DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION 2008-2009

[maggiepie]

I like 3-7 best.

[Lesley Cox]

7, 20 and 21 for me. Is 20 a Lantana? or what?

[Gunilla]

I like 7 and 5 and 21 and....

I also like the plant on number 22 but what is it?

[Anthony Darby]

Is 20 a Lantana? or what?

I'd suggest it's a what Lesley. Lantana is a tropical bush with yellow, orange, pink or purple flowers that produces poisonous black berries. It is used in butterfly houses as a nectar source and also as bedding in summer.

[Gunilla]

Is 20 a Lantana? or what?

I'd guess Lantana.

[ranunculus]

Sorry, only just got back from a lecture date ... yes, it is a lantana (should be 'not as schedule', of course - but we are tremendously lenient in Lancashire)!!!

[Anthony Darby]

I need specs? Here is a link to Lantana camara.
http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&q=lantana&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=iVKXSYmwN6TEjAeblNjiAQ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title

[ranunculus]

RESULTS FROM CLASS THREE

FIRST       12
SECOND     7
THIRD=     9
THIRD=    11
THIRD=    21


CLASS FOUR WILL FOLLOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

[gote]

They are quite good photos in many ways but I am puzzled. 
Two of the winners were Iris sibirica and Lilium pardalinum. Alpines?? 
They are not potatoes but I.s. is something I have in the herbaceous border and L.p. is a woodlander in my garden.
OK they are "alpinier" than hymenocallis.
Comments anyone please.
Göte.
PS
I enclose a picture of Lilium amoenum. I like this picture and would enter it in a competition for "Woodlanders" or "Species plants" but I would feel discouraged to enter it as "alpine"

[ranunculus]

Good evening Gote,
I feel I must answer your query and reassure you that we do understand your puzzlement.
Our alpine garden society group is made up of experts, novices, enthusiasts and general gardeners, so entries to any competition that we stage will reflect this diversity of knowledge and interest.  Like many groups of this type we are eager to encourage the novice and to cherish the enthusiastic.  We welcome entries from all our members and would be loathe to refuse or deny anyone the chance to exhibit their lovely photographs.  Results 'usually' tend to reflect the sum of our knowledge, but occasionally the joint decision is slightly out of line with the views of the erudite. We accept these anomalies and appreciate all our entries. Members are much harder to keep when they feel their efforts have not been appreciated.   

[Luc Gilgemyn]

I think this is a very wise attitude and approach Cliff !   

[maggiepie]

Göte, what a beautiful lilium.

[JohnnyD]

Hi Gote,
Involved as I am with the East lancs Group (currently as 'recycled' vice-chairman), I heartily endorse the views expressed by Cliff - with one addition.
The definition of alpine has always been rather vague - especially when it comes to showing.
The best definition in that respect seems to be that anything which will survive in the garden or alpine house, and can be transported to a show without being totally overwhelming, will be acceptable under the 'alpine' definition - especially at the novice stage.
The official definition covers all plants which are suited to a 'medium sized rockery', - which in turn needs further definition as to what we each regard as 'medium sized'. This certainly includes many 'woodlanders' and plants which would be at home in the border.
I am much happier to accept that Cliffs brilliantly conceived and organised photo show is an expression of the whole group and, as such, will show huge breadth of interest.
While there are certainly some entries which would be regarded as NERCTS ( Not Even Remotely Close To Schedule ), the effect of the exercise was the quietest and most attentive audience I think I have ever seen, and the proportion of that audience who commented on a super evening was the highest ever.
As for wider interest - just wait until you see the eventual winner! .  I am sure you will be impressed.

JohnnyD.

[Gunilla]

I have enjoyed all the photos very much.  I also like the idea of a competition with generous rules that encourages both experts and novices to participate. 
I still have one question though.  What is the name of the plant on photo 3-22 ?  I haven't got a clue.

[ranunculus]

Good morning Gunilla,
Many thanks for your very kind comments.
When I was giving a commentary to the images as they appeared on the screen I realised that this image (3-22) was untitled ... I very hastily referred to it as a scilla species ... that was the only thing that sprang to mind?
May I also compliment you on your choice of avatar ... by far the friendliest face on the forum!!!

Hi JohnnyD. 
Many thanks for your very supportive posting.


CLASS FOUR

For a digital image of any garden featuring alpine plants

SEVENTEEN ENTRIES