Tks for the Pulmonaria info, Lori and Rick.. Rick, I don't know those Epimediums, what makes the Pulmonaria out of place with them, just too solid looking? Nice Pulsatilla, like Tim, I don't think I've seen a species I didn't like..
Anne--still a nice Pent, too bad about being the wrong colour :(
Rick, I don't know those Epimediums, what makes the Pulmonaria out of place with them, just too solid looking?
Epimedium diphyllum 'Roseum' and E. x youngianum 'Niveum' are both small epimediums. Even though Pulmonaria 'Baby Blue' is a small lungwort,the foliage is five times larger than the leaflets on the epimediums, and have the silver spots that scream out: "Look at me!". The eppies, not so much. This all makes Baby Blue look like a giant among them, at least in my eyes.
Alyssoides utriculata looks intriguing, Todd. If you ever collect seeds, I'd like to try it!
Twice I ordered seeds of Coluteocarpus (fell in love with Panayoti's when I saw it in his garden) and ended up with Alyssoides. This latter can self seed but I have not found it invasive, at least not in my area. Plants are essentially biennial for me.
Here it is rhodo-time. Maybe about 100 specimens in flower now. Here are some. First two named ones, Rh 'Lem's Monarch' and Rh 'Midnight Mystique'.
I have many unnamed specimens from seed. I have not made the crosses myself but got seeds from friends or collected myself in gardens. Here are six of them.
Aquilegia ecalcarata. Buds with white tipped sepals.
Veronica 'Waterperry' skirting Aster sericea.
Native Thalictrum thalictroides among Syneilesis aconitifolia, epimedium, Hosta nigrescens. In the pot rings are those seedling Jeffersonia diphylla from the seed you gave me, Mark.
Really nice to see more of your plants, Rick! (NB. I would swear the Anaphalis alpicola is an Antennaria... I think I grow the same one.)
After 5 days of rain, things should really take off tomorrow when the sun comes out! Until then... just foliage - some of last year's babies, most from seed (unless otherwise indicated) and some long term residents. Telesonix jamesii v. heucheriformis (from Beaver Creek); Hypericum aviculariifolium ssp. uniflorum; Acantholimon kotschyi ssp. laxispicatum:
This did not look like something that could winter over... and, by the way, it looked just as bad last year (but green; red seems to be the winter colour) - Delosperma alpinum. Todd, I think you grew this too and remarked on it being kind of "stringy"?
Genista delphinensis:
And from the perennial garden: Aconitum anthoroideum; Campanula thyrsoides; Helleborus torquatus; Ligularia macrophyllum; Geum triflorum.
It is difficult to comment all your plants, folks! You have so many that i am getting speechless :o
Skulski wrote:
Terrific, Trond!
After 5 days of rain, things should really take off tomorrow when the sun comes out! Until then... just foliage - some of last year's babies, most from seed (unless otherwise indicated) and some long term residents.
Who would imagine this was a silene? Silene falcata:
Thanks Lori. You have had only 5 days of rain? After a very nice April with high temps and little rain May has come with low temps and heavy rain :(
Silene isn't first choice of name! All your babies seem to do well, are they planted in the new rockery you built last year?
Interesting Delosperma, Lori! Was that from seed, if so from where?
Yes, if by "interesting", you mean "ratty". ;D I got it from the NARGS seedex last year, but I think I've seen it in the SRGC seedex also.
Well, as a succulent and 'weird' plant grower, I actually like seeing bare stem, as long as it seems more or less natural for the species and not as though I'm killing it...lol... ;D (errm--those adjectives were meant to refer to the plants I like.. I wouldn't describe myself as succulent.. :-X )
It is difficult to comment all your plants, folks! You have so many that i am getting speechless :o
Way ahead of you there, Trond! I just soak it all in...
Regarding my "Anaphalis alpicola", Lori, I had the same thoughts of antennaria long ago. It was one of the first alpines I ever grew from seed, and I am not embarrassed to say I didn't know much then. I did, and do, grow Antennaria neglecta var. gaspensis (bought from Arrowhead Alpines) and they seem different...
I swear I tried to research its identity back then and still came with anaphalis and laid the question to rest, but now, definitely not. Well, we were all complete alpine newbies at some time. That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it. I find it interesting how quickly the stoloning begins at the seedling stage. The stolons are initiated long before there are even enough leaves to qualify as a rosette!
Here is one, and one with a seedling Cerastium alpinum. Everyone should grow the Alpine Mouse Ears from seed... it is easy, and the cutist seedling ever!
Rick, I was also thinking of Antennaria, and not because I am yet not an alpine newbie, nor because I know much about Anaphalis, just because Antennarias are among our most common and widespread natives ( I have observed and or collected cuttings from them in the aspen parkland, southern drylands, foothills, mountains, and there are several types around here)..
That Cerastium is super cute! I think I have some old seed I should try.....
Great foliage, Todd-- I am a leaf fancier, especially in spring when I am desperately waiting for there to be anything else ;D I have some local stuff to post soon...
What, you wanted more? That was enough for me - I'm starting to grow gills. :P
Hoy wrote:
All your babies seem to do well, are they planted in the new rockery you built last year?
Thanks. Yes, many are in last year's tufa garden extension (you can tell by the tan-coloured limestone); others are from the older crevice garden.
