Contents of the Summer 2012 Northants News

                    A Lucky Find                                       Roland Tebbenham

Back in early February I was hunting for yellow snowdrops and visited a local alpinist. Among her plants I saw a succulent low-growing mat-forming plant with short, bluish-green leaves; what was it? Well it turned out to be Esterhuysenia alpina, which is a dwarf shrubby mesemb. Needless to say I purchased it (as well as some yellow snowdrops) and put it in a nice ceramic pot on my patio. Towards the end of April I noticed it was in bud and it soon opened its flowers. I checked in two most useful books ‘Mesembs of the World’ [pub: Briza 1998 ISBN 1875093133] and ‘The Genera of the Mesembryanthemaceae’ by Hans Herre [pub: Balkema 1973 ISBN 9061910021].

Esterhuysenia alpina

Esterhuysenia alpina, A hardy, succulent alpine for the rock garden or pot on the patio. 

They revealed the following details. The genus was erected in 1967 by Louisa Bolus and named in honour of Miss Elsie Esterhuysen a prolific plant collector and an authority on Cape plants, especially those from the highest mountains. This plant was found in 1948 on east-facing ledges in the Hex River Mountains between 1650 and 1850m [5500-6000ft]. More recent collections indicate a wider distribution in the sandstone mountains in the winter rainfall region of Western Cape. There are more undescribed species and the genus needs study and revision.

My plant matches the Esterhuysenia alpina description with smooth reddish stems and pairs of opposite leaves, their lower sides rounded, upper faces flat and tips pointed. The flowers are pinkish-purple, borne singly on stalks and each lasts many days. The fruits are developing on my plant and should be coloured reddish-brown. I hope you agree it is a pretty plant that merits a place on your rock garden or patio. The reference books suggest it grows in shady places, requires a porous slightly acidic compost and ample water. It needs cooler conditions to thrive, so shading from the hottest sun may well be the best approach. I will try a piece on my rock garden near a hardy yellow-flowered Delosperma species under Pinus mugo, the European Mountain Pine.

Roland

Ed: Thanks Roland, can I scrounge a bit please?

Esterhuysenia alpina

 

                    Old Friends                                       Roland Tebbenham

 

Echeveria laui

It was so nice to celebrate Peter Rixon’s 70th birthday with Marion, their family and friends.  The sun shone, the wine flowed and the food was excellent.  The garden looked splendid, and the greenhouse was crammed with Peter’s plants; not only many familiar mature specimens, but also more recent acquisitions.  One of the newest plants was another old friend – an Echeveria laui that Peter had purchased at the auction of Jim Lewis’s collection. 

 Peter’s plant of Echeveria laui

Echeveria laui

Jim always kept two or three E. laui plants so that he had a mature flowering specimen ready for the annual branch show.  He kept his best potted plants in larger saucers with hortag or gravel to provide drainage.  The larger diameter saucer prevented accidental damage and any marking of the fine farina on the leaves.  Wisely Peter had kept Jim’s plant in its larger saucer and as you can see in the photographs it is growing well and the flowers are beautiful.  So we saw or remembered three old friends in one day

Roland

 

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