Winter Catalogue 2015

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Welcome to Pen-Lan Plants’ winter list for 2015. An eclectic mix of graceful lilies, cheery auriculas, reliable hellebores and dainty primulas is on offer again this year along with a few rarities and ‘first-timers’.The past summer growing season was a little kinder to us this time around, well, at least it suited the primulas and hellebores. The lilies were more than a little miffed by the 147 mm overnight rain we received in January, promptly hung their heads for the rest of the summer and refused to set much seed.

Following on from a bit of domestic reorganization there are a number of bulletins from overseas plant societies looking for good homes – Alpine Garden Society bulletins from 1961 and Scottish Rock Garden Club from 1956 to present day. These are only available as complete runs and will need to be collected.

This season the nursery will be open on the last Sunday in the month from 12.30-3.30. The larger potted hellebores in flower will be available for sale and prior orders may be collected to save postage. Opening dates will be June 28th, July 26th, August 30th and September 27th. We are at 636 Summerleas Road, Fern Tree.

Here’s hoping you enjoy our little list and we look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Wallbank

www.auricula.net.au

PO Box 342 South Hobart TAS 70040418 883 583 or 03 62391678 (evenings)

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AURICULASThis valuable and little seen group of plants require well-drained good loam or clay-based soils to thrive. Even though they are in the Primula family they do not need much water and are happiest with morning sun and plenty of air movement (good for those of you in windy areas!). If they are grown in pots or troughs a good quality potting mix with slow-release fertilizer is recommended. Here at Pen-Lan we also use a product like Perlite to add extra drainage (at the ratio of 1:6).

All named plants listed here (with the exception of a cou-ple of our own crosses) are divisions from named varieties imported from the best English growers. This has been a long, slow process but it has given the plants time to adjust to the idiosyncrasies of the Australian climate. Not all our collection is listed here as some are in very limited numbers, please enquire about these.

If you are new to growing auriculas we recommend the book The auricula : history, cultivation and varieties by Allan Guest as well as websites maintained by the National Auricula and Primula Society (U.K.)

SHOW EDGESMary Robinson (in Auriculas for everyone) describes the Edges as the aristocrats of the auricula world and as such are challenging to grow. They are characterised by the black body and distinctive green, grey or white edge. While we have a number of these beauties growing here, only a few are available for sale as most are slow to form offsets.

James Arnot An attractive small white Edge with lovely foliage. $9.00

John Woolf A variety raised by Kath Dryden of alpine plant fame. May be grey or white edged depending on the season. $9.00

Jorvik Large pips on this lovely grey edged Show. $9.00

Maggie An older free-flowering variety. $10.00

Prague A magnificent green which invariably wins on the show bench. $10.00

Sherwood One of the easier Edges from the House of Douglas $9.00

The Bride May be a grey or white Edge depending on the season and has the richest jet-black ground of any in the group. $10.00

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SHOW FANCIESTraditionally the auriculas in this group were those that didn’t meet the standard for other Show groups. A number look similar to the Edges but the body is red rather than black.

Apple Isle Tasmanian raised and rarely offered, large flower of pale green and red. $10.00

Cornmeal This is sometimes classed as a Show Grey Edge but the cream farina does not fit the exacting standards for that class. A large attractive flower and not difficult in cultivation. $10.00

Frosty A striking Show Fancy of purple/red with green edge. $10.00

Hawkwood An old variety which is now a bit spotty in the leaves. Dark red body and grey edge. $9.00

Pen-Lan Fancies An interesting collection here resulting from imported and Pen-Lan seed. All will be different to the named varieties. $9.00

Rajah First introduced in the 1950s this has a stunning pip of bright scarlet-red and green edge. $9.00

Star Wars A vigorous purple/dark red and grey Fancy. $10.00

Wellington Sunset This is a recent Pen-Lan introduction. Raised from English seed and displaying true sunset colours of soft orange and red, good white paste to the eye and a smattering of farina on the petal edges. $10.00

SHOW SELFSThis group of Show auriculas has a solid body colour from the white ring of paste around the central eye to the petal margin, thus are very eye-catching. Most have heavy farina (dense white meal) on the leaves and stems. They are arranged in Red, Yellow, Blue, Dark and Any Other Colour groups.