A few from today: Gentiana verna - finally a photo that sort of captures the colour; a little bitty Aethionema saxatile; Veronica saturejoides; buds on Thymus neiceffii.
Cohan, Cerastium alpinum does well here, especially in a rock garden or trough. Cerastium alpinum ssp. lanatum is blooming here; would be better in lean conditions than the regular soil it's in:
No new camera here. Still just a better quality point and shoot, but I do now always take with me a favorite board that I use for stabilization in lieu of a tripod. When I switched from a film camera, I was so taken by how ridiculously simple it was to get good close up pics with a digital camera that I really didn't realize I could get even better ones with better camera stability. That was why I had still been using my old Minolta SLR from the 1960's, because it had a lot more heft to it than the newer film cameras, thus, less jiggling.
A rich metallic color to that Rogersia, Todd. And the leaflets' shapes are exquisite! Here is Peltoboykinia watanabei:
An unidentified Chinese Lilium species. It's hard to see the curling of the leaves, but is is very attractive.
This is a natural cross of Lilium tsingtauense and either L. distichum or L. medioloides. Especially in the United States, it is what many erroneously think is L. tsingtauense. Although the foliage can be similar, L. tsingtauense has completely upright flowers. The other two species' flowers are outfacing or nodding somewhat.
Trond, people in Alberta usually start to complain after more than one day of clouds or rain...lol.. we got a fair bit for several days as well, when many places were still soggy from late snow melt--I suspect farmers will not be getting on some low lying parts/fields this year... (though I feel some of those spots never should have been cultivated...).. some areas in southern Alberta, by the sounds of it, must have received 1/4 of their annual precipitation in a couple of days, maybe more....
Lori, its funny I'd look at Cerastium, with the prevalence of what I think is the european 'mouse-ear' chickweed as a weed here-- I thought at first it was the native species, but these have the less showy flowers of the invaders :( another agricultural tag-along, like all the weeds here... but hey, I grow dandelions, so why not?..lol
Agree about the Peltoboykinia - I'll be keeping an eye out for it!
As for pretty well every new introduction, Beesia deltophylla is being marketed as "zone 6-9", but who knows what its hardiness range really is or will turn out to be? The various sites say it likes shade but don't seem to indicate that it needs wetter conditions, which is promising (for me, I mean ;D). Looks very nice. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200007540
Cohan, at least the native Cerastium have introduced ones outnumbered by 3 to 1 here! :) I don't see Cerastium vulgatum in the yard (but have one small bed that Stellaria media (another "chickweed", common name) has shown up in, which annoys me to no end.)
Love the Bergenia 'Eroica'. I'm not familiar with bergenias at all, but with the hanging bells, that must be a cross or at least not cordifolia.(?) Got any info on that?
I have tried finding out about the heritage of Bergenia 'Eroica'. Most sites refer to it as Bergenia cordifolia 'Eroica'; I found one site, a European one, that referred to it as a hybrid but offered no info on the cross. On several sites where there was a spot for hybrid info to be provided, it was left blank for this one. I can't find any patent info. So, unless anyone else can suggest otherwise, I'll assume it's just a selection of B. cordifolia... ? The flowers are larger (and more richly-coloured, of course) than on my "regular' non-selected-cultivar B. cordifolia, but not really different otherwise.
I had Beesia for several years but it ultimately succumbed to something. Could have been slugs/snails combined with too much competition from other vegetation (in moist shade). It was a nice plant as long as it lasted :'(
Lori, I have had gills for years ;) A few hours sun and the rain starts just now :'(
Strange, I have read about Peltoboykinia for years but never acquired any. Time to do something with it ;D Maybe it can compete with these:
This fern, Matteucia struthiopteris, is a weed in the moist soil in my wood. And Lysichiton americanus is spreading rapidly too! Anybody who wants seed?
On higher and drier ground Polygonatum multiflorum makes huge patches and as groundcover under rhododendron Rodgersia podophylla makes a good job - almost too good!
So you see, small cute things like Cerastium, Aethionema, Veronica and Thymus wouldn't survive for long! (I would love to grow them!) I have tried different Liliums, also the giant ones (Cardiocrinum) but they are all slug-stuff.
Too hot and muggy to garden today. Went out with a camera and photographed instead. Still lots of color with dianthus and arenarias, penstemons just starting and convolvulus and acantholimon to come.
Wow, Anne!! You need to take a break more often... ;D ;D (for our sakes, I mean!) Absolutely gorgeous scenes!
Your photos help to lessen my anguish slightly... I just picked 11 lily beetles! Aarrghhh! I hate these things! With the first warm, sunny day in what seems like forever, they seem to have come out of the ground. How will I be able to get anything done while on constant lily beetle patrol? :P (I think I'd better stay home tomorrow from work and keep an eye on things... ;D ;D)
Agree about the Peltoboykinia - I'll be keeping an eye out for it!
As for pretty well every new introduction, Beesia deltophylla is being marketed as "zone 6-9", but who knows what its hardiness range really is or will turn out to be? The various sites say it likes shade but don't seem to indicate that it needs wetter conditions, which is promising (for me, I mean ;D). Looks very nice. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200007540
Cohan, at least the native Cerastium have introduced ones outnumbered by 3 to 1 here! :) I don't see Cerastium vulgatum in the yard (but have one small bed that Stellaria media (another "chickweed", common name) has shown up in, which annoys me to no end.)
