aestivates during Summer but Fall rains sees the leaves re-emerge. Seedlings look scrawny and wholly unimpressive when they are young. Over time the rosette they will quickly increase in size but still will only be about an inch in height. It does make a good, hardy pot succulent. The seed has proven viable.
I have repotted it a few times with my media being a coarse sand (30-40%), Perlite (30%) and a pumice/peat mix the remainder. I only liquid feed it in the early Spring and after flowering I do nothing. I keep it lean. As I mentioned above, it flowers earlier than all other Lewisia that I’ve grown over the years with a profusion of flowers mostly whitish with pink petal segments running through the rays of the petals like many Lewisia.

The very useful Jepson Herbarium at the U of California, Berkley has a detailed botanical description here: https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=30846

However, looking at the Jepson Manual keys, this would appear to be a unique form or a natural hybrid with another deciduous type such as nevadensis, glandulosa or pygmae.

This is an alpine type so keep it growing it outside in a good pot, crevice garden or between the cracks of large boulders. Most Lewisia love an eastern exposure in my opinion likely because it helps the growth and habit/form of the plant.
I'll post pix when I figure out how best to do that here on the Forum.

[Véronique Macrelle]

I find it interesting to have some information about the species on the list...
I have more of a question about Campanula vidalii: I've been seeing its seeds offered for a few years now and I'm wondering if I can grow it successfully at home (zone7).
 Can it be grown in a pot? Does it lose its leaves in winter? which would allow me to overwinter it in my garage out of the frost? or can it flower in the year of sowing?

[Vinny 123]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azorina

Seeds are widely available, plants less so, in the UK.
Given the habitat, not least naturally occuring along the coastline, online concensus is that it is not frost-hardy.
Being almost a Campanula, and a sub-shrub, flowering the first year from seed would seem very unlikely. Also, in preferred conditions, it can make a very large plant. It is recommended to be grown as a glasshouse or conservatory plant in the UK.

https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/22641/azorina-vidalii/details

https://www.chilternseeds.co.uk/item_165b_azorina_vidalii_seeds

https://www.shootgardening.com/plants/azorina-vidalii

[Véronique Macrelle]

Thank you so much!
I'm really tempted by this plant, but I think I'll have to pass... I don't have a frost-free greenhouse.
a bit like Echium pininana: one day I got a huge rosette that froze before flowering: extremely frustrating!

[Vinny 123]

Exactly what I was thinking of too, by comparison - Echium.

Please don't ask me species, but a lot of England can grow Echium outdoors most years,  if they have a sheltered spot.
I doubt that other than small coastal areas in Wales and Scotland would succeed. Others will know far better than me.

[Véronique Macrelle]

another species:
has anyone successfully sown Aciphylla? and how?

[Vinny 123]

Aciphylla aurea germinated well here.
Standard treatment for a hardy herbaceous plant - sow, cover with grit and leave outdoors over the winter.

I never planted it out in the garden - too wet. Sandy compost in pots, which eventually got neglected and dried too much................

Nice, unusual plant!

[Véronique Macrelle]

thank, Vinny

[cosine_alpines]

These notes cover my donations to the SRGC and AGS; listed here with the SRGC numbers (I don't think the AGS list is up yet). All wild-collected this year, though they weren't listed as wild in the SRGC seed exchange list; if anyone else contributed the same species I imagine they'll be mixed together.

#422 Berberis canadensis Scott Co., VA.
A well-behaved deciduous barberry with pendulous orange flowers and red fruit. These can have a lot of character if grown hard. The oldest shrublet at my farm, growing in the cracks of a limestone outcropping, reminds me of an ancient Cotoneaster from my childhood.

#476 Campanula divaricata Wise Co., VA
Lovely and dainty, with narrow leaves, threadlike stems and nodding pale blue bells with recurved tips. Prefers average to dry acidic soil and shade; looks its best leaning out from a slope.

#1507 Lilium superbum Wise Co., VA
Typical candelabras of orange recurved flowers, spotted dark brown and shaded yellow in the throat. These were collected from shorter plants since taller stems had been snapped by Hurricane Helene. Warm stratify then cold stratify, germinates warm.

#1528 Lobelia inflata Scott Co., VA
CORRECTION - should be Lobelia spicata; I got the name right on the packet, and Marc corrected the permit, but I accidentally put the wrong specific epithet on my initial email to the seed list managers. These make a tight, flat basal rosette and a single, narrow bloom stalk of the palest purple flowers. Leaves, stalks and seedpods turn purplish in fall. Dry, thin, limey soils in sun or partial shade.

#1611 Mitchella repens Scott Co., VA
Extra dwarf/dense. The species is naturally prostrate, rooting at stem nodes, but the plants these fruits came from were particularly good: small leaves almost appressed to the ground, short internodes, and prolific flowers/berries. Good for a shady, peaty spot. Tolerates light foot traffic.

#2371 Staphylea trifolia Scott Co., VA
Too big for most rock gardens (1-5m) but too pretty a plant for me not to send some seed in. Nodding panicles of white flowers in spring (like Styrax or Halesia in effect) and persisting inflated seed pods (also like Halesia in effect). For a rich, moist, shady spot with lime.