Erythronium Field at Tonkin's Bulbs.

Erythronium Field at Tonkin's Bulbs.

Recently a small group were invited to enjoy Erythronium revolutum at Tonkins Bulbs for a celebration of over 40 years of self sowing Erythronium revolutum. What a sight to behold it was.

When the Erythronium were first planted by the late Brian Tonkin every care was taken to save every bulb, now there is an acre of them, with a lovely selection of dark pink through to pale pink with a few pale forms.

Shirley and Jane Tonkin were our hosts with Mary and brother quietly in the back ground giving support. Deer now come in and eat the seed, but I guess they do not eat all of it as there were some small seedlings around. To see the full beauty click on the picture many thanks Jon for sharing your two pictures.

Trillium cuneatum was just coming up through the grass enjoying the high shade at Tonkins Bulbs.

Tonkin bulbs Nursery is open now and they have some very choice bulbs.

Now some more photos from Darien and Col in Canberra the Narcissus is a Lawrence Trevanion seedling, and what a beauty. Below is Trillium rugelii? but I am loath to identify without seeing the flower up close and the label has been lost. This is its first year to flower and Col asks is this normal for the flowers to open up under the leaves. This is normal Col you need to plant them up higher so you can see into the flowers. Its difficult on a flat block I know from experience. Well done though growing and flowering Trillium's in your hot climate.

A few plants out in flower in my garden at the moment.

Narcissus atlanticus only 10cm high, a small white one for a semi shaded position, you can't dry this Narcissus out in our heat, you don't keep it wet just moist other wise you will loose it. From Glenbrook bulbs.

Androsace sarmentosa Sheriffii from Ken and Leslie Gillanders Nursery many years ago.

Androsace villosa with Arenaria tetaquetra and Helianthemum oelandicum subspecies piloselloides n'Hug Spain. When my Androsace come out in the garden, my mind always goes straight to Spain and on our very first day we drove to n'Hug stepped out of the car and it was under our feet the very difficult Androsace villosa.

Anemone apennina one for semi shade.

Anemone heldreichii from the late Marcus Harvey 2005 easily lost in the garden so I grow it in a large pot, loves the sun.

Babiana cedarbergensis with little orange tips on the ends of the petals, a gift from a friend.

Babiana pygmaea a bulb that was left behind in my old garden, but now up again from New Zealand seed exchange still vey small, but I will build it up again.

Lastly a lovely prostrate Aethionema glaucinum that Aaron raised from North American Rock Garden Society seed exchange. I will need to do cuttings as we need several of these as I think Aaron said he had lost his and I only have the one plant growing in a trough. An excellent crevice garden plant.

Our next meeting is at 2.00pm on Saturday 27th October with a cutting swop day, so bring along your plant cuttings to share and any thing you want to propagate and we will have fun growing them on, for the Bunfight and for your gardens. I will also show you how to pot on your seedlings and explain when not to pot on.