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Posted by hereisabee (U2342191) on Friday, 29th July 2011
These flowers were tall enough to be seen over a garden fence today and it is good to see the foliage free from pest damage?
I think I might know this hereisabee!
I think it's a type of Aesculus, but not the common horse chestnut of course, I think it's one native to America Aesculus parviflora ?
Are they less susceptible to the insects and canker?
Congratulations correct, a good Victorian plant for a large garden where it can be grown in an island bed in a lawn, or in this case a perimeter plant at the back of a border.
What is more because the early summer there is a chance these flowers will set seed if weather holds in September. Should I creep round in the dead of night a pick one, or knock on the door and plead my case
Knock on the door and ask of course!
I'm sure they will only be too happy to give you some conkers when they ripen.
You're right of course, but we should not count our conkers before they are ready. W J Bean records seed ripening at Kew in 1911, so this year would be a perfect centenary. You can always propagate the plant by division, but seeds always have the excitement of a possible variant.
Seed has set
This year is going to be good for collecting seed, look at these on a Liquidambar
, in reply to message 6.
Posted by margaretstar (U14415248) on Wednesday, 17th August 2011
Exciting!
A lot of things seem to be ripening quite early this year too. In the local park oaks
are already dropping acorns, a beech is nearly ready too and the elderberries are ripe and the sloes as well in the hedgerows near my allotment.
That's maybe not too good for wildlife though - what will they have to eat in the autumn?
Yet an abundance of food will mean a season of plenty.
, in reply to message 8.
Posted by Bubble Works (U14532674) on Wednesday, 24th August 2011
The last couple of days the air has had a definite smell of autumn already. I have noticed some trees are starting to turn and with mist and fog about it feels like September rather than August. I am starting to think these plants are on to something and we are going to get a long winter.....Not what we need with the current Gas Price Hikes!!!
Some weather forecasts are predicting another extreme winter, however we all know that these predictions are never that reliable. The truth is by going from March to May (April was like summer), this summer has been psychologically long. I am hoping the weather stays warm for September as I still have sweet corn maturing, also the vineyards will have had a good year if frost stays away?
, in reply to message 10.
Posted by Bubble Works (U14532674) on Friday, 9th September 2011
as long as the weather reports say that we will get a long cold winter, I am ok....it's when they say that we will get a mild winter, when I am starting to worry
Well apparently it's snow for all of us in a couple of weeks. Considering I have seen an awful lot of dead wasps for this time of year, I am inclined to believe them for a change. Shudder!!
, in reply to message 11.
Posted by groundelder (U11750698) on Friday, 9th September 2011
Yes, definitely feels like Autumn here in the Midlands -
I've cut down the sweet peas as they've already gone over
Hostas gone
Gunnera now bright red and ready to drop its leaves
Birch and amelanchier changing colour
Very few bees
Cranesbill dying back
However, some things are starting to grow again -
Rambler roses putting on new growth and flowering (usually only one show)
Acer
Carnations and pinks
Campanula
Broom (in flower again)
Lavender (after I chopped them all back, they're flowering again)
Honeysuckle in full flower again
Lots of poppies - they've usually gone by now
Very weird
Snow can be a benign cold, blanketing the ground rather than the icy fingers of frost. Also think of all the suns rays being reflected back into space, keeping the world cool?
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