April 2011 in the Northern Hemisphere

[Lesley Cox]

A stunning leaf form on Cardiocrinum yunnanense. Mine are just about plain. 

[ArnoldT]

Growing in an ivy bed

[Luc Gilgemyn]

A verrrrrrrrrrry colourful display Michael ... but then, we hadn't expected anything else from you ! 

[Lampwick]

Jeffersonia dubia ‘Alba’

I bought this from Simon Bond’s plant stall at the AGS Midland Show a number of years ago.
I have seen it on the show bench a number of times with a plethora of blooms and very little foliage.

Would I be correct in thinking that many of the leaves would have been clipped off to display the blooms for show purposes? 
    

[Diane Clement]

Jeffersonia dubia ‘Alba’
Would I be correct in thinking that many of the leaves would have been clipped off to display the blooms for show purposes? 

I don't think so, it's done with controlled watering, so as not to encourage too much leaf growth before the flowers

[Maggi Young]

I think Diane is correct... it may also have to do with temperature, since you wiill see from the following links that plants outside in colder areas flower well before the foliage extends....

http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=7011.msg195503#msg195503    white form on show bench in Edinburgh


http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=5303.msg147468#msg147468     Forrest Medal plant
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=5303.msg148958#msg148958 flowers on Forrest Medal plant
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=5303.msg148958#msg148958  fresh growth on that  Edinburgh Show FM plant

These plants are from Cyril Lafong.


http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=5405.msg150570;topicseen#msg150570   lilac form in the ground in Russia

http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=376.msg11168#msg11168   lilac form in the ground in Sweden 2007

http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=1584.msg43243;topicseen#msg43243  lilac form in the ground in Sweden 2008


http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3510.msg92193;topicseen#msg92193  lilac form in the ground in Canada

http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=1469.msg38790#msg38790     lilac form in the ground in  Belgium

[Lampwick]

Thank you Diane and Maggi for your prompt replies.  

Thanks also Maggi for those great links!

I do like Cyril Lafong's Forrest medal winner and that lovely woodland picture of Olga’s. They show the blooms above the foliage….wonderful!

My plant has been covered with a large sheet of glass, as there is a flowering cheery directly above it which sheds its blossom just as the Jeffersonia is at its best.
I have read that it’s a bit risky to move Jeffersonia, is that right?  
So if I could prevent too much water at its feet as it comes into growth in the open garden, and keep it cool (in the shade a bit more perhaps) my plant might hold back is foliage more?  
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You have both prompted me to take a look in some of my books:  

The late E. B. Anderson in his book – “Seven Gardens”, says. “…in almost full shade Jeffersonia dubia has made a good clump and produces its flowers before the leaves have developed very much, which does not happen in a warm place when its beauty is spoiled by the leaves overlapping the flowers.” My Jeffersonia gets very little direct sunlight, but it does get overhead open skylight. I could move it to a darker/shadier, (and perhaps slightly cooler) spot under the canopy of a 40 year old
Camellia japonica 'Adolphe Audusson'
What do you think?

Camellia picture taken today.

[Armin]

Great images from all!

I have re-discovered my old love for Viola wittrockiana. Each individual plant has a different face and color - fascinating
Have sawn some seed last summer in my rose bed.

Can you kindly help me to identify this pulsatilla? http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=7053.0

[Diane Clement]

I have read that it’s a bit risky to move Jeffersonia, is that right?  

I hadn't read that, and my three J dubia alba get lifted in rotation every second year, so they are out in the garden for two years then one is lifted and potted up possibly to show.  So I didn't know about the risk, and neither did they!

[meanie]

That Scoliopus bigelovii by Micheal J Campbell is stunning.
My contribution is Eccromocarpus scaber - certainly the earliest that it's flowered for me.

[angie]

Micheal your garden is so lovely, so much colour and as for you Camellias, AMAZING.
Angie 

[johnw]

The Leucojum patch and double Galanthus nivalis with tommies.

johnw

[Lesley Cox]

A really attractive walk down that garden path John, with 'drops and crocuses at one's feet.

[johnw]

A really attractive walk down that garden path John, with 'drops and crocuses at one's feet.

Lesley - It's a bit of an awkward ballet dance I'm afraid.

johnw

[Brian Ellis]

It's a bit of an awkward ballet dance I'm afraid.

Lovely mental picture