Adonis amurensis Chichibu Beni
We returned from traveling last week to find that the plants had been growing without us. Â I need to do just a little catch up on what we found on our return because some of the plants are truly special. Â The Adonis shown above is one of the best special varieties that you can buy for only a second mortgage on your garage. Â Some of the others might require selling your garage. Â This is the first year when it is clear that the clump is establishing itself and flourishing.
Adonis amurensis ‘Chichibu Beni’
It is truly spectacular.
Meanwhile the Adonis fujukaki is easily the most vigorous and visible of the Adonis clan. Â At least around here.
Adonis ‘Fukujukai’
Meanwhile another that I have been calling garden variety Adonis amurensis has impressed me once again with the brilliant shiny petals.
Adonis ‘Shiny Petal’
I’m not sure that it is the standard species at all. Â Note how it does not possess a normal number of stamens. Â I’ve got a couple of seedlings coming along and I think they were from this plant. Â We’ll see what happens.
Of course the one Adonis that originally caught my eye was Adonis amurensis ‘Sandanzaki’ which has this incredible lion’s mane of green feathers around the third series of petals. Â Totally unique.
Adonis amurensis ‘Sandansaki’
Lest I am accused of Adonis mania, I will also note that we have a Jeffersonia that blooms well in advance of its colleagues. Â And it is a standard Jeffersonia dubia with the violet petals, yellow stamens, and green ovary.
Jeffersonia dubia
But last year, my son gave me a special new Jeffersonia from Garden Visions that Darryl Probst brought back from Korea.  It has dark stamens and a purple ovary.
Jeffersonia dubia ‘Dark Centers’
It’s quite different and seems to be lasting quite well.
Another plant that is early for its kinfolk is the Hepatica nobilis pink. Â Note the cute little stamens on these guys as well.
Hepatica nobilis pink
A pretty plant that shows up this time of year but never quite fulfills its potential is Helleborus thibetanus
Helleborus thibetanus
I have yet to get it to fully open to the camera.
Next to the greenhouse in a trough is a pretty little clump of Draba acaulis that seem to have suffered from last summer’s dryness.
Draba acaulis
And inside the greenhouse is another plant with remarkable colored stamens.
Scilla cilicica
Scilla cilicica stamens
These should be hardy outside and I need to give them a trial.
I had also promised more Moraeas and this is one.
Moraea vegeta
I also have an image to share of the fully open Enkianthus quinqueflorus.
Einkianthus quinqueflorus
Finally in the Alpine bed there was beautiful Fritillaria that was a distinctive showpiece.
Fritillaria stenanthera ‘Karatau’
Fritillaria stenanthera ‘Karatau’
Almost Missed Them
Einkianthus quinqueflorus
With so much happening out of doors right now it would be easy to pass by some of the things happening in the greenhouse.  At the back of the greenhouse I almost missed seeing the flowers of this lovely evergreen Einkianthus.  I’m usually looking at the pots, especially when for what is just popping up from seed and I had already concluded there were no flower buds on this Einkianthus.  Imagine my surprise when I saw this shrub has many flowers on it (the first time for us).  Apparently the flowers follow the leaves.  The drooping bells are much larger and prettier than the normal Einkianthus alatus, but the plant is probably not hardy here.  We put the pot in the ground after last frost.
Einkianthus quinqueflorus
It is especially easy to miss the Moraeas since the flowers have very short duration. Â But the colors are marvelous from these little plants from the iris family.
Moraea macronyx
I don’t know if the torn petals were from normal wear and tear or some critter. Â But what was left is lovely. Â Wait till next year.
Two more stunning Moraeas follow.
Moraea tripetala ssp. tripetala
Moraea elegans
I should have more Moraeas over the next few weeks.
There are also several lachenalias in bloom.
Lachenalia unicolor
And a marvelous little ornithogalum.
Ornithogalum sp. (ex McGary PBS)
This one may be worth a try outside.
