28 November 2011 13:50:51
C. Rubescens Major.
This is the second of my Camellias to open a flower this early. No complaints from me.
27 November 2011 19:37:18
Hellebore argutifolius.
I have really got to love Hellebores over the last few years, and I was surprised and delighted to see my Corsican Hellebore flowered over the last couple of days. Surely another sign of unseasonal weather.
24 November 2011 22:50:51
C. Rubescens Major.
Is there anything as beautiful as a flower bud in all its glory and camellia buds are among the nicest of all.
24 November 2011 22:40:09
R.Christmas Cheer.
The very mild overall November that we have had has led to my R.christmas cheer opening a truss and at a time in the garden when colour is fairly scarce, it is all the more precious. One of the branches on my R.polar bear has been damaged and I don't know was it last weeks bit of a storm or our neighbours dog who is the culprit, but either way I might have to cut it off which would be an awful shame. Also my R.pachysanthum has lost some leaves, but I'm hopeful that it will be okay and that the new leaf buds will open next spring and it will look fine again. It is such a fabulous foliage plant and I would hate to lose it.
15 November 2011 12:37:51
R polar bear.
To add to the list of my Rhodo species which I have previously posted, here is the list of hybrids that I have. Most are readily available and as in all things some are better performers than others,
R.azurika,R.alfred, R.arctic tern.
R.catawbiense boursault,
R.cilpinense, R.christmas cheer,
R.cunninghams white, R.curlew.
R.dora amateis, R.dreamland.
R.elizabeth red foliage.
R.furnivals daughter.
R.ginny gee, R.golden bouquet, R.golden torch, R.gomer waterer, R,grumpy.
R.horizon monarch.
R.lady alice Fitzwilliam, R.
loderi king George.
R.marcel menard, R.moerheim.
R.nancy evans.
R.polar bear,R.point defiance,
R.ponticum variagatum, R.polar bear.
R.scarlet wonder, R.shamrock,
R.sneezy.
R.taurus, R.tortoiseshell orange.
R.wee bee,R.wilgens
ruby,R.winsome, R.wren.
13 November 2011 22:49:07
Daphnes - contrasting fortunes.
My two Daphnes had contrasting fortunes last winter. My Daphne bhloua succumbed to the winter weather but has left me a few seedlings, which I have left where they fell and I'll leave them to their own devices. On the other hand, my D.Pontica came through with flying colours. Its only failing was a lack of flowers. It has lovely, shiny dark foliage and all being equal will open its scented yellow/green flowers this season.
13 November 2011 22:18:23
The loveliness of Camellias.
Some of the Camellias were shook after last winters woeful weather, but nearly all of them are in splendid shape now and most are well budded. Whether they well stay well budded will depend on how hard the frosts will be, but I'm hopeful. Some people find Camellias boring outside of flowering time, but I can't agree with that way of thinking. To me, they are among the finest of shrubs.
09 November 2011 23:42:54
R.Barbatum. 09/11/2011.
Here is a list of the Rhodo species that I have. I will add the hydrids at another time. Hope it's of interest. Those that have flowered thus far are marked
with an asterix. Both R.luteum and R.Quinquefolium are usually classified as
Azaleas,
R.aberconwayi his lordship AM.
- R.barbatum.
- R.bureavii.
- R.calophytum CH 7116.
- R.cerasinum coals of fire HECC 1064.
- R.dicroanthum subs syphocalix. *
- R.fortunei.
- R.fulgens KCSH 0372.
- R.fulvum. *
- R.hippophaeoides, (also known as R.fimbriatum).*
- R.insigne.
- R.leucaspis. *
- R.luteum. *
- R.mallotum DGEY 406.
- R.niveum.
- R.pachysanthum (Ex RV 72001).
- R.pronum.
- R.quinquefolium
- R.roxieanum var oreonastes (Rock).
- R.valentinianum.
- R.wardi L&S.
- R.wiltonii.
- R.yakushimanum.*
04 November 2011 23:20:48
R.Barbatum.
We're just back from a lovely few days down in Waterford. Up and down weather, but consistently nice people, and what a joy it was last tuesday to finally meet Rachel. It's funny how you feel you know someone, even though you have never met them before. I suppose shared interests lead to that way of thinking. I know that Rachel was delighted to get her R.Barbatum at last, but I can't help thinking that if plants themselves had wish lists of gardens they'd like to go to, then Rachels would be a consistent number one among them. Happy plants in a happy gardener's garden.