Connor Smith on dwarf conifers for the rock garden;
John and Anita Watson demystify more South American rosulate violas, and disabuse us of the eternal delights of the plant-hunting life. Lastly, Dr Martin Sheader writes of the ourisia hybrids using South American species which he made with his late wife Anna-Liisa. Martin and Anna-Liisa, who died in December 2019, were awarded the highest honour that can be bestowed by the Alpine Garden Society in November 2019 – the Lyttel Trophy, for individuals who have made a substantial contribution to the knowledge of alpine plants.
There are no flower shows on at present as the UK and many other countries, are locked down because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Trying and testing times for us all – the SRGC is mindful of the health and safety of our members and the general public and so SRGC events have all been cancelled for the foreseeable future, including the Alpines ’21 Conference. The virus is everywhere and no respecter of persons. We have been shocked to learn that Martin Sheader has been very ill with the Covid-19 virus and we wish him a speedy return to full health, his three sons and his loving family.
We hope you all keep safe and healthy.
Cover photo: Ourisia microphylla in the wild in Chile - photo Martin Sheader.
Ian and/or Margaret Young ( -here it is usually Margaret)
Aberdeen , North East Scotland, UK
Zone 8a
This month in International Rock Gardener e-magazine we have two short pieces from John and Anita Watson in Chile, the latest Crocus species from Jānis Rukšāns, named for a tireless researcher at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research of Gatersleben in Germany – Dr. Dörte Harpke and a report from the Beauty Slope, the Czech garden of ZZZ, otherwise known as Zdeněk Zvolánek and Zdena Kosourová . We hope you enjoy these presentations. Please remember that there are links in the www.srgc.net site to all sorts of different items, from Ian Young’s weekly Bulb Log to the Forum, which is open to all, not just SRGC members, and we also have the new Scottish Rock podcasts.
IRG Cover Crocus harpkeae in habitat JJVV-022, photo Jānis Rukšāns.
This month the IRG has articles which we hope you may wish to consider for projects of your own .... posting a little early to give folks something to read while waiting for the Taproot 2020
NARGS Virtual Conference !
Ian Christie gives tips on grafting – for Daphne in this instance, though the system is of course similar for other woody plants too.
New contributor John Beaulieu, from Midhurst, Ontario, Canada, had a plan to repurpose an old metal tub - and made a neat miniature rockery with it.
J. Ian Young revisits an SRGC crevice garden venture at Inverewe Gardens on the west coast of Scotland and expresses his regret at the cancellation of this year’s planned follow-up event.
July 2020
In IRG free e-magazine this month- July 2020 #127 - an interview with talented Czech grower Ján Zaujec by Zdeněk Zvolánek and a project for the garden from Irish alpine enthusiast , Ken Devine, looking to find more planting space.
This month in IRG free e-magazine – indicative of the fine collaborations that are possible in the plant world – John and Anita Flores Watson have been aided and abetted by various friends to illustrate their article describing the new species Viola uniquissima and its habitat and the plants found in that area. Wonderful photos have been contributed mainly by Marijn van den Brink and also Leonora Rojas to complement the Watson’s images. From KentonSeth from Fruita, Colorado, there are tips on growing Castilleja. One of the finest modern crevice garden makers, Kenton is a man with a passion for nature - loving the plants as well as the mountains.
Congratulations to Kenton on his receny engagement to the mountain-biking poet Tori Miner!
The September 2020 issue of International Rock Gardener (IRG) free e-magazine is online now -it has articles from Vojtech Holubec and from John and Anita Watson - further feeding the interest for the plants of Chile.
We have been very upset to be told that not only have John and Anita both been infected by Covid-19 but John has had to be taken back to hospital as he was becoming more ill. We are sure all our readers will join us in sending them both our very best wishes for a speedy and full recovery.
