February 2009

[Katherine J]

Thank you Maggi!!!  It's easier than I thought. 
I just don't know why do some people complicate things so much.

[Maggi Young]

My pleasure, Kata! Always good to see your photos, you know.

[Lesley Cox]

My goodness Gerd, those snowdrops look REALLY chilly.

Nice close-up pictures Kata. Drabas always play that nasty trick. The rosettes seem to die completely in winter but there is always the tiniest pin-prick of life in the centre and this grows to greenness again. I'm often fooled. Many Silenes do the same thing, S. acaulis, for example.

[tonyg]

From a week ago when I travelled north to give a couple of talks.  Mike & Ju Bramley have a great tufa garden!  See the Dionysia thread for a few more pics.

[Tony Willis]

Helleborus vesicarius is flowering now

I hope you've been pollinating madly Tony. Your plant is truly very fine and beautiful. Does this species need pot culture or it in one for a trip to a show?

Lesley I gave up on showing years ago. It has been in its pot for about 10 years and I have two of them.I have cross pollinated in every sort of conditions imagineable and they have only once set one pod with one seed.Nothing seems to work.

[Lesley Cox]

One seed in 10 years I hope you're not relying on it for retirement income Tony.

[jomowi]

Helleborus thibetanus has emerged from its enforced hibernation of 2 weeks under the snow (see p.4 of this thread).  A little the worse for wear.


This plant was acquired as Adonis amurensis, but it is the sterile 'garden' form.

[Gerdk]

What a sturdy plant! Does it receive a special treatment?

Gerd

[Lesley Cox]

Stunning plants - and pictures - both.

[jomowi]

Gerdk - if you are referring to the Hellebore, then the answer is no.  Both plants get taller as they age, but both are self supporting.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Still looking good Brian !!
I would even say very good !
Beautiful plant (s)

[Gerdk]

Yes, Brian - I refered to H. thibetanus!
For comparison only - my species after some years (although a little way back concerning the season)

Gerd

[jomowi]

Gerd - For more background info. about our H. thibetanus.  We have 2 clumps, - the original was a plant purchased from Ian Christie in 1998 which came with a seed pod on.  This plant was planted in one part of the garden in a shady place, but the tree providing the shade subsequently died! So although the clump has expanded, it does not do as well as the plant in the posted pic.  The latter was put in a different place with better shading, and came from the seedlings raised from the bought plant.  More than one seedling was planted in the same spot.  These expanded to form the present clump. This clump sets viable seed without any hand pollinating, and the seed goes to the seed exchange.  The original plant does not tend to set seed, probably because it is in a less favourable site and is a clonal clump.

[Carlo]

Brian,

It is indeed a magnificent clump of H. thibetanus. You mention that it receives no special attention, yet I note that the snow pattern around it makes it look as if it were covered during the winter. Are you putting a box over it to give it some protection?

[Gerdk]

Brian, thank you for the additional remarks!
My plant grows in a similar situation but a little bit restricted between a garden pond and a wall, i.e. in summer the place becomes relatively dry. Helleborus orientalis does excellent at the same place.

Gerd