Miscellaneous Woodlanders

[McDonough]

Wim, you asked in the Epimedium 2011 topic (http://nargs.org/smf/index.php?topic=630.msg9009#msg9009), what it was that's growing under Arisaema sikokianum.  Here is a closer view, the undergrowth is Oxalis acetosella, which makes a luxuriant soft groundcover.  Some people may shudder at the thought, this plant can certainly spread far and wide, but as it's roots are so close to the surface it doesn't really compete that much except with very small plants, so it's a good companion for Arisaema and larger woodland plants.




Just behind the Arisaema is my clump of Cypripedium reginae, or Showy Ladyslipper Orchid, which increased from 8 growth points to 12 this year.  I love this species, not only for the beautiful long-lasting flowers, but because it flowers much later than many cyps.

[Hoy]

I have also grown Polygonatum roseum but it is an excellent slug bait and doesn't last long. My attempt to grow ladyslippers has almost failed too. Only one left and slugs are attacking it now and then

This Arisaema is left unharmed though.

[WimB]

I tried to take some leaf-cuttings of Ypsilandra on the 26th of February, here you can see the result: http://www.vrvforum.be/forum/index.php?topic=316.msg11658#msg11658. It's really quite easy.

@ Mark, concerning the Ramberlea: it was this one I got: http://www.kevockgarden.co.uk/plantlist/ramberlea.htm, so it might just be a white Ramonda (it has a soft pink tinge). I had never seen any other cross between Ramonda and Haberlea except for the cultivar named 'Inchgarth' after the garden of the breeders who made this cultivar: Brian and Maureen Wilson. So that was why I bought this particular cross, to see if there are other colors possible from a cross like that.
There's also a cross between Jancaea and Ramonda which is very beautiful, called Jancaemonda, you can see one here: http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=509.msg12815#msg12815

I'm one of those people who shudders at the thought of having O. acetosella as a groundcover  ... I think it's working towards world-domination

[Lori S.]

Wow, absolutely beautiful scenes, Mark!  The photo of A. sikokianum is especially ethereal!  Can't wait to see the cyp in bloom, too.

Great Arisaema photo, Trond.  Eliot and Barbara Coleman used ducks to control slugs and snails... I doubt you'd want to travel to your cabin with a cage of ducks in tow but it would be an interesting thought.    (They are American organic gardeners who have published some very sensible books and had an organic gardening show on PBS TV.  Anyway, they had an enclosure for their pair of ducks that consisted of a shelter at one end and a hardware cloth "run", and the assembly could be lifted and moved on a daily basis to give them new grazing grounds.  They called it "Duckingham Palace"... )

[Tim Ingram]

Has anyone got any rain for our woodland? Hardly any since February - the garden is parched!

[Lori S.]

We are supposed to get a week of rain, starting today... wish I could send you 3-4 days worth!

It will take many more years for these to fill in and put on a good show, but here's a start ... Isopyrum biternatum* with white flowers,  and Anemonella thalictroides 'Rosea' (both planted a few years ago), and Sanguinaria canadensis 'Plena', planted a couple of years ago.
   


*Name edited for correction!

[WimB]

Has anyone got any rain for our woodland? Hardly any since February - the garden is parched!

I cant' send you any either, Tim. We have (had) very dry weather also, maybe I should start thinking about growing more Cacti and Onco's 

[Hoy]

Has anyone got any rain for our woodland? Hardly any since February - the garden is parched!

If you have the pipeline I have the water! We had a very sunny and warm April but May has been rather wet. However the temperature has been higher than normal. More rain expected all the week.

[Hoy]

Regarding Oxalis as groundcover - I prefere oxalis to any other groundcover plant! Oxalis is easy to grow and easy to remove, does not compete with the other plants and charming! And you can eat it!
 
I have grown Anemonella for years but they refuse to expand - only a few flowers a year

Wow, absolutely beautiful scenes, Mark!  The photo of A. sikokianum is especially ethereal!  Can't wait to see the cyp in bloom, too.

Great Arisaema photo, Trond.  Eliot and Barbara Coleman used ducks to control slugs and snails... I doubt you'd want to travel to your cabin with a cage of ducks in tow but it would be an interesting thought.     (They are American organic gardeners who have published some very sensible books and had an organic gardening show on PBS TV.  Anyway, they had an enclosure for their pair of ducks that consisted of a shelter at one end and a hardware cloth "run", and the assembly could be lifted and moved on a daily basis to give them new grazing grounds.  They called it "Duckingham Palace"... )

I have read about people in Norway using ducks (Peking duck?) to control those molluscs but I have no wish to try! As you imagine: ducks in a cage! When the kids were small they had rabbits (they wanted a dog). We brought them with us every time we travelled except abroad. I am very glad that time came to an end!

[RickR]

I so enjoy seeing all these treasures!

Regarding slug control, one of our Chapter members uses chickens.

Lori, only your 'Rosea' is Thalictrum (Anemonella) thalictroides.  The white form is another species.  Leaves are completely different, and I think you will find that your white one's flowers always have five petals, while Thalictrum thalictroides blooms usually have more.  The single flower or umbel of T. thalictroides is always subtended by a single whorl of leaves.   Our common name for T. thalictroides is May flower, and they are native in the woods here.  I do grow them in my garden, too.  They are great fillers, flower much longer in the garden than in the wild, and I always have lots of volunteers to weed out. 

[Lori S.]

Oh, yes, that jolted my feeble memory, Rick!  Thank you!  The white one is Isopyrum biternatum.... right?  

Thalictrum thalictroides... they are native in the woods here.  I do grow them in my garden, too.  They are great fillers, flower much longer in the garden than in the wild, and I always have lots of volunteers to weed out.  

Many people will be extremely envious to hear that!  

[RickR]

Oh, yes, that jolted my feeble memory, Rick!  Thank you!  The white one is Isopyrum biternatum.... right?  

I do believe you are correct on that, but another name change:
Enemion (Isopyrum) biternatum

I have seen this one growing wild in southern Minnesota, building height (to 1+ ft) as it continues to add flowers to the stem.  (Flowers are not necessarily terminal.)  I have not seen it occur as a single stem, but usually find it as a clump 10-18 inches in diameter.

[Hoy]

At last! Clintonia andrewsiana has opened its flowers I have planted this elegant plant in my woodland where it now reahes 80cm tall with 3 flowering stems.

           

[McDonough]

At last! Clintonia andrewsiana has opened its flowers I have planted this elegant plant in my woodland where it now reahes 80cm tall with 3 flowering stems.

Fantastic Clintonia Trond, the best species for sure.  I have always wanted to grow this one; your post reminds me to put this higher up on my list.  How did you keep the slugs away

Did you grow it from seed or purchased plants?

[Lori S.]

A really spectacular plant, Trond!