April at it's best

Lovely pics Brian. Thanks for finding time to share them. I was at Glendoick briefly on Monday and they had a beautiful lilac paeony...single flower...smallish flowers Paeonia suffruticosa...I remembered! It was absolutely stunning...about 2 feet tall in a pot. I was sorely tempted...but at £45 I thought better of it. I was actually looking for a plain old P. delavayi for my golden border but they seem to be in short supply this year, haven't seen one anywhere. Will look on line.

The cambedessii you sent me is just peeping up above the ground.

Bjs your photos are wonderful. Does Magnolia soulangeana /soulangiana not sure of the spelling ring any bells?

All lovely. Never heard of a sand plunge - what other plants do you use it for?

Absolutely beautiful Bjs. Pictures and plants. Love your peony. It is quite early to bloom. I also like the President Roosevelt rhododendron. Wanting to buy it for a long time. Mostly for its leaves. Thanks for sharing.

Sheila
Yes M.Soulaugeana x it is but which one, the goblet shape flowers are altogether different to the type one which is the big tree growing in the garden

Steragram
the sand plunges in the glass houses and frames are used to reduce the fluctuation in temperatures of plant roots and in my case because I use a high percentage of clay pots and the sand is almost always kept moist it helps prevent the plants drying out together with helping increase humidity around the plants. and as you have seen along the edges of the beds where they won't be disturbed I sow seed that I know may take upwards of a year to germinate, it is also possible to root cuttings in it as well.
Gosh that's another bit out of storage for the youngsters before it's to late lol

Klahanie
The peony's are potted very small species 50/60 mm diameter kept under cover for winter.

Beautiful shots Brian and I think I will have a go at a sand plunge - I was interested to see the picture of the Bellarina primrose - I have a similar plant which I bought for a song as an unnamed plant from the old Portmeirion nurseries - I have just been out and took a picture which I am about to post on my photos - Jane

I thought this was the big tree magnolia Bjs. Could it be a parent of M x soulangeana. Maybe Mulan magnolia.

The Iris did well to have 2 flowers from the piece I sent.Mine are on their way.Did your Viola jooi grow on.I lost mine along with 3 spares I had.

magnolia Lennei? Or Rustica Rubra perhaps?

Awwwwww! Lovely Brian. I have a seedling Peony from the ones you sent to me that has lost it's label. It looks like Cambessedesii. It was part of that group of seeds. I will send a photo I think. It took two years to germinate.

Thank you for the sand plunge info Brian. A great idea.

Lovely photos of lovely plants. If there weren't so many plants flowering you wouldn't have anything to photograph!!!!

Beautiful all of them so lovely. :O)

Judging by its creamy flowers, I think it's indeed Magnolia x soulangeana. This hybrid is characterized by its flowers that bloom earlier than other magnolia trees. I've tried many times to grow this variety, but every time, despite all my efforts, the tree faded away. You're so lucky to have this marvel in your garden! The rhododendron is gorgeous – I love so much its colour.

Jessica
flowers same time as the type Soulangeana in my garden,it is the likes of Susan and Betty that are just starting to flower the others are falling now

Have you tried googling Mulan Magnolia images.

http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=13161.new;topicseen#new
Hi Bjs, I posted a photo of N. Prom Dance on the SRGC forum. The above link should work if you highlight it then right click for a drop down menu and choose "Go to-----" . I agree with you that it is a smashing Flower. An SRGC member has queried its ID saying it resembles N. Splatter registered in 1999 by an Australian breeder. I checked that one out and it does look like it. I bought my bulbs in a Taylors prepack from Dobbies. It says on the front of the pack Prom Dance - Chelsea Favourite. It was entered in the Harrowgate Spring flower show as PD. Can I ask where you sourced your bulbs? It is being widely sold on the 'net as N.PD including by a prominent SRGC member. It is an interesting problem and if I find out more I will update you.

Sheila pretty certain it came from a local garden centre, definitely did not send for it

Thank you Bjs. Whatever the name I have to agree with your conclusion that it is the find of the year. I've not heard any more yet.