Re: Re. Hebes
Re H. 'Great Orme' and Moira's comment:
>Incidently I did finally track down a reference to it in Metcalf among
>his "Additional Cultivars" (was missing from the index, tut tut). I have
>certainly never set eyes on it.
>
>He considers it very close to "Carnea" but slightly more pinkish.
>
Well, yes, if by 'slightly more pinkish' he means pink! Cos that's
what it is. Well, that's what it is here. At least, it's what *I* call
pink. But, then, the names of colours...and the reliability of eyes
(mine are notoriously *un-*...)...
And I suppose climate could have an effect...
And there's always the possibility that what got to NZ wasn't 'real'
'Great Orme' at all but an impostor...
Which reminds me of a line a splendid octagenarian gardener threw over
his shoulder at me, as we picked our way through his collection of
celmisias a couple of days ago: 'Most of'em are bastards, of course,
but I don't mind: they're still nice plants. I can never understand
these people who only think about the name of a thing and hardly look
at the actual plant.'
Amen!
Tim Longville