We have good news on the health of loyal contributors recently troubled by ill-health – Martin Sheader is continuing to recover from his Covid-19 experience and returns to the pages of the IRG with a report on South American Adesmia species. John and Anita Watson, who were also struck down by this frightening virus, with John being in hospital in a bad way, have happily been reunited at their home and we hope they will soon be able to contribute once more to our pages. It is when this pandemic affects those known to us that it becomes clearer that it will be haunting all our lives for some time to come. Less welcome news is that of the death of former SRGC President Glassford Sprunt who for many years was proofreader and indexer of the IRG and was a supporter of SRGC for decades. Our condolences go to his loving family – he will be much missed.
In this IRG we also take a look back through history to remember the original collectors of a well- known American plant, Calochortus lyallii – brought to us by Arthur MacKinnon of Washington State. Zdeněk Zvolánek and Franz (František) Paznocht combine to introduce a saxifrage cultivar which they hope will become more widely grown.
This month in International Rock Gardener 131, the free online magazine, articles include the description of a new species of tulip from Uzbekistan brought to us by J.J.(Sjaak) de Groot & K.S. Tojibaev.
Next a new combination in Montiopsis from John and Anita (Ana Rosa Flores) Watson. Zdeněk Zvolánek ( who we are delighted to congratulate on his award of the AGS' premier honour, the Lyttle Trophy) highlights Dionysia khuzistanica and a delightful cultivar, which Martijn Jansen raised and has named for his son,Thom. This is complemented by photos from Ewelina Wajgert of the dionysias in the garden of Josef Mayr. Our final article this month is presented here as a tribute to our late proof-reader and the former President of the SRGC, Glassford Sprunt.
Cover photo: Montiopsis tricolor, Anita Watson
Award for Zdenek Zvolanek 131/3
Tulipa bactriana – species description – J.J. de Groot and K.S. Tojibaev 131/4-11
A new combination in Montiopsis (Montiaceae) – John and Anita Watson 131/12-15
Painted Flowers – Zdenek Zvolanek 131/16-21
Remembering a Good Friend 131/22
My Way with seeds - Glassford Sprunt 131/23-25
Cover photo: Montiopsis tricolor, Anita Watson
Ian and/or Margaret Young ( -here it is usually Margaret)
Aberdeen , North East Scotland, UK
Zone 8a
IRG 132 includes both the description of a new species, Cistanthe celedoniana from John Michael Watson, Arve Elvebakk, Christian von Bohlen and Ana Rosa Flores, and a new combination for Cistanthe sitiens, from J.M.Watson and Ana Rosa Flores. There is also an appreciation of the Canadian Iris hybridiser, AlanMcMurtrie from Panayoti Kelaidis of Denver.
Download the latest issue of International Rock Gardener here: http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2020Apr231587675747IRG_124_April_2020.pdf
This month in IRG 124 –
Connor Smith on dwarf conifers for the rock garden;
John and Anita Watson demystify more South American rosulate violas, and disabuse us of the eternal delights of the plant-hunting life. Lastly, Dr Martin Sheader writes of the ourisia hybrids using South American species which he made with his late wife Anna-Liisa. Martin and Anna-Liisa, who died in December 2019, were awarded the highest honour that can be bestowed by the Alpine Garden Society in November 2019 – the Lyttel Trophy, for individuals who have made a substantial contribution to the knowledge of alpine plants.
There are no flower shows on at present as the UK and many other countries, are locked down because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Trying and testing times for us all – the SRGC is mindful of the health and safety of our members and the general public and so SRGC events have all been cancelled for the foreseeable future, including the Alpines ’21 Conference. The virus is everywhere and no respecter of persons. We have been shocked to learn that Martin Sheader has been very ill with the Covid-19 virus and we wish him a speedy return to full health, his three sons and his loving family.
We hope you all keep safe and healthy.
Cover photo: Ourisia microphylla in the wild in Chile - photo Martin Sheader.
Ian and/or Margaret Young ( -here it is usually Margaret) Aberdeen , North East Scotland, UK Zone 8a
www.srgc.net
This month in International Rock Gardener e-magazine we have two short pieces from John and Anita Watson in Chile, the latest Crocus species from Jānis Rukšāns, named for a tireless researcher at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research of Gatersleben in Germany – Dr. Dörte Harpke and a report from the Beauty Slope, the Czech garden of ZZZ, otherwise known as Zdeněk Zvolánek and Zdena Kosourová . We hope you enjoy these presentations. Please remember that there are links in the www.srgc.net site to all sorts of different items, from Ian Young’s weekly Bulb Log to the Forum, which is open to all, not just SRGC members, and we also have the new Scottish Rock podcasts.
