Puzzle No 7

[ideasguy]

Taken in Ireland, mid October 2006 by yours trruly.
One of my favourite plants (methinks... haven't I said that somewhere before?)

[Kew]

Me thinks I'm looking at the Gentian family (although October gave me doubts). 2006 Autumn was wet and mild so October isn't impossible. The leaf tells me it's a Marsh Gentian.
Close..ish?

[ideasguy]

We-hay! Absolutley correct (Genus at any rate).
It was bought as Gentiana sino-ornato.
Some info here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/344.shtml

I fell for this little beauty the first time I spotted one, over the low wall of a neighbours garden when out walking.
The thing that took me quite aback was it was at its full glory in autumn, when all my plants were on the wane.
 
It didnt take much research to find out what it was, and I bought a few varieties of Gentiana.
This one, and G. septemfida have done best.
I'm delighted to say they come back reliably each year. It does indeed flower in October, here in Ireland, probably starting end September.

March Gentian:
I didnt know of the Marsh Gentian, but thanks to you, I do now.
http://www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/wildlife/flowers_marsh_gentian.html
You can be forgiven for not guessing absolutley correctly. Theres a wide range of species in the Genus, (not to mention the cultivars) and some look similar in photos. In this case, the photo gave no indication of the height.
The Marsh Gentian is 30cm (12in) in height (from the web page above) whereas G. sino-ornato is a ground hugger, 15 cm (6 ins) at most

Do you grow Gentians in Belgium?

[Kew]

I've only come across one garden with them so far. The owner had created a marshy fern area alongside his for-ever-over-flowing pool! I saw them last August and was taken in with the lovely blue of the petals.

[ideasguy]

The blue is definitely striking, Ken, but it was its combination with the unusual yellow stripes that had me Oooohing and Aaaaaing.

Wonder does Monsieur Degeest (greenfinger) grow them?
P.S. How do you say Mr in Dutch?

[Kew]

Meneer (Ladies are Mevrouw)

[ideasguy]

Thanks Ken
Now I'll be able to surprise Meneer Degeest in my next email!

[Kew]

You could always ask how him how he's doing....

Hoe gaat het vandaag met jouw Meneer Degeest?

[ideasguy]

Is that Dutch or Double Dutch? 

[greenfinger]

Very good, thank you.
And now the second lesson: "Hoe is het weer?"

[Kew]

In mijn beste Nederlands taal...Het weer is crap!

[greenfinger]

Your Dutch is better than you made me believe, dear Ken.
Indeed the weather is crap, we could use some frost and a lot more sunshine.