Garden Visits - what inspires you!

In May 2010, twice I visited the gardens of Peter George in Central Massachusetts, Northeastern USA.  I start with Peter's garden as I find it such an inspiration; the various elements of the garden resonating with my own style and interests in gardening.  It is a garden unfettered by obligatory plant selections and contrivances of rock gardening convention, but one that clearly reflects the personal passion of its owner. And yet that said, it is also a garden filled with great plants and visually stunning vignettes.

The large property is classic New England, situated in a small historic town, the yard mostly flat, with an acre or two of open lawn areas, the rest of the acreage wooded and lined with informal gray stone walls so often seen in these parts. Peter's efforts is an excellent example of creating a memorable rock garden without having access to natural rock outcrops or ledge, and without spending a small fortune on labor and imported rock; it's a rock garden that seems to have sprung effortlessly on its own accord among the more conventional surroundings.

There is a calming natural appearance to the garden, achieved by adept use and placement of beautiful lichen-covered granite rocks, the boulders weathered and soft-edged, capturing the classic boulder-strewn fellfields of northern New England mountains.  Personally, I prefer this softened rock appearance, it is visually comfortable and inviting, as compared to some of the more jagged uplifted-ledge-imitations that I have seen constructed.

Now, let's get to the garden and the plants.

Peter George has three rock garden areas, the largest or most prominent being a flat area not far from the house, with lots of beautiful granite boulders and mild elevation change.  Many choice cushion plants inhabit this garden.

1    general view - impressive mat of Erigeron scopulinus in the center.
2-3  more views of the primary rock garden
4-5  lots of Iberis taurica, a beautiful Iberis that I was unfamiliar with, covered with flowers in shades of palest lavender.  Returning two weeks later for a second visit, the Iberis mounds were looking as good as ever.
6    Gentiana acaulis
7    colorful combination of yellow delosperma, pink Thymus, and red sempervivums.
8    closer view of Erigeron scopulinus mat, creeping up and over lichen-covered rocks
9    Lewsisis tweedyi
10  general view

Peter has two other rockery areas, one is a smaller mounded bed hosting lots of dryland plants and western favorites such as Eriogonum and Penstemon; the bed situated in full sun.  The third area surrounds part of his house directly, between the house and driveway, getting much more shade than the other areas.  This is an "older" garden, one in which Peter has been rebuilding and replanting to good effect.

1    succulents!  Sempervivum are among Peters favorite plants, and they are used effectively through much of the rockery areas. 
      Here, S. ciliosum, with an Opuntia and red Lewisia cotyledon.
2    Phlox speciosus in perfect flower.
3-5  Sempervivum species and cultivars
6    a silver saxifraga cushion, very natural between the lichen-encrusted boulders
7    Orostachys, Talinum, and Sedum are also represented; here a chameleon view of an Orostachys.
8-9  more sempervivums
10  a western American sedum species in a trough, Sedum divergens?

This is a garden where you can walk gingerly among the firmly seated rocks and boulders, then squat down to accustom one's view to the smaller plants at hand, and suddenly find small treasures you hadn't noticed while walking around.

1    Just going over, I've never seen such a well-flowered Arenaria tetraquetra.
2    Also past flowering, but still attractive in seed, Degenia velebita
3    tight cushion of Draba bruniifolia in seed
4    furry cushion of Draba polytricha in seed
5    extraordinary mat of Eriogonum douglasii, although Peter tells me it has never flowered :'(
6    Eriogonum species, flowering modestly
7    twiggy domed mound of Eriogonum thymoides, never seen one this large in the East
8    wide-mouth flowers of Penstemon hallii, outstanding.
9    Androsace muscoidea budded
10  Asperula gussonii

More plants and vignettes in the Peter George gardens.

1    Androsace - beautiful plant, maybe Peter can tell us the name, I missed recording it.
2    Anemone in bloom
3    Campanula chamissonis in bloom, beautifully positioned
4    close-up of Erigeron scopulinus, foliage looks like a pygmy Globularia
5    Pulsatilla campanella
6    Pulsatilla campanella seed heads
7    Androsace among rock field
8    pink Androsace
9    Artemisia caucasica
10  Calyptridium umbellatum (now Cistanthe umbellata), a favorite Portulacaceae of mine

Peter's older part of the garden is a shaded rockery between the driveway and house, a good home for many shade-tolerant plants and wildflowers.  As can happen in many gardens, promiscuous columbines (Aquilegia) hybridize willy-nilly, and can sometimes degenerate into a genetic soup of ugly forms and muddied colors.  While columbine hybridization has certainly happened in Peter's garden, it has done so in a brilliant harmonious rainbow of pastel colors and forms... I like them all very much.

