Six on Saturday – Antipodes

Posted byofftheedgegardeningPosted inSix on Saturday, Welsh WalesTags:, , , , , , , ,

As our lovely antipodean SoSers are feeling the garden sap rise, so we in the northern hemisphere are beginning to sense the onslaught of autumn. Which has made me think, what does that make us, what is the opposite of antipodean? Hang on a minute, I’ll consult my extensive library, primary, secondary sources, microfiche and digital storage. Apparently antipodes simply means somewhere diametrically opposite, which of course means that here in the UK we are antipodean to those in our antipodes. I may have fallen down a big hole here. I think we better get back to SoSing, Jim will explain all.

The dahlias have been a little late on parade this year. Is it because they stayed in the ground over winter or we haven’t had the heat this year to remind them of their Mexican ancestral home? Who can say? Someone, I’m sure. No matter, they are welcome to both gardener and pollinator whenever they choose to arrive.

This year I grew Datura metel ‘Belle Blanche’ from HPS seed. They grew well and flowered beyond their young years. Even more disturbing than their rapid growth are the spiny fruit, reminiscent of a morning star. Not the socialist newspaper but a formidable armour-piercing medieval weapon. Although I would imagine a sharp slap with a newspaper might sting, it would be as well not to get the two confused in armed combat.

This Potentilla atrosanguinea has managed to poke its head above the melee and is looking particularly good amongst the dark leaves of Dahlia ‘Bishop of York’.

As is this community’s wont, I was sent a package of various seed from Fred, an SoS stalwart and fine gentleman. I was particularly pleased to receive, most probably due to shameful hinting, Geranium maderence. I duly sowed the seed and waited, quite patiently. After a few weeks I became downhearted and ignored the pot, save for the occasional water accompanied by a wishful/scornful/disappointed look. It seemed to work. One seedling has appeared. I am very happy. I shall continue the glaring in the hope more will appear.

The aubergine have pulled their weight this year. This is Rosa Bianca, reminding us why they are also known as egg plants. Ostrich egg, in this case.

About as common as I am, the vigorous Rubeckia fulgida runs a thin line between glorious beauty and irritating invader. Today it is the former. The story of my garden and my life.

Next time it will be September. Crazy talk.

34 thoughts on “Six on Saturday – Antipodes”

  2. Nice to see your pretty dahlia making an appearance. I’ll have to look for survivors among mine. The slugs n snails have so enjoyed our wet summer. Well done with the seed Fred sent you I hope your one successful seedling continues to grow well. Perhaps more will follow. I love the cheerfulness that Rubeckia fulgida brings to the border. It bridges the summer-autumn gap beautifully.

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  3. Datura fruits are gorgeous ! On the other hand, you must not be fooled, because when they burst, they spread everywhere! Bravo for geranium maderiensis seedlings. Here, I did not have much luck with my first seedlings ; the mother plant is still alive. So I will see to restart other seedlings next spring. Good luck with yours.

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  4. Datura metel is an odd one. I had to look up ‘Belle Blanche’, . . . and it is not so odd. It is quite pretty, and very white. It is simpler than Datura wrightii. The eggplant is impressive. I would not expect to see it perform so well there; but of course, I should know better than to not expect something in your gardens.

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      1. Well, yes; which is why it got my attention. Otherwise, I am not so keen on Datura metel. I grew four cultivars of Brugmansia here, and the most impressive is yellow ‘Charles Grimaldi’. I am not so keen on the color, but I can not argue with its performance. One cultivar is similar, but a bit less vigorous, with pink bloom. Brugmansia X candida blooms with double white flowers. I got another cultivar with single white flowers, but it is wimpy. I got it for my own garden only, but share it with anyone who actually wants it.

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  6. Funny coincidence! I was thinking only this morning that I ought to look up ol’ Ben Higgledy to see where his boat is and think about next year’s seeds. Were they in Fred’s package? I thought Ben had given up on international sales.

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  9. As always, a fun read. I need to get away from the computer and go water in those nematodes before the rain arrives. Whisper: “Are we actually allowed to import seed from abroad?” Good luck with the geranium, I managed to kill the one I had without it ever even flowering! Best place I have seen them is on St Michael’s Mount. And the rudbeckia adds such a pop of colour to this time of year, if only I could grow those too.

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    1. Sorry, that was so quiet I didn’t hear what you said …. For my sins I haven’t visited St Michael’s Mount since I was a kid. Must go back next time we are in Cornwall. We grew them at Cliffe, it was a struggle but managed to get a few to flowering size. We shall see!

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  10. Well done with the Geranium seed, last time I saw G. Maderence was in the Scilly Isles, they were everywhere, but can;t say I noticed them in Maderia! Lovely clump of Rudbeckia, wish mine was as huge!

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  15. Amazing Rudbeckia, a sure sign of autumn! 💛 That is very kind of Fred to send you seeds! He is a friendly chap! They must be good, they came up!

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