My local mobile post office man threw this one at me today.

He has a wooded area, mainly of cob nuts, with a carpet of bluebells
underneath. He would like to plant some contrasting flowers (red and
yellow/white) to flower with the bluebells. In spring, the canopy is
quite thin, but gets thicker during the summer, but still has light
coming through. At least 6" of the soil is just leaf mould.

What would anyone suggest?


--
Roger T

700 ft up in Mid-Wales

"Roger Tonkin" wrote in message
...
My local mobile post office man threw this one at me today.

He has a wooded area, mainly of cob nuts, with a carpet of bluebells
underneath. He would like to plant some contrasting flowers (red and
yellow/white) to flower with the bluebells. In spring, the canopy is
quite thin, but gets thicker during the summer, but still has light
coming through. At least 6" of the soil is just leaf mould.

What would anyone suggest?


--
Roger T

700 ft up in Mid-Wales


Sounds wonderful. Why pollute it?

Mike


--

....................................

Don't take life too seriously, you'll never get out alive.

....................................

I think that's a tricky one, as bluebells tend to out-compete everything in sight - that's why we have such wonderful bluebell woods. Flowering before or after the bluebells would be a lot easier to achieve.

Natural woodland plants flowering in spring include ramsons (white) - also a strong competitor, and wood anemone (also white). Just a bit later you'd get red campion (pink) and greater stitchwort (white), which make a good combination.

On Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:18:45 +0100, Roger Tonkin
wrote:

My local mobile post office man threw this one at me today.

He has a wooded area, mainly of cob nuts, with a carpet of bluebells
underneath. He would like to plant some contrasting flowers (red and
yellow/white) to flower with the bluebells. In spring, the canopy is
quite thin, but gets thicker during the summer, but still has light
coming through. At least 6" of the soil is just leaf mould.

What would anyone suggest?

Natives would be best, but it's a free country. Primroses, though they
may flower too early for his purpose. Or try cowslips, which are a bit
later: they probably won't find it too shady in a hazel plantation.
Celandine spreads like mad when it's happy, but disappears for most of
the year; wild garlic (ramsons) if it's on the damp side. If he
doesn't mind spending money, there are white forms of the English and
Welsh bluebell (best not to add Spanish bluebells, in spite of what
some members of the group say: Brit ones are definitely more
graceful). Too cold for Allium triquetrum: I tried them in West Wales,
and they died of cold even there.

--
Mike.

In message ,
Roger Tonkin writes
My local mobile post office man threw this one at me today.

He has a wooded area, mainly of cob nuts, with a carpet of bluebells
underneath. He would like to plant some contrasting flowers (red and
yellow/white) to flower with the bluebells. In spring, the canopy is
quite thin, but gets thicker during the summer, but still has light
coming through. At least 6" of the soil is just leaf mould.

What would anyone suggest?

Among the common flowers of woodland floors are Allium ursinum (ramsons)
and Anemone nemorosa (wood anemone). The former is white, the latter is
usually white; sometimes pink or blue. I forget the precise flowering
times, but IIRC the Anemone flowers well in advance of bluebells.

There is a yellow anemone (Anemone ranunculoides); the hybrid between
this and Anemone nemorosa is cream-flowered.

There are white and pink bluebells - even white and pink forms of the
native bluebell.

Another pink-flowered plant is Claytonia siberica (pink purslane).

Red is hard. Most spring flowering plants are in the white to yellow or
blue spectrum.
--
Stewart Robert Hinsley

Round here it's not far in advance

I was trying to remember that name! That takes quite deep shade. It flowers later than bluebells.
[/quote]

On 11/07/2011 23:38, Stewart Robert Hinsley wrote:
In ,
Roger writes
My local mobile post office man threw this one at me today.

He has a wooded area, mainly of cob nuts, with a carpet of bluebells
underneath. He would like to plant some contrasting flowers (red and
yellow/white) to flower with the bluebells. In spring, the canopy is
quite thin, but gets thicker during the summer, but still has light
coming through. At least 6" of the soil is just leaf mould.

What would anyone suggest?

Among the common flowers of woodland floors are Allium ursinum (ramsons)
and Anemone nemorosa (wood anemone). The former is white, the latter is
usually white; sometimes pink or blue. I forget the precise flowering
times, but IIRC the Anemone flowers well in advance of bluebells.

White could be provided with Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley).

There is a yellow anemone (Anemone ranunculoides); the hybrid between
this and Anemone nemorosa is cream-flowered.

There are white and pink bluebells - even white and pink forms of the
native bluebell.

Another pink-flowered plant is Claytonia siberica (pink purslane).