1    general view of shady riock garden
2-3  the beautiful soft salmon pink and yellow Aquilegia barnebyi, one of the best western American species, growing in the sunny rockery.
4-7  various hybrid columbines
8    tall Dodecatheon - medium pink
9    Dodecatheon - palest lavender, with Corydalis lutea in background
10  Jeffersonia diphylla - in seed, the plant comfortably positioned between rocks

In this last batch, a miscellany of more special plants in the Peter George garden

1    Arisaema sikokianum, variegated form, popping out of the shady rockery
2    Gentiana acaulis and Astragalus angustifolius cushion
3    a personal favorite, western American Clematis scottii in a beautiful blue form
4    pink microphlox cushion
5    Phlox subulata 'Sneewichen'
6    Pulmonaria cultivar
7    shaded rockery scene with pink Heuchera
8    silvery Dianthus cultivars in bud
9    a parting view of Peter's mounded rockery in full sun, with dryland plants
10  Coluteocarpus vesicaria, a fine rock mustard noted for the inflated pods

In the excitement of exploring Peter's garden, I failed to get a photo of Peter himself, but I hope to remedy that situation soon.  Let me close by saying that Peter is most enthusiastic about his plants and gardens, infectiously so, generously sharing knowledge and experience of all sorts, and always eager to share his plants.  His sincere passion for rock gardening and rock garden plants speaks through his garden design choices; a most memorable garden that I'll have the pleasure of seeing through the seasons.

What an absolute joy, Mark and Peter, to be able to do a 'virtual tour' of such a magnificent garden. Your report cannot possibly do full justice to the scope and quality of the planting Mark but, by Jiminy, it gets darn close.
I had the great pleasure of meeting Peter, if only for a few fleeting moments, earlier this year and how I wish that meeting had taken place in his beautiful garden.
Many, many thanks to you both for this inspirational posting.

The only tragedy Mark is that more enthusiasts aren't accessing and revelling in this excellent resource ... your efforts and output deserve greater and wider exposure.

The alpine house at Ness Gardens on the Wirral, U.K. on 7th June 2010.

Cliff, those troughs are mighty impressive!  Any close up shots of what's growing in them?

McDonough wrote:

Cliff, those troughs are mighty impressive!  Any close up shots of what's growing in them?

I took a lot of shots during our day at Ness, Mark - but these are the only trough images ...

Booker wrote:

McDonough wrote:

Cliff, those troughs are mighty impressive!  Any close up shots of what's growing in them?

I took a lot of shots during our day at Ness, Mark - but these are the only trough images ...

Wow, Cliff.  These are sensational although obviously not a moveable feast.  The big one in the middle is a raised bed all by itself.

Another batch of images captured at the beautiful Ness Gardens on the Wirral in north-west England on 7th June this year.

Perhaps this topic should be amended to 'Image(s) of the day'?  :D :D

On a more technical note - is it advisable to put the title of each image into the body of this text (see below) to facilitate each image coming into the radar of individual search engines?  This is certainly the case with the very similar forum pages of the Scottish Rock Garden Club?

APOLOGIES HUGH : I HAVE ONLY JUST NOTICED THIS LINK
http://nargs.org/smf/index.php?topic=401.msg1980;boardseen#new

DACTYLORHIZA ELATA COLONY
DACTYLORHIZA ELATA CLOSER
CAMPANULA PETROPHILA
COLOUR COMBO
ARISAEMA CANDIDISSIMUM
IRIS / AQUILEGIA COMBINATION
MECONOPSIS COLONY
MECONOPSIS CLOSER
PARIS YUNNANENSIS
TROPAEOLUM CLOSER

A few more from Ness Gardens in Cheshire, England ... all taken in June 2010.

http://www.liv.ac.uk/nessgardens/about/history.htm

http://www.nessgardens.org.uk/

http://www.discovercheshiregardens.co.uk/GardenDCG.aspx?region=3&refnum=...

http://cheshire.ivisitorguide.com/ness-botanic-gardens/

ALLIUM COLONY
NESS GARDENS - GENERAL VIEW
NESS GARDENS - FORMAL BED
NESS EUPHORBIA
NESS ROSE
ORCHID COLONY
ORCHID CLOSER

Stunning imagery Cliff!  The Meconopsis and orchid colonies are spectacular, as are the Allium and Phlomis masses.  I like the positive/negative composition on the Ness Rose.  In the red and blue color combo, is that Corydalis elata/omeiana and Phygelius?

