Plants flowering in the open rock garden- July 09

[cohan]

Flowering now:
Geranium renardii

this is really nice--flowers slightly similar to my native geranium, but these leaves are really choice--remind me of scented pelargonium

[fermi de Sousa]

Fermi, how cold are you in winter there?

well, it been a bit chilly as the heater's on the blink
Outdoors I think the coldest it's gotten has been down to -7^oC.. The delpiniums have been in pots in the shadehouse which gives some protection but it isn't frost proof.
Here's a link to where I posted a pic in reply #18: http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2510.15
cheers
fermi

[Sinchets]

I've only ever read about Catananche caespitosa- nice to see it almost 'in the flesh'- thanks Lori.
The leaves on G.renardii are quite distinct- makes you  wonder if they are one of a kind or there are other similar species out there.
Fermi, great link- the D.luteum was ice- but the rest of your garden was WOW. I had D.luteum for a while it seeded around an alpine house before vanishing. I have D.nudicaule coming on from seed. They were said to be collected at a higher altitude and may be hardier than the usual type, but I have yet to find out. The D.cardinale here was certainly frosted a few times between snowfalls and after onlast snow melt, but it picked itself back up each time. They always say young plants are tougher than older ones so I wait to see what will happen over this winter.

[Lori S.]

I've found D. nudicaule short-lived (and prone to being lost when it is impinged on by more vigorous plants) but not tender*.... they are hardy here.

*I can't say what the sources of those seeds were... just from run-of-the-mill garden seed catalogues.

[Paul T]

Simon, Geranium renardii is a lovely plant for the leaf shape and colour and the way it forms a hummock and although the flower is pale each one has wonderful markings and the both the CU and side view photo show it beautifully

I find that every time I go near G. renardii I have to stroke the leaves.  They are just so soft and tactile.  It and Pelargonium reniiforme (spelling?) have that same velvet quality that I just can't resist.    Sad, I know.  Absolutely no willpower it would appear. 

[Sinchets]

Well if growing plants doesn't make us happy in one way or another why bother growing them.  I agree with you that some plants just need to be touched as well as looked at.

[Magnar]

Yes I agree that G. renardi has leaves that ask to be touched,, and so has Eriophyton wallichii, which is flowering right now.

The others are Olsynium biflorum and Sedum dumulosum (syn Rhodiola dumulosa) and Penstmoen fruticosus scouleri albus. I think the Olsynium have another name now, but I can't remember it.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

All fabulous and seldom seen plants Magnar !!!
The Olsynium looks superb !! 

[Magnar]

Thank you Luc, I can't show "everyday plants" to all you experienced plants people on the forum, can I .

[Lesley Cox]

They always say young plants are tougher than older ones so I wait to see what will happen over this winter.

This is quite true, just as it is true that cuttings are easier to root from young or VERY young plants, than from old ones. Particularly true of the genus Rhododendron. I used to have issues with a nurseryman I knew who took all his cuttings from the young plants he had in his sales area, leaving the plants for sale often devoid of much new growth, to the consternation of prospective buyers.

[Lesley Cox]

I find that every time I go near G. renardii I have to stroke the leaves.  They are just so soft and tactile.  It and Pelargonium reniiforme (spelling?) have that same velvet quality that I just can't resist.    Sad, I know.  Absolutely no willpower it would appear. 

Buy a soft, velvet cloak for Yvonne.

[Lesley Cox]

Pheiophleps biflora.

[Lori S.]

That Eriophyton wallichii makes me swoon, Magnar!  It's wonderful!

[Magnar]

Pheiophleps biflora.

Yes, Thank you, Lesley 

[Magnar]

That Eriophyton wallichii makes me swoon, Magnar!  It's wonderful!

Yes I like it very much and so did the visitors to the garden today.