February 2009

[johnw]

Carlo et al.

Our local rhododendron group has a list of witchhazel cultivars for the spring sale.  I would be interested to know which cultivars you find to be exceptional.  I will also post the list of the ones they have coming in. At $15 each they are a bargain.

johnw

[Jo]

It is, Paddy! That's rather the feeling I get from visiting all the websites of our talented forumists who both garden and share it via the net.... such a treat for us to enjoy.
Jo, you didn't tell us yet how your open day went at the weekend? Many early visitors out and about?

Hi Maggi,  the open day was fun but quiet. 36 visitors came and braved the ferocious wind, drinking tea and buying plants.  Everything is behind and it was not warm enough to open the flowers, but we still managed to raise £242 for the NGS, so well worthwhile.

We're open again this Sunday but the forecast looks even worse with heavy rain   Its always a gamble at this time of year.  We open the first two Sundays in Feb so I can get away to other peoples events the next two weekends.  I base that on the westcountry being ahead, so I go up country and follow the season.  

I hope the snow goes before next Sunday, theres more of it and its whiter than snowdrops, they can't compete on whiteness  

[Maggi Young]

John.... $15 for a witch hazel is a mega bargain, in my opinion.... you have a lucky membership there!



Jo, heartening to have that many in the weather conditions, I'm impressed with their gumption.
Fingers crossed for a better day this weekend..... such a shame to have this bad spell come when there are so many galanthus gardens opening......there will be so many more disappointed visitors than even the poor garden owners ...... what's the betting that as soon as all the flowersare ruined,the weather bucks up and turns really lovely? 

[Carlo]

John,

It's really a matter of personal choice. Size of flower and color are the two main considerations as many of them have nice fall color, etc. Two that are relatively easy to get are 'Arnold's Promise' a nice yellow, and 'Jelena' that tends toward orange. I have not grown any of the reds but the color range seems to be expanding as breeders have their way. Look at as many photos as you can...and then decide which YOU like best for your garden and the position in it.  In my experience they are not problematic in terms of culture. (Were I you, I'd be picking up a bunch...)

[johnw]

Carlo - We think highly of Arnold's Promise, Jelena and Pallida. I understand some of the cultivars are not heavy bloomers or with small, not so showy, flowers. The reds do not seem to stand out well when in flower especially Diane. Here are the ones avaliable:

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Feuerzauber'
Hamamelis x intermedia 'Orange Beauty'
Hamamelis x intermedia 'Ruby Glow'
Hamamelis x intermedia 'Sunburst'
Hamamelis x intermedia 'Westerstede'

Have heard good things about the Westerstede.  I would be interested in comments on them but will probably grab the lot anyway.

john

[annew]

John, last week when my Hamamelis Diane opened, I thought top myself "We could do with some snow behind it to show it off". So all the disruption caused by our little bit of snow is my fault! The witch hazel looked nice though.

[art600]

John, last week when my Hamamelis Diane opened, I thought top myself !

Anne

Life cannot be that bad   

[johnw]

Anne  - re: UK snow

So it's your fault! Maybe next time paint the house white. 

It is a real problem getting Diane to stand out.

johnw

[Brian Ellis]

I would be interested in comments on them but will probably grab the lot anyway.

They are not snowdrops you know John

[annew]

John, last week when my Hamamelis Diane opened, I thought top myself !

Anne

Life cannot be that bad   

OOPS 

[Jo]

John, last week when my Hamamelis Diane opened, I thought top myself "We could do with some snow behind it to show it off". So all the disruption caused by our little bit of snow is my fault! The witch hazel looked nice though.

This was Aphrodite 'topped off' by the snow

[Jo]

Why do I always forget to add the pic

[Gerdk]

.... the flowers do not seem to "fit" with the foliage... looks too different!

Maggi,
The leaves are not unusual for Campanulaceae, please have a look at David Lyttle's pic of Wahlenbergia mathewsii from NZ Field Trips 2009 - Jan. 31!
Also Azorina vidalii has a similar foliage - of course both plants lack the 'typical' blue flowers.

Gerd

[Lesley Cox]

Fongers crossed for a better day this weekend..... such a shame to have this bad spell come

 

[annew]

Well I'm crossing my fongers.



edit by M: well, O'm crissong my fonergrs, is at hoppins .....really must get a new keyborad.... half the letters are worn off and I am a loust typist without visual aid!! 
I feel like Officer Crabtree half the time! ( from 'Allo 'Allo  )