Cliff, if you're ok with the idea, I'd like to move your postings on the Ness Garden to the Garden Visits thread, what do you think?

McDonough wrote:

Cliff, if you're ok with the idea, I'd like to move your postings on the Ness Garden to the Garden Visits thread, what do you think?

No problem whatsoever, Mark ... I have quite a number of images still to post so it would probably make sense!

Thanks for the kind comments.

The Ness Garden topic started by Cliff Booker has been merged with this topic; Re: Garden Visits - what inspires you!
Portions of responses from Hoy (Trond) and Skulski (Lori) are reproduced here, sorry about them being out of sequence, I'll have to hone my Moderator skills at reassmbling portions of one topic into another.

Message by Hoy (Trond):
Cliff, when I look at the picture of Ness Garden and then look out of my window I get a bad conscience! Anybody willing to give a hand? I can keep the food!

Message by Skulski (Lori):
I love those first 2 troughs, particularly... The first is wonderfully craggy, and they seem so nicely aged, with all the lichen and moss on the sides.  (Ugghh, I must redo my own pitiful efforts!  :'()

Following up with the garden of Peter George in Central Massachusetts, Northeastern USA, I get a chance to see and photograph Peter's garden when we team up to drive out to the western edge of the Massachusetts to attend Berkshire Chapter NARGS meetings. In a recent visit, several species of Orostachys were making a weird and wonderful show.  What's not to like about these fascinating hardy succulents, of similar effect in spring and summer as Sempervivum, but with more airy and effuse rosettes of subtle earth tones.  But it is the otherworldly flower spires in autumn, with bumble bees seemingly glued to them, that really set these plants apart.

1-2  Orostachys aggregata - long slightly sinuous spikes of white flowers flushing to rose once fertilized.

3      O. fimbriata - bright colored rosettes in sunset shades, and long flower spike with orange-tipped spikey cauline leaves
                          along the stem. Peter tells me this species is a biennial and should seed around to perpetuate itself.

4-8  O. iwarenge - a familiar plant but a total pleasure in the garden, small rounded glaucous leaves make a forest of little
                          creamy yellow rocket-like flower spikes in autumn, these peppered with dark anthers, holding irresistible
                          fascination for bees.

9-10 O. iwarenge - for comparison, two views of the silvery olive rosettes in mid August... for some reason they remind me of
                          swarming ant colonies.

Great Pics!!!  ;D

...and great plants! 
I have never seen those in any Norwegian garden. You say they are completely hardy, Mark? Strange then nobody seems to grow them here.

Orostachys are among the hardiest of plants. There are 13 species, of which I grow 5 at the moment, and one species, O. spinosa, can survive down to -40 F. They are even able to photosynthesize under snow cover! All you need to grow them successfully is a small amount of soil/sand (they grow successfully in 1 inch of soil, some sun and intermittent moisture. They are an Asian genus, originating in Japan, China and Mongolia, so water is not a big issue. They are monocarpic, and most develop offsets so you always have plenty of rosettes that are not blooming. O. fimbriata does not make offsets but seeds around quite nicely, giving you plenty of new plants the next year. Over the years the only problem I've had with them is keeping them under control. They are so beautiful and strange, that I have a lot of trouble disposing (that means composting them) of the excess. You should have absolutely no problem growing them, especially on your shed roof.

Peter wrote:

Orostachys are among the hardiest of plants. There are 13 species, of which I grow 5 at the moment, and one species, O. spinosa, can survive down to -40 F. They are even able to photosynthesize under snow cover! All you need to grow them successfully is a small amount of soil/sand (they grow successfully in 1 inch of soil, some sun and intermittent moisture. They are an Asian genus, originating in Japan, China and Mongolia, so water is not a big issue. They are monocarpic, and most develop offsets so you always have plenty of rosettes that are not blooming. O. fimbriata does not make offsets but seeds around quite nicely, giving you plenty of new plants the next year. Over the years the only problem I've had with them is keeping them under control. They are so beautiful and strange, that I have a lot of trouble disposing (that means composting them) of the excess. You should have absolutely no problem growing them, especially on your shed roof.

Thanks Peter. What you tell make me wonder why these very fine plants are not more grown here. I have never seen them, neither in gardens nor in nurseries. An internet search gave some Danish retailers but no Norwegian.

