Flowering now April 2007

[Paddy Tobin]

Luc & Maggi,

I had seen the photograph you posted  - No. 56 - and wasn't sure if it was the same as the one I have now posted,  Ranunculus millifoliatus. I wondered if the foliage on your plant, Luc, was a little less divided than on mine. Also, I would not be an expert on identification of ranunculus and was nervous to give an opinion.

Paddy

[Maggi Young]

Paddy, your hesitation becomes you, I am less sensitive. In my family we have never allowed ignorance to prevent us from both having and expressing an opinion!!!

Well, Luc, seeing them altogether,  it is, as we say, "a close approximation", is it not?

[Paddy Tobin]

At this stage of the evening it must be obvious to you online at present that I am spending a lot of time sitting on my bottom at the computer catching up on posting photographs. The picture is like this: armchair with me sitting comfortably, television on, Large tub of Ben & Jerry's 'Caramel Chew Chew' vanishing intomy tummy. It really is a tough life. Oh, oh. Youngest son called for transport. Quick post and I'm off.


There were a few posts on magnolias during the week. Here are a few in flower at the moment.

I think that the little M. 'Fragrant Cloud' shows just what great plants these magnolias are. Look at the size of it and see how many flowers it is carrying.

M. 'Fragrant Cloud'
Same again
M. 'Heaven Scent'
M. soulangiana
Same again
M. stellata
M. stellata 'Harvard Centennial'
M. X loebneri 'Leonard Messell'

Same again

[johngennard]

Here are a few plants currentlly looking good in the garden but if this weather continues,I suuspect not for long.However,let's enjoy it while we have it.The first is a delightful little fern(no more than 20cms.)growing beneath rhodos.and magnolia and slowly spreading.Never a problem and holds its fronds until the following year when I cut them down.Then Arum creticum which Ian has featured on his bulb log.This one grows under a group of birch trees as do the triiliums albidum.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Thanks for trying to help out Maggi  - it does look very much the same to me - foliage and flower.  I might take another pic tomorrow emphasizing on the foliage.  I might add that since my photos were taken - the flower stems have somewhat elongated and are now approx. 10 cm long...

[gmoen]

Maggi, I had the CD but it was damaged because of an accident. Maybe it is possible to buy a copy? I bought this Pulsatilla from the plant market during the Alpine Plant Conference in Holland (2005?). It just had the name Pulsatilla 'Budapest' on the label. I have tried to figure out a bit more about this plant, but have not really found the answers I am looking for. So I think I will have to try to get my hand on a copy of that article you are mentioning. To bad I do not have that journal of January 1995, I became a member in 2000.

[mark smyth]

On the subject of Ranunculus I've had no replies to my query in the ID forum so I'll place it here.

Ummm, very strange this message just posted itself

Also included is a Ranunculus in my crevice bed and the double R. acris

[Anthony Darby]

After a week away things have progressed in the greenhouse. Orchis papilioneacea; Serapias neglecta and Barlia robertiana are well out.

[Maggi Young]

Geir, I will make a copy and send it to you, have I got your postal address?

Anthony, so glad it rained in Spain, serve you jolly well right for shoving off to the "sun" Tee Hee!!
Love the orchids, I am a great fan of Robinson's Barley Water, as you know!

Hah! so the rain wasn't on YOU in Spain... crossing from thread to thread here! Saw some very disgruntled holidaymakers on the news the other night though... it WAS raining on them!

[Susan Band]

Geir, for a while it was known as Pulsatilla halleri Budapest. Don't know if that is still the case.

[Maggi Young]

Geir, I do have your address, of course!

[Paddy Tobin]

John,

I am madly jealous of you Arum creticum. This is what I should have in my garden at the moment but for some reason unknown to me the whole patch collapsed about two weeks ago. I dug them up, found some were a bit softish and had a bad smell. I cleaned them up, treated them with fungicide and planted them out into three clumps. There were about 50 tubers in all. I'll have to hope they revive and come again next year.

Paddy

[Maggi Young]

I think that the little M. 'Fragrant Cloud' shows just what great plants these magnolias are. Look at the size of it and see how many flowers it is carrying.

It is a smasher, Paddy, but then, they all are! Fab display!

[Paddy Tobin]

A favourite tree: Malus floribunda

The buds, red before opening.
Buds, opening to pink
Tree itself, grown as a specimen underplanted with various anemones, blanda and nemerosa, and crocus.

Maggi, the magnolias are just great plants.
I must look for a photograph of a very special one for you in a minute.


Paddy

[mark smyth]

If only that tree stayed small I would rush out and buy one tomorrow! Karen Junker says the actual name is 'Dan Quing'

"MAGNOLIA 'Fragrant Cloud' correctly called M. 'Dan Quing'. The flower is reminiscent of that of M. soulangeana 'Lennei', but not as dark. The lovely flowers are deep purple on the outside, but more or less white within. The scent really is superb and completely justifies its Anglicised name.