Apparently regular chickweed-which was a huge issue in our large veg gardens on the main farm, growing up, but only a couple patches on this property, in odd spots, is a 'delicacy' in salads, according to Richters' Herbs, who sell seeds, so I will start eating it! Ranked among the top 10 nutritional/medicinal herbs, besides! I haven't yet run across any native Cerastium here (based on sepals being as long as petals on the introduced sp) but then I don't check every flower up close! Speaking of zones, I was at a local (Red Deer) nursery yesterday ( the big kind that prob brings in everything as small or market sized plants and sells them on, maybe annuals are an exception) and saw a couple I have spoken to at work, and who garden in the Rocky Mtn House area for many years; they were looking, among other things, for a couple of small plants for a space in their rock garden, and they checked all labels and rejected anything that didn't say at least Z3 on it--all the rock garden plants I looked at there said at least 4 (though I didn't look at that many, not that thrilling, I was mostly looking at shade plants), doubt that grower rates anything lower, but they have lost too many plants over the years, and will not consider anything not rated zone 3 or 2 at least, which would be fine if you thought the grower/vendor actually knew...
Ann, what marvelous garden views! It's clear that the rocks were meticulously place; skill and design are very evident! (Not to mention the great plants...)
I don't have any moist/wet areas to grow Lysichiton americanus, Trond, but I'd like seed to grow for experience and for our Chapter plant sale. Our native Skunk Cabbage is Symplocarpus foetidus. I checked on the Cardamine laciniata for seed 7 days ago and all foliage had no sign of withering. Seed pods very thin and undeveloped. Yesterday I looked again, and most of the foliage had completely disappeared without even a trace left! Practically, the only parts left standing (and green) are the seeding stems. And as I had suspected, pollination was very sparse. As it turns out, very few are filled. I am watching much more closely now...
Regarding Peltoboykinia watanabei, how many thousand seeds would you all like? the flowers are not anything to rave about, but the seed pods can be interesting in a dried bouquet. I usually let the seed pods ripen so I can use them, but try to retain as much seed in the upright pods as possible when I cut them. Still, many hundreds get dropped in the garden each fall, but I have never had a volunteer. The seed starts easily in a pot, though. And, in its first year it is very vigorous. But as it matures it seems content to be well a behave stalwart. Maybe because I have it growing in fairly dry shade.
Rick, I've found that design kind of happens as you go along. I never make a plan set in stone if you'll pardon the pun. I have a good idea of the effect wanted and aim for that, with many deviations and improvements along the way. When I'm setting a very large stone or step, I definitely know within an inch what I want it to do. At one point the plan was to have a particular stone path curve to the right. It ended up curving left and was much better for it. Another sticky, miserable day. My best Astragalus utahensis has turned to mush without setting seed.
Lori, how long does your Gentiana verna live usually? It doesn't stay long here. Yours is beautiful and looks like it has some longevity.
The Convolvulus has to be one of the most beautiful plants! Allan Robinson, who was at Wisley years ago, used to grow and propagate it really well but it only looks its best under glass here, outside it rarely flowers. I don't know if Paul Cumbleton has better success; he seems to have the greenest of green fingers!
Convolvulus boisseri seems to be a very desirable plant But I doubt I can ever grow it - at least not at home in this humid climate. The Convolvuli growing here are quite different and completely unwanted ;)
I am very impressed by the stonework in your garden, Anne. I have long collected and brought into my garden all the stones my neighbours throw out to get a plane lawn ;D The plants are impressive too.
I have never managed to grow Paraquelegia, Lori. Hope the Campanula orphanoidea (what a name??) someday will look like the pictures I googled.
Seedwishes noted, folks!
Today we had a glimpse of sun before the rain started. had time to a little stroll in the garden and found some non-rhodos in flower ;)
The native ramson (Allium ursinum) has started flowering in the shady woodland and the unknown Arisaema, late as usual, soon follows. Another very shade tolerant plant is Maianthemum dilatatum. Here the flowering stems always get three leaves and the nonflowering is 15-20cm long. It is much bigger than the native M bifolia. The leaves of Rodgersia aesculifolia also emerge now, among the latecomers.
Different Aquilegias pop up all over the place. They are all different colours - here is a red one. I use Geranium macrorhizzum as a groundcover. In a kind of bed I grow Viola banksii. I don't know the hardiness yet and have brought the plants indoors during the worst of winter but plan to try one specimen outdoors next winter.
I have some peatloving shrubs, here are two different colours of Enkianthus campanulatus: palibinii and a white form. Rhodotypos scandens is an interesting shrub too.
Trond - those Enkianthus are just beautiful; I imagine your garden must have pretty glorious autumn colour. We used to try and grow a few Rhodos and other Ericaceae here and a friend not far away but higher up and on retentive acid soil does well with them. He has a superb specimen of R. cinnabarinum with those beautiful waxy flowers and glaucous leaves. Why is it one covets those plants one can't grow?! Mind you I have succeeded with Cardiocrinum, we don't suffer too badly from slugs and snails. Have you been up to the amazing Botanic Garden at Tromso? There was a talk on it at the Edinburgh 2001 Alpine Conference and I found it remarkable the plants they were growing there.
