Spring-O-Plants, Or, 'It was about that 160 years ago by now...'

“The absolute beauty of these shapes, their harmony, ...all this makes what is called the character of nature in various regions. Some shapes, indeed, and the most beautiful ones (the scimitales, palm trees and bamboos), are missing entirely from our temperate regions; others, such as trees with pinnate leaves, are very rare and less elegant. Arborescent species are very few, not so tall, and less laden with flowers pleasing to the eye. Thus the number of social plants, as described earlier, and man's cultivation make the aspect of the land more monotonous. In the tropics, on the contrary, nature delighted in combining every possible shape. […] The valleys in the Andes are adorned with banana and palm trees; at a higher elevation one can find a beneficial tree whose bark is the fastest and healthiest fever reducer. In this temperate elevation where quinquinas are found, and in higher elevations where the are Escallonia, there one finds oaks, pines, Berberis, Alnus, Rubus, and a host of genera that we think belong only in the northern lands. Thus the inhabitants of equinoctial regions know all the species that nature places around them: the earth offers to their eyes a spectacle as varied as the azure vault of the heavens which hides none of its constellations from view.

The Europeans do not enjoy such a spectacle. The frail plants that people, out of love of science or refined luxury, grow in their hothouses are mere shadows of the majestetic equinoctial plants ; ...” ; from 'Essay on the Geography of Plants' by Alexander von Humboldt and Aimé Bonpland., orig. p. on 1807. ...quote is via the 2009 modern edition. (ed. w. Introduction: Jackson and Romanovski. ; p. 74, 75.)

“...refreshing falls of rain, which cooled the air while he [refers to the Christobel Colon, 1451-1506 - better known from the name as Columbus.] continued to sail along the coast of Jamaica. He remarks in his ship's journal on this occasion, that 'formerly the quantity of rain was equally great in Madeira, the Canaries, and the Azores; but since the trees which shaded the ground have been cut down, rain has become much more rare.' This warning has remained almost unheeded for three centuries and half.” ; “... the decrease of humidity in the atmosphere, and of the quantity of rain owing to the destruction of forests ; to the decrease of heat with the increase of elevation above the level of the sea; and to the lower limit of the line of perpetual snow. The fact of this limit being a function of geographical latitude was first recognized by Peter Martyr Anghiera in 1510. … Juan de la Cosa examined them more closely in 1501 : but it was not until the pilot Juan Vespucci, nephew of Amerigo had communicated to his friend and patron Anghiera an account of the expedition of Colmenares, the tropical snow region visible on the mountaneous shore of the Caribbean Sea acquired a great, and, we might say, a cosmical importance. A connection was now established between the lower limit of perpetual snow and the general relations of the decrease of heat and the differences of climate.“ ; from Humboldt's Cosmos: A Sketch of Physical description of the Universe. Vol. II. (Footnote / Text on p. 282 on the 1860 edition.) - read via DigitalHeritage Library.

“...according to measurements taken in 2005, these glaciers could vanish within twenty-five years. Meanwhile, the ice sheet on the Ecuadorian volcano of Cotopaxi and it's glaciers has retreated by 30 percent since 1976.” ; of No Rain in the Amazon. How South America's Climate Change affects the whole Planet. ; by Nikolas Kozloff, p. 2010 (; p. 8.)

This post...tries make a brief little pictorial about a few additional garden flowers of mine (But the final realization then fx features above cited paragraphs that you are also kind asked pay a few looks on.) ; ...In spite from above apprehensions the perennial plants selected for this mostly consist of some (older) European cultivar-species. Like usual the custom here, them appear consist from rather regular and easy cultivable plants. (Yet,  perhaps a slight less usual in the modern gardening.) Some good traditional and lasting garden decoratives, to put it briefly as possible.

Meadow Cranesbill (Geranium Pratense) ; ...Seems it said that the Cranesbills are generally quite warm-demanding plants, and so here in the North only grow as natural varieties a couple of species. (Those are some 'sister-species' to this G.pratense – at least they seem look for quite resembling kind – namely the Wood Cranesbill and, Herb Robert. Supposing I've mentioned both those formerly so not else is said of them. ...Except that if the latter mentioned ain't any natural variety, at least it should represent rather old species that arrived well early alongside the human civilizations.) But then there are of course several other species of Geraniums that've since from a few centuries been grown at gardens and also might've then sometimes, 'accidentally' naturalized via seeds dispersion, although only limitedly. The occasional seen specimen of Meadow Cranesbill's in the Natures seem variably represent descendants of those or some having naturalized via abandonment of the old housings or gardens.; Also it's said to some places having arrived via human transports. Of course, the more usual seems appear it's cultivation at gardens – like now are these modern variants by my own sowing. (There's also some by blue flowers, perhaps it is the more common variety even.)
 

