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The March Issue of the e-magazine from the Scottish Rock Garden Club is now online here:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/index.php?log=international
.... you can be sure we have a hyperlink from the name of Zdeněk Zvolánek to the NARGS 2010 "Romancing the Rockies The Marriage of Plant and Stone " July 11-14, 2010, to be held in Denver & Salida, Colorado !
Here is a photo, by ZZ, from the March issue, of Adonis vernalis .....

Comments
Margaret Young
A new year begins.
Fri, 01/27/2017 - 12:30pmA new year begins.
This is the direct link to IRG 85 http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Jan261485471226IRG85.pdf
The IRG Team hopes to bring you an interesting mixture of subjects over the year to enthuse and perhaps educate you in the ways of the plants which form the basis of our growing interest. In this issue, a number of Saxifraga hybrids recently registered with Adrian Young the registrar of the Saxifraga Society, are formally introduced from the breeder David Walkey who sadly died earlier this month. Adrian also provides a short introduction to David Walkey’s hybrids.
In conjunction with the printed journal of the SRGC, The Rock Garden, we are delighted to feature another contribution from Matt Topsfield to supplement his article in TRG 138 of January 2017 with a photo essay of narcissus found on his trip in the footsteps of John Blanchard, who will, we hope, be pleased to see how his previous travels still inspire plantsmen today.
(Matt’s article on some of the plants other than narcissus which he saw during his trip were published in the IRG 81 (International Rock Gardener e-magazine) see my previous post)
Margaret Young
A news update from S Scottish
Wed, 03/08/2017 - 8:57amA news update from S Scottish Rock Garden Club:
1) Janis Ruksans new book - The World of Crocuses - is now in print - hundreds of pages, beautiful illustrations, distribution maps -
everything Janis has learned about Crocus over the last decades -
you can learn more, including how to order the book, from this page on SRGC forum :
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=14685.0
There is no formal order form - To order Janis ' book you need to email to him to get cost, including postage - [email protected]
2) It seems some are unaware of how to find Ian Young's e-book - Erythroniums in Cultivation - which was introduced late in 2016
in pdf form - 278 full colour pages - free to download via this link :
http://files.srgc.net/general/ERYTHRONIUMS-IN-CULTIVATION%20-2016-IanYoung.pdf
3) A reminder too of the fact that every week on the SRGC website a new Bulb Log is loaded -
published every week since 2003, every issue can be found from this page :
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/index.php?log=bulb
and every month - on the last Friday of the month, the free e-magazine International Rock Gardener (IRG) ISSN 2053-7557
is published here on the SRGC site : http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/index.php?log=international
An updated index is available there too.
The latest Bulb Log is here : http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Mar081488968834BULB_LOG_1017.pdf
the latest IRG is here : http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Feb231487875287IRG_86.pdf
Hope this helps those who were having difficulty finding the links!
Margaret Young
IRG 87 - March 2017
Fri, 03/31/2017 - 1:55pmIRG 87 - March 2017
Spain retains its attraction to draw visitors keen to enjoy a break and see wildflowers at the same time. Răzvan Chişu,
a Romanian who now lives and works in Cheshire recalls an early spring trip to Alpujarras.
Răzvan recently took over as Editor for the Saxifraga Society and is been much involved in Plant Heritage projects and Hardy Plant Society displays.
The charming garden of Hana Zíková in Bohemia is introduced by Zdenek Zvolanek with photos by Zdena Kosourová.
We do hear more from the male of the species but there are also talented female Czech gardeners; !
Ian Christie, himself a former SRGC president, describes a new Galanthus cultivar,
named for a sadly missed SRGC former President, Harley Milne who died last year.
Download the IRG here :
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Mar301490900939IRG87March2017.pdf
Full Index :
http://files.srgc.net/journals/IRG-Index.pdf
Margaret Young
International Rock Gardener
Fri, 04/28/2017 - 3:01amInternational Rock Gardener (IRG) 88- April 2017 is online now with articles from Wim Boens from Belgium on double forms of Ficaria verna;
Krzysztof Ciesielski from Poland on a new galanthus and Zdeněk Zvolánek introduces another Czech star in advance of the Third International Czech Rock Garden Conference which opens in early May.