What a tragedy to compost such plants! Put them in an envelope and mail them to me!

I was just wondering are they as temperamental to winter wet as I have heard. I rains here all winter we rarely get snow and if we do, "it is for a day or two" just intermittent frosts all winter with rain, rain, rain and more rain then no rain all summer (well except this summer  :(.Thanks

I have them growing in three different locations with 3 entirely different soil mixes. In the shady areas of my garden (which are very rocky and on a fairly gentle slope), they are growing in pure sand. In my large, relatively flat area which gets sun from 8 to 7 during the late spring and summer, the soil is a gravelly mix with very good drainage. In my tallest bed, which has large rocks and a 5 foot drop on 2 sides, they are growing in about 1-2 inches of gravel and sand on top of a 5 foot slab of granite, about 1 foot off the ground. Regardless of the weather they all have thrived. We have had virtually snow-less winters, and winters which have started in late Oct. and no melt until late March. And the Orostachys have always come through. Given their low cost, and the fact that you can keep a few in a pot indoors to make sure you don't lose them all, I'd try them in a gravel/sand mix in full sun in an elevated situation. I think you'll do fine.

I grow Delosperma nubigenum and D. basuticum in the same place as Orostachys spinosa.  While I have at times had winter wet problems with the Delosperma, the Orostachys always comes through fine.

I like the idea of overwintering Orostachys in a pot indoors for various reasons - like preventing too much winter wet, having a temporary closeup view on the kitchen table during meals before replacing them outside and, I do this when something seems to be dwindling away, like my Orostachys spinosa.  My present little stand is situated under a dwarf Elm, in gravelly sand on a south facing slope but, after 5 or 6 years, appears to be barely hanging on.  I do love them - they look like little soldiers all in a row. Another one that puzzles me is Zauschneria californica which, after several years of bloom in what I thought was the perfect spot, also seems to be dying out - not a single bloom this year. Perhaps it is time to dig up and divide some of these or - if that doesn't work, starting them again from seed - although I don't think I have come across seed for O. spinosa on any of the lists?  Fran

Garden Visits - what inspires me! I have to say that mother nature herself inspires me as much as any garden I visit.
I do not remember if I have showed this before but I came across it when looking for another picture.
Picture taken on a walk on Mt Nemrut, July 27 2009 not far from Lake Van, Turkey.

The picture could do with a bit more colour, Trond!!!  ;D

Absolutely magnificent sight (and site)!

On my 'must visit' list now ...

I did my best, Cliff, here's near by: At least the sky is blue!

I find it very inspiring to see the wonders that alpine enthusiasts are growing here!  From the garden of an extremely fine local alpine gardener, here is a fabulous specimen (though not the only one!) of Callianthemum anemonoides:

That is a sensational example, Lori ... a certain Farrer Medal at any Alpine Garden Society national show.

Lori, that's  a beautiful plant at any time but the floral display is absolutely sensational.  Must be an amazing gardener!

Skulski wrote:

I find it very inspiring to see the wonders that alpine enthusiasts are growing here!  From the garden of an extremely fine local alpine gardener, here is a fabulous specimen (though not the only one!) of Callianthemum anemonoides:

There's too many flower buds on that clump for the flowers to open, maybe some of the flowers should be snipped off ;D
Fantastic specimen.  I grew this plant back in the 1980s, it had 1 flower... woohooOOOO.

I would LOVE to know the specific cultivation techniques this secret gardener is using to flower this plant that.....stupendously! I have 2 C. anemoides, which flower sparsely each spring, and produce a few seeds which have yet to produce any progeny. Could you give us some secrets?

Spiegel wrote:

Lori, that's  a beautiful plant at any time but the floral display is absolutely sensational.  Must be an amazing gardener!

Yes, you're absolutely right!

Peter wrote:

I would LOVE to know the specific cultivation techniques this secret gardener is using to flower this plant that.....stupendously!  Could you give us some secrets?

I'll see what I can do, Peter.

I am joining the choir! I would love to grow such plants like that but it is, I presume, near impossible where I live now. On the other hand, I hadn't grown plants of that quality anyway.

My best callianthemum this year ... growing in a pan for the shows.

CALLIANTHEMUM ANEMONOIDES

Awesome as usual, Cliff.  Are you planning to show plants at Nottingham?  I'm looking forward to attending my first big AGS Show!

