Flowers and Foliage August 2008

[Kristl Walek]

Some colour from the garden today:

Codonopsis lanceolata competing with Aristolochia clematitis.

Astilbe chinensis pumila is very common, but a good doer.

The biennial Corydalis ochotensis raddeana may be too weedy for small gardens, but I love it romping around here in the late season with it's pretty salmony flowers for almost 6 weeks.

Saxifraga manschuriensis is lovely in moist shade.

This is a Vernonia from the Ozarks (V. baldwinii) blooming significantly earlier than many of the others in the genus, and not quite as tall.

[Paul T]

Kristl,

That Codonopsis looks fascinating.

Brian,

The source is no longer in business unfortunately.  I would trust his stuff, but I wish I could do this Eucomis justice.  It is still a bulb about 1cm thick, just like it has been the last couple of years.    I'm going to put it into a sandier mix this season and see if the extra drainage might help it establish better roots or something.  Trying to work out whether I should shift it into less sun, in case that has been the problem.  Never had to think about that with Eucomis before as they seem to love full sun.  I'm going to put it into a shadehouse for the time being to give it a bit of extra warmth and perhaps start it growing a little earlier.  Maybe a bit of coddling will help it along this year.

[johnw]

We've had the first full day of sun in a month and it's feeling very summery here - +21c at 10:30pm. Here's a bizarre one in bloom today and looking quite good despite the wetness.  It's Stephania cepharantha  - a big caudex that remains dormant until July and then sends up rampant vines with lovely leaves. I had never noticed the flowers before, there's just something about green flowers.

johnw

[annew]

That is a stunning Codonopsis - is it a climber or free-standing?

[Brian Ellis]

The source is no longer in business unfortunately.

 

I'm going to put it into a shadehouse for the time being to give it a bit of extra warmth and perhaps start it growing a little earlier.  Maybe a bit of coddling will help it along this year.

I hope you are successful Paul.  I find their foliage to be more rigid in semi-shade, so it may be happier ... and I am sure it is a lot sunnier with you!

[Brian Ellis]

Kristl, The Codonopsis is lovely, does it have good markings in the bell?

[Kristl Walek]

That is a stunning Codonopsis - is it a climber or free-standing?

It's a very delicate climber, too well-behaved for my taste (considering some of the other members of its family) and utterly elegant. I love the totally non-descript exterior, with that strong hint at the margins of what is inside. This is an out-of-focus picture of the interior: I'll try to get a better one today.

[Brian Ellis]

What a super Codonopsis, the interior is not bad either, such a shame some of these flowers have to be lifted up to appreciate their full beauty.  I can't pass C.clematidea without lifting them up

[Maggi Young]

Codonopsis are great for peeking in, I agree!  They are one of the best flowers for having all that detail coyly hidden away......only drawback to them is the "foxy" smell .....such a let down on such dainty plants.  We always know when a codonopsis has seeded somewhere new... it only takes the merest bruise as you pass to release the telltale pong!

[johanneshoeller]

Gentiana szechenyi and georgii alba

[David Nicholson]

Hans, two little beauties.

[Anthony Darby]

Some colour from the garden today:

Codonopsis lanceolata competing with Aristolochia clematitis.

Astilbe chinensis pumila is very common, but a good doer.

The biennial Corydalis ochotensis raddeana may be too weedy for small gardens, but I love it romping around here in the late season with it's pretty salmony flowers for almost 6 weeks.

Saxifraga manschuriensis is lovely in moist shade.

This is a Vernonia from the Ozarks (V. baldwinii) blooming significantly earlier than many of the others in the genus, and not quite as tall.

Not seen Aristolochia clematitis flowers like those Kristl. Mine are clear yellow with no fancy twisty thing, as were the ones that grew as weeds in the olive groves and vineyards of Croatia.

[Paul T]

Dave,

And a very nice unknown Bletilla too!! 

[Kenneth K]

Autumn is slowly arriving in the garden. Some pictures from the last week.
1. Gladiolus flanagannii
2. Aconitum arcuatum
3. Astilbe simplicifolia
4. Astilbe 'Sprite'
5. Colchicum neapolitanum

[Katherine J]

Very nice Astilbes Kenneth!