; ...While pregrowing the specimens I recognized that of my sowed some only couple plants grew properly well (...reason was that most from my sowed some didn't germinate – likely it was due from too cold season conditions, or smght like...Like noted, seems it say their seeds don't very easily germinate at these latitudes.) But the few plants that I succeeded from grow now seem well adapted and rooted for my gardens. Like typical for the Cranesbills, and actually for any perennials, seems the plants yearly grow for larger and so the more luxuberant is also their flowerescence. (However, the Wood Cranesbills – our natural variety – has the most beautiful flowers from this genera, I think. Not the least a reason to why I grew also them for being planted on home-garden. ...But suppose I've mentioned about that too formerly.) 
 

Snakehead Lily (Fritillaria meleagris - also it is known by the common name to a Chequered Lily, fx.) ; Seems it nowadays from appear protected plant in the natures (...Classed as EN acc. IUCN criteria, at least on parts from of its ranges). Originally seems F.meleagris mentioned native/originate for South-East of the Europes, and, the Western Asia. Yet, from quite early it seems said to have spread to most European continental regions via the human cultivations (Or, alongside some period from early human 'colonization wave' of the continent, perhaps that not known by too precisely.)
 

; As the Fritillaria's prefer mainly some wetland conditions (fx; 'the damp coppices and shoreline meadows'), seems it's presently recognized rarity on many European region. And that a result from the changes brought by agricultural conversion of most it's favored natural habitats. ...For example, on it's Wikip-entry [viewed that..about April 2016], there's mention it once been 'abundant in the UK', but around the times from World War (the second) it's ancient hay meadows '...were ploughed up and turned over to the production of food crops, destroying much of the plant's habitat'...and so it now being 'rare in the wild' (...even that it also is '...now easily available as garden flower.') In other words, quite usual a story for many old nicely flowering species, if you look for a bit more closely on that. (Of course there are also varying different examples of threatened plants, but very usual is this kind 'case example' from species that tend favor fx the moisturous haysides and similar conditions...)

; The loss of the wetlands – of which we've probably elsewhere mentioned – is not an European problem solely, nor it's any manner a new phenomenom by itself. But (I guess) the question on European natures is also some ways more severe, as there's perhaps also less variety between any different 'eco-regions'. I mean, fx in comparison to the tropical regions, where more varied forms (of wetlands) are more usual form of habitats. (So there are maybe also very different species living on very opposite environments. And the wide regions of those lands are of course also far larger by sizes, from the plain geographical areas them happen cover. As there's more variety there's also of course far more numerous species all in all at the different regions that still contain any natural 'wetland-habitat'.) Generally in the European continent the natural variety appears more limited (So I suppose any 'lost' ecological 'niches' also affect the natural variety still more harmfully.) ; ...But never mind that, in the more recent times, of course, the tropics – and wetlands in particular - have become evermore increasing converted. Probably by now them are als0 more in danger of loosing that natural richness, and say, their unique colourfulness. (At least it being one of the aspect often remarked on most ecological literatures). Any of that vast oversuse of the natural resources, or wetlands disappearance - on tropics as well as European continent – also is traceable for several economic efforts (Not only to agricultural conversion, but for fx the timbers harvested, ao. Fossil fuels burning from more recent find.)

; ...Here in the North F.meleagris always seems been quite rare by any established presence; On most places it is only found for garden cultivated. But seems it also said from had arrived alongside the human habitation already by the 1700s, about. ; Plant is also actually quite poisonic (Lilies often are, but it being quite particularly so. So this plant is also fx said to be sometimes intentionally planted on parks and flower-gardens to repel off moles.) ; ...Anyhow, now some years ago, I acquired few bulbs of it and after planting them I've had this beautiful, more or less threatened species grown on my garden. (Actually I acquired several but only this sole bulb seemed to grow. And to be precise, I also at first tried to grow it from seeds – turned for an unsuccesfull effort.) It's growth and flowering seems take place relative rapid on Spring and is mainly over about before the coming from June.

 Flower itself is very original-lookin, and one might say, fashionable by it's 'chequered'-colouration. (Checkmate, but not any stalemate, if for a bit humorously described...) - I mean, there's wide variety of Lilies and Tulips, but everytime I look at those on usual boxes from bulbs at garden-shops, and on the regular markets, I merely think about how unimaginative them all look as from presented varieties there's only too many alternatives by color and decorative patterns...etc. But this species indeed is different – it actually has a very unique appearance. ; ...The origin for the name of plant seems not too difficult to guess, if you look the emerging flower (on the pic.) 
 

