February 2010 (Southern Hemisphere)

[Tecophilaea King]

 Chris, just a few more of the South America genera/species for you to have a look at. Enjoy.

Gelasine azureus
Herb.pulchella
Herbertia pulchella form
Hesperoxiphion peruvianum
Leucocoryne vitata darker
Leucocoryne purpurea

Neomarica caerulea

[Hristo]

As one of my lectureres used to say, very sexy plants indeed. I think the Herbertea en masse is my fav!

[David Nicholson]

All absolute beauties.

[annew]

Very exotic looking! Brightened up a very dull day here.

[Tecophilaea King]

As one of my lectureres used to say, very sexy plants indeed. I think the Herbertea en masse is my fav!

Chris, now I know why I am so popular with my wife, and so tired at night.
So don't forget for more and improved .......grow more of these South American sexy plants!!!!!
You should try growing some of these plants Maggi, don't tell Ian yet, see what happen.
Thanks Chris you might have started something

[Armin]

Bill,
absolut fascinating - so spendid generas.  
Many of them I've never heard of!
Thanks for showing.

[Tecophilaea King]

Another dainty species from Mexico is the Bessera elegans , with grassy leaves and flowering stems of 50 cm, carrying numerous flowers shaped like small parachutes, and ranging in colour from bright red to pink and purple, some may also have white stripes.
Bessera elegans is the only species available at present,and flowers during summer and is good for rock garden and containers.
A range of colour variants occurs, mainly in shades from scarlet to purple with various green or white markings.
Lesley how's your Bessera elegans coming along, they should be close to flowering by now??

[Tecophilaea King]

Haemanthus coccineus is a striking South African native known variously as blood lily, or elephant ears.
It is grown as much for its large strap-like leaves as for its scarlet flowers, which resemble piantbrushes with their central cluster of golden stamens.
They emerge when no foliage is present in summer, prompted by heavy rain or watering.
Pinkish red tongue-like buds are carried on spotted stems, opening to display a mass of golden pollen.
As summer progresses, the large fleshy, thick round leaves appear.

[Hristo]

Love the Bessera, I'll be growing them in Bulgaria for the first time this year.

[Ross Graham]

Hi Everyone,

Most things are finished flowering in my garden now but here are some late flowering New zealand alpines and interesting foliage from today. OK to be honest this thread is just because I bought a new camera

For the first time Iv grown Ourisia caespitosa and its just started flowering last week.

Ranunculus insignis has one last perfect flower I cant believe how long this has been flowering, it first started back in October.

Raoulia loganii is a really nice hybrid between Leucogenies and Raoulia briodies (I think) It shows real hybrid vigour.

Raoulia mammillaris growing outside in a polystyrine trough has survived two winters outside reasonably intact without any covering. I think this is more luck than anything else.

Raoulia parkii just coming into flower

Raoulia subsericea is actually very pretty, if you look closely

Im really looking forward to taking my new camera into the hills as soon as possible, with the latest technology even I can take ok pictures.

[Hristo]

Cameras certainly working for you Ross! Great to see some NZ alpines, I shall look forward to seeing your pictures from the hills!

[David Nicholson]

Well done Ross.

[Ross Graham]

Thanks David and Hristo,
I think the credit belongs with Panasonic for making such an easy to use camera.

Anyway here are a couple more photos taken yesterday and this morning in between showers.

Gentiana saxosa a little gentian from on the south Coast of the South Island its really easy and self seeds in my garden

Celmisia philocremna with rain drops on it grown from a plant given to me by a friend, he said he grew it from a cutting. I found it a bit tricky from seed. It tends to damp off very easily.

Haastia pulvinaris a seedling in my alpine house.

Muehlenbeckia axillaris fruit

Wahlenbergia mathewsii grows on the coast at kaikoura and quite easily in my garden

I'm really itching to take my camera into the field as Iv just about photographed every plant in my garden

[Paul T]

Excellent pics, Bill, Fermi, and Ross.  Beautiful.

Bill, the irids you grow are gorgeous, but I just love the Trimezia martinicensis.  What a cracker!!

[Hristo]

Love the gentiana!