Red is hard. Most spring flowering plants are in the white to yellow or
blue spectrum.

Not sure that red isn't impossible! I suppose you could cheat a bit
with the orange-red fruits of Arum maculatum (Cuckoo Pint; Lords and
Ladies).

Even non-natives wouldn't help much - and then they wouldn't look right.
Some of the maroon-flowered Trilliums, maybe. Red-flowered hybrid
polyanthus would be too garish. Most other small red-flowered plants I
can think of all require more sun than would be available in a woodland
setting after the leaves appear on the trees (although bluebells only
grow well in a wood because they are out-competed by other plants
outside the wood which they out-compete within the wood. Maybe that
might apply to other plants we generally assume - maybe incorrectly - to
be sun-lovers only if we tried planting them in the shade).

In any case I doubt that the timing would be right for the April/May
flowering of bluebells, even if a suitable shade-tolerant red-flowered
plant could be found.

--

Jeff

On Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:18:45 +0100, Roger Tonkin
wrote:

My local mobile post office man threw this one at me today.

He has a wooded area, mainly of cob nuts, with a carpet of bluebells
underneath. He would like to plant some contrasting flowers (red and
yellow/white) to flower with the bluebells. In spring, the canopy is
quite thin, but gets thicker during the summer, but still has light
coming through. At least 6" of the soil is just leaf mould.

What would anyone suggest?

My idea of heaven would be wall-to-wall bluebells. . . only.

Pam in Bristol

"Pam Moore" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:18:45 +0100, Roger Tonkin
wrote:

My local mobile post office man threw this one at me today.

He has a wooded area, mainly of cob nuts, with a carpet of bluebells
underneath. He would like to plant some contrasting flowers (red and
yellow/white) to flower with the bluebells. In spring, the canopy is
quite thin, but gets thicker during the summer, but still has light
coming through. At least 6" of the soil is just leaf mould.

What would anyone suggest?

My idea of heaven would be wall-to-wall bluebells. . . only.

Pam in Bristol

EXACTLY, why interfere with nature?

Some people JUST HAVE to have regimental order to their requirements :-((
even to ordering other people about.

Mike



--

....................................

Don't take life too seriously, you'll never get out alive.

....................................

On 11/07/2011 16:18, Roger Tonkin wrote:
My local mobile post office man threw this one at me today.

He has a wooded area, mainly of cob nuts, with a carpet of bluebells
underneath. He would like to plant some contrasting flowers (red and
yellow/white) to flower with the bluebells. In spring, the canopy is
quite thin, but gets thicker during the summer, but still has light
coming through. At least 6" of the soil is just leaf mould.

What would anyone suggest?




In a similar situation, I have Leucojum aestivum and Fritillaria
meleagris. I was concerned, at first, that the Fritillaria would not be
happy, but it seems to get enough light and, when it doesn't, I manicure
the canopy. In the same area, I also grow Meconopsis cambrica, which
carries on flowering (yellow,occasionally orange) when the others
finish. It seems entirely approriate for a Welsh garden. Another
favourite with me is Aquilegia vulgaris and cvs. During the bluebell
season, blue, pink, ruby and white flowers bloom. There are a few good
yellow Aquilegias, but they tend to be later flowering.

Although it is blue, I grow Camassia leichtlinii(sp?) with my bluebells
and the plants named above. It may sound *too* blue (is there such a
thing?!), but the extra height of the Camassias and their different
stance and starry flower texture look stunning and very elegant. If you
don't fancy blue-and-blue, consider the white Camassia.

Your friend may also like to consider Tulipa sylvestris which
naturalises well. I've grown it for the first time this year (in a
different part of my garden) and it was charming. It may not appreciate
the denser shade, but may be worth trying at the woodland's edge.

The only way I've managed to introduce a really scarlet red into my
woodland garden, is to plant Chaenomeles 'Red and Gold'. It is charming
enough to pass as a woodlander. For later red flowers, consider Rosa
moyesii 'Geranium' ... or, for more subtle and native flowers, Rosa
canina. For red stems, try Cornus sibirica 'Westonbirt'.


--
Spider
from high ground in SE London
gardening on clay

In message , Spider
writes
On 11/07/2011 16:18, Roger Tonkin wrote:
My local mobile post office man threw this one at me today.

He has a wooded area, mainly of cob nuts, with a carpet of bluebells
underneath. He would like to plant some contrasting flowers (red and
yellow/white) to flower with the bluebells. In spring, the canopy is
quite thin, but gets thicker during the summer, but still has light
coming through. At least 6" of the soil is just leaf mould.