Download via this link http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Apr271493318724IRG88.pdf
Margaret Young
For the May IRG we escape to
Sat, 05/27/2017 - 9:09amFor the May IRG we escape to Rhodes to see orchids and other flowers there, from Gerrit and Iep Eikelenboom and, from Iran, we discover a new Crocus species from Iran, described by Jānis Rukšāns.

http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017May251495746846IRG89May2017.pdf
A reminder that at at this time of year, as every year, new postal members of SRGC will have their subscriptions run until October 2018. There are many free features of the SRGC Site, such as the monthly IRG and weekly Bulb Log.
Submissions from NARGS members to the IRG are always welcome.
A reminder that at this time of year, and for every
Margaret Young
Latest issue of IRG -
Fri, 06/30/2017 - 3:56amLatest issue of IRG - International Rock Gardener online now
This issue has descriptions of new Crocus species from Dimitri Zubov and Janis Ruksans - including in honour of Janis and Marcus Harvey- and news of artist in residence activity at the wonderful Inverewe Gardens on the west coast of Scotland - plus a poem by Lydia Muijen inspired by the garden and the recent erythronium festival there.
Download issue 90 here : http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Jun211498039508IRG_90_June.pdf
Margaret Young
This month.... Events,
Fri, 07/28/2017 - 5:11amThis month.... Events, commercials and more ! Arie Dwarswaard's review of
Janis Rukšāns Crocus book, Gerrit and Iep Eijkelenboom about the plants of Cyprus....
International Rock Gardener e-magazine IRG 91 July 2017 ISSN 2053-7557
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Jul271501183467IRG91.pdf
Margaret Young
This month.... Events,
Fri, 07/28/2017 - 5:11amThis month.... Events, commercials and more ! Arie Dwarswaard's review of
Janis Rukšāns Crocus book, Gerrit and Iep Eijkelenboom about the plants of Cyprus....
International Rock Gardener e-magazine IRG 91 July 2017 ISSN 2053-7557
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Jul271501183467IRG91.pdf
Margaret Young
What's in this month's IRG?
Thu, 08/24/2017 - 12:09pmWhat's in this month's IRG?
A reminder about Donations to the SRGC Seed Exchange ..........all Seed Exes need donors!
from Stavros Apostolou - photos of some Bulbs of Attica ...........
David Nicholson regales us with Tales of a Crocus.............
and, from the archives of The Rock Garden, journal of SRGC - Primula forrestii and it's new designation ........
download this issue here : http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Aug241503601039IRG92.pdf
Margaret Young
In IRG September 2017 : the
Fri, 09/29/2017 - 10:20amIn IRG September 2017 : the description of a new Tulipa species by J.J. de Groot and K.S. Tojibaev...... Jan Tholhuijsen encourages another new project for the garden .....Zdenek Zvolanek praises fabaceae for the garden and Kenton J. Seth reviews a book on Cactus........ free to download here...
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Sep281506621414IRG93.pdf
Margaret Young
October's IRG tells of a
Thu, 10/26/2017 - 10:52amOctober's IRG tells of a botanical trip in the Chilean Desert by John and Anita Watson and Zdeněk Zvolánek, inspired by Panayoti Kelaidis, praises pin-cushion plants - free download via this link:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Oct261509039468IRG94.pdf
Margaret Young
What is in this month's
Thu, 11/23/2017 - 10:47amWhat is in this month's International Rock Gardener ?
