August 2011 in the Southern Hemisphere

[Brian Ellis]

A lovely trio and the Moreae certainly brings out the colours in the other two.

[Tecophilaea King]

Here's that amazing little DBI which is probably "Waranui Gem" which was raised by Jean Stevens in NZ many years a
cheers, fermi 

Just catching up with all the postings, have been very busy with a few other jobs.

Fermi, that's a very nice little iris, one of my favourite as well, but that should read "Wanganui Gem" by Jean Stevens from Wanganui NZ

In Stevens Bros Catalogue 1949-1950 Page 34 the following;
THE GEM
This is a little rich red purple of our own raising which we offered in our bulb catalogue some years ago.
It resulted from crossing the old blue germanica of Europe with a red purple dwarf chamaeiris .It has the additional merit of blooming almost all year round, giving several major displays, the first being in very early spring. Ten Inches 1/6

Waterson's Iris Garden, Wanganui 1960-61 Page 50
THE GEM
An old favourite which not only flowers in very early spring but has bursts of blossom off and on throughout the whole year. In early spring it contents itself with the height of a true dwarf being then only about 6 inches high, with flowers in proportion but later in the year the stems often attain a height of 12 inches. The colour is a light pure purple. Extremely vigorous. 2/6

As a registration by Jean Stevens was not apparent the following registration occurred ;
AIS Checklist 1999
WANGANUI GEM (registered for Jean Stevens, deceased, by Bay of Plenty Group, 1999). MDB. Stem 6-8", (15-20cm), M & RE. S. dark mauve; F. purple; beards white, tipped yellow; slight fragrance. Summer bloom taller, branched. Purple chamaeiris X Madonna. In commerce in NZ since circa 1930 as “The Gem"

[Tecophilaea King]

That is REALLY nice. I must bully Bill into sending me his list. I only have an old one and when I've asked for recent editions, I don't get them. Can't buy if I don't know what he has.

Lesley, you poor old girl being neglected, what's next, and now employing bullying tactics, not very ladylike wouldn't you agree? 
My apologies, must send you a price list this time in October, we can't have you complaining on the net, bad for business.
Anyway, you're most welcome to half a dozen of the "Polly Pearl" when they're dormant, I have plenty of this variety.
Feel free to remind/torment me if I forget  

[Tecophilaea King]

A potful of seedlings raised from AGS Seedex as ex Narcissus romieuii "Julia Jane"; this one seems to have flattish flowers like their mum, fermi

Fermi, I like your  Narcissus romieuxiii "Julia Jane" , I have got something similar from the Julia Jane seedlings, but yours are just that little bit more flatter, very nice.

[Tecophilaea King]

And it is easy to see the "pearly" influence in the flowers.... what a very pretty narcissus.  My greedy nose and I are a pushover for these beauties.

Maggi, I could always send you a couple as well when dormant.
Nothing like a little bribe, I could always keep it as a rain check, next time I like to ask for a favour. No harm in trying.

[Tecophilaea King]

This is such a colourful combination that I couldn't resist the impulse to show it here, despite the terrible quality and composition of the picture:

Rogan, that's a very nice trio, you're way ahead of the same species in NZ. Do you have them in the glass-house?

[Tecophilaea King]

Yes, the Iris reticulata George and Gordon, are flowering as well, and always bring a most welcome early colour/display  to the garden.
They may be the common varieties but they're always delightful.

Iris reticulata George
Iris reticulata Gordon

[Maggi Young]

And it is easy to see the "pearly" influence in the flowers.... what a very pretty narcissus.  My greedy nose and I are a pushover for these beauties.

Maggi, I could always send you a couple as well when dormant.
Nothing like a little bribe, I could always keep it as a rain check, next time I like to ask for a favour. No harm in trying.

 I work better for chocolate, as a rule, Bill, but I'd love to try your pearly queens!

[angie]

And it is easy to see the "pearly" influence in the flowers.... what a very pretty narcissus.  My greedy nose and I are a pushover for these beauties.

Maggi, I could always send you a couple as well when dormant.
Nothing like a little bribe, I could always keep it as a rain check, next time I like to ask for a favour. No harm in trying.

 I work better for chocolate, as a rule, Bill, but I'd love to try your pearly queens!

Now Maggi if you really had a choice it would have to be pearls, chocolate you can get anytime 
Angie

[Lesley Cox]

Bill, I hardly expected that reaction to my post, but yes please, I really do want a copy of your new catalogue and I'll remind you, early October. The pearly ones would be lovely too.

Thanks as well, for the information about Jean's iris. I knew Waranui wasn't right but forgot about 'The Gem' being registered as 'Wanganui Gem.' (Do we have to spell it as Whanganui now? ) This is/was one of the first if not THE first of the remontant or re-blooming (in the autumn) bearded irises recognised and so is valuable for that alone, as well as for its associations with the late Jean Stevens.

[fermi de Sousa]

Thanks for clearing that up, Bill! I have enough trouble remembering Aussie place names, let alone Kiwi ones! And I'm not even going to try to pronounce that name, with or without the "h"!
Here's a little bulbinella flowering in the rock garden; we got it as seed labelled "Bulbinella cauda-felis" but it isn't the same as others I've seen under this name. Maybe it's B. eburnifolia?




A nice little clump of a cyclamenius hybrid I got from Doug Bryce as "Tatiana x N. cyclamenius" (I wonder if it's meant to be Titania?)


cheers
fermi

[Ezeiza]

Eburniflora (ivory flowered) is in flower right now but it is smaller than caudafelis, Fermi.

[arillady]

A selection of single violets (only ones that survive here) out today.

Iris bicapitata - purple blue form

PT0022

Iris kirkwoodii x Iris atropurpurea   
 (Edit : to show kirkwoodii  is  listed as   Iris kirkwoodiae Chaudhary )

Yet another flower on Iris planifolia - this is the most amazing juno for having blooms for months.

Hermodactylus tuberosus in the sun spotlight

Must find the name of this iris as the tag has faded over the years. You can see that terrible grassy South African bulb which has spread everywhere.

[Lesley Cox]

Lovely irises Pat. I looked as the last and thought "I don't know that species (ingrass)" then realized it was actually in grass.

[Otto Fauser]

The first week in August is always the mainflowering period for many snowdrop species and cultivars in my garden -they give me and visitors much joy each year.

here are a few wellknown and easy ones . I find G. 'Spindlestone Surprise ' the easiest of the yellows and soon makes handsome clumps .