The daffs have almost finished for another season , but found a big handfull of some very late blooms .All three varieties are from Brian Duncan and are very late here in Otaki. The days are lengthening — 8 pm sunsets now and the equinoctial winds have been sweeping the country and the last of the South Island blooms will also be over as they have had strong and warm N Westers that make the blooms burst out. We start a month or two ahead of them but finish at similar times.
EYRIE is an attractive rimmed pink smallcup.
EYELET is another late pink, — more red pink tones on openning; hard to get a circular cup but very attractive.
BURNING BUSH is very late for a redcup; big flowers on strong stems after good recent rains. Nice flowers to finish the season with.
Still a few photos and show results in store to post when time permits but nothing left in the garden.Waiting for the Northern flowers; possibly tazettas from Southern California soon? The first seedpods have been collected and many others slowly browning off as the seasonal cycle continues.
We too are all but finished – a few pink seedlings and the occasional 2YR. Foliage is still very green but with long warm days it will soon die down,. Our imports from the Northern Hemisphere are also on the way down – good foliage suggests that the bulbs are almost turned around. There is still colour in our garden – roses are just starting, rhododendrons and azaleas are in full bloom. It won’t be long for Northern Hemisphere flowers start to appear on Daffnet.
All the best to everyone,
Peter and Lesley
Here we are almost into November and I was amazed yesterday to find Sundisc just opening. Growing with all my other miniatures flowers of Clare died off two weeks ago, Bebop is nearly finished and now Sundisc. Its nice to see colour in the shade house though.
I’m off to Brisbane today for Laura-Janes 21st. As she is also pregnant and we will become Great Grand parents soon it appears that we are getting old.
Dave
Hi Everyone,
You all may have noticed that Nancy and Ben have put an Avatar (new word to me) on our last posting. The flower is “Lesley” – what else could I put up!! When receiving the Barr Cup in England earlier this year I made it clear that Lesley was 50% plus of our bulb operation. As we moved around the English Shows it was clear that our daffodil friends recognised this which was just great, Re my earlier post – the daffs are not quite over – found a lovely bloom on Sheelagh Rowan which is still there at the top of 2WW’s. In the past I have made many crosses with it seeking better late flowering whites. Not one have been worth naming! A look at Daffseek reveals that only one variety has been named with Sheelagh in its background.
David – don’t worry you are only as old as you feel. I must say that lifting bulbs will demonstrate how old we are – it gets harder every year. We,too have a 21 year old daughter but I don;t think babies are in her immedate plans – hope not anyway!
Cheers,
Peter