Telesonix jamesii

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17) Saxifraga, Heuchera and other Saxifragaceae

I realize it's not strictly speaking Saxifraga, but I'm sure that neither Reginald Farrer nor Malcolm would object to treating it in this section...Telesonix jamesii is one of our supreme endemic Colorado plants (I know, I know, there is a Telesonix called jamesii that occurs in the Middle Rockies of Wyoming and Montana that pretends to be this same thing: that miserable creature is Telesonix heucheriformis: Those of us who have seen and know both know they are different creatures, and our Colorado species is far superior)...

I couldn't resist posting two pictures showing them blooming last year: this is supposed to be a very fussy little thing that doesn't bloom well in cultivation. That may be true in open soil, but it loves troughs...It's been in this trough for some time now. I will be anxious to see how it blooms this coming year.

Comments

Trond Hoy's picture

Trond Hoy

Fri, 03/05/2010 - 1:16pm

Kelaidis,
Is this specie easy from seed? I have actually been looking for a chance to get it in my garden. Can't remember coming across neither seeds nor plants for sale. Do you think it tolerates wet climate?

Panayoti Kelaidis's picture

Panayoti Kelaidis

Sat, 03/06/2010 - 5:33am

Telesonix is no harder to grow from seed than any Saxifrage. It does produce abundant seed in nature and the garden. The one thing to remember is that it is NOT evergreen: the foliage dies off by midwinter. So it might look dead to some eyes.

I have seen it growing well in England and the best plant I have ever seen was near Goteburg in Sweden, so I do think it tolerates wetter winters. I would plant it in a crevice or trough however, even in Norway.

PK

Todd Boland's picture

Todd Boland

Tue, 03/09/2010 - 11:49am

We have grown that for years in the alpine house at work.  I am going to plant a piece outside this spring to see how it does outdoors.  It is certainly a charming plant.

Panayoti Kelaidis's picture

Panayoti Kelaidis

Thu, 03/11/2010 - 11:16am

Todd! I hate you, as Wayne Roderick would say! What a magnificent specimen (can't believe I posted my paltry clumps..you were just waiting!...)  Grrrrrr.