August 2010 in the Southern Hemisphere

[kiwi]

Things starting to get exciting in the garden, many bulbs just poking through.
We have had rain all week so excuse the dirt on flowers.

[galahad]

You're well ahead of me.  Finally some sun today

[galahad]

Hesperantha cucullata from seed flowering tonight.  Smells like summer 

[Lesley Cox]

Well ahead of me too. Is your 4th picture a mandrake Doug? If not, what?

[annew]

I was wondering too, and what's the last but one? Nice daffodil as well.

[Maggi Young]

I think 01662 is a Mandragora.... and I too would like to know what the next pic 01665 is as well as the one Anne asks about... 01679.......

[Lesley Cox]

I think 01665 is Edgeworthia and the 01679 is probably Sparaxis or Tritonia. Something like that, whatever they're being called nowadays.

[kiwi]

Sorry about the names guys.
1. Narcissus cyclamineus x
2. Galanthus elwesii
3. Scilla siberica?
4. Mandagora officinarum
5. Edgeworthia crysantha
6 and 7. Helleborus hyb.
8. Galanthus atkinsii
9. Sparaxis tricolour
10. Corydalis solida

[fermi de Sousa]

Yes, it's almost spring here as well
This is what I have as Bulbinella caudafelis though it's not "typical" - so may be misnamed!



Moraea ciliata has short-lived but exquisite flowers



And as it was closing I noticed the buff exterior to the petals


cheers
fermi

[Maggi Young]

Sorry about the names guys.
1. Narcissus cyclamineus x
2. Galanthus elwesii
3. Scilla siberica?
4. Mandagora officinarum
5. Edgeworthia crysantha
6 and 7. Helleborus hyb.
8. Galanthus atkinsii
9. Sparaxis tricolour
10. Corydalis solida

Thanks, Doug!!

[Ragged Robin]

Moraea ciliata has short-lived but exquisite flowers

Fermi, this Moraea is truly exquisite - how hardy is it and does it multiply easily for you?

[Lesley Cox]

My little cactus has opened its second flower. There hardly seems room for it. Lovely colour though.


Erythronium caucasicum flowers before others are even through the ground. Even so, it is late this year, usually early August or even July.


I've also posted some crocuses to the Crocus August 2010 page.

[galahad]

The first of my spring Narcissus to flower:

Josie is going to be amazing this year
Rival just in the process of opening
Wilma - One of Bill Dijk's
Wilma showing scale

[Rogan]

I just loved this little Lapeirousia (L. silenoides) bedecked with rain drops - it reminds me of a mantis about to strike (...or something  .

In my opinion this is one of the finest Lachenalias - L. carnosa. In Namaqualand this Lachenalia often grows in association with the Lapeirousia and little blue and yellow daisies (Felicia and Cotula species), filling sandy pockets with bright colour.

Another noteworthy plant making a statement at the moment is Geissorhiza tulbaghensis. It is a tiny plant with relatively large glossy flowers.

[fermi de Sousa]

Hi Robin,
The Moraea grows outdoors where it gets down to -7^oC; I haven't had a huge increase in numbers but I think it maybe the sort you have to propagate by seed. I'm hoping the bees had enough time to do their work

Hi Ross,
will you try some hybridizing of your own with these beaut little daffs?

Rogan,
I have to admit I really love the South African spring bulbs and that geissorhiza is stunning!

This little helleborus (possibly H. multifidus) has changed from white on opening to a subtle pink.


Next to my original clump of Babiana odorata a seedling is showing the distinct possibility of being a hybrid -



mostly likely with B. pygmaea - which would explain why last year's B.pygmaea seedlings look like hybrids with B. odorata!

cheers
fermi