October 2011 in the Northern hemisphere

[Hoy]

Puya mirabilis is looking better than ever after this very wet summer. The flower stalk is over 1.5m high. Note how the slugs have managed to climb to the top and taken a few bits of the buds before being squished.  How do they know there's a meal up that stalk?

johnw - 24c today after a very warm October night.

24C at this time of the year? That will never happen here!

Johnw have you ever tried any Puya outside? I remember seeing them very high up in the Andes.

[johnw]

Hoy - It actually got to 27c here today and it's still 23c at 21:17.  Windows are thrown open and hard to believe there was snow on the roads through some of the higher passes on Nova Scotia just last week.  Southern New Brunswick was 29c.

I bought the Puya out in Vancouver and was told to try it outside.  I haven't been brave enough.  Is mirabilis the hardiest species?  I'm am amazed at the size of the buds.

johnw

[Natalia]

So was on Friday...

[arisaema]

Pascal

Thank you, I'm hoping I have something tempting for you when I get back I. qingchengshanica perhaps?

Bjørnar, do you want a piece of omeiana as well? My 'Milo' froze too but I found seedling. However, when I had potted them up the slugs found the seedlings too although I had placed the pots high and dry (nothing is really dry here these days) 

Thanks, but I have them all, I've kept backups inside Think I have 5 or 6 different ones, but still searching for the purple-leaved one which I don't think has been introduced. I'm a bit curious about how you got 'Milo'? It's named after a cat of mine, it's my nick on GardenWeb If you've lost it I got backup from a friend in Bergen, she said it was rather weedy there.

[johnw]

A few photos.

Puya mirabilis unexpectedly opened a few flowers overnight; they are much bigger than I expected.

The Celmisia I had almost written off as dead this Spring as it went flabby.  Blame the high priestess Lesley on its resurrection.

One flower on the Rhodothamnus chamaecistus. Surprised to see seed pods on x Phyllothamnus erectus.

johnw

[Hoy]

A few photos.

Puya mirabilis unexpectedly opened a few flowers overnight; they are much bigger than I expected.

The Celmisia I had almost written off as dead this Spring as it went flabby.  Blame the high priestess Lesley on its resurrection.

One flower on the Rhodothamnus chamaecistus. Surprised to see seed pods on x Phyllothamnus erectus.

johnw

Oh, did Lesley swear to something?
The Puya certainly is mirabilis I have one seedling of a Puya - can't remember which one but hopefully it is as spectacular as yours.

Bjørnar, do you want a piece of omeiana as well? My 'Milo' froze too but I found seedling. However, when I had potted them up the slugs found the seedlings too although I had placed the pots high and dry (nothing is really dry here these days) 

Thanks, but I have them all, I've kept backups inside Think I have 5 or 6 different ones, but still searching for the purple-leaved one which I don't think has been introduced. I'm a bit curious about how you got 'Milo'? It's named after a cat of mine, it's my nick on GardenWeb If you've lost it I got backup from a friend in Bergen, she said it was rather weedy there.

I got 'Milo' (I believe the name was that) as a gift when I bought some plants a few years back. Maybe it was you I bought from? (En internettside "Stauder" tror jeg det var.)
It was hardy until last winter. I had a huge clump of it but all froze or maybe rotted as it was cold and then damp and then cold again. I would like to get it once more

So was on Friday...

Very nice, Natalia!

[johnw]

Oh, did Lesley swear to something?

Yes Hoy, she told me to give it a good stiff drink and it would revive.  Also one for me.

johnw

[arisaema]

I got 'Milo' (I believe the name was that) as a gift when I bought some plants a few years back. Maybe it was you I bought from? (En internettside "Stauder" tror jeg det var.)
It was hardy until last winter. I had a huge clump of it but all froze or maybe rotted as it was cold and then damp and then cold again. I would like to get it once more

That must have been me, years ago I wasn't sure if Haakon/Nautesund had put it into production, haven't sold it for some time. Remind me in mid November or early next spring, and I'll send you a couple of roots, had the same experience with it as you, it stayed hardy here for 10 years.

[Hoy]

I got 'Milo' (I believe the name was that) as a gift when I bought some plants a few years back. Maybe it was you I bought from? (En internettside "Stauder" tror jeg det var.)
It was hardy until last winter. I had a huge clump of it but all froze or maybe rotted as it was cold and then damp and then cold again. I would like to get it once more

That must have been me, years ago I wasn't sure if Haakon/Nautesund had put it into production, haven't sold it for some time. Remind me in mid November or early next spring, and I'll send you a couple of roots, had the same experience with it as you, it stayed hardy here for 10 years.

The World is small. Nice to meet you again Thank you

[Michael J Campbell]

Gentiana 'Eugen's Allerbester'

[David Nicholson]

Nice Michael, mines been over a few weeks now.

[Lvandelft]

Not really hardy here, but it gives a splendid color in the garden now.
And a very good cut flower, lasting more than a week in a vase!

Leonotis leonurus

[Hoy]

The fall colour! Physalis alkeengi, a rather boring perennial except in its fruiting stage.

[Tim Ingram]

We were given Physalis by a friend many years ago and boy I had no idea how much it runs!! It has an exceptionally tenacious root which makes it pretty difficult to curb. The same friend gave us Macleaya and a very free seeding Campanula species; I think they all did battle in her garden and probably came to some sort of truce! But the Physalis does look rather fine at this time of year.

[Hoy]

The Physalis can't run from where it is growing! We were aware of that and put it in a constrained place between rocky outcroppings.
I too have a few rampant Campanulas, I have to admit that. Planted before I realized their potential!