Ansells Bred by a knowledgeable auricula grower from Wales and named after a Midlands (U.K.) beer. ‘Ansells’ falls into the Any Other Colour group and flowers here as medium brown – very unusual. $9.00

Chiffon A delicate shade of lavender pink. $10.00

Chorister An old variety with darkish yellow flowers. Very few. $10.00

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Gizabroon One of the lightest of the dark Selfs, striking white foliage. $10.00

Pen-Lan Reds Specially selected for easy growing, some light, some dark, some with farina to the leaves. $9.00

Pen-Lan Yellows Some wonderful yellows here as a result of crosses between new and old named varieties. $9.00

Red Gauntlet A reliable red Self. $9.00

Royal Mail Just like the post boxes! $9.00

Scorcher Good form and colour and offsets well. $10.00

Simply Red A clear red Self. $10.00

Wincha A very dark red Self with dense white paste. $10.00

SHOW STRIPESPopular until the second half of the eighteenth century, striped auriculas then went into decline until the 1960s. In England, Allen Hawkes and Derek Parsons have been responsible for bringing into being much of the exotic range available today.

Mazetta Stripe Maroon ground striped in red and cream. $10.00

Orwell Tiger Red and white stripes. $10.00

Pen-Lan Stripes Some beauties here representing the newer form of stripes, very few. $10.00

Pinstripe Red and pale green stripes. $9.00

DOUBLESDoubles were among the very early novelties grown by the early florists and appear in gardening books and artworks of the seventeenth century. As with the Stripes, much work has been done in recent years (notably by Derek Salt and Richard Austin) to extend the colour range and quality of blooms and we are the beneficiaries.

Albert Bailey The degree of doubling varies with this one. An attractive gold-brown. $10.00

Aztec A new offering from us, stunning lime yellow Double. $10.00

Baltic Amber A neat Double in soft amber shades. Easy. $9.00

Cameo Beauty A beautiful Double with folded petals in cream and yellow. $10.00

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Cinnamon Attractive ginger shades and easy. $9.00

Crimson Glow A bright red which offsets easily. $10.00

Dark Eyes Dark purple petals with a touch of white at the base. $10.00

Excalibur Very dark pink and raised by Les Allen in Wales. $10.00

Forest Bordeaux A new import from Richard Austin. Rich claret shades. $10.00

Pink Fondant A good and vigorous light mauve-pink. Early flowering. $10.00

Susannah Pretty pale pink/lavender doubling in four quarters like an old-fashioned rose. $10.00

Sword A curious all-green Double, a challenge for the botanical artists amongst you. $10.00

Walton Heath A blue-purple Double which manages to be both refined and vigorous. $10.00

Wanda’s Moonlight Another Les Allen special and new from us, ethereal creamy-yellow shades. $10.00

ALPINESThis group is highly recommended for the grower new to auriculas. There are wonderful colour contrasts to be found and they are less demanding in their ways than the Shows.

The Light Centred Alpines (ALC) have a white or off-white centre and the petals are usually in two-tone shades of red, pink, purple and blue.

The Gold Centred Alpine (AGC) is as it says, a gold centre, and with the petals a different colour shading from darker at the centre to a lighter edge. Reds, browns and oranges are generally the colours of this group.

Ancient Society A happy combination of gold, red and brown. $9.00

Argus One of the oldest named auriculas still in existence and dating from the late 1800s, large pips and lovely. $10.00

Bilbo Baggins One of the Lord of the Rings series raised by the late John Radford. Deep apricot tones. $9.00

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Blue Yodeler Shades of blue in an amazingly large flower for a small plant. $9.00

Blyth Spirit One of the newer AGCs in red shades. Excellent form, multiplies well and has the added bonus of being a good seed parent for anyone wanting to try their own hybridising. $10.00

Cherry Picker Deep pink. $9.00

Gollum Another of the Lord of the Rings series, a large flower which always impresses in shades of gold and brown. $9.00

Ling A dark maroon shading to bright red. Flower lasts well. $10.00

Naniconan Neat gold centre, body of deep red shading out to soft brown. $9.00

Sandwood Bay Distinctive bright gold centre and reddish body. $10.00

Sumo Shades of brown and gold, large pip (flower). $10.00

BORDERSThe garden or Border auricula is the one many of us are familiar with. Often fragrant and not demanding, they remind us of childhood years spent in grandparents’ gardens. Many of the old named varieties are still around but beware of imposters. I am slowly increasing my stocks of imported named plants but as well can offer a range of less expensive unnamed ones grouped by colour. Please inquire about these. Most Borders are fragrant and easy.

