Ranunculus 2010

[Maggi Young]

Good hols, Darren?

[Darren]

Yes thanks Maggi. Got there two days before the volcano went up and was not due to return until long after the excitement was over so was luckily unaffected! AND I've been away for all the disruption of the new kitchen being fitted, AND I've missed almost all the fuss about all those lying thieving swine trying to get elected next week! AND I've pigged out on lovely Greek food, wine & raki, without gaining a single ounce in weight.

Back to work on tuesday 

[mark smyth]

green with envy over those asiaticus

How did you two keep them going over the winter?

[Darren]

I think they are hardier than many people think Mark - I've some red ones flowering in a frame outside which certainly experienced -9C, with a cover only to keep the rain out. The 'Ken Aslet' clone is reputed to be very hardy also. Cold and wet, or pots freezing through are probably the bigger danger, rather than cold alone.

Just flowering now are some seedlings from a recent Archibald collection in Turkey, at very high altitude for the species, which he postulates will be hardy also.

My potted plants are kept just frost free with my south african stuff during winter.

[Darren]

To illustrate my remarks above - here is the JJA collection from Turkey and a picture of some stray seedlings of other red forms flowering with Iris hoogiana and Ranunculus millefoliatus in the bulb frame.

[mark smyth]

Ranunculus millefoliatus in the bulb farme!? Mine grow very happily outside in the garden and in a trough

This is the one in a trough nestled among Galanthus, Geranium peloponnesiacum, Geranium sanguinium small prostrate form and an Erodium

Geranium peloponnesiacum is brilliant for spring flowers when most other geraniums are only in tight bud

[Darren]

That is interesting Mark. Mine used to be in a pot but I put it out into the frame as this tends to be my trial area for things which I'm not sure about suitability for outdoor life. I'll remember this next time I empty the frame. There is another mediterranean Ranunculus species in here whose name escapes me but this I rescued from the garden after it proved to be a slug magnet. The bit I left in the garden has done really well too this year as we seem to have had a fairly mollusc-free spring so far.

[mark smyth]

They survived -11 in the garden.

[wolfgang vorig]

Ranunculus spec. Tien Shan today.

[Lesley Cox]

That is a lovely plant Wolfgang. Mr Booker will be making whimpering noises.

[ranunculus]

That is a lovely plant Wolfgang. Mr Booker will be making whimpering noises.

Even in New York State, Lesley ... ! 

[Maggi Young]

You'll be suffering  alpine buttercup withdrawal symptoms, Cliff.... are you getting any USA buttery fixes?
When are they letting you come home? You must be shattered.

[ranunculus]

You'll be suffering  alpine buttercup withdrawal symptoms, Cliff.... are you getting any USA buttery fixes?
When are they letting you come home? You must be shattered.

We actually arrived home this morning Maggi ... after overnight flights from Newburgh via Philadelphia to Manchester.  We are now trying to stay awake to avoid jet-lag.  Three and a half weeks of spectacular locations, amazing people, incredible hospitality and truly beautiful gardens.  We enjoyed every second and amassed over 1500 images.  Our thanks to NARGS and everyone involved for giving us this wonderful opportunity.

[Maggi Young]

Good to know you and Sue are safely returned to us, Cliff.
Not easily achieved with ash clouds and strike action!
Will Ollie remember you??! 

It must  indeed have been a terrific tour..... I imagine that all your hosts and audiences have enjoyed your visit immensely. Very exciting to have NARGS provide such a great opportunity..... a trip that will bring great memories, I'm sure. Not to mention spawning several new Talks!!

Hope the time shift rehabilitation goes well!
 M

[TheOnionMan]

[
We actually arrived home this morning Maggi ... after overnight flights from Newburgh via Philadelphia to Manchester.  We are now trying to stay awake to avoid jet-lag.  Three and a half weeks of spectacular locations, amazing people, incredible hospitality and truly beautiful gardens.  We enjoyed every second and amassed over 1500 images.  Our thanks to NARGS and everyone involved for giving us this wonderful opportunity.

Cliff, sorry to have missed the chance to meet you and see your presentation to the Beskshire Chapter NARGS meeting, I hear it was terrific.  I have two email addresses, one of which I often neglect for days at a time.  Then on Saturday moning, the morning of your presentation, I check my neglected email and see an invite from Peter George to drive out together to see your presentation... at that point it was already too late to make the 2 hour drive across the State... drat!  Not sure what gardens you might have had a chance to see in the area, but I will be posting pics of Peter George's most excellent rock gardens on the NARGS forum, and will post a link here after I've done that.