June 2011 in the Northern Hemisphere

[meanie]

A couple of new bloomers;
First photo is my Fuchsia perscandens - my favourite Fuchsia despite its dreadfully messy growth habit! The first blooms this year seem a little shy, as they're all very much on the underside of the plant making it tricky to get a decent photo. At least this shot captures the blue pollen.
The second one is Digitalis parviflora grown from seed given to me last year. Very small flowers of about 7 or 8mm.

[Lesley Cox]

The Fuchsia is one of ours yet only a handful of people round the country seem to grow it, if even that many. I've never seen it myself.

[meanie]

The Fuchsia is one of ours yet only a handful of people round the country seem to grow it, if even that many. I've never seen it myself.

When the National Fuchsia society of New Zealand say that it's "not an attractive plant" I guess that it hasn't too much of a chance of becoming popular!
I love it though - partly because it's unusual, and because it is the classic Fuchsia shape (in my opinion).

For those who would like to find out more about the native Fuchsia of New Zealand, the link below is to the relevant page at the National Fuchsia society of New Zealand.

http://nfsnz.orconhosting.net.nz/nzspecies.htm

[Roma]

i take lots of pictures meaning to share them on the forum but do not get round to resizing but it's raining this afternoon so I am trying to catch up.
A general view of the meconopsis bed
Meconopsis punicea
Meconopsis supposed to be pink perennial hybrid with a lilac form of betonicifolia in the background

[Roma]

I thought I had this one resized but had not.
The Aquilegias and allium have gone over here as well as being blown over and the Lilium martagon are just beginning.  Lots of them are leaning or have kinks in their stems.
A dark Aquilegia with Astrantia 'Roma' (had to have that one)
This double ragged robin cannot support itself and has to lean on the Astrantia

[johnw]

Yet another Nomocharis in flower today.

johnw - the sun appeared around 3pm. Heavy rain on Saturday.

[Lesley Cox]

Thanks Meanie, for the link. I didn't know we had a Fuchsia Soc in NZ but I suppose it was inevitable. Many people grow them. I only have F. procumbens but another Forumist David Lyttle I'm sure grows perscandens so I'll ask him for a cutting. It may not be spectacular and beautiful but I do think it is attractive. I'm one of those who are attracted by plants which are often described as "curious rather than beautiful." 

[meanie]

Lesley - I wonder if you'll be spending a lot of time trying to get it to behave with its "semi-trailing, climbing shrub and is of generally spreading habit".
Mine does flower it's little heart out though!

[olegKon]

Asperula gussoney is feeling well now

[Lvandelft]

While raining yesterday at last some time to resize pictures.
And just now it starts again, so I can share some here.
Here are a few perennials

Lupinus Red Rum 
   The only one of 9 different ones which survived the winter.
   When I saw these new hybrids last year I could not resist planting these, but they don't seem to be as tough as I was told   
Anemone canadensis 1
   Nice but always trying to take over the whole place                                                      
                                                   
Clematis integrifolia Floris V                                             
Leucosceptrum japonicum Golden Angel
Erigeron Rotes Meer                                                                       
Saponaria sicula var. intermedia [Syn. S. hausknechtii]   
   One of the parents of S. x lempergii which flowers much later.               
Tanacetum corymbosum Zauberstern                     the flowers slowly changing to pinkish                                                     
Tanacetum corymbosum Festtafel                                               

[ruweiss]

Thanks to all for sharing their beautiful pictures with us.
Some pictures from the garden:
Hypericum kazdaghensis
Edraianthus wettsteinii
Erigeron leiomerus
Lilium martagon cattaniae
Hosta venusta minor
Hosta Snow Mouse

[Maggi Young]

So many great flowers.... you all have wonderful gardens and it is so nice to be abel to see what you are growing 

[ruweiss]

Error, sent the detailpicture of Edraianthus wettsteinii twice,
here is the entire plant:

[Paddy Tobin]

Rudi,

Beautiful flowers. A question for you re Lilium martagon cattaniae: I have a lily in flower in the garden, label lost, which is exactly this colour. Has your plant noticeably thick, fleshy petals? The name rings a bell and it coincides with a season of sowing martagon lily seed - there are several martagon lilies together in this part of the garden.

Paddy
 

[Anthony Darby]

The Fuchsia is one of ours yet only a handful of people round the country seem to grow it, if even that many. I've never seen it myself.

When the National Fuchsia society of New Zealand say that it's "not an attractive plant" I guess that it hasn't too much of a chance of becoming popular!
I love it though - partly because it's unusual, and because it is the classic Fuchsia shape (in my opinion).

For those who would like to find out more about the native Fuchsia of New Zealand, the link below is to the relevant page at the National Fuchsia society of New Zealand.

http://nfsnz.orconhosting.net.nz/nzspecies.htm

I feel another trip to the Oratia Nursery coming on!