Hi Anne,
If fortune smiles on my garden and weather conditions allow then I would like to have a plant or two on the benches, but certainly no promises (I am too long in the tooth and too pessimistic for that)!  :D
I hope you will be AMAZED by the scope and quality of the plants on display?
... And it isn't TOO long to wait now!  Have a safe journey everyone.

ERANTHIS 'GUINEA GOLD'
DIONYSIA 'MONIKA'
PRIMULA TANTALLON
SAXIFRAGA 'LOUIS ARMSTRONG'
SAXIFRAGA IRANICA
DIONYSIA F2 HYBRID

Sensational plants!  Are these from shows or are they yours?  Wonder if any could be grown in the open garden, maybe the eranthis and the primula?

Oh that they were mine, Anne ... just random (but fine) examples from Blackpool Show 2010 ... but certainly representative of the quality to be seen at each of the Alpine Garden Society and Scottish Rock Garden Club national shows. Upwards of six or seven hundred plants at many of these events.

Three more images to inspire and titillate!

PRIMULA ALLIONII ANNA GRIFFITH
SAXIFRAGA KAREL CAPEK
CYCLAMEN COUM - THE FARRER MEDAL WINNING PLANT EXHIBITED BY MIKE AND CHRISTINE BROWN

The plants are very fine, more like gems and jewelry than plants! I don't think I ever should manage to grow anything like that.

Hoy wrote:

The plants are very fine, more like gems and jewelry than plants! I don't think I ever should manage to grow anything like that.

I agree Trond.  And for most North Americans, such miraculous domes of impeccably well-flowered alpines are as far away as the UK plant shows themselves, because few gardeners here have greenhouses, let alone alpine houses, and there are no plant shows to aspire to.  Sure, local NARGS chapters might have a "plant show" at their meetings, but they're really just informal "show and tell" sessions.  For most North American rock gardeners, it's all about growing great plants in the ground and in troughs too, but outside and fully exposed to the elements; it is fair to say few will ever grow a pristine-domed impossibly dense-flowered Dionysia in their life time, it's just not in our vocabulary here, such visions remain floral eye-candy.

What inspires me is seeing plants in gardens that expand and surprise one's expectation.  I meant to follow up on this thread with several other garden visits, but the gardening season itself outpaced my intentions, so some of these will be posted in the gardening off-months.  One local garden astounded me, as it does anyone who visits, is the garden and nursery of Jan Sacks and Marty Schafer, well known Iris hybridizers; let me share a peak into the visit. I have always thought of Primula sieboldii as shade plants, and they seem reliable enough in such woodland situations, but Jan and Marty grow them in full sun, where they formed amazing broad swathes of flowering perfection.  Not only that, they're hybridizing this group of primula, and what I was seeing were their own seedling offspring, many unnamed, but some have been introduced brandishing fun names like "Smooch" and "Rock Candy".  Some varieties were growing in masses a meter wide in each direction, a sight to remember, an inspiration that is achievable.

Wonderful photos, Mark.  I'm wondering how Primula sieboldii would do in my developing water garden.  I could put it above the boggy areas but nothing in this garden gets totally dried out (except for a few spots this summer), and there's quite a bit of sun.  Primula japonica is trying to naturalize itself in the grass.  I love to get new ideas of things to try there.

Spiegel wrote:

Wonderful photos, Mark.  I'm wondering how Primula sieboldii would do in my developing water garden.  I could put it above the boggy areas but nothing in this garden gets totally dried out (except for a few spots this summer), and there's quite a bit of sun.  Primula japonica is trying to naturalize itself in the grass.  I love to get new ideas of things to try there.

From the photos you showed of your new water garden feature, I think Primula sieboldii would do just fine planted slightly upslope from the wetter boggy area, and should do well in sun.  In Jan & Marty's garden, they use a fairly generous layer of bark mulch, so I suggest doing the same.

Those swaths of P. sieboldii are magnificent!  What takes their place when they go into summer dormancy?

P. sieboldi is on my list! I once grew it but it disappeared; don't know why, too dry maybe. Shouldn't think that happens here but it does, sometimes.
Lori, seems you'll get very cold weather the next week!

Yes, we have been having rather cold weather!  Supposedly, it should get above zero by Thursday... we'll see.
http://www.nucleus.com/~silverview/weather/trends.htm

This is not an inspiring picture, but it is our backyard in the twilight at ~3:40 pm yesterday....

Well, the solace is that the snowcover protects the plants against the cold!
And I think Friday will be a better day, with sun!