Old Clove Red A rich dark red with a mealy centre. $10.00

Pen-Lan Borders Mixed colours, all fragrant. $9.00

Willi’s Pink A large vigorous plant originally from the collection of Willi Rea. A delicate shade of pink with pale yellow eye. Very suitable for the garden. $9.00

AURICULA COLLECTION SPECIAL OFFERIf you are new to growing auriculas and find selection difficult, allow us to make the choice for you. Offer includes 6 plants of different varieties. $45.00

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PRIMULASA huge group of plants that include primroses, cowslips, oxlips, and polyanthus, found throughout the temperate northern hemisphere and south into the tropical moun-tains as far as South America. Nearly all flower in the spring and summer in a vast array of colours and forms. Many of those listed here are rare and exclusively offered by us.

allionii ‘Beatrice Wooster’ Compact green leaves with uniform serrations at the margins and light farina if foliage kept dry. Masses of pink flowers with white eyes. $7.00

allionii ‘Stradbrook Dream’ Lilac flowers, which are paler towards the centre, appear mid to late winter. Leaves are serrated with a pronounced mealy edge. $8.00

alpicola A daintier form of P. sikkimensis with charming blooms of violet around December. Last year their perfume filled the entire primula growing area here.

$6.00 or 3 for $15.00

alpicola alba A white form of the above. $7.00

Barnhaven x polyanthus Cowichan yellow Another Cowichan gem - the deep bronze foliage provides a perfect foil for the creamy yellow flowers. $7.00

chionantha ssp. sinopurpurea A plant native to the damper parts of China, quite vigorous here in the right situation. This is the mauve form though a few white ones may appear. $7.00

denticulata A mixed collection this year from our best whites and mauves, this is the lovely ‘drumstick’ primula. $6.00

flaccida Another Chinese beauty having mealy stems topped by a pyramidal cone of pendant lavender-blue mealy-faced flowers. $6.00

florindae ‘Ray’s Ruby’ strain A new one for us this year grown from seed from the UK supplier Plant World. Expect ruby-red flowers on long strong stems if grown in moist semi-shaded spot. $7.00

Hall Barn Blue A small-leafed, low-growing primrose with violet-blue, yellow-eyed flowers. Grow in good soil in semi-shade. $5.00

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involucrata Previously known as P. boveana, this is a good plant for the warmer, drier spot. Farina on leaves and multiple small yellow flowers over a long period. $6.00

japonica ‘Apple Blossom’ strain Robust and beautiful strain of the Japanese primrose having soft pink flowers with a red eye. $6.00

japonica ‘Party Pinks’ strain Another newie from Plant World with shades ranging from almost white to deep pink. $7.00

japonica ‘Postford White’ strain Crisp white form of the Japanese Primrose bearing candelabras of scalloped-edge, yellow-eyed flowers on stout 50cm stems. Prefers woodland or moist soil in part sun. Late spring. $6.00

x juliae Golden Wanda A small plant which is happiest growing among rocks where it is able to gently spread. the dark purple flowers are highlighted by the golden leaves. $6.00

x kewensis This hybrid originally occurred at RBG Kew. The pale green leaves are slightly farinose and the many bright yellow flowers are carried from May to October. Will take a warmer, drier position than many of the other primulas. $7.00

macrophylla An attractive Himalayan plant having large purple flowers with a dark eye and stems covered in farina. $7.00

x marginata Clough’s Variety Clear, light-blue funnel-shaped flowers above well-toothed leaves. $8.00

x marginata Gold Farina This one lost its plant label somewhere between the north of England and quarantine in Hobart so is now known by its main characteristic which is the gold dusty farina on the leaves. $8.00

x marginata ‘Linda Pope’ Now a century old but still lovely and happy here. Large heads of flat, almost blue, flowers with prominent white eye. Large toothed leaves and good farina, small growing plant. $8.00

polyneura Robust tufted habit, round indented leaves are generally densely felted on the undersides. Flowers bright pink. $8.00