TOWNSENDIA by Gerrit Eijkelenboom
WHAT IS CROCUS NUBIGENA Herb.? by Jānis Rukšāns
SAXIFRAGA DINNIKII ´JINDRISKA´ by Zdeněk Zvolánek
GENTIANA HYBRIDISING NEAR ROLLSDORF by Fritz Kummert
Download IRG here http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Nov231511460835IRG_95_November_2017.pdf
Cover photo: Harmonia axyridis on Townsendia flower, by Gerrit Eijkelenboom
International Rock Gardener (IRG) the free monthly e-magazine on Scottish Rock Garden Club website
Margaret Young
The IRG began in January 2010
Fri, 01/26/2018 - 6:57amThe IRG began in January 2010 - at the time we thought it would be online for a year as an experiment but as the ninth year of the IRG begins - there is hope that our marvellous contributors will continue their support in sharing information about the fascinating little plants of the mountains and wild places of the world with a truly international audience. All brought to your desk for free, with hopes of a wonderful year for readers and their plants alike!
IRG full Index: http://files.srgc.net/journals/IRG-Index.pdf
All issues from this page : http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/index.php?log=international
Margaret Young
IRG 97 - the International
Sat, 01/27/2018 - 12:26pmIRG 97 - the International Rock Gardener e-magazine, is now online
We tend to think of Siberia as being a snowy wilderness - and of course, it can be - but it is good to read about one of the areas with a rich flora from a new International Rock Gardener contributor, Ole William Purvis, a lichenologist, researcher and author who writes about the Sayan Mountains.
From the Czech Republic, Zdeněk Zvolánek introduces the photography of Ladislav Blažej, of plants in the Pirin mountains of Bulgaria.
Download IRG97 free - here : http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2018Jan271517084243IRG_97__January_2018.pdf
Margaret Young
March in the Northern
Fri, 03/30/2018 - 6:29amMarch in the Northern hemisphere suggests that Spring may be in full flower - sadly we cannot guarantee that from one day to the next.
Matters of the science or practice of classification are the subject for IRG this month. Jānis Rukšāns discusses how best to delineate a Crocus species, a subject which he has spent many years addressing. Dimitri Zubov and Leonid Bondarenko describe a new species of stoloniferous Iris from Armenia.
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2018Mar291522354177IRG100.pdf
Cover image is of Iris sisianica
Margaret Young
International Rock Gardener,
Sat, 05/05/2018 - 9:54amInternational Rock Gardener, the free e-magazine on SRGC.NET reaches issue #100 Thanks to all contributors and readers for your support - we couldn't do it without you!
This month learn about the buckwheats of America from John P. Weiser and get some news of The Beauty Slope, garden of Zdenek Zvolanek
Download here : http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2018Apr271524820121IRG100April.pdf
Claire Cockcroft
Congratulations on your
Sun, 05/06/2018 - 10:19amCongratulations on your reaching your 100th issue -- quite an achievement. Appropriately, it's a fantastic issue!
...Claire
Margaret Young
Thank you, Claire. We are
Sun, 05/06/2018 - 12:41pmThank you, Claire. We are most fortunate in our marvelous contributors. Submissions are always welcome, of course!
M
Margaret Young
IRG 101 is online now! We
Fri, 05/25/2018 - 4:07amIRG 101 is online now! We are pleased to introduce Peter Tallbo from Mora in Sweden who is redesigning his garden to make it a better place to grow and propagate plants as well as becoming a more aesthetically pleasing space. Gerrit Eijkelenboom from the Netherlands, returns with Part 2 of his report, with his wife Iep, of their travels to see orchids in Sicily. It seems that the terrestrial orchids of Europe continue to maintain their allure and mystique for many as they prove to grow so well in nature in places far from the tropical climes that were traditionally associated with these plants. It is the hardiness of so many rock garden and alpine plants, of course, which is one of the most appealing features of such apparantly fragile, often diminutive plants! Finally this month, we are pleased to be able to publish a new species of rosulate Viola from the Chilean based duo of John M. Watson and Ana R. Flores – Viola farkasiana sp. nova.
