Alpine
news
Issue 26 • June 2009
BIG ideas for small plants!
Newsletter of the Alpine Garden Society
The passing of Kath Dryden
It is with great regret that the Society announces
the death of Kath Dryden, VMH, Vice-President
of the Society and Lyttel Trophy Holder. Kath was
also a past President of the Society (1982-1985)
and a previous Director of Shows (1971-1981). She
was extremely well known to many members and
particularly to show exhibitors. Kath sadly passed
away on Monday, 18 May 2009 following a short
illness. She was always a stalwart supporter of the
Society, not to mention a consummate grower of
alpines. A full appreciation of Kath will appear in the
September issue of The Alpine Gardener.
Kath pictured talking to other judges
at an AGS London Show
‘Down in the Woods’ Conference- September 2009
See the enclosed flyer for full details of this forthcoming
Conference focussing on woodland plants. There is a wonderful
line-up of knowledgeable and interesting speakers.
Book your place now!
page 2
Special Book
Offers & New
Titles
page 9
Tours
Programme
ALPINE
page 16
GA
RD E N
S
TY
CIE
in the future. AGS membership
offers excellent value for money
and we continue to expand
and improve the benefits on
offer to members. It is vital
that the Society attract more
new members and by doing
so it will help to contain any
future increases that may prove
necessary.
page 5
O
AGS © 2009 Tel: 01386 554790
AGS Awards
Seed Exchange
Subscription Rates 2010 – No Increase
There will be no increase in
subscription rates for 2010.
The rate has remained static
now for the last four years and
during this time the Society has
continued to offer a high level of
service to its members. Given
the current economic climate
it will be difficult to maintain
subscription rates at this level
IN THIS ISSUE
80TH ANNIVERSARY
1929-2009
Noticeboard
ELECTIONS AND AWARDS
President
Exhibits - Chealsea 2009
Unfortunately, due to loss of sponsorship, the Society was
unable to stage a garden exhibit at the show this year. We
did maintain a presence at Chelsea with a Promotion and
Sales Stand on Eastern Avenue that featured a small display
of alpines planted in a raised bed. This attractive display,
planted by Ray Drew and Christopher Grey-Wilson,
proved extremely popular with visitors, helping to raise awareness of the delights of growing
alpine plants. Thanks to the staff from AGS Centre and the volunteers who all worked
extremely hard during the week helping to promote the Society and recruit new members.
Harrogate 2009
Congratulations to the West Yorkshire Group who
staged a super exhibit at the Harrogate Spring Flower
Show - winning a Premier Award. This exhibit was
funded by the main Society in order to recruit new
members and promote alpines to a wider audience.
Our thanks go to the volunteers from the West
Yorkshire Group who constructed the exhibit. It attracted a great deal of interest from
visitors. There was also a central AGS presence running a Promotion Stand in the same hall
as the exhibit. This enabled the Society to capitalise on the success of the exhibit and recruit
new members. Grateful thanks once again to all the volunteers from West Yorkshire who
either assisted with the exhibit or helped on the Promotion Stand.
AWARDS & GRANTS
AGS Travel Awards for 2009
Successful applicants for the AGS Travel Awards in 2009 are:
• Patrick Hayes enabling him to undertake a trip to Kazakhstan to increase his knowledge
of bulbous plants.
• Christopher Miller joint AGS/Merlin Award to participate in an AGS Tour to Sichuan.
• Michael McEvoy joint AGS/Merlin Award to participate in an AGS Tour to Sichuan.
The prize for Best Report/Essay submitted in a calendar year by a recipient of a Travel
Award was given to Tim Lever for his account of the AGS Bhutan Expedition entitled
‘Travels in Bhutan: In Search of the Pink Poppy-Wort’
The Committee is pleased to announce that it will be nominating Mrs Val Lee to serve as
President of the Society following the retirement of Mr Frank Tindall at the 2009 AGM.
Nominations
Nominations, with supporting statements/citations, are invited from Members for the
following posts:
• Committee – Five vacancies. Members to serve for three years.
• Advertisements Manager - Vacancy (see advert in June issue of ‘The Alpine
Gardener’ or contact AGS Centre for further details).
• Officers – All other Officers are eligible for re-appointment and are prepared to
continue to serve the AGS.
Awards
(a) Lyttel Trophy for meritorious work with alpines
(b) The Lawrence Award for an outstanding contribution to work with alpines from
someone under the age of 35
(c) The Award of Honour for sterling work on behalf of the AGS, not necessarily during
the previous year, but over a period of time
(d) The Ferrier Charlton Award for outstanding work for the Society in an administrative
capacity
(e) The Kath Dryden Award to recognise meritorious work on basic cultivation/new plant
introduction within a single genus or group of alpine plants
(f) Local Group Awards these awards recognise outstanding service within a Local Group
over a number of years, the impact of which is felt more widely than just the local area.
