As observed during March 2011
29/3/2011
Truth serum
Scopolia carniolica var. carniolica a member of the Solanaceae family and found throughout Europe. Lush foliage
sprouts rapidly from the rhizomes as soil temperature rises and days lengthen in March. Deep purple or almost brown flowers emerge draped on long stalks from the leaf axils of the herbaceous growth.
Medicinally it has a sedative effect and was used by early surgeons to anaesthetise patients. It has also been used in “truth serums” by secret agents to extract information from other spies.
22/3/2011
Sweet scents from Slovenia
A late flowering, ground hugging evergreen member of the sweet scented genera Daphne; Daphne blagayana 
is just now opening its spear shaped buds.
Terminal sulphur yellow flower buds turn frosty white as they open up. Under a hand lens the crinkly iced surface of the corolla tube is evident. Enclosed within are the flower parts, anthers,
laden with pollen are held at two stages within the tube. Whereas the stigma is buried deep at the base of the corolla. A reliable plant to flower when in a well drained alkaline soil in partial shade.
A native of the Balkans where, legend has it, Count Blagay was instrumental in the naming of this then new species, in Slovenia in 1837.
15/3/2011
Sorbus caloneura
Early to leaf out; Sorbus caloneura is at its best as the winter buds burst and the fresh foliage expands. 
This wide branched small tree has deeply veined foliage, bronze brown from a distance. Closer to; the red shades are more in evidence. Towards the tip the leaves are serrated. As maturity approaches the colour turns to green and the tree merges into the landscape. Enjoy this plant at an early stage of development. 
Held within the expanding vegetation are the flowers cupped by the expanding leaves. The bud soon develops and a mass of individual small white flowers make up the inflorescence.
A native of Hubei Province in China where it grows as part of the forest cover in mountain regions at 600 – 1200 metres.
8/3/2011
Rhododendron fever
It is evident spring has arrived and settled in when the Rhododendron collection rewards us with masses of
colour. Many of the species are now blooming profusely through the wooded areas of the Garden.
Rhododendron uvarifolium var. griseum, buds opening out to reveal a collection of white bloom 
with blush pink markings. The species has a wide geographical and altitudinal range through the Chinese Himalayas.
Rhododendron faucium, From the high slopes of Northern China and India at 2600 – 3400 metres. Prominent flower parts extend from the mouth of the deeply pink coloured corolla.
Rhododendron ririei A sturdy multibranched evergreen which will mature into a small tree in its native Sichuan Province, China. Growing on hillsides at 1700 - 1800metres. Now covered by purple red flowers with dark nectar pouches at the base of the corolla. When covered in the statuesque buds the plant is at its most attractive, the brown scales contrast well with the tight buds deeply coloured.
Add the Praecox hedge (Rhododendron praecox grex), Forsythia, spring bulbs, a ground flora of emerging herbaceous foliage of all shades and textures and you have a garden that is awakening and well worth a visit.
1/3/2011
The Crocus are coming.
At last; signs of spring in the Garden. Crocus vernus is in flower in the Alpine house.
The “Spring Crocus” is a lilac shade of purple with prominent orange stigma and yellow anthers rising from the perianth tube. A touch of sun splays the petals wide open and a gradual bleaching of colour occurs, emphasising the darker lilac marking at the tip of the petal. 
Growing through the mountains of central and Western Europe up to 2500 metres.
There are now many cultivars with colours ranging through pale blue to purple to white.
On days when the sun does shine it is at a low angle in the sky. In the attached image it highlights the flaking, peeling bark of Betula utilis. Like liquid golden syrup held in suspension the sun shines through these paper thin layers of bark.
For previous years' highlights during this month, see the March Garden Highlights Archive page.