Download here : http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2018May241527184409IRG_101_May_2018.pdf
Margaret Young
IRG 103 begins with a tour in
Sat, 07/28/2018 - 6:22amIRG 103 begins with a tour in Sardinia by Gerrit and Iep Eijkelenboom. They encountered good weather and were able to picture a fine range of plants in bloom. Italian islands are somewhat simpler to access than Chile so perhaps not many readers will be able to see the Chilean flora for themselves. The second part of this issue of IRG features the background article by John and Anita Watson on the interesting area which shaped Alstroemeria piperata – as was indicated in the June 2018 IRG issue 102 where the species was described.
Download the issue here http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2018Jul261532613984IRG103-July2018.pdf
Cover photo: Tristerix aphyllus, one of the scarlet mistletoes in Chile, photo John M. Watson.
Margaret Young
We hope this issue of IRG
Fri, 08/31/2018 - 2:53amWe hope this issue of IRG provides a diversion from the disasters, natural and man-made that beset so many countries at the moment. The last while seems to have been filled with reports of fires, floods and more.
In IRG104 John and Anita Watson describe two new viola species from Chile; we learn a little about grant aid available to horticultural students and remember Rod and Rachel Saunders of Silverhill Seeds.
Click the link to download... http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2018Aug301535657804IRG104-August2018.pdf
Cover photo: Cryptantha aspera, macro photo by Ana R. Flores (Anita Flores Watson)
Margaret Young
Reception for last month's
Wed, 10/03/2018 - 1:05pmReception for last month's cover image was good - so I chose another white flower for this issue too!
Cover photo: Blumenbachia prietea, photo ARF(Anita Flores Watson).
September’s IRG (International Rock Gardener) e-magazine has a double North American connection, as we review some of the plants in the Wappinger Falls garden of Anne Spiegel in New York State. A trip further south takes us to South America, where Chilean based botanists John and Ana (Anita) Watson write of some Patagonian plants.
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2018Sep271538076603IRG_105_Sept2018.pdf
Margaret Young
October's IRG - #106 - is
Mon, 10/29/2018 - 8:55amOctober's IRG - #106 - is online now.
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2018Oct251540501603IRG106October2018.pdf
cover image : Viola trochlearis
Some plants from Crete and more on the violas of South America are featured. Thanks to main contributors Vlastimil Braun with Zdenek Zvolanek, and to Anita and John Watson.
Remember - if you've got something you'd like to write about for this monthly e-magazine - why not send it to me ?
I'd be delighted to hear from you! Send submissions to [email protected]
Margaret Young
The latest free e-magazine,
Fri, 11/30/2018 - 6:52amThe latest free e-magazine, International Rock Gardener 107 is online now.
Jānis Rukšāns describes a new species of Anemone this month – named for Sergey Banketov. “Windflowers” - as these flowers are known in English - are a favourite for those who have the good fortune to see them in their native habitats & also because many species are readily available in commerce & make excellent garden plants.
John & Anita Watson give us an insight to the flora & fauna of South America and we are also delighted to introduce the new SRGC President, Julia Corden.
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2018Nov291543526367IRG107-November.pdf
Margaret Young
December 2018 IRG 108
Wed, 12/26/2018 - 11:09amDecember 2018 IRG 108
This bumper issue of IRG, posted online a little early to celebrate the season, contains descriptions of three new plant species. Janis Rukšāns discusses Crocus of series Kotschyani and describes a new species, Crocus hatayensis from Turkey, Janis Rukšāns and Henrik Zetterlund define a new Eranthis species from Iran, and John Watson dedicates a new Viola species to a very special person!
We hope you find this an exciting way to conclude our ninth year of publication.
Download here: http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2018Dec241545672053IRG108_December2018.pdf
Cover photo: Viola anitae F.& W.11580. Cerro Atravesada, Picunches Dept., Argentina, by John M. Watson.
