To finalize the query about the new Viola I was talking last week, pictures of seeds were taken (more detailed than usual): size, surface, colour, aril size and aspect are all useful characters for identification. Unfortunately, not having a term of comparison the identity is still uncertain. So, until I grow a few plants it […]
The Seeds Shop activity is back to normal; special thanks to those who placed orders and waited patiently! About the Viola Last day in the Carpathian Mts. this summer was dedicated to revisiting a special place, no seeds collecting in mind, just pure enjoyment of the scenery. Going up a narrow rock ravine to join […]
Follow-up to Friday’s seeds – let’s go up the mountains and then travel to the Dobrogea region (close to the Black Sea, Romania) to see a few Caryophyllaceae. I’ll start with Arenaria; yes, usually not overly ornamental plants but easy to please and cheerful when in flower. Arenaria ciliata shown below; another Arenaria found at […]
A few images recently added to the Caryophyllaceae page on the Seeds Library – all species collected this summer in the Carpathian Mts. and Dobrogea region, Romania. In general, species from Caryophyllaceae family are easy to grow from seeds and some (for example, think Dianthus, Silene) may even flower in the first year. Pictures with […]
I’ve started to put together a list with species easy to grow from seeds as a way to provide info and encouragement to those who are at the beginning of their seeds adventures. The list will see additions as we go. Let’s begin with Edraianthus graminifolius; yeah, I am not starting with A, just because […]
Having too many seeds makes it hard to choose which one to show/write about. I am going the easy way with the last species uploaded to the shop – the Kalm’s St. John’s wort, a (sub)shrub native of the Great Lakes region in Canada and US. Cultivated to some extent, this Hypericum has narrow bluish-green […]
Besides the seeds, a sunny image with Echinops crispus (curly Echinops) on this bitterly cold day; the red flowers of Anthyllis might warm us up. I secretly watched this globe thistle evolve from a small seedling into a beautiful clump this year; too bad I was away just when at its most glorious time. The […]
Honestly, I had no intention to write another post so soon, but plants need to be shown at their best moments. And, Amsonia hubrichtii, the Arkansas bluestar is absolutely radiant right now. Depending how much sun receives it may also take a russet hue (notice the capsules). I won’t wonder again about why is not […]
I’m late with preparing the seedex donations; just sent a small one to the SCRG and since the local mail doesn’t take long, I’ll pack a few more for ORG & HP Society this weekend. It’s not easy to decide what to give; I always start to think what would be more attractive from what […]
Another belated Friday’s seeds would have been unacceptable, so a plant portrait instead (seeds included ;) about the cranberry – Vaccinium macrocarpon, American cranberry. The Cranberry is a North American symbol. Recently I’ve seen it growing in the wild and asked myself how many people actually know how the plant looks like? It is very […]
Never enough gentians…. In my opinion the bumble bees did a great job with Gentiana andrewsii. There are enough seeds for Canada 150 Celebration sale, and also for the seeds exchanges! :)
This fall I collected for the first time fruits of Viburnum acerifolium (maple-leaf Viburnum) and Viburnum rafinesquianum (downy arrow-wood Viburnum). Surely, I was curious to see how the ‘seeds’ (endocarp + seed) are looking but how about their germination? There are contradictory statements on the web; some say they first need a cold stratification, others say […]
Trillium grandiflorum seeds are just beginning to germinate! As well is Paris quadrifolia; I noticed the first signs last Saturday (with my x40 lens). I snapped a few pictures when I was packing some today; they are advanced enough to be noticeable even if the pictures are not great. No matter what someone else […]
I recently collected more partridge berries, together with Lindera benzoin and Prosartes lanuginosa (already shown, click on names). Mitchella repens presents an interesting fruit, therefore worth a closer look. The red, fleshy, ‘two-eyed’ fruit it is formed after the fusion of the flowers ovaries – the white, fragrant flowers are disposed in pairs. So, each […]
Instead of writing about seeds, I was in collecting them ;) therefore a combined post about Chamaedaphne calyculata, the Leatherleaf or ground laurel. The sole member of the genus Chamaedaphne (Ericaceae), leatherleaf is a low growing evergreen small shrub (up to 1.5 m tall). It is native to cool regions of the Northern Hemisphere, from […]
Few years ago I bought a postal card that I meant to frame but never got around to do it. In a lovely aboriginal design by Terry Starr (Tsimshian artist), hummingbirds are shown sipping nectar from red flowers. The drawing named – In Kindness has the following note: “Hummingbirds symbolize the act of offering peace […]
