Cardiocrinum giganteum

Today we visited a nursery as apart from rhododendrons, azaleas, etc. the owner had grown some of the above-names lilies and were they ever amazing and huge!

But we'll start at the beginning by entering the nursery -




- and walking along through the woods -




- where we saw the first of many of these huge Hostas -




- then all of a sudden we saw the first one in the distance proudly looking around and above the rhododendrons



- so we went closer to see better -



- and better -



- and better still -

 

Great plant kedi, something I've always thought about trying, but never got around to starting.
I believe you have to grow them on for 4, 5 or 6 years before they flower

 

And then the owner came out to us.

The last pic has a bar as the camera batteries ran out and I had to start again.

The owner was very nice and he took us all around looking at these wonderful lilies and answering our questions. Some of the following pics are not so good as I am still not so good with the camera.








Here is one in another part of the nursery and you can see how large the heart-shaped leaves are -






The guy took us all around as he had them growing everywhere!

 

Oh, Sis, how wonderful. I really enjoyed the walk with you ... maybe one day ...

 

Here is one of the bottom of the stem, it was about 7-8 cm in diameter -




Here is a dried stalk with the seed pods -




Here is a cross between a rhododendron and an azalea that has a lovely smell -




The following is a lovely plant that the man said his wife planted and he had no idea of the name. Perhaps someone on GC can ID it, I'll post it there as well.





Not very good pics and I forgot to get the leaves. However, they were very unusual in that they grew out of the stem like the spokes of a wheel.

[ 29. June 2007, 06:41 PM: Message edited by: Kedi-Gato ]

 

I forgot to say that these lilies are VERY TALL!

Here are a couple of links so you can "read all about it!"

http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/mount_tomah_botanic_garden/the_garden/blooming_calendar/Cardiocrinum_giganteum

http://www.dunngardens.org/summer/cardiocrinum_giganteum.html

 

Thank you Pete. From what I've read and what the owner told us, 6-7 years is more likely.

 

I'm glad you enjoyed the walk Sis.

Thanks Bob. I fancy one of those Hosta myself.

I've just now realized that some pics are missing, must still be on the camera! It's too late now, I'll look tomorrow.

 

Pete, Sis didn't say she bought one 5 years old for 10 Euros!

Did you appropriate any of those seedpods, Sis? :rolleyes: :eek: but it's a long time to wait, like BoPs. I gave Mick my BoPs I did from seed three years ago, so he can wait! :D

I quite like that cross of the rhodo/azalea ... interesting but not for me here.

Lovely pics. Thanks.

 

Great pictures Kedi I have never seen Cardiocrinum before very impressive.

 

Thanks again Sis and Walnut too.

No, the seedpods were not ripe - but I was tempted! I lost the pic of Hubby carrying our new addition, was trying to find it, also one in the greenhouse, the one side FULL of 5- & 6-year old ones. Too late last night, no time at the mo, but shall get around to it sometime later today.

 

Was the pink lily this one?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/486.shtml
The leaves are a whorl at the bottom.
I have an unnmaed lily very like that huge one but little. What a lovely place!

 

Thanks Liz. The pink lily is exactly the one in your link. I've put it in my favourites as I think it would make a nice addition when we get around to redoing the one bed, where our baby giant lily is to go.

 

Beautiful walk Kedi-Gato, thanks for sharing.
I think I will have to look into getting a couple of Lilium martagon myself.

 

Thank you Blackthorn.

The few missing photos will be coming up soon, for some odd reason they were still on the PC.