Aquilegia (Aquilegia vulgaris, var 'Nora Barlow') ; I'm also not quite too certain whether we did already represent at some post these Nora Barlows. ...At least it being so that there was some pics of an enchantin older specimens of Aquilegia I happened to photograph from the roadside. It appears here also as the native species. The ones seen in the woods can be by origin natural varieties or from old gardens cultivations. (The latter alternative is more likely, though.) ; Anyhow, inspired from that I then sowed some Aquilegias by myself too. And, this old 'honorable' variation (of course, it's a garden-variety), seems often recognized from it's curious manner that the separate plant have flowers with a quite different look (colour differs too). So, on that pic a flower from the separate plant is represented at below. 
 

; Aquilegias seem also increase quite effectively by their own (Can become sort of nuisance even it said, conquering ground from the other plants...) Generally they also don't need anything much of a care. Pregrowing of seeds also is relative easy a task. (I actually grew these mine quite early on Spring, having been in a hurry...like appears my usual sin with the plants. In spite of that the only difficulty/hindrance seemed be that seedlings didn't grow much at all until the warmer temperatures had arrived within the summer Months. I think some might've flowered already in the same Summer season...if I happen from recall that correctly.) 
 

Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) ; Then a completely different kind of an example to a garden decoration. ...Namely, a few years ago I experimented by growing Liquorice from seeds (At my garden greenhouse, since it the only place where during Summer it possible achieve an adequate high temperatures.). The plant recommended to overwintering here indoors, and quite as well very warm-demanding, I decided trying grow it directly on pots. However, suitable conditions apparently weren't met, since after germinating quite well and successively growing a few leaves the plant never really started from growth when kept at my greenhouse . (Additionally the ants nested on pot, which – apparently – also wasn't the most proper kind for it's keeping.) So, frustrated I then in the Autumn decided from place it for the garden and see what should happen (At the best protected place, as it's not overwintering tolerant here – even that the plant is said from survive -15 degrees Celsius.) To my surprises, and likely because from the winter having been quite mild, on Spring (after the warm-heated period had arrived), noticed it then from had began growing the leafs again. (They're yet quite tiny still, of course. But seems from grow at least...).  

; ...Yet, I'm not too optimistic from seeing it actually to flower (...during this Summer, or from later on) – Unless it turns out very warm this season/year. That so, as I've mostly noted it only grows on periods when it shines continually and appears generally very warm. ...Additionally I've not any place permitting the optimal sunshines from to make the conditions ideal (as possible, here) for this plant (Not that I'd miss any open spot of that kind...) ...But it's of course somehow reassuring of notice it possible from to overwinter such a middle-East, South-East Asian species on ones gardens, while living here nearby the polar zone. (Doesn't feel quite something like nowadays, though.) Anyway, the colder winter-periods might then turn for problematic, since I've neither any ideal cold-rooms w. the adequate natural light for it's successive keeping. But seems that people sometimes been able from succeed keep plant past winter seasons by removing it to a pot at Autumn and storage it on a cold room/cellars.

 

; Liquorice belongs for some among most commercially valued cultivated plants, since it's root is also used for sweetening the medicines, fx. It's lot more usable on that purpose as the sugar. ...Fx, acc. the BNG: ”The root contains glycyrrhizin, a substance that is 50 times sweeter than sucrose, and has long been used as a flavouring in other medicines to mask their unpleasant taste. It should be used in moderation, however, as prolonged use can raise blood pressure and affect hormonal balance.” ...Any home-made preparations aren't recommended, of course, as the ingredients it contains are very strong indeed; Even from any over-eating of shop-bought liquorices is sometimes warned from. But favored on most various kinds from sweets, and also several 'traditional' drinks seem said often made to resemble the liquorice taste – some such as pastis (, ...plus the other Anis-flavoured some, ao.) ; In the commercial agriculture liquorice-plant seems grown at first to a couple of years (at the good, suitable soil), after what the root is dug up and - acc. my understanding - some part from it is again replaced to the ground to further harvesting, during the followed years. At least on a nutrient-scarcer soil it also needs plentysome from added fertilizers. (Botanically belongs for wide tribe of the peas; Fabaceae – Which you can easily be confirmed simply by looking on it's leafs. Also fx the Acacias belong for that family of peas. Can't say from of the exact relations more in particular...).

In the past it also has had (relative) long cultivation history on European continent too. For example, a popular story described is about some famous castle (Pontefract) where the whole from castles inner stone-paved courtyard was covered with a few metres soil – just for the purpose from cultivating liquorices. (During the late medieval period.) ...Precisely, apparently, this might/seems refer to Pontefract-castle on England...Feels a bit surprising (to me) as seems it situate to relative Northern regions from the G.B. But of course that might've been exactly the reason for that told effort from it's cultivation...) Plant was probably even more valued by the medieval time, since by then there wasn't fx Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum), and even less from the Sugar-beet (Beta vulgaris var saccarium) - the other wasn't yet "discovered" and the latter not yet 'created'. (I-o-w; Nowadays popular and largerly used saccharine-based sweeteners were unknown to the Europeans still during that time.) ...But this just for some reminder or short reference to it's cultural history. 