First of all, it's been utterly amazing to visit here each day and see the incredible variety and beauty of the plants all of you are growing so successfully. In some respects it's intimidating, and I'll bet there are Forum visitors who are simply not going to post photographs of their plants and their gardens simply because it's impossible for most of us to get the rare, beautiful and challenging to grow so well and to have the wherewithall to take such incredible photographs as well! I'm no 'shrinking violet,' but even for me it's difficult some days to even consider posting my pictures. But I will nonetheless, and I hope all of our Forum members feel safe and secure enough to show us what THEY are growing.
It's been very sunny but humid these past few days, and I have been able to get into the garden quite a bit, but with all the weeds and the self sown seedlings I need to collect for our Chapter meeting, the camera simply hasn't been used too much. But here are a few things I've managed to capture the past two days.
First is my tree peony, P. suffruticosa 'Rockii,' which I have had for 4 years. It bloomed last year, but this year the blooms are more numerous and they've stayed a few days longer. I have two of them, and they are simply too beautiful to imagine, but oh so fragile.
Second is a small blue flowered surprise, Polygala calcaria. Blue is always rare and beautiful, and this mini-shrub is a keeper.
Next is the only Caliptridium umbellatum to make it through the winter. I have quite a few seedlings, but this one not only survived, but it flowered. Not a great show, but to me a nice result after last year's floristic explosion.
Fourth is a beautiful penstemon, P. rupicola 'Pink Holly,' which I bought from Wrightmans 4 years ago. Mark McDonough thinks it's an hybrid, but regardless it's beautiful, expecially contrasted to that nice tight Eriogonum in bloom to it's left (our right).
And finally a lovely evening primrose, Oenethera caespitosa. The flowers are porcelain white, open at dusk and fade to pink as they close during the late morning and early afternoon the next day.
Peter, I certainly hope yours is a minority viewpoint. Why would anyone hesitate to share what's happening in their garden? That's how we all learn. It's wonderful that you have all these people on the Forum to share how they grow certain plants so well. For every plant that might be a star in your garden, there are at least a dozen more that you would like to grow but are unsuccessful. I get ideas from all the postings, and am not hesitant to ask questions of anyone. No one expects you to be a star photographer - just someone who loves plants and wants to participate and learn. I hope all the lurkers will start posting. Please.
Liked your photo of Penstemon 'Pink Holly'. I tried it years ago and didn't do well with it at all. I always thought that it, and P. 'Grape Tart', were introductions by Mark McDonough through Siskiyou Nursery. That's where I got mine.
Trond, the convolvulus that grow well here are C. compactus and C. Boisseri, which may even be a vaiety of compactus, not sure. I think "The International Garden" had an article on convolvulus some time ago. Now that it's temporarily too humid to do much in the garden, I'll have time to check that out. C. phrygius also does well and flowers. C. assyricus does not do as well. It's only been tried in the lime bed so far. Does anyone grow this one? If so, where and how?
Comments
Lori S. (not verified)
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Thu, 05/26/2011 - 7:03amThat's a beauty, Rick!
Anne Spiegel
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Thu, 05/26/2011 - 8:52amBlloming now in the crevice garden from seed labeled Penstemon laricifolius - white form. Guess it didn't seed true.
cohan (not verified)
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Thu, 05/26/2011 - 11:09amTks for the Pulmonaria info, Lori and Rick.. Rick, I don't know those Epimediums, what makes the Pulmonaria out of place with them, just too solid looking? Nice Pulsatilla, like Tim, I don't think I've seen a species I didn't like..
Anne--still a nice Pent, too bad about being the wrong colour :(
Todd Boland
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Thu, 05/26/2011 - 5:37pmNo penstemon open here for some time yet. Great plants Lori.
A few things from my woodland garden...Jeffersonia dubia, Trillium grandiflorum, T. erectum, Erythronium pagoda and E. 'White beauty'
Todd Boland
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Thu, 05/26/2011 - 5:39pmA few other odds and ends....Primula 'Camelot', Primula hirsuta, Phyllodoce glandulifora, Alyssoides utriculata, Anemone obtusiloba
Richard T. Rodich
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Thu, 05/26/2011 - 7:08pmEpimedium diphyllum 'Roseum' and E. x youngianum 'Niveum' are both small epimediums. Even though Pulmonaria 'Baby Blue' is a small lungwort,the foliage is five times larger than the leaflets on the epimediums, and have the silver spots that scream out: "Look at me!". The eppies, not so much. This all makes Baby Blue look like a giant among them, at least in my eyes.
Lori S. (not verified)
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Thu, 05/26/2011 - 7:19pmWow, Todd, exquisite photos! Erythronium 'Pagoda' is :o :o!
Primula hirsuta looks like an ideal rock garden primrose - very short flower stems - nice!
Anne, I don't think I've seen a penstemon in any colour that didn't have merit! :)
Your wall construction will add to an already beautiful place and setting, Trond.
Anne Spiegel
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Thu, 05/26/2011 - 7:37pmGorgeous plants, Todd - especially like the Phyllodoce, wish I could grow it.
Lori S. (not verified)
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Thu, 05/26/2011 - 9:24pmAlyssoides utriculata looks intriguing, Todd. If you ever collect seeds, I'd like to try it!
Todd Boland
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Fri, 05/27/2011 - 3:12amTwice I ordered seeds of Coluteocarpus (fell in love with Panayoti's when I saw it in his garden) and ended up with Alyssoides. This latter can self seed but I have not found it invasive, at least not in my area. Plants are essentially biennial for me.
