Zauchneria canum (err Epilobium canum if you are a taxonomist) is one of the harbingers of Fall here in Northwest Connecticut. And this bloom is just the start of its show! Soon it will be completely covered in orange/red bloom that hummingbirds find irresistible. A member of the evening primrose family, it hails from our West, especially California. But it has no problem thriving here in zone 5, especially in xeric conditions. And with protection (being next to a rock), it lived here many years with a zone 4 climate. It’s a bit of a sprawler so do give it room. But is there anything more welcome draping itself over a rock?
Our October Speaker, Chris Gardner, is traveling to us from his home in Turkey. A botanist originally from Essex England, now he with his wife Basak, lead many worldwide botanical and wildlife tours for their travel agency ViraNatura, based in Antalya, Turkey. In 2014 together they published Flora of The Silk Road – An Illustrated Guide. It is now in its third reprinting and available at Amazon. Amazingly comprehensive, the book covers the flora of 5,000 miles of Turkey, Syria, Iran, Central Asia China and Sikkim.
BNARGS is very lucky to have two talks from him. The first will focus on the flora of Turkey. Keep in mind how appropriate this will be as you gaze at your various colchicum species, blooming now. The afternoon session will be about the flora of Tien Shan in central Asia. And then next spring when the hot red Tulipa greigii appears in your garden, you will have seen the country where it is native. What a treat.
There have been a few cool nights now during the first part of September. Let’s say it’s enough to start the maples to think about their show. Sure it’s just the swamp maples now, but the tops of my Acer japonicum have started. Looks good so far!
Remember next month’s meeting on October 19th is in the Ed Center Classroom. And we will start off with annual officer elections. We also need to think about next year’s programs and holding another May Outreach. Now is a good time to pot seedlings for that display/sale. Note -there are still a couple of flats of sempervivums to overwinter and bring to it. Then on to our talks on the Flora of Turkey, followed by the Flora of Tien Shan. See you there. Happy Fall!
Berkshire Chapter NARGS 