Eastern Turkey

[Philip MacDougall]

Have been travelling in eastern Turkey these last 2 weeks. Somewhat tired of kabops and white bread. Difficult internet at times. Had to share this, near Ayder today, many were flagging but there were still some good ones out. Will try to post photos when I return. Philip
Epigaea gaultheroides

[Maggi Young]

Ohh! SWOON! SWOON! This is one of my all time FAVOURITE plants.
We were very happy to be awarded a First Class Certificate for it some years ago.
A plant of incredible beauty and lovely scent..... I never thought to see it in such quantities from the wild.... thank you, Philip.... you make an old dear VERY happy!   ( even if the pix are a little wide!)

[johnw]

Ohh! SWOON! SWOON! This is one of my all time FAVOURITE plants.
We were very happy to be awarded a First Class Certificate for it some years ago.
A plant of incredible beauty and lovely scent..... I never thought to see it in such quantities from the wild.... thank you, Philip.... you make an old dear VERY happy!   ( even if the pix are a little wide!)

Pass the smelling salts Maggi!!!

Ken for johnw

[Brian Ellis]

What a wonderful site, someone pick Maggi up off the floor please

[arillady]

Wonderful about this site is that you see plants that you have never seen or heard of before.

[Otto Fauser]

Like Maggi ( hope I'm not an old dear ) I swooned at the expanse of the Epigaea.I used to grow years ago -it was only the size of a dinnerplate , but 2 days of summerheat ( 43 Celcius ) was the end of it .

[Philip MacDougall]

Alright Maggi, This one is something I think even you haven't grown.
Phelyphaea tournefortii. Phelypaea tournefortii
Starting the long flight home tomorrow, back to the land of Starbucks and reliable internet.
Philip

[Philip MacDougall]

Crapped out on the spelling. Phelypaea tournefortii

[Maggi Young]

I don't think too many folks have grown this very showy member of the Orobanchaceae

I've only seen photos of it, mostly from Marijn van den Brink .......
http://photos.v-d-brink.eu/

The rich colour and velvet texture is just irresistible to me........I've got some Tanacetum parthenium in the garden... do you think the Phelypaea would like that as a host?

[Diane Clement]

However, some of us have seen the rather similar looking Phelypaea coccinea in cultivation, a few years ago at Chesterfield show grown by Neil Hubbard Phelypaea coccinea growing on Centaurea

[Brian Ellis]

What an extraordinary thing, does it grow in huge numbers if there is a mass of host plants?

[Maggi Young]

However, some of us have seen the rather similar looking Phelypaea coccinea in cultivation, a few years ago at Chesterfield show grown by Neil Hubbard Phelypaea coccinea growing on Centaurea

Well remembered, Diane... and a fine certificate of merit for Neil Hubbard's achievement in growing this lovely oddity.  Seems that tansey's are not its only host. 

[Lesley Cox]

OH MY GOD!!! This thread didn't appear in my Inbox so I had missed it altogether. When I die please lay me to rest in the middle of those stunning pink flowers. If it's by Friday that's OK. Not only smelling salts needed, but defibrillator as well please. Surely Philip, that sight will be one of the great highlights of your life. , and thanks Maggi and John for the rather casual remarks on the Arisaema thread, that pointed me in the right direction.

[johnw]

Lesley - Good thing Philip's in medicine he can defibralte you though he probably buys cheap batteries at Canadian Tire.

johnw. 

[art600]

Philip

I too was travelling in Estern Turkey at the same time as you.  Sadly did not see the magnificent Epigaea.

Did manage to get excellent brown bread  

Would not ever long for a Starbucks coffee

Hope to post some photos later this week.