Reptiles of the Garden

Arisaema sikokianum (top) is commonly known as dragon arum, dragonroot, Japanese Jack-in-the-pulpit, and snow rice-cake plant. It is likely the showiest of all the Arisaema species, shown here in its variegated form. The last two photos are of a wonderful Arisaema species that I just acquired today: A. kiushianum, or cobra lily. It is oone of the species with the long tongues - simply astounding.

A Study on Cypripedium Hybrids

Of late, Cyp hybrids have been all the rage with hardy orchid afficinados. According to the lucky Cyp growers who have had much experience with many of these hybrids, they are more robust, more vigorous, easier to grow and have larger flowers than the species. Over the next couple seasons I will do a direct comparison between Cyp. Emil (parviflorum x calceolus, top) and Cyp pubescens (bottom). Both had just one blooming size shoot last year and are growing next to each other. The Emil this year has four shoots, two blooming sized, while the pubescens has just one blooming size shoot, same as last year. I will update my readers on this weekly.

Dodecatheon 'Aphrodite' x meadia

Dodecatheon 'Aphrodite' is a recently-introduced cultivar of shooting star (I believe it is a hybrid between meadia and pulchellum or something like that) which has much larger flowers and is more vigorous than any of the species. This plant here is something I had previously never seen before: a hybrid between 'Aphrodite' and meadia. I just bought it last week. Hybrid Dodecatheons are rarely offered! This one so far lacks the large size of the 'Aphrodite' parent, but perhaps that will change as it ages. It is a pretty robust plant, has attractive leaves, and the flowers somehow seem more dainty and colorful than meadia. I'm happy!

New Plants for the Season

I have been lucky enough over the past few days to acquire a number of plants that I've been eyeing for the past few years. I will be showing them off over the next few days.

Corydalis lutea (top) is the seldom-offered yellow corydalis species (the most common corydalis species are blue-flowered, and the popular C. solida is pink to red-flowered). It is quite different from more familiar corydalis varieties, with smoother-cut foliage resembling columbine leaves.

Sanguinaria canadensis f. multiplex (second) is the rare double form of the beautiful native woodland plant, bloodroot (S. canadensis), so named for the red-colored liquid contained within the roots. I find it rather resembles water lilies, and the foliage makes the plant attractive even when not in bloom. They bloom early in the spring.

Pulsatilla 'Papageno' (third) is actually not a new plant; it is in its second year now in my garden. A delightful Pasqueflower variety, it is the first plant to bloom in my garden this year.

The last photo depicts my favorite iris: Iris germanica 'Chivalry', which I have been eyeing at local greenhouses for a few years and I finally bought it last week. It has the most gorgeous shade of blue, and it produces up to 8 flowers per stem. The flowers are also very large and have a wonderful fragrance.