Anne Spiegel
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Fri, 05/27/2011 - 4:48amTodd, it was fairly invasive here.
Margaret Young
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Fri, 05/27/2011 - 5:51amIs this Phyllodoce glandulifera, Todd , or Phyllodoce glanduliflora?
cohan (not verified)
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Fri, 05/27/2011 - 10:47amGreat stuff, Todd! Love to see the woodland beauties-- I love the plants of sunny exposed places, but my spaces for that are limited...
Trond Hoy
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Fri, 05/27/2011 - 12:41pmGreat plants, Todd!
Here it is rhodo-time. Maybe about 100 specimens in flower now. Here are some.
First two named ones, Rh 'Lem's Monarch' and Rh 'Midnight Mystique'.
I have many unnamed specimens from seed. I have not made the crosses myself but got seeds from friends or collected myself in gardens. Here are six of them.
Richard T. Rodich
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Fri, 05/27/2011 - 7:29pmPenstemon caespitosus 'Claude Barr' among
Anaphalis alpicolaAntennaria sp.Veronica gentianoides
Richard T. Rodich
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Fri, 05/27/2011 - 7:59pmAquilegia ecalcarata. Buds with white tipped sepals.
Veronica 'Waterperry' skirting Aster sericea.
Native Thalictrum thalictroides among Syneilesis aconitifolia, epimedium, Hosta nigrescens. In the pot rings are those seedling Jeffersonia diphylla from the seed you gave me, Mark.
Lori S. (not verified)
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Fri, 05/27/2011 - 8:57pmTerrific, Trond!
Really nice to see more of your plants, Rick!
(NB. I would swear the Anaphalis alpicola is an Antennaria... I think I grow the same one.)
After 5 days of rain, things should really take off tomorrow when the sun comes out! Until then... just foliage - some of last year's babies, most from seed (unless otherwise indicated) and some long term residents.
Telesonix jamesii v. heucheriformis (from Beaver Creek); Hypericum aviculariifolium ssp. uniflorum; Acantholimon kotschyi ssp. laxispicatum:
Silene pusilla; Satureja montana illyrica; Gentiana siphonantha; Campanula topaliana ; Arenaria kansuensis:
Aethionema lepidioides:
Who would imagine this was a silene? Silene falcata:
Lori S. (not verified)
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Fri, 05/27/2011 - 9:07pmThis did not look like something that could winter over... and, by the way, it looked just as bad last year (but green; red seems to be the winter colour) - Delosperma alpinum. Todd, I think you grew this too and remarked on it being kind of "stringy"?
Genista delphinensis:
And from the perennial garden:
Aconitum anthoroideum; Campanula thyrsoides; Helleborus torquatus; Ligularia macrophyllum; Geum triflorum.
cohan (not verified)
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Fri, 05/27/2011 - 11:06pmInteresting Delosperma, Lori! Was that from seed, if so from where?
Lori S. (not verified)
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Fri, 05/27/2011 - 11:20pmYes, if by "interesting", you mean "ratty". ;D I got it from the NARGS seedex last year, but I think I've seen it in the SRGC seedex also.
Trond Hoy
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Sat, 05/28/2011 - 12:12amIt is difficult to comment all your plants, folks! You have so many that i am getting speechless :o
Thanks Lori. You have had only 5 days of rain? After a very nice April with high temps and little rain May has come with low temps and heavy rain :(
Silene isn't first choice of name! All your babies seem to do well, are they planted in the new rockery you built last year?
cohan (not verified)
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Sat, 05/28/2011 - 3:53pmWell, as a succulent and 'weird' plant grower, I actually like seeing bare stem, as long as it seems more or less natural for the species and not as though I'm killing it...lol... ;D (errm--those adjectives were meant to refer to the plants I like.. I wouldn't describe myself as succulent.. :-X )
Richard T. Rodich
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Sat, 05/28/2011 - 4:10pmWay ahead of you there, Trond! I just soak it all in...
Regarding my "Anaphalis alpicola", Lori, I had the same thoughts of antennaria long ago. It was one of the first alpines I ever grew from seed, and I am not embarrassed to say I didn't know much then. I did, and do, grow Antennaria neglecta var. gaspensis (bought from Arrowhead Alpines) and they seem different...
I swear I tried to research its identity back then and still came with anaphalis and laid the question to rest, but now, definitely not. Well, we were all complete alpine newbies at some time. That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it. I find it interesting how quickly the stoloning begins at the seedling stage. The stolons are initiated long before there are even enough leaves to qualify as a rosette!
Here is one, and one with a seedling Cerastium alpinum. Everyone should grow the Alpine Mouse Ears from seed... it is easy, and the cutist seedling ever!
Todd Boland
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Sat, 05/28/2011 - 5:53pmMaggie, according to the Flora of North America the Phyllodoce is glanduliflora NOT glandulifera...I have seen both names used.
Lori, you bring a special beauty to foliage...taken for granted, some of our plants do have exquisite leaves!
I forgot to mention it Rick...it seems you have a new camera (?)...your photos are quite crisp and clear these days.
Trond, Midnight Mystique is spectacular!...and those mystery hybrids are also quite beautiful!
