Six on Saturday - Mid April 2023

What a week it has been, so much rain, and really heavy gales with thunder and lighting, I believe it was the 'Tempête française Noa' that did for us. When the houseplants needed a water, out they went, just for a few minutes though. I am joining in with Jim as usual where we may commiserate or admire or learn, and Jim is usually at hand (or away 'working' on a lecture tour,) to add advice, admire, or commiserate, if he isn't doing something really important..(garden wise)

1. Tetraneuris scaposa has been in the ground just a few days now.  This is a real close up filling the frame close up, later when it has filled out, I shall take a picture that adds scale and contect.  I saw it on the Potterton's Stall at the Yeo Valley HPS plant sale a few weeks back, and after a chat about it with Rob, it was added to the slowly increasing collection behind the counter, each time I passed one would be added, then ready for collection at the end of the day.  Yesterday it had just started to open its first flowers.  I love yellow and just look at the beauty of this yellow daisy.  I am intrigued to see if it sets viable seed. I have yet to see what form it takes, how long are its stems, and also whether it will withstand the conditions, but I love a new type of plant, and hope this is successful.

Tetraneuris scaposa

 2. Last year from the Alpine Garden Society I received some viola seed, amongst which I had two successes.  On of them was for Viola Corsica.  I had placed two or three seedling in each of two clumps which have thankfully come through the winter and are already in full flower.  When one thinks how dry and hot it was last summer, both the clumps one in full sun as here and another in semi shade have also come through a very wet and cold winter, not that they were ever waterlogged.

Viola corsica

I am particularly pleased that the seed I collected last autumn from the garden are germinating.  I shall need to monitor the seedlings and see what the flowers come out as, as I have Viola Tricolor and Viola Bowles Black growing close by, my naiety is here exposed, I have no idea regarding hybridisation of viola. Some of the Bowles Black have regrown from seed just cast where the previous plants were growing and these have come true to form, though I do understand that it may be in subsequent generations that differences may occur.

3. Primula Port and Lemon is a delightful component of the Conservatory/Millefleurs border. On dark days it shines with its yellow petals. Bought in 2021, it has expanded and benefits well from division. When the stems of the young leaves show the 'port' the flowers have very short tems, but as the weeks go by, the stem elongates slightly the blooms droop elegantly, giving a relaxed elegant look to the plant.

4. In the front garden the species Tulips are up but are keeping shut pending warmth and sunshine. I'll leave these to form seed and sow these just around the plant, rather than nurture the seed in pots over a number of years. I love its form and it doesn't flop yet holds its blooms for longer than some of the other species tulips. Please note the sunny spell....it didn't last long!

Tulipa Whittalii Major

5.  The Hardy Chrysanthemums from Halls of Heddon were very well packaged in moss with good labels. All are potted up but are in the shed by the window to help save them from some of the ravages of weather. 

On the subject of Chrysanthemums, the HPS one is not yet showing any signs of growth in fact since February is has shown less and less, it may be that Chrysanthemum Picasso has not survived.  Perhaps it is not that hardy, and I ought to have lifted and stored half a clump in the shed overwinter. I hope I can get a piece back from somebody, and I promise to take a piece into the shed during the winter. On the other hand Chrysanthemum Hillside Apricot is covered over with many healthy looking shoots.

6. I nipped out yesterday a took a picture of Phlox bifida Ralph Haywood on the posing shelf yesterday it would look a lot better against a different coloured background but it was too cold and damp to spend time moving it.  The ones in the gravel garden need a little sun and warmth to get going.