Our 'common' snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis, in a less typical pose. Green stripes and minature bananas? For further diversion, here are links to a couple of short videos from the BBC, with our David Attenborough... http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Galanthus_nivalis#p006b97p http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Galanthus_nivalis#p003k0pp
Bulbs
Galanthus elwesii – the first snowdrop of 2014
A diversion this afternoon, after all my chores, to Battleston Hill - the enchanting woodland at the RHS Gardens, Wisley. Between rain showers and with a careful watch on the sodden earth, I found my first snowdrops. Galanthus elwesii is one of the first to flower, tall, with large flowers and distinctive blue-grey-green foliage, the…
Continue reading ➞ Galanthus elwesii – the first snowdrop of 2014
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Narcissus romieuxii subsp. albidus – if you please….
Narcissus romieuxii subsp. albidus A treat from the Alpine House at RHS Wisley, a tiny white narcissus - I thought I should continue with the pure white theme for a little while more, following on from the previous item on the Christmas Rose, Helleborus niger. Not one to be strewn across a grassy expanse, King…
Continue reading ➞ Narcissus romieuxii subsp. albidus – if you please….
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Pure white Nerines
The pure white of the Guernsey lily, Nerine bowdenii 'Alba' The Cape flower or Guernsey lily is a beautiful perennial bulb, producing upright stems of white, lily-like flowers, occasionally flushed pale pink, with wavy-edged, recurved petals, appearing in the autumn. The rich green, strap-like leaves appear after the flowers. Cultivate in any good, moist but…
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Cyclamen, three ways…
Cyclamen africanum One of my favourite place in Kew, the dramatic clam-shell of the Davies Alpine House - though if I am honest, I prefer the more traditional layout at RHS Wisley, with a matched pair of raised benches and specimen pots sunk into sand. The plants are all at just the right viewing height…
Continue reading ➞ Cyclamen, three ways…
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Giant Himalayan Lily – Cardocrinum giganteum
Cardocrinum giganteum, giant totems in the Woodland Garden at Kew, today. Quite amazing these, even the seedheads atop giant vaulting poles, are dramatic. I missed their flowering earlier in the year but these will decorate the Woodland Garden for weeks to come. I bought a single bulb from the RHS Spring Fair at Wisley and…
Continue reading ➞ Giant Himalayan Lily – Cardocrinum giganteum
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You say amaryllis, I say hippeastrum
Hippeastrum Royal Red Sarah Raven, never one to shy away from strong colours, expounds on the beautiful amaryllis/hippeastrum... The Telegraph 16th November 2007 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/3345515/Amaryllis-the-power-flower.html Dazzlingly over-the-top, amaryllis are the perfect cut flower for Christmas. Sarah Raven shows how to grow and arrange them Amaryllis have replaced poinsettias as Britain's favourite Christmas plant and that's a…
Continue reading ➞ You say amaryllis, I say hippeastrum
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Diary Notes
My Diary.. Busy, busy this week - gardening on Monday and Tuesday despite the poor weather - much clearing of leaves and aerating a very compacted lawn and then a trip to London for the excellent RHS Shades of Autumn show. These pictures are from the show - there have already been slideshows but they…
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Pottering
I can just about get to the front door, after three hours of potting and pottering, pretty much everything has a new winter home... A maintenance day today - bright blue skies, chill, the wicked wind has died down and I've lots of plants to pot up into more suitable containers before the weather really…
The Teddington Gardener 