Flowering Now - May 2009

[johnw]

Paul - I have a remnder in iCal for early October to seed you seeds of the dwarf mucronulatum.

johnw

[Lori S.]

Mike, the Degenia is a knock-out! 
Thanks, all, for such an enjoyable thread!

[Lvandelft]

Luit,
Here is Eritrichium canum v. canum... or so I suppose.  (Definitely a Boraginaceae!  It seems to match the little I could find on the internet, but please advise if it is something else.)  I got the seeds from the last NARGS seedex.  The flower stalks are about 8" high.  The flowers are actually a slightly deeper blue - you know, that problem that cameras have with blue.     It is certainly not the cushion-type of eritrichium...

Lori, it's clear to me now. This plant I know as E. rupestre, but during my lifetime so many names changed that I gave up to remember them all.
But the blue is a very good substitute for most gardeners who cannot grow the difficult Eritrichium.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Degenia velebitica, seedling planted into tufa in open and unheated alpine house.

The Degenia looks fabulous Mike ! 
How old is the plant ??
Growing in tufa I would be led to believe that it takes some years to reach that size.
Mine (outside in the rock garden) don't seem to be long lived (2-3 years max).

[Mike Ireland]

Luc
the degenia is now 2 years old from seed which was sown in April 2007.  The seed came from Zagreb Botanic Garden and was sown straight away.  Only 2 seedlings germinated and both have flowered and are about the same sized plants.  One planted into tufa the other into the compost in between tufa.  I am surprised the plant in tufa is not more compact.

Mike 

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Thank you Mike !
It will be interesting to see if the one in Tufa is longer lived...

[Gerdk]

Just from this morning

Clematis chiisanensis - a Korean relative of Clematis alpina

Gerd

[Ragged Robin]

Just from this morning

Clematis chiisanensis - a Korean relative of Clematis alpina

Gerd

Wow, Gerd, that is a lovely relative...the soft creamy yellow with wine markings look particulary good against the blue sky.

[Ragged Robin]

Lori, catching up with this thread is like opening Pandora's Box - the plants just keep coming to tantalize.  You have some wonderful ones and Narcissus 'Barrett Browning' is absolutely beautiful in its setting against the pine and surrounded by fallen pine cones - I shall look out for it to plant in a similar situation here

[Maggi Young]

Just from this morning

Clematis chiisanensis - a Korean relative of Clematis alpina

Not a plant we grow , Gerd and I am fascinated to see those little "horns2 on the shoulders of the flower..... most interesting.

I do agree with all those who are enjoying this thread.... heck... ALL the threads..... always something new to see and much to learn, whether about the plants themselves ofr clever planting combinations etc..... thanks to  you all!

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Love your Clematis too Gerd !
Quite special species !

[Paul T]

Very nice, Gerd.  Creamy yellow with purple specklings?    Wow.

[Otto Fauser]

John , thank you for the photos and details of your dwarf form of Rh. mucronulatum ,yours seems to be more freeflowering than mine - also I have yet to see a selfsown seedling ,
but I propagate it from cuttings and layers. the dwarf pink forms are not grown in Australia. 
  Salix reticulata is my favourite dwarf willow, but unfortunately during a heatwave a few years ago it gave up the ghost , and no one else in Australia grows it . May I ask you for a little fresh seed please - in case it sets seed-but I believe the seeds of all Salix are only viable for 7 -10 days at the most.

[johnw]

Otto - I have to report that I have never seen a single catkin on this particular Salix reticulata, not for that matter on any of the others.  If they ever do flower I will remember you.

The dwarf pink mucronulatum is not grown here either. I raised seed from a pink form that a friend in Hokkaido sent me and of about 15-20 only 4 are pink.  I have tried to cross them to get seed but none set last year or the year before.  They also have a smashing dwarf white one of which some day I may get seed.

johnw

[Regelian]

This lovely Heuchera seedling bloomed today.  It has bronze and pewter spotted leaves and makes a really delightful plant.  I just love it when something good pops up.

Love the Clematis chiisanesis.  I grow a selection I picked up at Wisley garden centre that should pop any day now.  This plant is great for letting it cascade over a rockery as the leaves are well space.