Margaret Young
There's a good mix in e
Fri, 01/25/2019 - 11:06amThere's a good mix in e-magazine International Rock Gardener - IRG109 - January 2019 - a garden and glasshouses in South West Scotland belonging to Sue Simpson and George Watt; a description of a Tulipa species from Jānis Rukšāns; a review of Holubec and Horak's book of the flowers of the Tian Shan by Martin Hajman and a look at a gem of the Cyclamen genus, originally written by Václav Jošt with Zdenek Zvolanek. Thanks to 'Folium Alpinum' of NRV and ‘Skalničky’, the Czech rock garden journal for their cooperation with IRG
.
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2019Jan241548361044IRG109January2019.pdf
Margaret Young
Lots happening in this month
Thu, 02/21/2019 - 12:42pmLots happening in this month's IRG e-magazine from SRGC: a new viola species, Viola abbreviata, is described by John and AnitaFlores Watson, we see winter-flowering plants of Gran Canaria from Iep & Gerrit Eijkelenboom and some notes on the charming hybrids of the succulent species Aloinopsis and Nananthus from John Stireman in Utah. There's also a review of Freda Cox' second edition of her Snowdrop book from grower, Anne Wright.
All issues of IRG International Rock Gardener are online on the SRGC website - this is the direct link to the latest issue IRG 110: http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2019Feb211550781214IRG110.pdf
Cover image of IRG110 is by John Stireman, of a hot pink Aloinopsis hybrid in his Utah garden .
Margaret Young
All copies of International
Fri, 07/26/2019 - 10:50amAll copies of International Rock Gardener e-magazine are available from tis page of the SRG site : http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/index.php?log=international
IRG111 March 2019
We welcomed two new authors to the IRG in March 2019 . Dr Martin Sheader, a marine biologist from Southampton, is known with his wife Anna-Liisa for their great interest in all plants, particularly those from South America, as well as for their writing, talks and show exhibits. Martin writes about an exploration of Central Patagonia and John Watson, friend and sometimes co-author with the Sheaders describes an annual Cistanthe species
Our second new author is Allan Robinson from Sutton Bridge in the Fenlands of England. His family were nurserymen in the past and he has a great interest in the geraniums and their relatives as can be seen from his copious contributions to the website of the Gerianaceae Group.
Download the issue here : http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2019Mar281553807774IRG111.pdf
IRG April 2019
Epimediums, reticulate irises & newly named snowdrop cultivars comprise the April medley in free e-magazine International Rock Gardener April 2019 : IRG 112
Colin Moat is an English nurseryman who has been involved with the RHS Roundtable consideration of Epimedium for the Award of Garden Merit; the report on that is now published. Jānis Rukšāns, well known in these pages and elsewhere, as a bulb expert turns his attention to bulbous irises of the Hermodactyloides subgenus. Patricia Becker is a keen gardener and galanthophile from New Jersey who introduces us to a sweet snowdrop which she has chosen to name for the well-known American snowdrop enthusiast, Ernie Cavallo. Krzysztof Ciesielski lives in Żary, Poland and has a passion for nature that he follows not least as a relief from his busy worklife. He loves galanthus and enjoys seeing them in nature – in spite of various problems that beset his favourite sites. One of his introductions is named for a Belgian friend, Wim Boens who has also been published in the IRG.
Download it free, here : http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2019Apr261556270768IRG_112_April_2019.pdf
IRG May 2019
Our presentation for Maydemonstrates clearly the “international” flavour to which we aspire. We begin with the description of an Argentinian natural hybrid viola from the English/Chilean duo, John Watson and Anita Flores Watson – which they have named for a mutual Dutch friend, Kees Jan van Zwienen. Next up is an article from the Latvian bulb-master, Jānis Rukšāns and Dimitri Zubov from the Ukraine on naming a new bulb from Iran. Frankie Wulleman,
for ten years the Editor of the VRV, (Flemish Rock Garden Society) is our next author - with a piece on another charming South American plant – this time one which is already present in some gardens – and Frankie believes it is worth more of us trying to grow it. That is also the refrain of our last writer this month – that Austrian horticultural hero, Fritz Kummert – who enthuses about the “Blue broom” of Spain and Portugal.Click this link to download 85 pages of free magazine!! http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2019May311559296345IRG113.pdf
IRG June2019
June in the UK was somewhat cold and damp - in contrast to reports from elsewhere in Europe of temperatures in the mid- 30s C. Whatever the weather in your part of the globe we can only hope for some degree of pleasure from your plants! Articles begin this month with Janis Rukšāns who introduces a new Fritillaria species from Uzbekistan, named for the mountain range where it was found. Next we visit Somerset in the UK, where Paul Cumbleton and Colin Everett show the construction and development of a raised bed to accommodate a crevice garden. Canadian Grahame Ware writes about a Claytonia he favours and this issue rounds up with a report from Iep and Gerrit Eijkelenboom on the plants they have seen in Kefalonia and Ithaka in March and April this year.