Skulski wrote:

Yes, we have been having rather cold weather!  Supposedly, it should get above zero by Thursday... we'll see.
http://www.nucleus.com/~silverview/weather/trends.htm

This is not an inspiring picture, but it is our backyard in the twilight at ~3:40 pm yesterday....

Actually, Lori, I find this a very inspiring photo.  I wish my garden looked like this all winter long.  So much damage is done by the combination of winter winds, sun, and no snow cover -  not to mention last winter's unexpected thaws with rain.  Yuk!!

Anne, the last two winters have been unusually snowy, but we don't normally have lasting snow cover.  Who knows what this year will bring?

I found this very inspiring thread on searching for somewhere to post a few pictures of friends gardens in Kent. We have quite wide ranging interests in our group, with one member (Mike Darvill) growing very few alpines but very many trees and shrubs! However, as someone who likes these too here are a few examples:

Pterostyrax hispida - very lovely in flower despite the wind having blown half of the flowers off the plant!
Rhododendron cinnabarinum - the flowers are over but what foliage! This plant was a gift from the very fine plantsman, Tom Wood, who ran Oakover Nursery in Kent and for a long time was the Secretary of the International Plant Propagator's Society. Mike and Tom both have a passion for woody plants, and notably Magnolias!
Cornus kousa 'Satomi' - A small plant but showing promise with its pink bracts.
Impatiens omeiana - A surprising plant that looks nowhere near hardy but here running around happily underground and with great foliage (Mike's garden is high up on the North Downs and was nowhere near as cold as ours this winter - but he does get very strong winds!).

Some more pictures, this time from Gill and Peter Regan's garden, not too far from the first one but in this case a mature (40 years old) woodland garden, gardened in a very natural way. Gill has a great interest in lilies and these are a few examples:

L. martagon cattaniae - a stunning deep mahogany-red form with very glossy petals
L. martagon hybrid - curious almost bicoloured form
L. monadelphum - I think one of the most beautiful lilies in the world. A Turkish species which I have tried to grow several times but never achieving its full potential. Gill and Peter's garden is on quite heavy clay soil with flints and holds moisture well into the summer.
General view of martagons self-seeding.

The garden has many other fascinating plants:

Nice combination of Indigofera potaninii and Clematis 'Etoile Rose'
A rather extraordinary shrub which I have only seen a couple of times - Coriaria terminalis var. xanthocarpa

Apologies for the lack of photos - they didn't get through properly.

I feel at home in those gardens, Tim! Some familiar plants there. However no lilies has started blooming here yet.

I have a large patch of Impatiens omeiana. It is a very hardy but late flowering plant I often the flowers are damaged by frost in November.

Picture taken some years ago.

I used to be more of a tree and shrub man myself, but one can only grow so many of these "space hogs" in a half acre lot (and at my parents' home).  I tried Pterostyrax hispida, but it didn't survive my cold winter, even as a "herbaceous" die back plant, like Paulonia does.  While I still have many unusual woody materials (at least for my climate), I've branched out into alpines, unusual perennials, and species lilies and iris.  They take up a lot less room.  Impatiens omeiana has been on my seed wish list for a while now.

Those are some nice photos, Tim.  One of the first lilies I grew from seed was Lilium monadelphum var. szovitsianum (L. szovitsianum).  But it was certainly not the first lily to bloom that I grew from seed.  It took seven years!  (Apparently, not uncommon for the species.)  The fifth and sixth years I thought it would surely bloom, being 3 feet tall, but no.  Mine grows in rich clay based soil, and it seems quite adaptable and long lived.  I have a few other accessions of the monadelphum species coming from seed now too.  Of the hypogeal germinating group of lily species, I have found them to be the easiest to germinate.

         Lilium szovitsianum

         Lilium monadelphum collected in Georgia.
The tiny bulb that the seed produces the season before top growth begins:

People tell me that the real Lilium martagon var. cattaniae is very very dark, and I'm not sure if the one in your pic is true, Tim.  
http://www.the-genus-lilium.com/martagon.htm  
There are many imposters in the trade.  I have the variety from three different sources of seed.  Only one has flowered so far: it is a beauty, but not dark enough to be the real cattaniae.  

Rick - Gill wasn't sure if it was true cattaniae but it is much darker than other martagons in the garden and it is difficult to know what other name to give it. I don't know them well enough to have an idea of the natural variation. On the SRGC site is a picture of a form with pale undersides to the petals, but really dark outers. In the garden it really does stand out and I must cadge a bit of seed.

