I suspect that as the year progresses, my wandering around aimlessly shopping for a plant, in bloom and one that I have previously not grown or attempted to grow will be somewhat less limited. Coupled with the fact that I am not in the market for either bedding, shrubs or trees - pickings at this time of the year are still quite slim.
The shelves were full of the usual suspects but either I have them already or they have decided that they neither liked nor wished to thrive in my garden. I think the long winter is also reflective on what was on offer. The growers have more than likely had a late start to the year.
One of my favourite places to shop for plants is New Hopetoun Garden Centre, you can always be assured of good quality plants and great advice should you need it. So just what newbie made it into my shopping basket this month?
I came home with 3 pots of a plant that has long been on my wish list and one that I always forget to buy until it's too late! Erythronium Pagoda, I hope will make a lovely new addition to my garden.
Although not quiet in bloom, they are in bud and there seems to be lots of them. Hopefully I'll get a lovely, albeit fleeting, show of those pale sulphur yellow blooms. 3 pots might be a tad generous for a trial but since there really was nothing else that took my fancy, I thought why not?
Erythronium are bulbous perennials with paired ovate or broadly eliptic leaves - check! The hybrid 'Pagoda' has rich mottled green leaves - check! The leafless stems should reach a height of around 30cm and produce around 10 nodding creamy yellow flowers. Obviously I can't confirm nor deny that fact presently. I note though that some sites describe the blooms a sulphur yellow and others yellow. Presently, the outer tips of the buds look quite pink to me.
As I popped them into the boot of the car, it dawned on my that those thick juicy leaves could well become slug fodder. I see that the RHS list slugs as a possible issue. On the positive side, they are generally disease free. I can just see the rasping teeth of those gastropods making short work of these beauties! I will need to keep a close eye.
![]()
Their common name Dog's Tooth Violet is not derived from the fact that they are related to the plant we know as Violet (species Viola) but from the fact that their bulbs resemble dogs teeth. From images I have found online, that seems to be the perfect description.
Pagoda is a hybrid between Erythronium tuolumnense and Erythronium californicum White Beauty. The former providing the blooms and the later supplies the mottled leaf and the reddish brown ring near the centre of the flower. Hopefully I will have more to report on the flower come Bloom Day on the 15th of next month. Erythronium Pagoda has been awarded an AGM by the RHS.
It should thrive in a spot with dappled or partial shade and the deep humus rich soil it requires is not
![]()
an issue in my garden. I also note that it requires a spot that does not dry out completely in summer - this is not a problem either. Plants that require sucg conditions tend to do quite well in my garden. It is said not to be fussy on soil ph. In theory, this plant should perform well in various spots around my garden, therefore I am still undecided on it's final positioning.
![]()
In the 1.5l pots I have purchased it seems that there is possibly 3 bulbs per pot, that would equate to around £2 odds per bulb. To me is quite good value as I've previously seen similar sized pots on sale in a large chain for just under a tenner. I've checked around online
and the price I paid per pot seems to be quite fair and is on par with what is being asked for at a few online plant retailers.
I do look forward to seeing these spring beauties thrive in my garden and hopefully have many years of enjoyment out of them. Providing I can keep the slugs away that is!
Do you grow Erythronium? If you do I'd be interested to read your comments on them.
Jane over at Hoe Hoe Grow is setting herself a similar garden challenge this year. She has taken this challenge one bit further and is starting a new meme. Titled 'Plantfest' - it will be open on the 23rd of each month. Join us in taking a leaf, excuse the pun, out of Geoff Hamilton's book by visiting a nursery or GC each month to buy a plant in bloom. It can help us ensure we have year round blooms in our garden. Do you dare challenge yourself out of your comfort zone and try something for the first time. A word of warning though.......it could have a detrimental effect on your bank balance! You can join in and link your post here, just as I'm about to do. See you there!
The shelves were full of the usual suspects but either I have them already or they have decided that they neither liked nor wished to thrive in my garden. I think the long winter is also reflective on what was on offer. The growers have more than likely had a late start to the year.
One of my favourite places to shop for plants is New Hopetoun Garden Centre, you can always be assured of good quality plants and great advice should you need it. So just what newbie made it into my shopping basket this month?
I came home with 3 pots of a plant that has long been on my wish list and one that I always forget to buy until it's too late! Erythronium Pagoda, I hope will make a lovely new addition to my garden.
 |
| Erythronium Pagoda |
 |
| Erythronium Pagoda flower bud |
Erythronium are bulbous perennials with paired ovate or broadly eliptic leaves - check! The hybrid 'Pagoda' has rich mottled green leaves - check! The leafless stems should reach a height of around 30cm and produce around 10 nodding creamy yellow flowers. Obviously I can't confirm nor deny that fact presently. I note though that some sites describe the blooms a sulphur yellow and others yellow. Presently, the outer tips of the buds look quite pink to me.
As I popped them into the boot of the car, it dawned on my that those thick juicy leaves could well become slug fodder. I see that the RHS list slugs as a possible issue. On the positive side, they are generally disease free. I can just see the rasping teeth of those gastropods making short work of these beauties! I will need to keep a close eye.
Their common name Dog's Tooth Violet is not derived from the fact that they are related to the plant we know as Violet (species Viola) but from the fact that their bulbs resemble dogs teeth. From images I have found online, that seems to be the perfect description.
Pagoda is a hybrid between Erythronium tuolumnense and Erythronium californicum White Beauty. The former providing the blooms and the later supplies the mottled leaf and the reddish brown ring near the centre of the flower. Hopefully I will have more to report on the flower come Bloom Day on the 15th of next month. Erythronium Pagoda has been awarded an AGM by the RHS.
It should thrive in a spot with dappled or partial shade and the deep humus rich soil it requires is not
In the 1.5l pots I have purchased it seems that there is possibly 3 bulbs per pot, that would equate to around £2 odds per bulb. To me is quite good value as I've previously seen similar sized pots on sale in a large chain for just under a tenner. I've checked around online and the price I paid per pot seems to be quite fair and is on par with what is being asked for at a few online plant retailers.
I do look forward to seeing these spring beauties thrive in my garden and hopefully have many years of enjoyment out of them. Providing I can keep the slugs away that is!
Do you grow Erythronium? If you do I'd be interested to read your comments on them.
Jane over at Hoe Hoe Grow is setting herself a similar garden challenge this year. She has taken this challenge one bit further and is starting a new meme. Titled 'Plantfest' - it will be open on the 23rd of each month. Join us in taking a leaf, excuse the pun, out of Geoff Hamilton's book by visiting a nursery or GC each month to buy a plant in bloom. It can help us ensure we have year round blooms in our garden. Do you dare challenge yourself out of your comfort zone and try something for the first time. A word of warning though.......it could have a detrimental effect on your bank balance! You can join in and link your post here, just as I'm about to do. See you there!