Flowering Now - April 2009

[ian mcenery]

Just returned from a short break to find everything has gone mad.

Here are a few shots of the garden
Also my Magnolia Caerhays Suprise

[ian mcenery]

and a couple more

[ian mcenery]

Oh and I forgot this one
Pleione limprichtii

[Lvandelft]

Most likely all our plants are from the same source originally so it's probably the culture that has been at fault for the "poor" forms. I'll shift mine to cooler, acid soil and place flat rocks around it.

Maybe John could have a look at the new Topic: Alpines at Wisley.
Lesley puts an interesting question there about the culture matters, regarding lime/acidity of the soil.

I always assumed I had a poorly flowering form because it certainly has never performed like that.

Lesley, the same was told me too, but I always had my doubts about that.

[Sinchets]

When I had no garden I was forced to grow Vitaliana in a pot- it barely flowered. When I finally had a garden, I planted it in a peat and slate based scree. It made a large mat and looked decent- it was never full of flowers, but certainly happier. Sadly it never set seed, so i couldn't bring it with me.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Oh and I forgot this one
Pleione limprichtii

Your garden looks absolutely stunning Ian ! Beautiful !
Something makes me think you like Rhododendron ? 

As to your limprichtii (I had already spotted them in one of the garden views...  ... ) they seem to enjoy life !!! Do you grow them in peat blocks ?

[ian mcenery]

Oh and I forgot this one
Pleione limprichtii

Your garden looks absolutely stunning Ian ! Beautiful !
Something makes me think you like Rhododendron ? 

As to your limprichtii (I had already spotted them in one of the garden views...  ... ) they seem to enjoy life !!! Do you grow them in peat blocks ?

Luc there are some bits of peat block in the mix but this is mainly a soil and humussy mix which I top up from time to time. Seem perfectly happy outside but they are covered with an open ended  cloche in winter just to keep off the wet. I also replace this  if there is any sign of frost when in flower. For me it does better outside than in a pot. But then I am useless at growing things in pots 

Yep I am a rhodo nut too 

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Well worth the effort Ian - they look smashing ! ... as does the rest of your garden ! 

[ranunculus]

Magnificent garden, Ian ... looks perfect for a garden open day!
Who needs to grow plants in pots when you can succeed so well in the open garden? 

[Paul T]

Ian,

Wow!!    Seems so strange to think of Rhododendrons, Camellias, Magnolias etc in flower..... seems so far away now.    Then again I am just starting with the Galanthus season when all the Galanthophiles up north are starting to pine for them.  One of the wonderful things about this forum..... seeing things that remind you of other times of the year than where you are.  Your garden is just looking stunning!  Thanks.

Thanks to everyone for the great pics.  Most enjoyable! (to put it mildly).

[johnw]

Stunning garden Ian and beautifully designed.

I have to ask the names of the following rhodos:

The dwarfish red in 4091

The cream by the arbor and the pale violet in the left fore in 4092.

The two yellows - one dwarf in front of the blue Sapphire type and the larger one behind it in 4098

johnw

[Maggi Young]

What a stunning garden, Ian .....just what I like to see with all those Rhodos!!

What's the funny flat green plant? I know I used to have it but I can't remember what it is.... I know it used to take a disproportionate amount of my time to maintain......
....also, your dogs look a bit undernourished!!

[Paul T]

And is that a Lysichiton I see flowering beside that pond?  I've had one in a pot in water for years but never flowered it.    I probably need to plant it somewhere, but I don't have anywhere in the garden where it is likely to be wet enough I think.

And again, such nice pictures.  I had to go and check them out again to see which Rhodos John was talking about.... being nosey as I am.  

[Tony Willis]

Ian what a beautiful garden a pleasure to see.

Here is a ranunculus of a species I do not know from Abant in Turkey.It goes dormant in summer.

[ian mcenery]

Magnificent garden, Ian ... looks perfect for a garden open day!
Who needs to grow plants in pots when you can succeed so well in the open garden? 

Well some do but I haven't shown the ones that didn't 


Thanks to all of you for the encouragement

What a stunning garden, Ian .....just what I like to see with all those Rhodos!!

What's the funny flat green plant? I know I used to have it but I can't remember what it is.... I know it used to take a disproportionate amount of my time to maintain......
....also, your dogs look a bit undernourished!!

The lawn is Pam's thing but it does set the garden off nicely

The dogs belong to White and Mackay pre war from my mother in laws garden