And another almost missed is this lovely hesperantha.
Hesperantha falcata showing unopened bud as well
On a hunch I went out to the greenhouse after supper and found the hesperantha was blooming although all the buds had been tightly closed at 3pm. Â Apparently this hesperantha specializes in serving the nighttime insects. Â How many of those we have in Maryland right now I’m not sure. Â I first grew this plant several years ago and then lost the parent but I had saved the seed and this is the first child of that mother plant. Â By the way all of these plants except the Einkianthus came from the Pacific Bulb Society‘s seed and bulb exchanges. Â It’s a marvelous source of botanical marvels. Â Besides opening at the night the Hesperantha falcata exudes a lovely scent to attract all of us late night flower hunters…
Hesperantha falcata
Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day February 2017
Mixed Hellebores
The first Hellebores are coming into bloom for this Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day. Â That striking green contrast is provided by Helleborus viridis.
Our weather is flirting with winter and spring as the days go by. Â The snowdrops don’t seem to mind either choice as illustrated by the the exotic Blewbury Tart.
Galanthus nivalis ‘Blewbury Tart’
In addition to it’s multiple tepals the flower is outward facing, not doing the normal droop of snowdrops. Â See these Galanthus nivalis for comparison.
Galanthus nivalis
The other interesting flowers at this point are the Adonis. Â They open only in the sunshine and by late afternoon are already closing.
Adonis ‘Fukujukai’ in shadow
There still only just a couple of open buds on the Adonis amurensis ‘Chichibu beni’.
Adonis amurensis ‘Chichibu Beni’
Eranthis are abundantly open at this point, including the soft butter yellow Eranthis hyemalis ‘Scwefelglanz’.
Eranthis hyemalis ‘Schwefelglanz’
There is one plant of Jeffersonia dubia that is way ahead of the other Jeffersonia. Â It has a ton of buds just opening.
Many Jeffersonia dubia buds
And one plant of Cyclamen coum is cautiously opening.
Cyclamen coum
In the new alpine bed, we have the first buds showing on a little draba that I put into Tufa last fall.
Draba hispanica in tufa
It seems to be quite happy growing in the rock. Â The plant was from seed planted last January (2016) as part of the NARGS seed exchange.
And the Fritillaria stenanthera Karatau that I shared recently is putting out its first blossoms.
Fritillaria stenanthera Karatau
In the greenhouse many Oxalis continue in bloom.  One that I like especially is O. obtusa.
Oxalis obtusa MV6341
Notice the striping from the rear.
Oxalis obtusa MV6341 from the back
And an absoute charmer is this bulb from the PBS exchanges. Â Actually that’s where the Oxalis came from too.
Hesperantha paucifolia
Hesperantha paucifolia
Unlike many of its kin, the flowers seem to be hanging around. It’s been in flower like this for more than a week.
More on the Verge of Springtime
Adonis amurensis ‘Chichibu Beni’
Another of the Adonis is making the first steps toward Springtime. Â It’s not as big and showy as the yellows but somehow that orange color is arresting at this time of year.
The yellow Adonis ‘Fukujukai’ continues to be the big attention getter in the yard with its near perfectly shaped flowers.
Adonis ‘Fukujukai’
But we also have the Winter Aconite stepping forward, in fact creeping forward into the lawn.
Eranthis hyemalis spreading into the lawn
Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis )
I’ve even seen the first crocus showing up in the lawn.
First crocus in the lawn
What could be a better sign of spring. Â Unless perhaps it’s the Jeffersonia about to open its first bud.
Jeffersonia dubia in bud
The korolkowii crocuses continue to flower in the Alpine bed.
Crocus korolkowii ‘Agalik’
This fine weather (except for a minor reversion to colder weather today) has allowed me to get loads of compost in from the local landfill and begin top dressing the gardens.
Compost from our landfill operation
It’s so good to work in the soil again.