(Nominations for this award must come from the Local Group concerned).
AGS Annual Literary Awards
The Alpine Gardener sets extremely high standards in horticultural journalism and
photography, and every year the Society seeks to honour the very best of the contributions.
We do this by appealing to the judgement of the most discriminating and informed critics you, the readership. Members are invited to nominate The Alpine Gardener Volume 76 2008
contributors for the following awards:
1. The Clarence Elliott Memorial Award for the best article published in The Alpine
Gardener in 2008 (Vol 76).
2. The Florence Baker Award for the best botanical illustration published in any Society
publication in 2008 or exhibited at an AGS Competitive Show up to the end of July
2009.
3. The Lionel & Joyce Bacon Award for the best practical alpine gardening article
published in The Alpine Gardener in 2008 (Vol 76).
[All nominations must be submitted on the appropriate form (available from AGS Centre) and sent to
Christine McGregor, Director, AGS Centre, Avon Bank, Pershore, WR10 3JP by 31st July 2009]
2
3
Noticeboard
Noticeboard
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Saturday, 7 November 2009
This year’s Annual General Meeting of the AGS will take place on Saturday, 7 November
2009 at the Stratford Manor Hotel, Warwick Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 0PY.
(The Hotel is situated M40, Junction 15 the A46 to Stratford, 1st roundabout take A439
to Town Centre. Stratford Manor 1 mile on left). Full details of the event and
a map will appear in the next Newsletter.
Items for the Newsletter and Copy Dates
Please note that any copy for the Newsletter should be sent to
Jill Larner, AGS Centre, Avon Bank, Pershore, Worcs, WR10 3JP
or email: [email protected]
Deadline for the September 2009 issue is Friday 17 July 2009
SPECIAL AGS MEMBERS OFFER
Implementations Copper Garden Tools are hand-made
in Austria and Hungary, inspired by the work of the Austrian
inventor and visionary Viktor Schauberger. The tool heads
are bronze, a hardwearing copper alloy, and carry a lifetime
guarantee. The metal is more slippery than steel, so the soil does
not stick to them so much. And of course they will never rust.
They don't go green either (unless they are left out in the rain for
months on end). The edges are very sharp - and they stay sharp
when used. Users say they slice into even the claggiest clay soil
like a knife through butter. And many users of the tools report a
drop in slug and snail damage after using them.
The Mira Trowel is 12 ins long and 21/4 ins wide at its widest
point. The handle is turned beechwood. With its narrow head it
is handy for working in closely-planted areas, and for extracting
taprooted weeds.
The Spika Weeder is just over 10 ins long. This is an attentionto-detail gardener's tool. The little rake removes weeds and
debris from close to precious plants, and the spatula can dig out
deeper roots.
As a special offer for AGS members, both tools are available for £41 (inc
UK p&p), a saving of £3. Send a cheque, payable to Implementations,
at P.O. Box 2568, Nuneaton CV10 9YR. Alternatively you can order online via their website at www.
implementations.co.uk. To qualify for the discount when you submit your order online, write 'AGS Offer' in
the box entitled 'How did you find out about Implementations?'. Offer valid until 31/8/09.
4
OBITUARIES
The Society has received notification of the sudden death on 15 May 2009 of Joan Carvill, Hon.
Secretary of the Dublin Group, whilst on holiday in Siena, Italy. Joan was a founder member of the
Dublin Group and long standing member of the Society, who will be sadly missed.
Our sincere condolences are sent to her family and friends
SEED EXCHANGE
The Seed Exchange supplies seed to a large number of members during December and January
each year and we are greatly indebted to the 200 plus volunteers who help to make the seed
exchange such a tremendous success.
However, in order to be successful, we rely on a large number of members to donate their seed
to the exchange. Please donate seed of as many varieties as you can, not forgetting seed from
spring flowering plants. Please check your plants are correctly named and that the seed is free
from chaff and grit and packed in leak proof packets. Any seed collected should be stored cool
and dry (a plastic box in a fridge is ideal). All donors will receive an increased quantity of seed and
priority in processing their order.
A DONOR FORM is included with this mailing giving instructions on when and where to send
your seed.
Would anyone wishing for more information please contact:
Colin Dolding, Curlew, Hook Bank, Hanley Castle, Worcs,WR8 0AZ
[email protected], 01684 594204 quoting your telephone number, or e-mail address.
SALE OF SEED ENVELOPES
The AGS is selling seed envelopes as part of the Seed Distribution System.
The envelopes are of the glassine type (as used in the AGS distribution) and
are available in two sizes at the following prices.