Click the link to download the free magazine: http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2019Jun271561661867IRG114.pdf
IRG July 2019 - latest issue!
Summer flowers are flourishing in the north while winter blooms make their appearance in the south – July is an interesting month. Many lovers of alpine plants have enjoyed trips to see plants in habitat and are even now making plans for their next adventure. For botanist/plant hunters like John and Anita Watson, such expeditions can lead to the discovery of new species – the exact status of which can sometimes take time to unravel! Panayoti Kelaidis, that indefatigable power house of the Denver Botanic Garden, revisited Tibet and China in June – following on from his 2018 trip from where he shares with us some of the plants he encountered. For those who, for whatever reason, are armchair travellers amongst us, such articles are a charm. For those wishing to travel themselves to see plants in their homelands, such reports are also helpful. To conclude this month the IRG Team remembers Ron Beeston, a dear friend, recently lost to us.
To download the July issue click this link :
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2019Jul251564083758IRG115.pdf
Cover photo: Veronica piroliformis in Yunnan – photo Panayoti Kelaidis.
Margaret Young
International Rock Gardener
Fri, 08/30/2019 - 4:59amInternational Rock Gardener 116 August 2019
Latvian bulb maven Jānis Rukšāns begins our e-magazine this month with a description of a new species of Puschkinia from Turkey. Fritz Kummert from Austria clarifies the naming of a plant which has long been mis-identified and Iep and Gerrit Eijkelenboom from the Netherlands give us some inspiration for a trip to the Gargano peninsula in Italy in April where they found many orchids and other flowers in bloom.
Download the free e-magazine here:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2019Aug291567110323IRG116.pdf
Cover photo: Viola heterophylla subsp. graeca – photo Gerrit Eijkelenboom.
Margaret Young
It is a pleasure this month
Fri, 09/27/2019 - 2:27amIt is a pleasure this month to publish the description of a viola named for one of the greatly missed personalities of plant-hunting. This article, as the viola, is from South America, described by John Watson who fondly remembers his travels with Martyn Cheese in “days gone by”. It is exciting for us to publish such articles with open access to bring such knowledge to a wide audience and, we hope, a fitting memorial to John’s lost friend.
Kind thanks to all who take the time and trouble to contact the IRG team to give us your reaction to the magazine’s contents. These, and submissions of articles, are always welcome – by email, please, to [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you.
Back to this issue – where Zdeněk Zvolánek introduces some plants from the Estonian garden of the charming gardener and traveller, Svetlana Polonskaja, and she herself comments on some of her favourite plants in her rock garden. To finish this month we have a report from Zdeněk Zvolánek about the Beauty Slope during a hot summer.
Cover photo: Viola cheeseana F.& W.12685, photo John M. Watson.
Following some technical difficulties, the correct version of IRG 117 for September 2019 is now online - this is the link :
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2019Oct041570226421IRG-117-September.pdf
Margaret Young
Please note that following
Sat, 10/05/2019 - 4:57amPlease note that following some technical difficulties, the correct version of IRG 117 for September 2019 is now online - this is the link :
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2019Oct041570226421IRG-117-September.pdf
(previous post has been edited to show correct link)
Margaret Young
IRG118 - October 2019
Thu, 10/24/2019 - 2:28pmIRG118 - October 2019
IRG this month pays tribute to the SRGC Discussion Weekend with an article on the propagation of narcissus and galanthus bulbs from one of the Speakers there, Anne Wright of Dryad Nursery in Yorkshire. Anne has tremendous success with her breeding programmes of these bulbs and is kind enough to share her tips for ‘chipping’ the bulbs to speed up their increase.
