I realize I am likely dragging many of you back in time with these photos... but that's what happens when we northern gardeners participate in these forums! ;D
So, into the time machine...
1, 2) Here's Iris taurica, in full bloom.
3, 4) And Iris attica, which came into bloom today, and seems to be getting it over with all in one go!
This is not a plant that is often grown, and I'm seeking whatever information about its' cultivation and potential survival here in New England. If you've had any success in growing it in the open garden outside of New Zealand, please share that information. Thank you in advance.
My lawn consists of many plants and grass is the rarest!
In May Veronica filiformis takes command and bloom all over the place. (Ignore tha dandelion!).
Perhaps a little closer to natural habitat conditions, Iris suaveolens grows smaller for me than you, Mark. I don't get nearly the amount of rainfall here compared to Massachusetts, especially these last few years. In flower, the yellow form is 4-5 inches tall. The arcing of the leaves is more pronounced, too. They are evergreen even in Minnesota, and surprisingly unscathed by our winter sun in snow-wanting seasons.
I have been asked a question that is beyond my knowledge to answer, so I thought I'd put it out to those with more experience.
What alpines would be suitable for a tufa bed that only gets morning sun?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Members, please join in and show your floral displays or interesting foliage for the month of May!
As it is mostly cloudy today... and as I glance out the window, drizzle and sleet just now! :( ... this may be as open as I'll get to see the flowers on Vitaliana primuliflora var. cinerea today.
Although many people, myself included, seem to think Bergenia is coarse plants some of them are rather nice. Therefore I have several clumps of them and they tolerate all kind of weather. The best is that slugs detest the plants.
As usual have I forgotten the cultivar's name but I think it is a B. cordifolia-type. Other types have not started to bloom yet.
Euphorbia is a huge genus with everything from small rock garden plants to big trees.
E. cyparissias can be used as groundcover in dry areas flowering in April-May.
These bright spring ephemerals have been in bloom for a while now, and these two, at least, are grown easily in our dry, cold conditions.
1, 2) Adonis amurensis 'Fukujukai'
3, 4) Adonis vernalis
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 !