Flowering now in the garden March 2009

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Very nice Hristo !
Your x sindpers seems more "blue" than others that I've seen (more greyish/blue) - could you reveal it's origin ??

[Hristo]

Hi Luc,
This one was purchased from Janis in 2007.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Thank you sir ! 

[gote]

I have not tried myself but I have read that choice pulsatillas can be propagated by root cuttings.
Göte

I too, understand this to be the case but like you Gote, I've not tried it. I imagine the roots would need to be those reasonably close to the plant and quite thick, not the further out stringy ones. I don't like the thought of disturbing the plant to the extent where I'd be able to clip some of those off.

The propagatin of Alpines says at least 3mm thick roots. Dig up in July/August (refers to the UK) take off a few roots and put back again, water well and shadow with fir twigs. In fact he advocates the method but is writing about named clones. Roots must be right side up. Something to test on a not too valuable plant?
Göte

[ranunculus]

A very pretty Callianthemum kernerianum 'Monte Baldo form' that has reached peak flowering today.

[David Nicholson]

Very pretty indeed Cliff.

[maggiepie]

A very pretty Callianthemum kernerianum 'Monte Baldo form' that has reached peak flowering today.

Just one more thing I've never even heard of before!
They are delightful Cliff, how hardy are they?

[Hristo]

I second David on that, very attractive indeed!

[ranunculus]

Hi Helen et al,
A member of the Ranunculaceae (what else if I can grow it?) this diminutive callianthemum is a true and beautiful European high alpine, growing, as it's name suggests, on the summit approaches of Monte Baldo in northern Italy.  I grow a number of callianthemums and they all seem to appreciate my proffered conditions of all year round pot culture, completely uncovered and unprotected throughout the year (save for a pane of glass over them when they are about to flower) and watered profusely from the middle of February onwards (imitating snowmelt conditions, I presume)?  Obviously they don't get a summer baking here in East Lancashire but they would certainly experience high temperatures and brilliant sunshine in their native haunts. I am hoping this particular plant might hang on for Chesterfield Show on Saturday week (that will be the kiss of death for that little dream), but will get the sable brush out on the Sunday after the show. I have never got seed from this form yet, but have always achieved quite a good germination from fresh C. anemonoides seed.
Hardiness is a relative issue ... to us here in northern England most of the european high alpines should be bone hardy and I wouldn't dream of giving any of them winter protection, but Canada is a different prospect altogether!  

[Hans J]

Hi Cliff ,

I know well the area of Mt. Baldo from several holidays and a lot of walkings - here is a bit information :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Baldo

The interesting of Mt. Baldo is that there have survived a lot of plant species the Ice age ....I can suggest all this beautiful area with Lake Garda ,Monte Baldo, Lake Ledro and more ....

Hans

[ranunculus]

Many thanks Hans,
Excellent additional information for Helen.

Thought I might add an image of Callianthemum anemonoides - also at peak flowering this past week.

[ranunculus]

The callianthemum looked like this on 12th February 2009 ... I probably did as well! 

[Maggi Young]

The callianthemum looked like this on 12th February 2009 ...

While it is certainly cheering that most of the types of plants we in this forum grow can survive and even thrive in the conditions shown in Cliff's picture... I do sometimes wonder if such images should come with a health warning for those of a nervous disposition or those who might regard such photos as evidence of plant abuse...?   Can't be too careful, these days, y'know   

[ranunculus]

The callianthemum looked like this on 12th February 2009 ...

While it is certainly cheering that most of the types of plants we in this forum grow can survive and even thrive in the conditions shown in Cliff's picture... I do sometimes wonder if such images should come with a health warning for those of a nervous disposition or those who might regard such photos as evidence of plant abuse...?   Can't be too careful, these days, y'know   

We are all as innocent as the driven snow, Maggi!

[Maggi Young]

We are all as innocent as the driven snow, Maggi!

I'm not so sure, Cliff,
 sometimes when I find a weed-ridden pot or some poor little treasure being overgrown by a rampant neighbour, I do think I may well be arrested by the plant cruelty officers
 ( And quite right, too, I should do better!!)