What would anyone suggest?




In a similar situation, I have Leucojum aestivum and Fritillaria
meleagris. I was concerned, at first, that the Fritillaria would not be
happy, but it seems to get enough light and, when it doesn't, I
manicure the canopy. In the same area, I also grow Meconopsis cambrica,
which carries on flowering (yellow,occasionally orange) when the others
finish. It seems entirely approriate for a Welsh garden. Another
favourite with me is Aquilegia vulgaris and cvs. During the bluebell
season, blue, pink, ruby and white flowers bloom. There are a few good
yellow Aquilegias, but they tend to be later flowering.

There are red forms of Meconopsis cambrica.

Although it is blue, I grow Camassia leichtlinii(sp?) with my bluebells
and the plants named above. It may sound *too* blue (is there such a
thing?!), but the extra height of the Camassias and their different
stance and starry flower texture look stunning and very elegant. If you
don't fancy blue-and-blue, consider the white Camassia.

Your friend may also like to consider Tulipa sylvestris which
naturalises well. I've grown it for the first time this year (in a
different part of my garden) and it was charming. It may not
appreciate the denser shade, but may be worth trying at the woodland's
edge.

The only way I've managed to introduce a really scarlet red into my
woodland garden, is to plant Chaenomeles 'Red and Gold'. It is
charming enough to pass as a woodlander. For later red flowers,
consider Rosa moyesii 'Geranium' ... or, for more subtle and native
flowers, Rosa canina.

Rosa rubiginosa (sweet briar) is redder than the wild type of Rosa
canina.

For red stems, try Cornus sibirica 'Westonbirt'.



--
Stewart Robert Hinsley

On 12/07/2011 18:01, Stewart Robert Hinsley wrote:
In message , Spider
writes
On 11/07/2011 16:18, Roger Tonkin wrote:
My local mobile post office man threw this one at me today.

He has a wooded area, mainly of cob nuts, with a carpet of bluebells
underneath. He would like to plant some contrasting flowers (red and
yellow/white) to flower with the bluebells. In spring, the canopy is
quite thin, but gets thicker during the summer, but still has light
coming through. At least 6" of the soil is just leaf mould.

What would anyone suggest?




In a similar situation, I have Leucojum aestivum and Fritillaria
meleagris. I was concerned, at first, that the Fritillaria would not
be happy, but it seems to get enough light and, when it doesn't, I
manicure the canopy. In the same area, I also grow Meconopsis
cambrica, which carries on flowering (yellow,occasionally orange) when
the others finish. It seems entirely approriate for a Welsh garden.
Another favourite with me is Aquilegia vulgaris and cvs. During the
bluebell season, blue, pink, ruby and white flowers bloom. There are a
few good yellow Aquilegias, but they tend to be later flowering.

There are red forms of Meconopsis cambrica.

Although it is blue, I grow Camassia leichtlinii(sp?) with my
bluebells and the plants named above. It may sound *too* blue (is
there such a thing?!), but the extra height of the Camassias and their
different stance and starry flower texture look stunning and very
elegant. If you don't fancy blue-and-blue, consider the white Camassia.

Your friend may also like to consider Tulipa sylvestris which
naturalises well. I've grown it for the first time this year (in a
different part of my garden) and it was charming. It may not
appreciate the denser shade, but may be worth trying at the woodland's
edge.

The only way I've managed to introduce a really scarlet red into my
woodland garden, is to plant Chaenomeles 'Red and Gold'. It is
charming enough to pass as a woodlander. For later red flowers,
consider Rosa moyesii 'Geranium' ... or, for more subtle and native
flowers, Rosa canina.

Rosa rubiginosa (sweet briar) is redder than the wild type of Rosa canina.

For red stems, try Cornus sibirica 'Westonbirt'.




I'm most intrigued by a red Meconopsis cambrica. It certainly doesn't
grow in my garden. I think it *ought* to :~). I will look out for a
supplier.

Yes, I was a bit ambiguous about my rosa, wasn't I? When I said "more
subtle", I meant "not red at all"!! Even R. rugubinosa is just a deeper
pink (in flower). It's berries are certainly red.


--
Spider
from high ground in SE London
gardening on clay

In message , Spider
writes
On 12/07/2011 18:01, Stewart Robert Hinsley wrote:
In message , Spider
writes
On 11/07/2011 16:18, Roger Tonkin wrote:
My local mobile post office man threw this one at me today.

