Flowering now in the garden March 2009

[Hristo]

Stunning John,
A real life times achievement and as great a work of art as one could hope to make.

[johngennard]

Many thanks to all for your very kind comments,they are most gratifying.

To Leslie,it would not be my problem.I have said many times that my wish would be to be found dead in the garden but not yet for a while,I am still sowing erythroniums and trilliums for naturalising.

To Cohan,this area is largely self maintaining but celandines are starting to become a problem.As the season progresses the area is taken over by astilbes,hostas,trilliums,rheums etc.

[johngennard]

Gote,to answer some of your questions.The crocus are tomasinianus and its forms and the hellebores are orientalis hybrid forms.Walking is not a problem,they are so thick that you have to ignore them.The trees are various comprising forms of betula,acer,magnolia and rhododenron under storey.The trees in the grass with the crocus are all Prunus sargentii with japanese acers beneath/between.The crocus are followed by Narcissi February Gold and in May it forms a meadow of Frit.meleagris.

[hadacekf]

John.You have a perfect flowering bulb garden. Thanks

[Armin]

John,
fabulous - I would put your garden under nature conservancy!
A lovely spot you own.

[ichristie]

Hi John, thank for such a fantastic show so many treasures, Gote the Hepaticas are just selected nobilis but just a chance they may have some H. nobilis japonica  in the plants, cheers Ian.

[derekb]

Not sure where to enter this I expect Maggi will put me right.
The first time I have flowered it and I think the first time the flower has been on the forum.
I have tried to photograph the inside of the bloom but it looks as if this is as far open it is going to go.
Fritillaria davidii.

[Maggi Young]

Wow! Derek, well done, what a lovely Frit! I must ask you to post this in the bulb pages as well, so the maximum number see it....or I'll do it if you prefer.

The flower might open a little further..... given a really nice day. Ian says you must get your nose to the flower....it should smell deliciuosly of guava fruit.....

[derekb]

Maggi I am 79 and would not know what they smell like, yes please can you post it.

Derek

[Gerdk]

Super display Derek. Hope to see some flowers here in 2010!

Gerd

[art600]

John
Stunning garden - does the leaf litter provide some sustenance, or do you ever have to feed?  In the early days how did you eliminate the weeds - I mean things like ground elder, bindweed, dandelions, not celandines that might become an unwanted plant.

[art600]

Derek
Well done - how long have you had the plant?  My first attempt to grow this failed, though I have been more successful with the traditional frits

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Great achievement Derek - it looks fabulous ! 

[Maggi Young]

Maggi I am 79 and would not know what they smell like, yes please can you post it.

Derek

 I will happpily post them in a new  Frit. thread too, Derek.
 Try your local supermarket for a tin of guavas..... the scent will be diluted, but similar!! Very nice, anyway!!

[Lesley Cox]

Ian says you must get your nose to the flower....

and your fingertip or a small paintbrush to the anthers and stigma.