May 2011 in the Northern Hemisphere

[KK-Ann Arbor]

Spring blooms in Ann Arbor, Michigan

claytonia virginica-2
brunnera 1
brunnera 2
brunnera 3

[PaulM]

I really like the Claytonia virginica KK. I remember seeing Claytonia megarhiza in the Rockies, but it is quite different.
I am a little behind schedule uploading my pictures, so here are some which are actually from last month, but they are still nice and when photographing them I really felt that the long cold winter was over. Don't miss the ants on the spathe of the skunk cabbage. I wonder if they are attracted by the smell or by the warmth.

[JPB]

Beautiful Viola, Paul! But are you sure it is V. odorata? The flower and hairy leafs looks more like V. hirta...

[meanie]

Far too many here for me to comment individually, but I have enjoyed looking.
My contribution is a photo of my Sollya heterophylla in full bloom......

[meanie]

Two more contributions.
The second is my white form of Sollya heterophylla, which has just started to flower.
The first is my first ever Meconopsis (lindholm).

[Maggi Young]

My contribution is a photo of my Sollya heterophylla in full bloom......

Crumbs.... you're not growing those Sollya outside, are you? 

[meanie]

My contribution is a photo of my Sollya heterophylla in full bloom......

Crumbs.... you're not growing those Sollya outside, are you? 

They've been outdoors since mid March Maggi. On the odd night where there was a risk of frost I put them in the garage.
These two were in the conservatory for the winter, whilst the third was in the garage. Apart from being a little behind it appears unscathed by that experience, so that's where all three will be this winter.

[Maggi Young]

Ah, that seems sensible... thought for a minute you had these growing outside and I was going to ask if you had the whole garden covered with a giant heat blanket!!

They are evergreen though, aren't they? Does the garage not get a bit dark for them in winter?

[meanie]

Yes, they are evergreen.
The garage has a south facing back access door which I replaced with a glass unit to provide some daylight. But in reality, if it's cold (although not freezing), then they are only ticking over anyway.

[Maggi Young]

Thanks, meanie, useful to know that for anyone wondering how to overwinter tender subjects.
Proves you don't need fancy equipment etc.

[meanie]

Thanks, meanie, useful to know that for anyone wondering how to overwinter tender subjects.
Proves you don't need fancy equipment etc.

It's all a learning process! Helped a little by my being sent a second blue one instead of the white form that I ordered, which means that I have a free one to experiment with a little......

I'll treat my Erythrina as a deciduous shrub after this winter, allowing it to shed it's leaves in the garage before cutting off last years growth and bringing it into the conservatory late March. That was how I treated it the last winter - it now stands two metres tall and in rude health.

[Regelian]

Here are two seedlings of Papaver bracteatum.  I fell in love with this species while wandering about at Sissinghurst.  I eventually found seed and these two are the results. The colour is always difficult to capture with a camera, but the darker one is actually pretty close.  The more orange is really a deep red.

Also, Echeveria hybrids are apparently 'in' this season, as I see them on offer all over the place.  I picked up 4 just for fun.

P. bracteatum
P. bracteatum
Echeveria , 4 different forms(?)

[cohan]

So many beauties!
Nice Echeverias, Jamie, could be species (there are many many many) or hybrids, even intergenerics... will you keep them over winter?

[Regelian]

Cohan,

I do plan to overwinter them in the house (South window).  There is a paucity of info on this group of plants in the internet.  Lots of fotos, but few names or useful descriptions.  Even the few books I have on succulents only give them a scant overview.  Pity, as they are easy and quite lovely, especially in bloom.

[PaulM]

Dear Hans,
                 it could very well be Viola hirta. I just called it V. odorata as it is one of the most common, but I'll change the name. It's always so wonderful with all the expertise at this forum.

Thanks!