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sieboldii Often requested in the past, this year we are delighted to list P. sieboldii grown from seed sourced from Japan and some of the best UK growers, some from the ‘Dancing Ladies’ and ‘Winter Dreams’ series so expect colours in the blue/purple/white range. $7.00

veris ssp. macrocalyx Reputedly the largest form of the Cowslip with dark yellow/orange flowers. $6.00

vialii Unique in appearance with its red and blue ‘pokers’ of flowers and unlike any other primula. $7.00

vulgaris Doubles These have been cultivated since the sixteenth century and are renowned for their fragrance and velvety beauty. Here at Pen-Lan we have been building up our stocks from English imports over a number of years and are delighted to offer a limited number, mostly whites and purples. $8.00

LILIUMWe are delighted to be offering L. bulbiferum v croceum and L. Lankon for the first time, both very different but both stand-outs for the garden or pot.

bulbiferum var. croceum The only lily native to the Netherlands and was painted by the Dutch masters. Easily grown in any well-drained soil and with orange-red upward facing flowers. $6.00

duchartrei One of our favourite lilies here at Pen-Lan. It is hard to believe that something so beautiful and originally from the alpine meadows of Tibet and other similar Chinese habitats grows so well under such harsh Australian conditions. The stoloniferous flowering stems are 30-45 cm and carry up to 6 nodding, martagon-like flowers in early summer. The flowers are marble-white, dotted and splashed with violet-purple. $7.00

hansonii An easily grown eastern Asiatic species with very fragrant pale orange turk’s-cap flowers spotted purple/brown. $7.00

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lancifolium Used as a food plant in Asia but we prefer to see the long-lasting post-Christmas flowers in the garden. Strongly reflexed tepals of orange/cinnamon are heavily spotted in chocolate brown. This lily has the added bonus of producing stem bulbils which is a much quicker method of reproduction than seed. $6.00

lancifolium var. flaviflorum A most attractive tiger lily bearing multiple soft lemon darker spotted turk’s-cap blooms . $7.00

Lankon Some of you may have seen this one at the 2011 Chelsea Flower Show and marvelled at its beauty and vigour, both of these seem to have translated well to the southern hemisphere. A cross between L. longiflorum and L. lankongense the large white trumpets are a mass of purple specks and dots. As the stems are so long a bit of wind protection is useful. $8.00

lankongense Another Chinese native, this time from the province of Yunnan. Similar in form and growth habit to L. duchartrei but with flowers of delicate light to dark pink with copious darker spots. $6.00

trumpet hybrids A mixed bag of goodies in various shades of cream, pink and green, most will be tall and vigorous. $6.00

Wildfire A wonderful Australian bred hybrid which we only have a few of this season. Large white flowers with reddish-pink rays and spotting and beautifully perfumed. $7.00

HELLEBORESA few of the more interesting and useful species on offer this year as well as a small range of our own hybrid crosses. One of the most useful plants for dry shade in our cooler areas, hellebores will cope with a degree of neglect once established but we recommend planting in a nutritious, humus-rich mix to start. Annual late winter mulching is beneficial for the hybrid types.

argutifolius ‘Pacific Frost’ strain produces short stems with heavy cream speckles and pink to rose tinted new growth. $6.00

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cyclophyllus A native of Greece producing big soft-green flowers. $5.00

foetidus ‘Silver Sheen’ Bred here at Pen-Lan and proving very hardy in the open garden as well as in pots. The steely-grey leaves on red stems provide a striking feature in the winter and summer garden. $7.00

foetidus ‘Wester Flisk’ strain A group of seed strains from the Firth of Tay, Scotland characterised by grey-green foliage and red stems. The multiple flowers are small and green and drape fetchingly over the foliage. $6.00

niger The true Christmas Rose bears large white outward-facing flowers at the right time to brighten our winter days. $6.00

niger double forms Pure white and neatly double and semi-double. A few only and limit of 1 per customer. $9.00

Hellebore x hybridusThese are all seedlings raised from our own crossing of best selected imported and local plants. Most will be true to their parents and some even better. Larger potted plants are available here at Pen-Lan from July onwards.

double picotee lilac Fully double white flowers delicately lilac spotted and veined and with lilac picotee edge, outstanding. $7.00

double purples From several strains with darker lines and spots as well as picotee edges. $6.00

double pinks A perennial favourite from our best doubles, some may be like the ‘Party Dress’ strain with small, neat dark pink flowers and smaller leaves, others a larger type. $6.00

experimental hybrids Some real treats in store here. A number of our best crosses yield too few plants to list separately so we offer them here for you to try out.