Meanwhile in the greenhouse the little Thlaspi rotundifolia has been spreading a honey sweet fragrance way beyond the size of the flowers.
Thlapsi rotundifolia
And a splendid Hesperantha that came from last year’s Pacific Bulb Society distributions is just coming into bloom.
Hesperantha paucifolia
What a great start to the year!
Intimations of Springtime!
Adonis ‘Fukujukai’ opening up
When the Adonis light up the yard I always feel like a light bulb has been turned on for springtime. Â Yes, I know that there are still snowy days in our future but the Adonis can usually tolerate that and in the meantime they take full advantage of today’s 50 plus temperatures. Â When I see them, I have to ask the rhetorical question ‘why doesn’t everyone plant Adonis’? Â Of course slow-growing, expensive, and not easily available are parts of the answer. Â But sometimes the good things take patience. Â The March Bank at Winterthur is full of Adonis. Â And has been for over one hundred years.
Adonis are part of the ranunculus family and have all the sturdiness that implies as well as the brilliant yellow that runs in the family.
Adonis ‘Fukujukai’
Apparently although Fukujukai is often listed (as I have done in the past) as a cultivar of Adonis amurensis it is actually a naturally occurring sterile triploid hybrid between Adonis ramosa and Adonis multiflora. Â That would explain it’s vigor and early flowering.
There are other indicators of spring today. Â The Chinese Witch Hazel is very much in flower as well.
Chinese Witch Hazel (Hamamelis mollis)
And the Winter Aconite is not far behind.
Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)
Even the Jeffersonia is showing buds that it may wish to reclaim after the next cold snap.
Jeffersonia dubia in bud
I was surprised to see the newest of my Fritillaria from Augis’ Bulbs rising up in the Alpine Bed.
Fritillaria stenanthera Karatau
This should be interesting indeed.
Of course the Red Camellia still has no sense of the season. Â I should end this posting with that out of character plant.
Red Camellia Japonica starting early
Collecting Rocks
Pink Marble Rock showing lots of white
One thing that a rock garden needs is rocks, so I am always in the market for interesting rocks. Â When the local chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society said it was planning a trip to a local quarry to harvest rocks, I was all for it. Â Especially on Inauguration Day when I wanted some productive distraction.
It was a rainy overcast day which didn’t help the aspect of driving into the quarry which is almost canyon-like after years of harvesting rock. Â Despite the mud and wet, cold weather it’s actually a very beautiful place which you would never see unless you were part of a similar expedition.
Entering the Quarry
The slope was steep enough that having my wheelbarrow was less use than I expected, unless you are accustomed to pushing up 30 degree slopes.
Lot’s of Rocks but on a steep hill for getting them out
The most desirable rock was (of course) at the bottom of the hill.
The beautiful pink marble was near the bottom of the hill
By the time I got each individual rock up to the truck I was huffing and puffing like a steam engine. Â Nonetheless they were worth the effort.
Pink Marble Rock
I had two concerns that limited my collecting efforts.  One, the sheer physical difficulty, and then two, the fact that the truck was parked on a steep muddy hill and whether I would be able to get it out again.
Cars were parked at the bottom of a muddy road.
Truck wishing it was 4-wheel drive
Turn-around spot was a mud-hole
However, I did manage to get out with only a mild amount of wheel spinning.
Some of the rocks had beautiful crystalline structure.
Rock showing lots of calcite crystals
And one very special rock up at the office illustrated what limestone can do.
Complex limestone formation
In the end I only brought home about a dozen rocks but they are beautiful and I’m sure they will find a place in our gardens.
Rock harvest
If the club runs a similar field trip in the future I am ready to sign up for a repeat visit.