IRG Cover Crocus harpkeae in habitat JJVV-022, photo Jānis Rukšāns.
Calochortus, Ornithogalum and Allium are flowering under glass with plenty more in the garden, just click the Bulb Log link to enter http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2020May271590575623BULB_LOG_2220.pdf also includes notice of a Facebook Live event with #IanYoung on Facebook Alpine Garden Society Members' group in June......
https://www.facebook.com/groups/alpinegardensociety/?ref=bookmarks
Ian and/or Margaret Young ( -here it is usually Margaret) Aberdeen , North East Scotland, UK Zone 8a
www.srgc.net
This month the IRG has articles which we hope you may wish to consider for projects of your own .... posting a little early to give folks something to read while waiting for the Taproot 2020
NARGS Virtual Conference !
Ian Christie gives tips on grafting – for Daphne in this instance, though the system is of course similar for other woody plants too.
New contributor John Beaulieu, from Midhurst, Ontario, Canada, had a plan to repurpose an old metal tub - and made a neat miniature rockery with it.
J. Ian Young revisits an SRGC crevice garden venture at Inverewe Gardens on the west coast of Scotland and expresses his regret at the cancellation of this year’s planned follow-up event.
Download the International Rock Gardener (IRG) e-magazine for free here: http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2020Jun251593107822IRG_126.pdf
Cover image IRG 126 - Zdenek Zvolanek and Paul Spriggs, photo by J. I. Young
Ian and/or Margaret Young ( -here it is usually Margaret) Aberdeen , North East Scotland, UK Zone 8a
www.srgc.net
Thoroughly enjoyed the Taproot online event - Don LaFond talked on daphne propagation - you can read Ian Christie's article on the subject in IRG 126
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2020Jun251593107822IRG_126.pdf
Ian and/or Margaret Young ( -here it is usually Margaret) Aberdeen , North East Scotland, UK Zone 8a
www.srgc.net
July 2020
In IRG free e-magazine this month- July 2020 #127 - an interview with talented Czech grower Ján Zaujec by Zdeněk Zvolánek and a project for the garden from Irish alpine enthusiast , Ken Devine, looking to find more planting space.
Download the issue here: https://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2020Jul301596141584IRG127.pdf
Ian and/or Margaret Young ( -here it is usually Margaret) Aberdeen , North East Scotland, UK Zone 8a
www.srgc.net
This month in IRG free e-magazine – indicative of the fine collaborations that are possible in the plant world – John and Anita Flores Watson have been aided and abetted by various friends to illustrate their article describing the new species Viola uniquissima and its habitat and the plants found in that area. Wonderful photos have been contributed mainly by Marijn van den Brink and also Leonora Rojas to complement the Watson’s images. From KentonSeth from Fruita, Colorado, there are tips on growing Castilleja. One of the finest modern crevice garden makers, Kenton is a man with a passion for nature - loving the plants as well as the mountains.
Congratulations to Kenton on his receny engagement to the mountain-biking poet Tori Miner!
Download the issue here:
https://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2020Aug271598561104IRG128.pdf
Cover picture: Cumulopuntia ignescens, photo Marijn van den Brink.
Ian and/or Margaret Young ( -here it is usually Margaret) Aberdeen , North East Scotland, UK Zone 8a
www.srgc.net
The September 2020 issue of International Rock Gardener (IRG) free e-magazine is online now -it has articles from Vojtech Holubec and from John and Anita Watson - further feeding the interest for the plants of Chile.
We have been very upset to be told that not only have John and Anita both been infected by Covid-19 but John has had to be taken back to hospital as he was becoming more ill. We are sure all our readers will join us in sending them both our very best wishes for a speedy and full recovery.
You can find IRG 129 here:
https://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2020Sep241600957311IRG129.pdf
Cover image: Salix capraea catkins - photo John M. Watson
Ian and/or Margaret Young ( -here it is usually Margaret) Aberdeen , North East Scotland, UK Zone 8a
www.srgc.net
We have good news on the health of loyal contributors recently troubled by ill-health – Martin Sheader is continuing to recover from his Covid-19 experience and returns to the pages of the IRG with a report on South American Adesmia species. John and Anita Watson, who were also struck down by this frightening virus, with John being in hospital in a bad way, have happily been reunited at their home and we hope they will soon be able to contribute once more to our pages. It is when this pandemic affects those known to us that it becomes clearer that it will be haunting all our lives for some time to come. Less welcome news is that of the death of former SRGC President Glassford Sprunt who for many years was proofreader and indexer of the IRG and was a supporter of SRGC for decades. Our condolences go to his loving family – he will be much missed.
In this IRG we also take a look back through history to remember the original collectors of a well- known American plant, Calochortus lyallii – brought to us by Arthur MacKinnon of Washington State. Zdeněk Zvolánek and Franz (František) Paznocht combine to introduce a saxifrage cultivar which they hope will become more widely grown.
https://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2020Oct291603992737IRG130.pdf
Cover photo: Autumn colour in Highland Perthshire, photo Julia Corden
Ian and/or Margaret Young ( -here it is usually Margaret) Aberdeen , North East Scotland, UK Zone 8a
www.srgc.net
This month in International Rock Gardener 131, the free online magazine, articles include the description of a new species of tulip from Uzbekistan brought to us by J.J.(Sjaak) de Groot & K.S. Tojibaev.
Next a new combination in Montiopsis from John and Anita (Ana Rosa Flores) Watson. Zdeněk Zvolánek ( who we are delighted to congratulate on his award of the AGS' premier honour, the Lyttle Trophy) highlights Dionysia khuzistanica and a delightful cultivar, which Martijn Jansen raised and has named for his son,Thom. This is complemented by photos from Ewelina Wajgert of the dionysias in the garden of Josef Mayr. Our final article this month is presented here as a tribute to our late proof-reader and the former President of the SRGC, Glassford Sprunt.
It seems there has been some hiccup with the link for IRG 131 - this is a corrected link
https://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2020Nov291606654069IRG131.pdf
Brief Index of IRG 131 November 2020
Cover photo: Montiopsis tricolor, Anita Watson
Award for Zdenek Zvolanek 131/3
Tulipa bactriana – species description – J.J. de Groot and K.S. Tojibaev 131/4-11
A new combination in Montiopsis (Montiaceae) – John and Anita Watson 131/12-15
Painted Flowers – Zdenek Zvolanek 131/16-21
Remembering a Good Friend 131/22
My Way with seeds - Glassford Sprunt 131/23-25
Cover photo: Montiopsis tricolor, Anita Watson
Ian and/or Margaret Young ( -here it is usually Margaret) Aberdeen , North East Scotland, UK Zone 8a
www.srgc.net
Final issue of 2020 – Eleven years of IRG e-magazine - With this issue, eleven years of the International Rock Gardener are complete.
Direct link to IRG 132 is : https://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2020Dec241608822973IRG_132.pdf
IRG 132 includes both the description of a new species, Cistanthe celedoniana from John Michael Watson, Arve Elvebakk, Christian von Bohlen and Ana Rosa Flores, and a new combination for Cistanthe sitiens, from J.M.Watson and Ana Rosa Flores. There is also an appreciation of the Canadian Iris hybridiser, AlanMcMurtrie from Panayoti Kelaidis of Denver.
Need some plant based reading over the hols? Why not dip in to 18yrs worth of #BulbLog https://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/index.php?log=bulb & 11yrs of #InternationalRockGardener e-mag – https://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/index.php?log=international all available free from @ScottishRockGC website?
Ian and/or Margaret Young ( -here it is usually Margaret) Aberdeen , North East Scotland, UK Zone 8a
www.srgc.net
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