September 2009 - Southern Hemisphere- Spring

[Maggi Young]

Thanks for sharing, Otto; wish I could see these things in person!

Yes, the Kennedia microphylla IS delightful 
The flower stem of Epimedium wushanense is sturdy and super foliage.... I like it.Heck, I like it ALL!

[akoen]

I also like it all. There are so many exciting flowers shown here.

[Giles]

I too like the Kennedia very much.
I found some good pictures of other species of this in Kew's Legumes of the World....... and a whole range of species is available from Chiltern Seeds
(as Kennedya)......I must resist, I must resist,I must resist.

[cohan]

A few interesting plants seen at the weekend at the spring show of the Ferny Creek Hort.     
 Society . A lot of the usual Daffodils , Camellias, Magnolias , shrubs and trees , tree Peonies  ,small bulbs , Alpines and Australian Native plants  : I thought the prostrate     
native Kennedia microphylla was delightful - the terra cotta brown pea flowers matching 
 the terra cotta pot .Also thought the new brown foliage of Epimedium wushanense exciting ,
   my contribution was the construction and planting  ( had to raid my garden ) of  the     
1.5 x1.5 crevice garden in the black raised box
   001(20) small australian plants by Kuranga Native Plant Nursery
 005(4) various Australian Epacris species in a small vase
 013 (4) Kennedia microphylla , unusual colour for a flower ,
 011 (7) Epimedium wushanense - spiny ,brown new foliage ,
 002(3) my crevice garden

looks like a nice show! i agree with the others, the Kennedia and Epimedium are both very nice in  colour and form..

[arillady]

Might be a silly question Otto but how did you set up your crevice garden there as I would hate to transport it up your driveway without slipping.

[Tecophilaea King]

Lachenalia:this is a large genus of South African bulbous plants with attractive pendulous, rather waxy tubular or bell-shaped flowers on rather stiff spikes.They flower in spring or early smmer,but unfortunately none are hardy, but can be grown in a cool greenhouse without the frost.
Lach.aloides, more often known as L.tricolor, very variable and the most popular and colourful of the genus.
Lach,aloides var.vanzyliae: a most unusual coloured variety, lustrous white flowers flushed at the base with pale blue andgreen at the tips.
Lach.elegans:this variable coloured species can be pale blue, pink, white or yellow or combination of colours.
Lach.viridiflora: this strikingly beatiful species, with flowers in various shades of greenish blue.
In gardens they are particularly  efective when planted in clumps, most prefer full sun but a few do well in partial shade.
Generally they require well-drained soil, ideal for pot or container display.

[ashley]

Magnificent lachenalias Bill, and so well grown
Could you tell us in general terms how you manage them?

Unfortunately I struggle with this genus so am now trying to raise a few species from seed in hope of selectng plants more tolerant of my growing conditions.

[WimB]

Bill,

very nice lachenalia. I had heard of the genus but I had never paid much attention to them untill now, those colours are very striking.

[cohan]

Lachenalia:this is a large genus of South African bulbous plants with attractive pendulous, rather waxy tubular or bell-shaped flowers on rather stiff spikes.They flower in spring or early smmer,but unfortunately none are hardy, but can be grown in a cool greenhouse without the frost.
Lach.aloides, more often known as L.tricolor, very variable and the most popular and colourful of the genus.
Lach,aloides var.vanzyliae: a most unusual coloured variety, lustrous white flowers flushed at the base with pale blue andgreen at the tips.
Lach.elegans:this variable coloured species can be pale blue, pink, white or yellow or combination of colours.
Lach.viridiflora: this strikingly beatiful species, with flowers in various shades of greenish blue.
In gardens they are particularly  efective when planted in clumps, most prefer full sun but a few do well in partial shade.
Generally they require well-drained soil, ideal for pot or container display.

very nice, bill! i've been admiring this genus for a while, some nice flowers, and also some nice markings on the leaves, and others with hairy leaves etc

[Tecophilaea King]

Magnificent lachenalias Bill, and so well grown
Could you tell us in general terms how you manage them?

Ashley,as mentioned before, most of the Lachenalia's come from the Cape province, growing during winter and dormant for a long dry period in summer.
They are particularly suitable for milder climates, although many species are specialist plants with difficult requirements.
They love full sun and generally require a well-drained, (ideally) a sandy based soil, with containers or pots more pumice or sand added
would be recommended.
Growing in containers it is important that when they finish flowering, bulbs must be dried off and stored almost bonedry in a cool and dry location.
Lachenalia's hate wet feet when dormant and often rot when these cultural requirements of drying off are not met.
Fresh seed germinates eaily if sown into a sandy mix as soon as it is ripe.
Some species can also be propagated by leaf cuttings or by splitting the bulbs at their base.
Hope this has been helpful.

[Tecophilaea King]

Another couple of South African bulbs flowering at the moment.
Lapeirousia oreogena produces an abundance of tiny dark and whie flowers in early spring, and are quite stunning on a sunny day.
Laperousia silenoides is a small difficult species which needs sand or sandy soil, it has brilliant rosy red flowers and the bulbs need a good summer baking to perform properly.
Excellent for pots or containers on benches, which then can be admired from close-up.
 

[Tecophilaea King]

Could anyone please identify these two Trillium species please, flowering in the nursery now, but lost the names. Thanks.

[ashley]

... Hope this has been helpful. 

Yes indeed.  Thanks very much Bill.

[WimB]

Bill,

They look like Trillium sessile and Trillium vaseyi respectively but there are specialists enough on this forum who can give a better ID

[Rogan]

What's happened to PaulT? Did I miss a comment about him somewhere?