Tim - I too am rejoicing in Pterostyrax hispida which is blooming for the first time in my garden.  There was one growing at the University here - misnamed - but, owing to neglect and the constant construction going on - it dwindled and last time I looked had died out altogether.  However, the seeds were copious so a friend and I collected and started plants.  Haven't seen them anywhere else - my little tree is about 4 feet now - I was so happy to see your photo of it on this Forum. Fran

Frances Howey
London, Ontario, Canada
Zone 5b

RickR wrote:

I used to be more of a tree and shrub man myself, but one can only grow so many of these "space hogs" in a half acre lot (and at my parents' home).  I tried Pterostyrax hispida, but it didn't survive my cold winter, even as a "herbaceous" die back plant, like Paulonia does.  While I still have many unusual woody materials (at least for my climate), I've branched out into alpines, unusual perennials, and species lilies and iris.  They take up a lot less room.  Impatiens omeiana has been on my seed wish list for a while now.

I still am a tree and shrub man but have been sustained with firewood in 25 years! Some of the trees I planted have achieved great proportions.

Rick, my Impatiens omeiana never has time to mature seeds before heavy frosts but I can send you rhizomes if that is possible?

Thanks for the offer, Trond, but I do believe there is good reason for quarantines and customs with plant materials, and I feel better that I follow them.  Seeds are more safe.  There are myriads of things on my wish list, as well as my have list that keep me very busy.  If I grew them all, I would have to quit my job to care for them!  So outside the U.S.A., I don't give or receive anything except seed.

RickR wrote:

Thanks for the offer, Trond, but I do believe there is good reason for quarantines and customs with plant materials, and I feel better that I follow them.  Seeds are more safe.  There are myriads of things on my wish list, as well as my have list that keep me very busy.  If I grew them all, I would have to quit my job to care for them!  So outside the U.S.A., I don't give or receive anything except seed.

That's very reasonable!

What inspires me?  This beautifully designed and executed crevice-style rock garden, for one!  Here are a few photos from a truly spectacular and world-renown garden, that of Stephanie and Dave Ferguson here in Calgary... These photos will mostly be just for visual enjoyment... not too many plant names (when I have visited, I have simply been too busy poring over every inch to to spend much time scribbling down plant names!  ... and there are thousands of species so where to start?  :o)
This is a mix of photos from mid May and late June.   I have been meaning to add these to this thread for some time, and perhaps Todd will add his much better photos (complete with carefully-noted plant names!) when he gets a chance...

Rosulate violas(!!):
 

     
Douglasia nivalis:
 

Among the many cacti, South American Maihuenia spp.:
 

More of the most extraordinary things!
Ajuga pyramidalis; Pyrethrum leontopodium; Daphne velenovskyi:
   

Spring saxifrages, S. oppositifolia:
     

Among the many paintbrush spp., propagated and planted with Townsendia "hosts", Castilleja integra(?):

Lilium lophophorum:

What lovely photographs Lori.  Another reason I must visit Calgary and see this fabulous garden.  The yellow lily is quite different from most lilies I have seen - both the leaves and the flower - was it in "full flower" or was it sort of opening up or perhaps starting to close down?  Fran

I was marveling at the Ferguson's rock work in your pics in the other recent thread, Lori.  Except for pics of one garden in the Czech Republic, I've never seen better crevice work.

That superbly grown Pyrethrum leontopodium would look all moldy to the normal gardener...  I'm glad I am not normal!

The American Maihuenia sp. is wonderful.  I haven't been able to get the seed to germinate, although I have pretty good luck with other cacti seed.

That is a to-die-for lily!
Fran, the "best" forms of Lilium lophophorum  do not open completely, and the petals do not detach at the tips (as shown).  I might add that that one is a fully mature and excellently grown specimen; they never produce more than one flower, and are often mishapen in regards to grace and symmetry.   I didn't realize the species also had undulating foliage, too.  I have a couple young ones languishing in my garden, and I assumed the "deformed" leaves were just due to the relatively poor environment I have for them, but maybe not (?!)  They always go dormant very early, and I'll be moving them this summer.

RickR wrote:

That superbly grown Pyrethrum leontopodium would look all moldy to the normal gardener...  I'm glad I am not normal!

I think in the "normal" garden, it would indeed be moldy!  ;)  For the brief period until it expired, anyway...  
I love to see furry plants like this!

