Crevice Gardening ......in defence of rock.....

[Jupiter]

I like the map idea too and I'll be doing that. I was thinking I might overlay a grid like a street directory and then just have a list, B6 - Saxifraga paniculata, C2 - Raoulia parkii, and so on. Yes I like that idea.

I'm itching to get back out into the garden and continue with the crevice beds. I have Erodium daucoides germinated from SRGC seedex, so quick!

[astragalus]

We just had snow here so everything is covered up for almost the first time this winter.  A number of plants were budded due to the premature warmth in March so who knows what will happen.  All the flowers and buds on Magnolia soulangeana are shot - it happens two years out of three so it's not entirely unexpected.

[kindredspiritkevin]

I use these labels and they seem to blend in OK. (Can't stick 'em into my Tufa, though.     )

[ian mcdonald]

I don,t know if the same applies to Magnolia but the buds and flowers of Camellia are affected if they thaw out too quickly after a frost. Planting these species where they don,t get early morning sun may prevent this. Re-siting affected plants may not be possible if they are too large.

[Maggi Young]

From ZZ - the Stone Rider ....
"The Eastern Czechia (Czech Republic) has available softer stone (called here opuka) suitable for building crevice gardens. My picture is from nursery of Mr. Valenta, specialist od dwarf conifers and Daphnes. There is time of yellow cushions of Vitaliana (Androsace) primuliflora in the large nursery."



The second photo from Mr. Valenta crevice garden shows rare Pinus monosperma, a pine with only one needle

[astragalus]

The work materials are ready and waiting and the crevice garden has started to bloom about 3 weeks ahead of time.  The Veronica armena  seedlings put in two years ago are the first of the veronicas to bloom - usually they are the last among the veronicas.  The Western phlox are always early but are two weeks ahead of themselves, and all the daphnes are completely budded.

[astragalus]

All the photos were taken early in the morning.  When the sun is high the veronica is a softer blue but still intense.

[ranunculus]

Looking so good, Anne … where on earth do you find your energy?  Can't wait to see this extension to your already magnificent garden.

[astragalus]

Flowering in the new tufa crevice garden at the top of the cliff - Draba acaulis.  It's furry, makes a perfect dome and is floriferous.  Does anyone know anything about this?  Such as where is it found in nature?  It seems happy here in tufa,  but is not growing in the tufa itself.  The mix is limey, but not very, about 7.8.

[ranunculus]

Hi Anne,

http://encyclopaedia.alpinegardensociety.net/plants/Draba/acaulis

[astragalus]

Thanks so much, Cliff.  A book I don't have yet, Joe would be surprised. (LOL)

[Maggi Young]

 The AGS Encyclopaedia is all online on their site, Anne.  I've had the  two volumes since it came out - it does not get much use.
There is still a lot that is as lacking on line as it was in the print version - I have always found it to be  frustrating to use.   
A good point is that the sections for Dionysia has been updated online, as has, recently Primulas - by Paul Ransom and John Richards respectively.  You'd never know to  look at the site though - no proper announcement of these improvements has been made to let folk know. 

[astragalus]

Thanks, Maggi.  I'll add that to my search list.  I was almost sure the draba was from Turkey.

[Maggi Young]

Yes, Turkey, from the Ala Dag - where a good many great plants live!

[Lori S.]

A bit more on Draba acaulis:
http://www.turkiyebitkileri.com/index.php?dil=tr&id=2&familya=24&cins=767&tur=5477#image-20

http://www.tubives.com/index.php?sayfa=1&tax_id=851