 

; The plant is also said of been cultivated from quite early on the monasteries gardens – like many species w. some medical- or herbaceous uses actually always were. The dried root at some limited extracts was fx used to the treatments from cough. In fact there's still some similar practices, in addition to it's more wide uses as sweetening ingredient to the medicines.

; And like said formerly, I've not too high hopes from about seeing it to flowering. At least if my former experiences are to offer some reliable advice – the plant needs plentyful warmth and heated days to well flourish. (But if that should turn out for such lucky circumstances, guess'll then add pics of this garden specimen of mine too...Liquorice flowers are quite enchanted lookin' also.) 

 

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) ; ...It's quite possible, even probable, of us having featured this lovely flowering plant too, priorly... But, let that not be for any obstacle. 
Like appears recognizable via it's name, the Common potato, is a tuberous plant – and alongside that appears it perhaps the most widely cultivated food staple in the world. So, despite that potatoes don't cost anything much, is such easy from grow that I've also taken a habit from sowing a few tubers each year. Just for the fun of it (...As I've not any larger cultivated yard for to grow potatoes on wider scales or for preserving.). 
; But...did you know how lovely the flowerings of it look? Mostly you don't see the flowers - since from the usual manner it nowadays grown, via “cloning” from last years tubers – and the stalks then tend dry during Summer heat prior any flowerescense. (It's actually purposeful, seems it said being best harvested before that and actually is disadvantageous if let flower...or smght like.) In brief, my only reason representing it (here) was due from those nice flowers. Simply; easy cultivable, sowable, palatable species of the plant. And the blooms of it, sort of, brings for mind the above descriptions by Humboldt about that 'spectable as varied as the azure vault of the heavens' (It meaning/reference is for the South American plants.)

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; Humboldt now referred, might devote a few words on those at begins cited few references to his writing - As them also were mainly selected to offer some high regards or apprehensions about the wide variety of the world plants. (Humboldt, by the way, greatly admired and appreciated Columbus [Colon]...Which of course was quite common a view in the former times, even that later historians have taken more severe judging about Colon's persona. But that aspect of course not relates to these views...by any manner.) ; ...Due from because I also recently read that book by Kozloff, it is cited adjoining. Not the least was that too of the reason that Kozloff's observations on that book (and perhaps his travel-route), seem go quite nearby the similar 'zones', or regions of Humboldt's travels at South American continent, during his own time. - Appears it then also quite some dire grave ironic from to read by now those enthusiastic observations by Humboldt's from the tropical glaciers - As (acc. Kozloff, ao) the said places, or many of them, are even expectable for diminish and disappear in time, (...within a few decades even, according to some of the projected developments and consequences from global warming.) 

; ...And also it is then fx quite interesting (but annoying) from to notice that Humboldt uses for a term 'the lower limit of the perpetual snow', when referring to those mountaneous snow limit ranges – Since the general retreat of those same glaciers was probably quite unimaginable a process according to any knowledge by the sciences/state of the world, at his times. ('Though...I've not any very precise view from those observances by Humboldt on the mentioned compatriots of the Colon, or the histories he on that discusses, as I only read it in passing, mostly. But he was well aware on advances from most sciences at his days - Some 'branches' of science he actually invented and created, and at least enlarged on scope by himself. Like fx that Geography of plants, the dispersion of species based on their ranges and habitats according the similar climatic conditions on different regional elevations.)  

; ...But actually it also been my intention now for sometime to write a few chapters on these global climatic aspects, preferably concerning the global agricultural questions, mostly. – Don't know whether I'll ever find the time or effort from to realize that intention, so let us only cite a few paragraphs from Kozloff to the closing, at this instance (Which contained, no doubt, quite random observations. At least the plants were in the main from most of this, and actually also are in these following cited paragraphs.). ...It concerning the (then) popularized biofuels, no doubt still quite as commonly marketed for some 'solutions' on these (climatic) questions; 

“... Politicians like to push biofuels: It makes them look like they're being proactive on climate change but doesn't force them to call voters to account for their wasteful and consumerist lifestyles. But in practice biofuels may not be any greener than hydro power. Indeed, recent studies have shown that biofuels are actually accelerating global warming and imperiling the earth in the name of rescuing it. ”(; p. 152-3.) ; ...that conclusice compact argument about from some 8 years past now, ie was observed around y. 2008. 

(...Not that these few references would've represented anything much on the several aspects Kozloff's probably well-known book seems addressed. ...Hope we'll find places to a few more picks from it on some from our oncoming post[s].) ; G.U.J.

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