Speaking of foliage, I did take this shot yesterday of Rodgersia podophylla...the spring foliage is great.
cohan (not verified)
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Sat, 05/28/2011 - 7:39pmRick, I was also thinking of Antennaria, and not because I am yet not an alpine newbie, nor because I know much about Anaphalis, just because Antennarias are among our most common and widespread natives ( I have observed and or collected cuttings from them in the aspen parkland, southern drylands, foothills, mountains, and there are several types around here)..
That Cerastium is super cute! I think I have some old seed I should try.....
Great foliage, Todd-- I am a leaf fancier, especially in spring when I am desperately waiting for there to be anything else ;D I have some local stuff to post soon...
Lori S. (not verified)
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Sat, 05/28/2011 - 7:50pmWhat, you wanted more? That was enough for me - I'm starting to grow gills. :P
Thanks. Yes, many are in last year's tufa garden extension (you can tell by the tan-coloured limestone); others are from the older crevice garden.
A few from today:
Gentiana verna - finally a photo that sort of captures the colour; a little bitty Aethionema saxatile; Veronica saturejoides; buds on Thymus neiceffii.
And... oh-so-smoothly changing the subject, Gymnosporangium nelsonii, juniper rust fungus... aren't fungi fascinating!
Lori S. (not verified)
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Sat, 05/28/2011 - 7:59pmCohan, Cerastium alpinum does well here, especially in a rock garden or trough.
Cerastium alpinum ssp. lanatum is blooming here; would be better in lean conditions than the regular soil it's in:
Richard T. Rodich
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Sat, 05/28/2011 - 8:11pmNo new camera here. Still just a better quality point and shoot, but I do now always take with me a favorite board that I use for stabilization in lieu of a tripod. When I switched from a film camera, I was so taken by how ridiculously simple it was to get good close up pics with a digital camera that I really didn't realize I could get even better ones with better camera stability. That was why I had still been using my old Minolta SLR from the 1960's, because it had a lot more heft to it than the newer film cameras, thus, less jiggling.
A rich metallic color to that Rogersia, Todd. And the leaflets' shapes are exquisite! Here is Peltoboykinia watanabei:
An unidentified Chinese Lilium species. It's hard to see the curling of the leaves, but is is very attractive.
Richard T. Rodich
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Sat, 05/28/2011 - 8:29pmThis is a natural cross of Lilium tsingtauense and either L. distichum or L. medioloides. Especially in the United States, it is what many erroneously think is L. tsingtauense. Although the foliage can be similar, L. tsingtauense has completely upright flowers. The other two species' flowers are outfacing or nodding somewhat.
All the same clone, three different sprouts:
cohan (not verified)
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Sat, 05/28/2011 - 8:53pmTrond, people in Alberta usually start to complain after more than one day of clouds or rain...lol.. we got a fair bit for several days as well, when many places were still soggy from late snow melt--I suspect farmers will not be getting on some low lying parts/fields this year... (though I feel some of those spots never should have been cultivated...).. some areas in southern Alberta, by the sounds of it, must have received 1/4 of their annual precipitation in a couple of days, maybe more....
Lori, its funny I'd look at Cerastium, with the prevalence of what I think is the european 'mouse-ear' chickweed as a weed here-- I thought at first it was the native species, but these have the less showy flowers of the invaders :( another agricultural tag-along, like all the weeds here...
but hey, I grow dandelions, so why not?..lol
Todd Boland
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Sun, 05/29/2011 - 1:57amPeltoboykinia is fantastic! Gotta find one of those.
Here is my new Beesia deltophylla...will it survive the winter????
Lori S. (not verified)
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Sun, 05/29/2011 - 8:01amAgree about the Peltoboykinia - I'll be keeping an eye out for it!
As for pretty well every new introduction, Beesia deltophylla is being marketed as "zone 6-9", but who knows what its hardiness range really is or will turn out to be? The various sites say it likes shade but don't seem to indicate that it needs wetter conditions, which is promising (for me, I mean ;D). Looks very nice.
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200007540
Cohan, at least the native Cerastium have introduced ones outnumbered by 3 to 1 here! :) I don't see Cerastium vulgatum in the yard (but have one small bed that Stellaria media (another "chickweed", common name) has shown up in, which annoys me to no end.)
Lori S. (not verified)
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Sun, 05/29/2011 - 8:30amI have tried finding out about the heritage of Bergenia 'Eroica'. Most sites refer to it as Bergenia cordifolia 'Eroica'; I found one site, a European one, that referred to it as a hybrid but offered no info on the cross. On several sites where there was a spot for hybrid info to be provided, it was left blank for this one. I can't find any patent info. So, unless anyone else can suggest otherwise, I'll assume it's just a selection of B. cordifolia... ? The flowers are larger (and more richly-coloured, of course) than on my "regular' non-selected-cultivar B. cordifolia, but not really different otherwise.
Trond Hoy
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Sun, 05/29/2011 - 8:33amI had Beesia for several years but it ultimately succumbed to something. Could have been slugs/snails combined with too much competition from other vegetation (in moist shade). It was a nice plant as long as it lasted :'(
Lori, I have had gills for years ;) A few hours sun and the rain starts just now :'(
Strange, I have read about Peltoboykinia for years but never acquired any. Time to do something with it ;D Maybe it can compete with these:
This fern, Matteucia struthiopteris, is a weed in the moist soil in my wood. And Lysichiton americanus is spreading rapidly too! Anybody who wants seed?