He has a wooded area, mainly of cob nuts, with a carpet of bluebells
underneath. He would like to plant some contrasting flowers (red and
yellow/white) to flower with the bluebells. In spring, the canopy is
quite thin, but gets thicker during the summer, but still has light
coming through. At least 6" of the soil is just leaf mould.

What would anyone suggest?




In a similar situation, I have Leucojum aestivum and Fritillaria
meleagris. I was concerned, at first, that the Fritillaria would not
be happy, but it seems to get enough light and, when it doesn't, I
manicure the canopy. In the same area, I also grow Meconopsis
cambrica, which carries on flowering (yellow,occasionally orange) when
the others finish. It seems entirely approriate for a Welsh garden.
Another favourite with me is Aquilegia vulgaris and cvs. During the
bluebell season, blue, pink, ruby and white flowers bloom. There are a
few good yellow Aquilegias, but they tend to be later flowering.

There are red forms of Meconopsis cambrica.

Although it is blue, I grow Camassia leichtlinii(sp?) with my
bluebells and the plants named above. It may sound *too* blue (is
there such a thing?!), but the extra height of the Camassias and their
different stance and starry flower texture look stunning and very
elegant. If you don't fancy blue-and-blue, consider the white Camassia.

Your friend may also like to consider Tulipa sylvestris which
naturalises well. I've grown it for the first time this year (in a
different part of my garden) and it was charming. It may not
appreciate the denser shade, but may be worth trying at the woodland's
edge.

The only way I've managed to introduce a really scarlet red into my
woodland garden, is to plant Chaenomeles 'Red and Gold'. It is
charming enough to pass as a woodlander. For later red flowers,
consider Rosa moyesii 'Geranium' ... or, for more subtle and native
flowers, Rosa canina.

Rosa rubiginosa (sweet briar) is redder than the wild type of Rosa canina.

For red stems, try Cornus sibirica 'Westonbirt'.




I'm most intrigued by a red Meconopsis cambrica. It certainly doesn't
grow in my garden. I think it *ought* to :~). I will look out for a
supplier.

The single is sold as 'Frances Perry' and the double as 'Muriel Brown'
(both are in Plant Finder). A red has also been distributed as coccinea,
and I think it's not the same as 'Frances Perry'.

They're rather to the orange side of red - I'd label them as vermillion.

Yes, I was a bit ambiguous about my rosa, wasn't I? When I said "more
subtle", I meant "not red at all"!! Even R. rugubinosa is just a
deeper pink (in flower). It's berries are certainly red.



--
Stewart Robert Hinsley

On 12/07/2011 21:31, Stewart Robert Hinsley wrote:
In message , Spider
writes
On 12/07/2011 18:01, Stewart Robert Hinsley wrote:
In message , Spider
writes
On 11/07/2011 16:18, Roger Tonkin wrote:
My local mobile post office man threw this one at me today.

He has a wooded area, mainly of cob nuts, with a carpet of bluebells
underneath. He would like to plant some contrasting flowers (red and
yellow/white) to flower with the bluebells. In spring, the canopy is
quite thin, but gets thicker during the summer, but still has light
coming through. At least 6" of the soil is just leaf mould.

What would anyone suggest?

[Snip snip]


In a similar situation, I have Leucojum aestivum and Fritillaria
meleagris. I was concerned, at first, that the Fritillaria would not
be happy, but it seems to get enough light and, when it doesn't, I
manicure the canopy. In the same area, I also grow Meconopsis
cambrica, which carries on flowering (yellow,occasionally orange) when
the others finish. It seems entirely approriate for a Welsh garden.
Another favourite with me is Aquilegia vulgaris and cvs. During the
bluebell season, blue, pink, ruby and white flowers bloom. There are a
few good yellow Aquilegias, but they tend to be later flowering.

There are red forms of Meconopsis cambrica.

Rosa rubiginosa (sweet briar) is redder than the wild type of Rosa
canina.





I'm most intrigued by a red Meconopsis cambrica. It certainly doesn't
grow in my garden. I think it *ought* to :~). I will look out for a
supplier.

The single is sold as 'Frances Perry' and the double as 'Muriel Brown'
(both are in Plant Finder). A red has also been distributed as coccinea,
and I think it's not the same as 'Frances Perry'.

They're rather to the orange side of red - I'd label them as vermillion.

Yes, I was a bit ambiguous about my rosa, wasn't I? When I said "more
subtle", I meant "not red at all"!! Even R. rugubinosa is just a
deeper pink (in flower). It's berries are certainly red.




Have googled on the M.c. 'Frances Perry' and it's gorgeous. Thanks for
suggesting that, Stewart. I will definitely hunt it down.

--
Spider
from high ground in SE London
gardening on clay