November 2012 in the Southern Hemisphere

[Lesley Cox]

I am thrilled at last to have the true Hylomeon again and it has a number of buds. Together with Trond's seeds I hope to get seed of my own at some stage.

I bought two plants of Anemone obtusiloba patula at Larnach Castle, to replace others I have lost over the years. Although it sets copious seeds the only time I had a few germinate was immediately before the parent died. It must have known it needed to replace, but the seedlings eventually withered away too. My gardens have always been too sunny and dry for such things. (I can't resist a larger picture as well, the flowers are so beautiful. And my blue camera problem does seem to be fixed.

[Lesley Cox]

I should have brushed off that spot of compost on a petal. The two plants have a total of 14 flowers at present and many more buds coming.

[Maggi Young]

Good to see you with flowering Hylomecon again, Lesley. Ours have been languishing rather over the last couple of years, getting a bit overshadowed by bigger plants and their flowering has been pretty poor.

[daveyp1970]

I am thrilled at last to have the true Hylomeon again and it has a number of buds. Together with Trond's seeds I hope to get seed of my own at some stage.

I bought two plants of Anemone obtusiloba patula at Larnach Castle, to replace others I have lost over the years. Although it sets copious seeds the only time I had a few germinate was immediately before the parent died. It must have known it needed to replace, but the seedlings eventually withered away too. My gardens have always been too sunny and dry for such things. (I can't resist a larger picture as well, the flowers are so beautiful. And my blue camera problem does seem to be fixed.

Lesley i have never been able to germinate Anemone obtusiloba,seed from 2 different sources nothing.

[Lesley Cox]

Isn't that odd Davey? Other people must germinate at least some as plants appear for sale from time to time from both nurseries and small, private sources. The two I bought were definitely seedlings, albeit very well developed. I wouldn't want to attempt to divide it. If mine produce some seed and I fully expect they will, I'll certainly sow (maybe let self-sow) some and I'll send some off to you too, damp packed.

[fermi de Sousa]

A few of the latest flowers in the rock gardens
white Dianthus "la bourboule"
2 Dichelostemma - D. capitatum and D. congestum - which is which?
cheers
fermi

[Lesley Cox]

From the flowers Fermi, they look like the same plant? I mean the same species.

[Stephen Vella]

Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens in the Blue Mountains, celebrating 25 years anniversary. Some close up of the flower arrangements.

[Stephen Vella]

and the full arrangement from above in a '25'

[Lesley Cox]

Well done Mt Tomah. Isn't it an offshoot of the Sydney Botanic Gardens?

I really like the Edmondia. Had it once when it was still called Helichrysum but I doubt if we still have it here in NZ alas.

[Paul T]

Stephen,

Great floral arrangement. 

Is that a white flowered sarracenia?  I don't think I've ever seen one with a white flower before?  Are they commercially available, or is that something special that the gardens have?

[Mini bulb lover]

A neighbour gave me this tall bearded iris years ago. It's hard to say whether it's blue or purple (depends on the light). Does anyone know the name of this iris?

[Lesley Cox]

There's a very fine blue called 'Shipshape' but there are hundreds of very fine blues. So can't make even a guess I'm afraid. The orange on the inner part of the beard may be a clue.

[Stephen Vella]

Hi Lesley and Paul, here's another pic of the white form of rubra. These can be seen in the bog garden flowering away and yes the 'Growing Friends' a volunteer group that help raise funds do sell them here at Mount Tomah garden. 

Yes Lesley, Mount Tomah is the cool climate annex garden to Sydney. We specialize in southern hemisphere plants with some northern plants as well. The Edmondia is a very hardy and drought tolerant and seems to prefer periods of dryness.

Pic: Sarracenia rubra subsp. alabamensis    

[Hillview croconut]

Hi Everyone,

How long has Mt Tomah been in the Botanical Garden's hands Stephen? Was it a hill station garden or nursery before that or was the present garden carved out of the native bushland?

Does it have a large native section?

I have a few allium out but not too many this season its probably just a little too humid - lots of raggedy leaves though.

Allium peninsulare - one of my favourites but hard to photograph. Makes nice drifts quickly from seed.
Allium uniflorum "Chris' Dwarf" - one of Janis' geven to him by Chris Brickell, I believe, hence the name. Too easy.
Allium nevskianum - choice spikey drumstick which keeps on keeping on.


Cheers, Marcus