What do you see on your garden walks? 2012

[cohan]

Is this also Lobelia cardinalis, Michael? Equally striking in its natural setting! This is one I definitely need to test for hardiness

[Hoy]

Is this also Lobelia cardinalis, Michael? Equally striking in its natural setting! This is one I definitely need to test for hardiness

Panayoti, a beautiful Lobelia!

I am sorry but Lobelia cardinalis and hybrids doesn't like my climate   Too wet in winter I suppose
However I'm intended to try at my summerhouse.

Cohan, I like the colour of G himalayense flowers! ...and P nepalensis

[cohan]

Thanks, Trond. I'm not sure if the Geranium colour comes through fully in my photos- I like violet flowers, or blue, or pink, but these are a kind of almost fluorescent shade I just don't like up close-one of the few flower colours I don't like (along with the funny muddled colours of hybrid daylilies and hibiscus  ) from farther away they are just 'purple' I think I've shown pics of the whole beds in flower? The P nepalensis I like a lot- this hot pink and the other is a mixed orangey colour..

I thought L cardinalis was a sort of swamp plant in nature? though I could be mixing it up with something else...

[Hoy]

I thought L cardinalis was a sort of swamp plant in nature? though I could be mixing it up with something else...

No you are right! But it doesn't seem to like the changing wet - cold - mild - wet weather here during winter.

[Lori S.]

Fabulous plants, Panayoti!  
Michael, with great rock gardens, as Panayoti and you both have, your saying is definitely true!

I lusted after Lobelia cardinalis for many years but don't recall ever having one winter over (or only weakly, if it did).  First off, plants that were sold around here in those days that were named L. cardinalis were often actually hybrids of tender species, and seemingly doomed.  Even presumably-true L. cardinalis from seed hasn't wintered over though.  However.... if other people around here do find it to be hardy, I've love to hear about it (and so be encouraged to try it again!)

[Michael J Campbell]

Fuchsia  procumbens 'Wirral'
Fuchsia  procumbens 'Wirral', flower detail.

[cohan]

Fuchsia  procumbens 'Wirral'
Fuchsia  procumbens 'Wirral', flower detail.

That's a pretty cool plant, Michael! Is it small? what sort of conditions do you keep it in?

[Michael J Campbell]

It is a creeping plant about two inches(5cm) high. At the moment it is in a pot as I am not sure how hardy it is yet, but I will try it out in the garden next summer.

[Howey]

Michael - how on earth do you get it to bloom?  I have had one (from a cutting from New Zealand) for several years in a pot - lots of foliage but only during it first year were there any blooms.  It gets 20 20 20 fertilizer once a week in summer. It is in a "hanging" pot - perhaps it needs to climb?  Have actually set up some string trellises for some of the non-performers and they look much better but now, with fall coming on and less daylight, it may be too late for blooms this year.  Fran

Frances Howey
London, Ontario, Canada
Zone 5b

[Michael J Campbell]

Frances, It is in a soil-less compost with slow release fertilizer. I wasn't aware that there  was a problem flowering it, probably won't flower for me anymore now that I know. I will blame you if it don't

[fleurbleue]

A friend has said me than its variegated Fuschia procumbens  flowered more and better than its green one. She keeps them in'doors during winter 

[Hoy]

I had Fuchsia procumbens for some years in a pot (outside in summer, inside in winter) and it flowered sparsely. I decided to plant it out - shouldn't have done it. It disappeared, probably due to frost in winter.

[Howey]

After reading about your F.procumbens, Michael, I went outside to have another look at mine and, lo and behold, there was one flower.  Is there something about the air in New Zealand and Australia that creates flowers which do well only there??  I have the luxury of being able to winter over some of my plants in a greenhouse nearby and, in the case of this fuchsia, it didn't help.  Although I suspect that the some of the plants that get the "greenhouse treatment" pick up more bugs inside that when they are outside - in summer, that is...something like our hospitals.  Fran

Frances Howey
London, Ontario, Canada
Zone 5b

[Howey]

After this almost non-stop drought we've been having (and are still) this summer, it is heart warming to see some of the survivors- a couple of ferns, Adiantum pedatum and a Wood Fern, plus some nice Thalictrum rochbruneanum- not sure I can get them all onto this one e-mail.  Up until the new growth appeared on the ferns, it looked like there had been a fire.  Fran

[cohan]

After this almost non-stop drought we've been having (and are still) this summer, it is heart warming to see some of the survivors- a couple of ferns, Adiantum pedatum and a Wood Fern, plus some nice Thalictrum rochbruneanum- not sure I can get them all onto this one e-mail.  Up until the new growth appeared on the ferns, it looked like there had been a fire.  Fran

Good to see some survivors, Fran!