November 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere

[Paul T]

Thanks Lesley.  That's appreciated.  I'll PM you in a moment.

[Otto Fauser]

Sorry Lesley, no cause for drinks or celebrations  for you in N.Z.today,
       Otto.

[johnw]

We had the same bad luck in Canada several weeks ago but at least a minority.

johnw

[Maggi Young]

Au contraire... in fields other than politics, the NZers have much cause for celebration.... the All Blacks hammered the Scots at Rugby on the 8th November in Edinburgh...... nothing new ,there, then!!

[mark smyth]

I've had an email query from Melbourne

"Where in Melbourne can I buy Deacon Geraniums please. Jill Oakley"

Obviously refering to Pelargoniums

[Lesley Cox]

Well yes, the ABs did win at Murrayfield but I'm not sure we'd be keen on being linked with Edward 1st of England in that way Maggi (or was it Ed 2 or 3? Never can get them sorted. One was Ed the Confessor, one died with a red hot poker where it would hurt most, think that was Ed 2, and one was "The Hammer of the Scots.") My Ma always said life was easier if one had a wide general knowledge. I have this, but it rarely comes in useful.

[Otto Fauser]

"Where in Melbourne can I buy Deacon Geraniums please. Jill Oakley"

Obviously refering to Pelargoniums

 
   
 Try <ozgeraniums.com.au>, they list 9 var. ,-Deacon Geraniums {really Pelargoniums} are small bushy Pelargoniums with a touch of ivy in their breeding .
     otto.

[Lesley Cox]

Otto, I take it you mean a touch of ivy geranium/pelargonium in their breeding? not Hedera helix

[Maggi Young]

Otto, I take it you mean a touch of ivy geranium/pelargonium in their breeding? not Hedera helix

Oh, great idea for a bi-generic hybrid there, eh? Easy-growing ever-green with flowers, I'd think there could be a good market for that plant. Otto, I will share the money with you!

[Otto Fauser]

Otto, I take it you mean a touch of ivy geranium/pelargonium in their breeding? not Hedera helix

Oh, great idea for a bi-generic hybrid there, eh? Easy-growing ever-green with flowers, I'd think there could be a good market for that plant. Otto, I will share the money with you!

Maggi , unfortunately no Hedera blood in these 'Deacon Geraniums'- so no fortunes for us , so we continue to be happy and poor,
    Otto.

[Lesley Cox]

Out at present are the following:


Iris regelio-cyclus hyb 'Vera.' The lady is a bit weak-kneed. We had a southerly wind come up this afternoon and both stems have flopped over badly.




Polygonatum humile has never flowered better than this year. Just starting but there are dozens of flowers. I don't think I ever had more than 2 or 3 before. I'll do a better pic in a day or two but I'll have to lie on my tummy.


Saxifraga granulata flore pleno is not often seen nowadays. Pity, because it's a really nice plant for a coolish place.




One of my favourites, Crambe maritima, the sea kale. It didn't flower last year but is making up for that this time. The flowers have a wild honey scent.




Very pleased to have flowers on this little flat Convolvulus boissieri. There are a dozen more to come but not quite yet, just pinpricks of pink in the rosettes. It likes hot and dry.




Rob in Tasmania sent me seed of Clematis gentianoides and a lovely thing it is. But just one germinated and while I waited for some more to come through before pricking this one out, it grew so quickly that I don't think I can now move it from the seed pot bed without killing it.

[Lvandelft]

What a lovely little Clematis, Lesley.
I presume it will have a creeping habit. Hopefully long-flowering??

[Paul T]

Lesley,

Great pics.  Love that Crambe, very interesting.  The Iris is beautiful, even with weak knees, and the Clematis is gorgeous.  We have some flowering at work at the moment as well, so I know how nice they are in person as well.  A friend here in Canberra grows it and it apparently grows very easily for her from cuttings too, so might be worthwhile striking a few and getting them going before you try moving yours from the seed pot bed.  Insurance!!     Not a species I grow as yet, but on my list!! (and isn't EVERYTHING!!  ) 

[Paddy Tobin]

Lesley,

A lovely set of photographs, great plants, all very beautiful. The nice streaking of blue almost saves the brownish colouring of the iris even.

Paddy

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Great stuff Lesley !
Lovely Convolvulus and the Clematis is a little stunner !  You should be happy that it takes off so well !