On higher and drier ground Polygonatum multiflorum makes huge patches and as groundcover under rhododendron Rodgersia podophylla makes a good job - almost too good!
Trond Hoy
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Sun, 05/29/2011 - 8:41amSo you see, small cute things like Cerastium, Aethionema, Veronica and Thymus wouldn't survive for long! (I would love to grow them!)
I have tried different Liliums, also the giant ones (Cardiocrinum) but they are all slug-stuff.
Anne Spiegel
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Sun, 05/29/2011 - 11:17amToo hot and muggy to garden today. Went out with a camera and photographed instead. Still lots of color with dianthus and arenarias, penstemons just starting and convolvulus and acantholimon to come.
Lori S. (not verified)
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Sun, 05/29/2011 - 12:47pmWow, Anne!! You need to take a break more often... ;D ;D (for our sakes, I mean!) Absolutely gorgeous scenes!
Your photos help to lessen my anguish slightly... I just picked 11 lily beetles! Aarrghhh! I hate these things! With the first warm, sunny day in what seems like forever, they seem to have come out of the ground. How will I be able to get anything done while on constant lily beetle patrol? :P (I think I'd better stay home tomorrow from work and keep an eye on things... ;D ;D)
cohan (not verified)
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Sun, 05/29/2011 - 2:53pmApparently regular chickweed-which was a huge issue in our large veg gardens on the main farm, growing up, but only a couple patches on this property, in odd spots, is a 'delicacy' in salads, according to Richters' Herbs, who sell seeds, so I will start eating it! Ranked among the top 10 nutritional/medicinal herbs, besides! I haven't yet run across any native Cerastium here (based on sepals being as long as petals on the introduced sp) but then I don't check every flower up close!
Speaking of zones, I was at a local (Red Deer) nursery yesterday ( the big kind that prob brings in everything as small or market sized plants and sells them on, maybe annuals are an exception) and saw a couple I have spoken to at work, and who garden in the Rocky Mtn House area for many years; they were looking, among other things, for a couple of small plants for a space in their rock garden, and they checked all labels and rejected anything that didn't say at least Z3 on it--all the rock garden plants I looked at there said at least 4 (though I didn't look at that many, not that thrilling, I was mostly looking at shade plants), doubt that grower rates anything lower, but they have lost too many plants over the years, and will not consider anything not rated zone 3 or 2 at least, which would be fine if you thought the grower/vendor actually knew...
Trond, I'd like seed of Lysichton :)
Todd Boland
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Sun, 05/29/2011 - 4:36pmSpectacular Anne!
Lori S. (not verified)
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Sun, 05/29/2011 - 4:45pmCampanula orphanidea, from seed this year; Draba kitadakensis; Paraquilegia grandiflora.
cohan (not verified)
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Sun, 05/29/2011 - 4:46pmGreat views, Anne! Besides the wonderful plants, I so envy you all the rock and gravel!..lol
Richard T. Rodich
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Sun, 05/29/2011 - 4:59pmAnn, what marvelous garden views! It's clear that the rocks were meticulously place; skill and design are very evident! (Not to mention the great plants...)
I don't have any moist/wet areas to grow Lysichiton americanus, Trond, but I'd like seed to grow for experience and for our Chapter plant sale. Our native Skunk Cabbage is Symplocarpus foetidus. I checked on the Cardamine laciniata for seed 7 days ago and all foliage had no sign of withering. Seed pods very thin and undeveloped. Yesterday I looked again, and most of the foliage had completely disappeared without even a trace left! Practically, the only parts left standing (and green) are the seeding stems. And as I had suspected, pollination was very sparse. As it turns out, very few are filled. I am watching much more closely now...
Regarding Peltoboykinia watanabei, how many thousand seeds would you all like? the flowers are not anything to rave about, but the seed pods can be interesting in a dried bouquet. I usually let the seed pods ripen so I can use them, but try to retain as much seed in the upright pods as possible when I cut them. Still, many hundreds get dropped in the garden each fall, but I have never had a volunteer. The seed starts easily in a pot, though. And, in its first year it is very vigorous. But as it matures it seems content to be well a behave stalwart. Maybe because I have it growing in fairly dry shade.
From years past:
Anne Spiegel
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Mon, 05/30/2011 - 8:29amRick, I've found that design kind of happens as you go along. I never make a plan set in stone if you'll pardon the pun. I have a good idea of the effect wanted and aim for that, with many deviations and improvements along the way. When I'm setting a very large stone or step, I definitely know within an inch what I want it to do. At one point the plan was to have a particular stone path curve to the right. It ended up curving left and was much better for it.
Another sticky, miserable day. My best Astragalus utahensis has turned to mush without setting seed.
Lori, how long does your Gentiana verna live usually? It doesn't stay long here. Yours is beautiful and looks like it has some longevity.
Anne Spiegel
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Mon, 05/30/2011 - 8:33amThe heat seems to be pushing the convolvulus. Mid-June is usually prime time for them.
Convolvulus boisseri strating to bloom in upper crevice bed.
Tim Ingram (not verified)
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Mon, 05/30/2011 - 11:41amThe Convolvulus has to be one of the most beautiful plants! Allan Robinson, who was at Wisley years ago, used to grow and propagate it really well but it only looks its best under glass here, outside it rarely flowers. I don't know if Paul Cumbleton has better success; he seems to have the greenest of green fingers!
