Arisaema sikokianum

This is my favorite aroid (plant whose flower is protected by a decorative spathe), and it goes by many names, including dragonroot, dragon arum, and Japanese Jack-in-the-pulpit. If you live in North America, you've probably seen or heard of Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), which is native to northeastern sections of the continent; A.sikokianum is a much more showy relative. Despite the fact that it is native to Asia, it is hardy to zone 4 and can be grown here in zone 3 with some winter protection. This one will also remain in the coldframe with my new lady's slipper until it warms up a bit (it's around 20-25 C in the day right now but still 0-5 C in the night).

Cypripedium parviflorum var. parviflorum

This is the small yellow lady's slipper, one of the grandest of all wildflowers, a North American native orchid. This little beauty is only 6" tall and the flower is about 2.5" across. It has a pleasant, rosy fragrance. Best of all, it's easy to grow in the garden, provided you have a quality, nursery-grown plant that is not wild-collected. Later in the year I'll post complete culture guidlines on my three most highly recommended lady's slipper species and hybrids for the temperate gardener, as well as a list of quality sources in Canada, the US, and the UK. This particular plant is not my first parviflorum; I spotted it at my local source yesterday and I just can't resist the temptation. It cost me $25 CAN! For now, it will remain in my coldframe until last frost (May 7 in my area).

Spring Has Sprung

Spring has sprung in my garden. The second pic shows my bed of daylily (Hemerocallis) which is quickly getting quite thick. The first pic is of my cobweb hens & chicks (Sempervivum anarachnifolium) which looks really cool.

Phragmipedium besseae Update

My Phrag besseae has produced the second flower on its spike; the first flower lasted 5 weeks (very long for a single flower) and this one opened about 11 days later. It has a larger pouch and is slightly larger in width. The fist flower measured 2.5" in width and 2.5" in length; this one is 2.75" in width and 2.5" in length. Another flower is clearly forming to replace this one.