October 2011 in the Southern Hemisphere

[Natalia]

Doug, you have wonderful Myosotis cheesmanii and Myosotidium hortensia! My congratulations!

[t00lie]

All of them nice plants Doug ,especially the natives 

Here's a couple of Clematis ,from the diminutive native C.petriei to about 2 metres rambling through a fuchsia --- lovely citrus like scent that wafts into our dining room when the windows are open, followed by Clematis montana --firstly the larger vine now climbing beyond 18 metres in height and secondly a younger one nearer the house .

Cheers Dave. 

[fleurbleue]

   What a wonderful sight ! 

[t00lie]

The vine near the house used to grow beyond the vanilla tree it's currently on ,right up into the natives at the back. A storm 3/4 years ago bought down a very large limb and most of the top half of the Clematis.

A couple of early morning pics.....

--dew on Azalea
--sun on Azalea.

Cheers Dave.

[Tecophilaea King]

This is the elusive, temperamental Iris minutoaurea, barely 2.5 cm (1inch) across,  native to Japan and China,
Unfortunately shy-flowering, but managed two flowers this time, double from the one flower last season, I am making progress.
Must try again, and find a spot in the nursery that is dryer and get a real good baking, will try anything
They are perfect for troughs or a choice spot in the rock garden, if only......
How did your division perform Lesley that I send you, any luck?

[Anthony Darby]

Cute

[Tecophilaea King]

While we are on the subject of irises, here are a few of the Pacific Coast irises named and a few new seedlings.
Always exciting, when they flower for the first time, something to look forward to every season.

[Tecophilaea King]

Just a few more. Enjoy.

[annew]

Beautiful, Bill. What lovely colours. I saw an exhibit of paintings of these flowers which had so many different colours overlaid - very memorable.

[Maggi Young]

I suppose those frilly showgirls have a certain charm, but for  me the I. minutoaurea is the real show stopper.

[daveyp1970]

I suppose those frilly showgirls have a certain charm, but for  me the I. minutoaurea is the real show stopper.

I couldn't agree more.Well done Bill.

[t00lie]

This is the elusive, temperamental Iris minutoaurea, barely 2.5 cm (1inch) across,  native to Japan and China,
Must try again, and find a spot in the nursery that is dryer and get a real good baking, will try anything

Hello Bill

Not sure if this helps with our climates being so different,however i find it easy to a point that one of my clumps about a fortnight ago had 20 flowers .

No part of this property can be called 'baked'   , and although it is in a partially sunny position growing in a sand bed with very minimal humus, you can see it probably needs more light as the leaves are well advanced at flowering time.

Cheers Dave.

[t00lie]

Glaucidium palmatum is such a wonderful woodland plant --i couldn't help but take a pic or two yesterday.

I have planted close by ,some seedlings of the white form --if these come true it will be interesting to see what colour variations occur over time......

Cheers Dave. 

[Lesley Cox]

The piece of I. minutoaurea you sent to me Bill, is doing very well, potted and growing strongly but as yet hasn't flowered. No sign of buds this spring.

I think Toolie's pics say it all really. Every reference I've read regarding this iris says cool and moist raither than hot and dry.

The PCIs look good. Some of those seem to have their origins with Mary Barrell, past President of NZIS. I ordered and received seed of several of the Karapiro series in the June seedlist of the Society. Nothing up yet (the seed was distributed very late) but I hope they will, in time produce some interesting plants.

Doug, may I suggest that your Myosotis cheesemanii is, in fact. M. colensoi? The grey foliage is typical of that. Mine is well in bud but needs another day ot two then I'll take a photo. What we generally grow as M. cheesemanii is the brown-leaved plant available from Hokonui but David Lyttle says it isn't and maybe is an undescribed species.

Dave, the unflowered seedling of G. palmatum from Louise and I think from Alistair's stock, did come pure white which pleased me very much.

[johnw]

Glaucidium palmatum is such a wonderful woodland plant --i couldn't help but take a pic or two yesterday.

I have planted close by ,some seedlings of the white form --if these come true it will be interesting to see what colour variations occur over time......

Cheers Dave. 

Dave - Superb photos of your fresh looking Glaucidium. You've made my day.

johnw