Trond Hoy
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Mon, 05/30/2011 - 12:39pmConvolvulus boisseri seems to be a very desirable plant But I doubt I can ever grow it - at least not at home in this humid climate. The Convolvuli growing here are quite different and completely unwanted ;)
I am very impressed by the stonework in your garden, Anne. I have long collected and brought into my garden all the stones my neighbours throw out to get a plane lawn ;D
The plants are impressive too.
I have never managed to grow Paraquelegia, Lori. Hope the Campanula orphanoidea (what a name??) someday will look like the pictures I googled.
Seedwishes noted, folks!
Today we had a glimpse of sun before the rain started. had time to a little stroll in the garden and found some non-rhodos in flower ;)
The native ramson (Allium ursinum) has started flowering in the shady woodland and the unknown Arisaema, late as usual, soon follows. Another very shade tolerant plant is Maianthemum dilatatum. Here the flowering stems always get three leaves and the nonflowering is 15-20cm long. It is much bigger than the native M bifolia. The leaves of Rodgersia aesculifolia also emerge now, among the latecomers.
Different Aquilegias pop up all over the place. They are all different colours - here is a red one. I use Geranium macrorhizzum as a groundcover. In a kind of bed I grow Viola banksii. I don't know the hardiness yet and have brought the plants indoors during the worst of winter but plan to try one specimen outdoors next winter.
I have some peatloving shrubs, here are two different colours of Enkianthus campanulatus: palibinii and a white form. Rhodotypos scandens is an interesting shrub too.
Tim Ingram (not verified)
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Mon, 05/30/2011 - 1:31pmTrond - those Enkianthus are just beautiful; I imagine your garden must have pretty glorious autumn colour. We used to try and grow a few Rhodos and other Ericaceae here and a friend not far away but higher up and on retentive acid soil does well with them. He has a superb specimen of R. cinnabarinum with those beautiful waxy flowers and glaucous leaves. Why is it one covets those plants one can't grow?! Mind you I have succeeded with Cardiocrinum, we don't suffer too badly from slugs and snails. Have you been up to the amazing Botanic Garden at Tromso? There was a talk on it at the Edinburgh 2001 Alpine Conference and I found it remarkable the plants they were growing there.
Peter George
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Mon, 05/30/2011 - 1:57pmFirst of all, it's been utterly amazing to visit here each day and see the incredible variety and beauty of the plants all of you are growing so successfully. In some respects it's intimidating, and I'll bet there are Forum visitors who are simply not going to post photographs of their plants and their gardens simply because it's impossible for most of us to get the rare, beautiful and challenging to grow so well and to have the wherewithall to take such incredible photographs as well! I'm no 'shrinking violet,' but even for me it's difficult some days to even consider posting my pictures. But I will nonetheless, and I hope all of our Forum members feel safe and secure enough to show us what THEY are growing.
It's been very sunny but humid these past few days, and I have been able to get into the garden quite a bit, but with all the weeds and the self sown seedlings I need to collect for our Chapter meeting, the camera simply hasn't been used too much. But here are a few things I've managed to capture the past two days.
First is my tree peony, P. suffruticosa 'Rockii,' which I have had for 4 years. It bloomed last year, but this year the blooms are more numerous and they've stayed a few days longer. I have two of them, and they are simply too beautiful to imagine, but oh so fragile.
Second is a small blue flowered surprise, Polygala calcaria. Blue is always rare and beautiful, and this mini-shrub is a keeper.
Next is the only Caliptridium umbellatum to make it through the winter. I have quite a few seedlings, but this one not only survived, but it flowered. Not a great show, but to me a nice result after last year's floristic explosion.
Fourth is a beautiful penstemon, P. rupicola 'Pink Holly,' which I bought from Wrightmans 4 years ago. Mark McDonough thinks it's an hybrid, but regardless it's beautiful, expecially contrasted to that nice tight Eriogonum in bloom to it's left (our right).
And finally a lovely evening primrose, Oenethera caespitosa. The flowers are porcelain white, open at dusk and fade to pink as they close during the late morning and early afternoon the next day.
Anne Spiegel
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Mon, 05/30/2011 - 5:50pmPeter, I certainly hope yours is a minority viewpoint. Why would anyone hesitate to share what's happening in their garden? That's how we all learn. It's wonderful that you have all these people on the Forum to share how they grow certain plants so well. For every plant that might be a star in your garden, there are at least a dozen more that you would like to grow but are unsuccessful. I get ideas from all the postings, and am not hesitant to ask questions of anyone. No one expects you to be a star photographer - just someone who loves plants and wants to participate and learn. I hope all the lurkers will start posting. Please.
Liked your photo of Penstemon 'Pink Holly'. I tried it years ago and didn't do well with it at all. I always thought that it, and P. 'Grape Tart', were introductions by Mark McDonough through Siskiyou Nursery. That's where I got mine.
Anne Spiegel
Re: What do you see on your garden walks?
Mon, 05/30/2011 - 5:55pmTrond, the convolvulus that grow well here are C. compactus and C. Boisseri, which may even be a vaiety of compactus, not sure. I think "The International Garden" had an article on convolvulus some time ago. Now that it's temporarily too humid to do much in the garden, I'll have time to check that out.
C. phrygius also does well and flowers. C. assyricus does not do as well. It's only been tried in the lime bed so far. Does anyone grow this one? If so, where and how?
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