A few more:
Aethionema oppositifolia; Pulsatilla vernalis; various cacti:
     

A couple of fabulous peas:
 

Eriogonum ovalifolium, locally-native form:

And...
Salvia dorrii; Physoplexis comosa (well, formerly Phyteuma, anyway!); a spectacular and imposing primula labelled as Primula maximowiczii (x2 - very puzzling, as what I grew under this name was quite different!); a very intriguing Saussurea sp.:
         

The variety of fascinating plants, and the beautiful design, workmanship and scale of the whole venture (the front yard crevice bed alone is, my guess, ~90' x 30'??) are mindboggling!   :)

Wow !!!!!! Lori

It's the sort of garden i often dream about at night....... :)

If i only had the space, the slope,an open sunny exposure and maybe winter snow cover ,(or at least less year round moisture), it's the type of project i would attempt myself.

My congratulations to the owners and thanks for posting.

Cheers Dave.

What a fantastic garden Lori! Alan Furness's garden in Northumberland is the only one I know where the plants look so natural, and unfortunately I only have slides. Not so many people in the UK devote themselves so much to growing alpines in the garden in this way, but I think a few more might do after seeing those photos. The eriogonum is delicious!!

It's true that there are very few gardens focused on growing alpines in a natural environment.  These are fabulous photos Lori and the garden is a real inspiration.  Stephanie Ferguson gave a talk on developing her garden at the WWSW on Vancouver Island last February and it was an outstanding presentation.  I particularly like your photo of Douglasia nivalis. It looks just like plants I have seen in the Wenatchee Mountains.

Lori,
I am enjoying these magnificent cameos immensely from the comfort of our chalet room high above the Campolongo Pass here in the majestic Dolomites. An enormous electric storm is passing through the mountains and life giving rain is filling the streams and gullys.
We have spent the day walking across screes and boulder fields where alpine plants survive and thrive in much the same way that they do in this inspirational garden that you so kindly illustrate.  Many thanks to you and the heartiest of congratulations to Stephanie on her marvelous creation.

Oh my! What a cracking garden. If only I had the skill; the rocks; the artistic ability; the plants; oh!, and the time. Thanks for posting Lori.

Lori wrote:

Among the many cacti, South American Maihuenia spp.:

This is the first I have heard of Maihuenia surviving in Alberta--interesting! Though Calgary is still quite a different climate than here.. Maihuenia poeppiggii actually are not supposed to need dry winters as many cacti do, but we are still that bit colder than you, especially in the city...

Do you have any idea how many years she has been growing this and the Echinocereus? For some in that genus, its not the winter lows that I worry about, as much as lack of summer heat.. I guess she has created a hot micro climate for these? I plan a 'hot' bed for some of those...

Rick-- M poeppiggi needs winter (outdoors or at least a few months) stratification, unlike most cacti, even most cold hardy spp; alternative treatments include GA3, high heat and pricking seed coat, etc.. similar applies to Pediocactus and Sclero

Lucky you, Cliff.  There's nothing better than a really good thunderstorm in the mountains.  We only had a little one while we were there - some thunder and lightning but nothing really sensational.  Happy plant hunting!

Anne and Cliff, I think there's a big difference in how "enjoyable" alpine lightning and thunderstorms can be depending on whether one is safely ensconced in a cushy chalet or the alternative!!  ;D ;D

Agreed, Lori, but the chalet doesn't have to be cushy, just safely enclosed.  One year there was a really strong thunderstorm in Corvara and the hotel temporarily lost electricity, as did the rest of the village.  It just made the lightning that more dramatic.  We spent a lot of time in Colorado dodging thunderstorms and I recall starting early in the morning so that we could be below treeline by 3p.m. or so.  The storms seemed to occur quite regularly about the same time in the afternoon.  The worst was looking up to the ridge and seeing nothing but blue sky half an hour later!

Actually what I meant was that the presence of a chalet was cushy...    ;)  :)  :D

It's so nice to see some of the plants in this fantastic garden after reading about its construction in the latest NARGS journal. I can't wait for the next installation on the Ferguson's adventure in alpine garden building!

cohan wrote:

Do you have any idea how many years she has been growing this and the Echinocereus? For some in that genus, its not the winter lows that I worry about, as much as lack of summer heat.. I guess she has created a hot micro climate for these? I plan a 'hot' bed for some of those...

The best insight you could get on this garden and its plants is from what Amy mentioned... refer to Stephanie's superb article on the construction... to be followed by one (or more?) on the plants! 

Tks, Lori, I don't have any NARGS journals... are the articles online? presumably not.... lol but I can dig around the site later..