Sunday 3 May 2015

Auricula

 We moved to the farmhouse on a cold wet January day.    I remember looking at the field, that was supposed to be a garden and thinking 'what on earth have I done'
In the corner of the field (garden) was a huge poly tunnel.    Tattered and torn, sheets of plastic blowing in the wind, my first thought was 'It has got to go.'    After a few days I decided to go take a look.    Inside were pots full of soil..........I decided to wait until Spring, to see what emerged.    In the corner were pots of Auricula.   I kept them.    13 years later I have quite a collection.   
 Initially I was not keen but I must say they have grown on me.
 The scent is lovely and the flowers very pretty.    
I can hear you ask 'What was in the other pots'
Plants to numerous to mention.......many have been planted in the garden.   I had an open day in that Spring, family and friends came and helped themselves to the plants I did not need. 

A local farmer was kind enough to remove the poly tunnel........it is but a distant memory :)  

17 comments:

  1. I love auriculas though I've never grown them myself. How wonderful to inherit a collection. Have you added to them at all over the years?

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  2. Not really.....I have around 30 plants now, which I will divide after flowering. I give some away each year and sell some on.
    I display them in a couple of auricula theatres.............I believe the Victorians did this.

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  3. Hi Cheryl. I remember seeing some of the delightful and colourful plants when I visited all that time ago. I'm guessing the previous owner was green fingered just like you.

    Whilst working at Wisley we had an Auricula Day in the Spring and I was always amazed at the numerous variety displayed in the traditional way.

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    1. I visited Wisley a few years ago. There are so many..........I am always tempted to add to my collection but I can see it could get totally out of control.

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  4. Dear Cheryl
    I have lots of questions for you - hope you don't mind. Do Auriculas stay outside all year or do you bring them in during winter - are they hardy? I saw that Janneke had all hers in the greenhouse. Are they like Primulas not minding a bit of shade. I don't want to invest in any if I can't look after them properly. Do they like grit in with the soil
    The colours certainly are beautiful - I love the dusting of flour on the buds.
    I can't imagine your garden with a polytunnel at all - thank goodness you had it removed.

    We have had a very rainy Sunday - thank goodness - the garden is breathing a sigh of relief and it has enabled me to catch up with comments - I seem to get further and further behind - oh dear - I think I am just about caught up with everyone now.

    Take care and happy gardening!
    Elaine

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    1. Hi Elaine......do not mind at all. I also saw Janneke's display.....beautiful.

      I keep my auricula in a cold greenhouse during the Winter. They are an alpine plant so like a free draining soil. I add a little grit when repotting or dividing. One theatre is in semi-shade during spring/summer, the other is in total shade......they both do well.
      They are totally hardy. My garden is in a frost pocket......lowest temperature I have recorded is minus 12.
      They are easy..........truly.
      Anything else you would like to know, please ask.

      We had sunshine and showers today.......lovely :)

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  5. This is a plant not normally found around here. At least I don't remember ever seeing it. I so enjoy seeing the plants you use in your garden. That gnarly looking plastic house held a few treasures I see. This place was meant to thrive with your care.

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    1. They are an alpine plant Lisa. It did indeed hold some treasures. Many of the shrubs in the garden came from the poly tunnel........it help fill the space, in its own way :)

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  6. What a wonderful surprise. Thank goodness for your patience, else you might have tossed some real treasures.

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    1. I am so glad I waited.........but I cannot tell you just how much I loathed looking at the ugly poly tunnel in the garden :)

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  7. O Cheryl I missed this post. So nice you have Auriculas too and I see in your answer to Elaine you treat them in the same way as I do, they are indeed easy. After flowering they go outside and I sometimes forget to give water in time, but they always survive. The double one on your second picture with the powdery leaves is a beauty!

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    1. I was so thrilled Janneke when I saw them on your blog. I do not think they are as popular as they used to be.
      I love the double.....it is a stunning plant.

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  8. These have to be one of my faviouret plants, I don't have any at the moment but have this idea I will collect them one day, housed in their own little terracotta pots displayed on a wall. So glad you have saved yours...
    Amanda xx

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    1. They are little treasures Amanda. To walk into a greenhouse full of Auricula is amazing.....the scent to die for :)

      Lovely idea, I look forward to seeing it one day......

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  9. We used to have a lot of Auricula ... it was a plant I grew up with, my parents liked it too.

    Plants and their scents so often bring back happy memories.

    All the best Jan

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  10. We used to have a lot of Auricula ... it was a plant I grew up with, my parents liked it too.

    Plants and their scents so often bring back happy memories.

    All the best Jan

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  11. Such pretty blooms! How nice to have "inherited" all of these.

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