First Crocus for 2017
Crocus korolkowii ‘Agalik’
Well the first crocus for this year popped out on a 53 degree day today.  Although it gives the illusion of being a double crocus it’s really just double-nosed if such a descriptor can be applied to a crocus.  In other words it’s two separate flowers but beautiful nonetheless.  Apparently this is not unusual for the species.  RukÅ¡ans in his marvelous reference ‘Buried Treasures‘ says that as many as 20 flowers can be found coming out of a single corm.  I mentioned in an earlier post that you can get these little early blooming gems Augis’ Bulbs in Lithuania but they can also be obtained from Odyssey Bulbs in Massachusetts.  How we missed growing this crocus all these years is beyond me.
And close by, just starting to open in the new alpine bed, is the related variety Crocus korokowii ‘Marble Tiger’ with distinct markings on the outside of the petals.
Crocus korolkowii ‘Marble Tiger’
Crocus korolkowii ‘Marble Tiger’
Ironically, in the greenhouse, we have star flower which almost has a similar appearance.
Tristagma sellowianum
Another spot of yellow in the greenhouse is one of the small narcissus.
Narcissus romieuxi ‘Julia Jane’
I noticed today that the first flowers are appearing on an alpine plant that I started from seed last January.
Round-leaved Pennycress (Thlaspi rotundifolium)
This is distinctly unimpressive thus far, though in the Dolomites it had tons of flowers covering the plants, almost like a cushion.  I’ll put it outside this spring and maybe it will be more floriferous with a cold winter.
Also blooming in the greenhouse (still) is the South African Cyrtanthus that first came into bloom over a month ago. Â This is a winner.
Cyrtanthus mackenii
Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day January 2017
Algerian Clementine (Citrus clementina)
As you might imagine the lead photo from this month’s Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day is not growing outside.  In fact all these flowers came out while the little Clementine was living in the basement.  I find the citrus do quite well in the basement with minimal light and hardly any watering.  But once it started to flower like this (it is covered with flowers) I decided I better make room for it in the greenhouse where it might actually get some light.  And who knows maybe it will get pollinated as well as I don’t exclude insects from the greenhouse.  I had put the citrus in the greenhouse originally and they had lots of disease and insect problems that I now attribute to too much watering.  I’ve since slowed my greenhouse watering schedule in the wintertime and perhaps it will work out better this time.
Meanwhile, as the song says ‘The weather outside is frightful’, or at least it’s been cold enough that not much is happening.  That’s probably good for the plants in the long run but I can’t help looking at the few things that are starting to grow, as in snowdrops.
Galanthus nivalis
Just as regular as can be, the snowdrops are back again and right on schedule.
We also have a red camellia japonica that always wants to be first off the mark.
Red Camellia opening
Meanwhile the Adonis are very close to blooming.
Adonis amurensis ‘Fukujukai’ in bud
Just a couple more 50 degree days will see these guys opening up with their bright yellow flowers. Â And then they will stay in bloom until April.
Another flower that is on the verge (stay tuned) is the new crocus that’s been planted in the new alpine bed.
Crocus korolkowii ‘Marble Tiger’
These were in the collection that I ordered from Augis’ Bulbs this year.  They have a wonderful selection and you can order by personal check.
The other flowers are in the greenhouse. Â In addition to the oxalis, the hoop daffodils are still making a show.
Narcissus ‘Taffeta’
Narcissus seedling ex Roy Herold
I also wanted to share the planting of our Christmas tree.  We’ve had a family tradition of purchasing a live tree and then planting it outside after Christmas.  The first tree was a white pine that was planted 40 years ago in the middle of the backyard. It is probably 40 ft tall at this point.  The trees have been moving further from the house by necessity.  Most recently we’ve started a little grove at the bottom of the pasture.
Kubota with extensions on bucket to move the Christmas tree
Hollowing out a hole for the Christmas tree
Son Josh helps get this year’s tree (a Douglas Fir) in place
Well, that’s the state of gardening on our hillside today.  Let me close with a shot of the Heavenly Bamboo taken this morning after an overnight rain.
Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica)