October 2009 in the Southern Hemisphere

[Tecophilaea King]

and two of Fritillaria cirrhosa. I bought this just a week ago and at the time thought it could be affinis (still in bud then) but gloriously, it is true.

Lesley, that Friillaria cirrhosa is just gorgeous, I wish I could grow Frits like that.
Must be the climate, that does not stop me from trying again, even if they only last a few seasons.
You must tell me sometimes privately where you buy all those exquisite Frits, for next season.  

[Paul T]

Bill,

Do you find that Marshmallow, aka Pink Mist aka another name I've forgotten just now, flowers well for you?  Unlike the straight aethopica which is a brilliant flowerer, I find that the "pink" version has very few flowers for me each year, if I am lucky enough to get any of them.  I am guessing that it must require a lot more water than the species does to flower, and I'm just treating mine the same as the species and the other coloured smaller varieties. 

[Tecophilaea King]

A couple of charming, interesting, early spring flowering little species.
They have finished flowering for now, but will still show the pictures for a bit of variety.  
Polyxena pauciflora has flowrs that are pale to deep lilac in colour, and has a delightful honey scented perfume as a bonus.
Scilla verna has starry lilac-blue flowers with deep lavender anthers appearing just above the foliage in spring.

[Tecophilaea King]

Bill,Do you find that Marshmallow, aka Pink Mist aka another name I've forgotten just now, flowers well for you?  Unlike the straight aethopica which is a brilliant flowerer, I find that the "pink" version has very few flowers for me each year, if I am lucky enough to get any of them.  I am guessing that it must require a lot more water than the species does to flower, and I'm just treating mine the same as the species and the other coloured smaller varieties. 

I bought this plant last season, and has settle down well, but has only produces 3 flowers so far.
I have seen this Marshmallow plant commercially forming  big clumps, with plenty of flowers, mainly for cut flower production.
I was told they need plenty of water during the growing season, to promote more flowers for picking.
I have not tried the straight Z.aethopica, but grow a few of the many, smaller mainly colourful varieties.

[Paul T]

Bill,

The straight species still flowers well for me without being watered any more than the normal garden.  Sounds like I should put the pink back into a pot and sit it in a basin of water while in growth to get more flowers from it.  At the moment for me it has been pretty much a pointless effort, given the lack of flowers.

[Ragged Robin]

Wonderful plants in your garden, Lesley, the Rhododendron Oban looks almost raspberry in colour, really lovely.

The plant combination that has caught my eye is Haberlea rhodopensis virginalis with Houstonia caerulea, both are so unusual looking and I have never heard of them before.

[ajbroome]

Folks,

Arisaema ringens, common but still a nice plant.  A bit slower for me this year for some reason.

Andrew.

[ajbroome]

Folks,

Bulbinella caudis-felis, I think the robot must've coughed when making the flower in the 2nd photo.

This one generally sets seed for me if anyone is interested?

Andrew.

[ajbroome]

Folks,

Gladiolus carneus, the first flower for the season - I expect several more over the weeks.

I *like* species Gladiolus.

Andrew.

[kiwi]

Love that gladiolus Andrew.

Visited a friends garden who has some stunning plants, here's a couple of beauties.
Rhododendron 'Lems Cameo'
Arisaema kishidae

[Ragged Robin]

Folks,

Gladiolus carneus, the first flower for the season - I expect several more over the weeks.

I *like* species Gladiolus.

Andrew.

A super looking gladiolus, Andrew - would love to see it later on with more flowers if possible?

Also love you photo of Arisaema ringens showing the markings and shape off 

[Ragged Robin]

Rhododendron 'Lems Cameo' is soooo beautiful, Doug, your friend must be really pleased - perfect conditions it seems 

[Lesley Cox]

Bill, there's nothing private about any of my frits. I buy if they are available and cirrhosa came from Hokonui Alpines in Gore but the vast majority (I have about 90) are grown over many years from seed. You could join the NZ Fritillaria Group who have a decent seed list and there's the Frit group of AGS in the UK who have a better seed list though not all are on the Bio Index. Maybe in the summer you'd like to think about swapping a few of your gorgeous South Africans for a few of my frits? We'll talk about it soon.

[Lesley Cox]

Robin, Rh. 'Oban' is a real honey, very small and compact but is one I always hesitate to photograph because the colour never comes out right. I posted it this time because it's the closest I've managed. The pink has a real touch of terra cotta in it which I find impossible to capture, so if you think it's nice here, it really is much nicer in the real thing. Happily, it's very easy and quick from cuttings too.

[fermi de Sousa]

Tropaeolum beuthii from SRGC Seedex 2009


Dutch Iris "Thunderbolt"


And Asphodeline damascena is about to start flowering; it's between the iris and the dianthus


cheers
fermi