Another of the speakers at the DWE was Dr Dimitri Zubov – we are delighted to present a photo essay by Dimitri and regular IRG author, Jānis Rukšāns of some of the plants they have seen in Iran.
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2019Oct251572001288IRG_118.pdf
Cover photo: Linaria michauxii in Western Iran, photo Dimitri Zubov.
Margaret Young
IRG 119 November 2019
Thu, 11/28/2019 - 1:23pmIRG 119 November 2019
In this month's free issue of International Rock Gardener e-magazine :- Panayoti Kelaidis ' photos illustrate the report he has made with Boyce Tankersley and Peter Zale of their Plant Collecting Collaborative visit to Georgia's Caucasus region of Eurasia in 2018. Wim Boens gives a a well-recognised name to an Anemone cultivar and John and Anita Watson name an interesting Andean natural Viola hybrid for their grandson.
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2019Nov281574975266IRG_119.pdf
Cover photo: Primula ruprechtii in the Bakuriani Mountains. Photo Panayoti Kelaidis.
Margaret Young
The International Rock
Fri, 12/27/2019 - 4:30amCover photo: Leontochir ovallei, the 'garra de leon' or ‘lion’s claw’ – photo J.M. Watson
Mark McDonough
Thank you Maggi for reliably
Thu, 01/02/2020 - 5:28pmThank you Maggi for reliably posting these announcements here, and CONGRATULATIONS to Ian and yourself (and the many contributing authors) for reaching the 10 year mark with 120 issues of the highest quality horticultural/botanical articles, quite a momentous achievement. Good thing it's winter and we're getting socked with frigid cold and lots of snow and ice, gives me time to catch on reading (no... I should say, studying) each edition. I last left off on #118, the Master Class on chipping and twin-scaling by Anne Wright, a fascinating tutorial on this high-end propagation method. Let it snow and freeze hard, I have reading to do :-) Cheers.
Margaret Young
Very kind words, Mark, which
Sun, 01/05/2020 - 8:46amVery kind words, Mark, which are much appreciated! We hope to keep you and all our readers happily occupied in the future too. It's all down to the great contributors. It's a matter of sadness that our Australian members are suffering from such awful fires right now - your ice and snow would be a blessing for them... let's hope the year pans out well for us all in the end!
M
Margaret Young
Welcome to a new year of IRG
Thu, 01/30/2020 - 2:34pmWelcome to a new year of IRG - we look forward to bring a varied range of articles again this year. Issue 121 begins with a tale of how a shed roof can become a garden – and the great results that can be obtained from such a garden, even using the most readily available alpine and rock garden plants as Michael Thomson shows to spectacular effect.
From America, nurseryman and expert photographer Jeff Wagner, who has a soft spot for woody plants and trees, as well as alpines, shares his photos showing the scenery and town life of Yunnan, from a NARGS trip to China in 2018 - Panayoti Kelaidis wrote of this trip in IRG 121, with more emphasis on the flowers. It’s good to have a wide flavour in the IRG of the country they experienced.
Finally for this month we cooperate with The Rock Garden, the twice yearly print journal of SRGC to show a range of photos to accompany an article in the January issue, TRG144 of a trip by Connor Smith to have a work placement in the Schachen Alpine Garden, the mountain garden of the Munich Botanical Gardens. Connor was pleased to have grant aid to make this visit and learn from Jenny Wainwright-Klein and Thomas Heller who are working to improve the garden and spread knowledge of it.