$5.00 each or 3 for $12.00

picotees The picotee group have white or cream flowers with a light or dark pink rim. They may also have darker pink stripes, webbing or spots. Very pretty. $5.00

picotee white raspberry edge A picotee variant. $6.00

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OTHER GARDEN PLANTSArisaema candidissimum Known as the Striped Cobra Lily this is a really good garden plant. Large, upright, chalice-shaped flowers in the palest pink striped white appear mid-summer. $15.00

Arisaema flavum Found in Africa and Asia A. flavum generally has a green spathe with paler green stripes outside and the inside stained maroon-purple. Our plants seem to only reach 25 cm. or so. $12.00

Cardiocrinum cordatum A native of Japan growing in moist woods, fragrant and the individual flowers seem smaller than those of the other Cardiocrinums. Probably another 3 years to flower for these. $8.00

Cardiocrinum var. yunnanense (syn. C. gig. var. yunnanense) The western Chinese counterpart of C. giganteum of the Himalayas and just as good garden value. The flowers open from the tip of the spike downwards, are highly fragrant and have a greenish tinge.

$12.00 and limit

1 per customer

Codonopsis grey-wilsonii A diminutive twining climber of great charm. Some of these have been mixed with C. grey-wilsonii ‘Himal Snow’ so may be either white or mauve with a distinctive blue-red eye. $7.00

Hepatica maxima x nobilis Raised from seed sourced from New Zealand and originally from the late Severin Schlyter, an ardent Hepatica enthusiast in Lund, Sweden, these slow-growing plants are truly delightful. Some have plain leaves, others various degrees of spotting and staining, flowers white, blue or pink. Best grown on cool, well-drained slope in light ‘fluffy’ soil.

$12.00 and limit

1 per customer

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SEEDThis season we are able to supply a limited range of seed for any of our valued cusomers who would like to ‘give it a go’. Explanatory notes will be supplied with each order and packets will contain a minimum of 10 seeds.

Eryngium ‘Picos Blue’

$5.00 per packet

Fritillaria imperialis

Helleborus x hybridus picotees/anemone-centred/double whites/yellow/

Primula concholoba

Primula japonica ‘Apple Blossom’ strain

Primula japonica ‘Glowing Embers’ strain

Primula japonica ‘Postford White’ strain

Primula pulverulenta pink

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OrderingPlease make cheque payments out to Pen-Lan Plants and forward orders via letter with cheque or money order enclosed. If you wish to pay by credit card this is possible using PayPal – use the email sue@auricula.net.au to transfer money and let us know by email that you have paid this way.

Direct Deposit is also possible, again please let us know by email if you have paid this way and also attach your name to the bank transaction.

Pen-Lan PlantsBendigo BankBSB 633 000Acc. no. 136087079

Given rarity and short numbers, please order as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Substitutes: Please indicate any substitutes that you will accept if stocks of your first selections become exhausted.

DispatchOrders will be dispatched in the sequence that we receive them until mid September.

DeliveryBy Australia Post. Plants will be carefully packed in a suitable medium.

Packing and Freight CostsWithin Tasmania $10.00

Victoria $13.00

To other states $16.00

For orders over 20 plants PLEASE add $4.00 extra to final amount.

NamingThese bulbs and plants are from a high quality collection derived from seed exchanges and commercial suppliers world wide so a high degree of confidence is placed on their identification and provenance. If by some remote chance you receive the wrong plant immediate steps will be taken to rectify the mistake.

www.auricula.net.au

PO Box 342 South Hobart TAS 7004

0418 883 583 or 03 6239 1678 (evenings)

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