Download IRG 121 here : http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2020Jan301580422005IRG_121.pdf
Cover photo: Chinese roadside - photo by Jeff Wagner
Margaret Young
Latest free e-magazine
Fri, 02/28/2020 - 10:37amLatest free e-magazine International Rock Gardener #IRG 122 download here: http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2020Feb281582900723IRG122.pdf
J.J. de Groot & B.J.M. Zonneveld describe two new tulip species from the Altai mountains in Kazakhstan, named for Anna Ivaschenko and Diana Everett. John and Anita Watson write more about the flora of South America and describe a new rosulate viola species. Finally, Frazer Henderson shares a suite of photographs, as an “extra” to his article on the Tien Shan which was recently published in the Rock Garden144, print journal of SRGC.
(The Rock Garden, published twice a year, is only available to full SRGC Members)
Cover photo: Barneoudia major F.& W.12595, photo J.M.Watson.
Margaret Young
Free reading matter from SRGC
Fri, 03/27/2020 - 6:55amFree reading matter from SRGC - International Rock Gardener 123 March 2020 - 61 pages of plant based interest!! Click the link to download the issue : http://srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2020Mar261585255661IRG123.pdf
IRG 123 cover photo: Galanthus plicatus subsp. plicatus - photo D. Zubov.
This issue includes....
Genus Galanthus L. in the Caucasus: Dr. Dimitri Zubov, Ukraine.
Sarah meets her namesake. Zephyranthes sarae is still alive and kicking at Tambillo: John and Anita Flores Watson
Wildflowers of the Appalachian Trail: Will Hembree - with thanks to Piedmont Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society & Bobby J. Ward
Many of us are in lockdown at the moment because of the Corona virus crisis and not all are able to spend the time gardening so this may help!
On the SRGC website there are Bulb Logs since 2003, IRG since 2010 and much more. Need moving pix? See Ian Young's garden videos https://youtube.com/channel/UCpLSJ9GmDtJMTdMo3nUWqWg The website srgc.net has all this & more to help you learn and enjoy your plants!
Hoping you are all keep safe!
M. Y.
Margaret Young
Epimediums, reticulate irises
Fri, 04/26/2019 - 12:03pmEpimediums, reticulate irises & newly named snowdrop cultivars comprise the April medley in the free e-magazine International Rock Gardener April 2019 : IRG 112
Colin Moat is an English nurseryman who has been involved with the RHS Roundtable consideration of Epimedium for the Award of Garden Merit; the report on that is now published. Jānis Rukšāns, well known in these pages and elsewhere, as a bulb expert turns his attention to bulbous irises of the Hermodactyloides subgenus. Patricia Becker is a keen gardener and galanthophile from New Jersey who introduces us to a sweet snowdrop which she has chosen to name for the well-known American snowdrop enthusiast, Ernie Cavallo. Krzysztof Ciesielski lives in Żary, Poland and has a passion for nature that he follows not least as a relief from his busy worklife. He loves galanthus and enjoys seeing them in nature – in spite of various problems that beset his favourite sites. One of his introductions is named for a Belgian friend, Wim Boens who has also been published in the IRG.
Download it free, here :
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2019Apr261556270768IRG_112_April_2019.pdf
M. Young
Margaret Young
Download the latest issue
Fri, 04/24/2020 - 5:42amDownload 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.
Margaret Young
This month in International
Thu, 05/28/2020 - 11:03amThis 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
Margaret Young
This month the IRG has
Thu, 06/25/2020 - 12:04pmMargaret Young
Thoroughly enjoyed the
Mon, 06/29/2020 - 7:36amMargaret Young
July 2020
Thu, 07/30/2020 - 1:46pmMargaret Young
This month in IRG free e
Fri, 08/28/2020 - 5:40amMargaret Young
The September 2020 issue
Thu, 09/24/2020 - 7:38amMargaret Young
We have good news on the
Thu, 10/29/2020 - 10:43amMargaret Young
This month in International
Thu, 11/26/2020 - 9:56amMargaret Young
Final issue of 2020 – Eleven
Thu, 12/24/2020 - 8:45amPages