50 packets 73 x 41mm (2.8 x 1.6in) for £2.00 (self-seal)
50 packets 98 x 64mm (3.8 x 2.5in) for £2.50 (gummed)
They can be purchased from the AGS Centre, Avon Bank, Pershore
Worcs, WR10 3JP
Postage is FREE to UK members.
Overseas members should contact AGS Centre regarding postage costs,
which will depend on the quantity ordered.
5
Whats On
Local Group News
AGS PERSHORE SHOW
11 JULY 2009
The Pershore Show, now in its seventh year based at AGS Centre, will be held on 11 July,
starting at 12.00 noon. The AGS Garden and college grounds will be open before this for
Members and Visitors wishing to stroll around. AGS Centre will also be open throughout the
day providing an opportunity to purchase new books and merchandise, plus a sales table of
reduced priced and second-hand books. There will be specialist nurseries in attendance with
quality plants for sale. For further details please contact the Show Secretaries: Susan & Richard
Clements, Chestnut Cottage, Church Lane, Defford, WR8 9BJ. Tel: 01386 750839.
BRISTOL GROUP CONFERENCE
29th One Day Conference – Saturday 26 September 2009
The venue Red Maids’ School, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS9 3AW for our Annual One
Day Conference. The Speakers will be Rick Lambert, Kevin Hughes, Kit Strange and
Chris Chadwell. Plant Stalls include Parham Bungalow Plants; Kevin Hughes (Heale Plant
Centre) and the Bristol Group, well supported by many interesting items from delegates. A
welcome change in catering enables us to have the services of the School Chef and his team
throughout the day. For further information please contact Mike Taylor, 96 Reedley Road,
Bristol BS9 3TA. Tel. 0117 9686654.
BIRMINGHAM & DISTRICT GROUP
19th Annual Roy Elliott Memorial Lecture – 21 November 2009
The 19th Roy Elliott Memorial Lecture will be held at 2.00pm on Saturday 21 November
2009 at the Holy Name Church Hall, Great Barr. Birmingham. The Lecturers are: Michael
Almond, whose photography lecture is entitled “Sliding into Digital” and Robert Rolfe whose
lecture is on “A Vast Range of Possibles ~ some of Roy Elliott’s Favourite Plants”.
Doors open at 1.00pm for the sale of plants.
FORTHCOMING AGS SHOWS – 2009
AGS Summer Show-North, 20 June 2009 - Pudsey Civic Hall, Dawson’s Corner, Pudsey,
LS28 5TA. Tel: 0113 269 7276
AGS Pershore Show, 11 July 2009- Pershore College, Avon Bank, Pershore, WR10 3JP.
Tel: 01386 750839
AGS Autumn Show-South, 26 September 2009- Rainham School for Girls, Highfield
Road, Rainham, Gillingham, ME8 0BX. Tel: 01303 862913
AGS Loughborough Autumn Show, 3 October 2009 - Burleigh Community College,
Thorpe Hill, Loughborough, LE11 4SQ. Tel: 01509 261626
AGS Newcastle Show, 10 October 2009- The Memorial Hall, Darras Road, Ponteland,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE20 9NX. Tel: 01670 787714
A full list of AGS Show Dates is published on AGS website: www.alpinegardenosociety.net
6
LOCAL GROUP CHANGES & AMENDMENTS
Dorset Group
Hon. Secretary: John Chappell. Please note telephone number. Tel: 01300 320247
Mid-Kent:
Hon. Secs: John & Carolyn Millen. Please note Email address: [email protected]
Epping Forest:
Kit Strange has taken over the post of Group Secretary from Keith Ballard
Cleveland:
Barry Winter is the Secretary taking over from Pat Craven
Eighth International Rock Garden Conference – 2011
The next ten year International Rock Garden Conference
will be held at Nottingham University in the East Midlands
Conference Centre from Thursday, 13 April to Sunday, 17
April 2011.
More information on this event will be published in the
next issue of Alpine News.
Conference Logo Competition
The Society invites members to submit a design for a Conference Logo. The design must
incorporate the emblems of both societies (AGS and SRGC) and be suitable for use on
stationery and merchandise. Entries must be sent to AGS Centre, Avonbank, Pershore
WR2 4RT no later than 22 August 2009. The owner of the winning entry will receive
FREE membership of both Societies for one year.
The Society reserves the right not to use any of the entries if none are deemed to
be suitable.
Online Flower Show
T
he Online Flower Show for 2009 is currently accepting
entries. You can submit pictures of your plants
at Shows or in your garden. Plants exhibited must
have been cultivated by the exhibitor and
photographed during the last growing
season. Details of how to participate in
this event are posted on our website.
7
NEW BOOK OFFER • NEW BOOK OFFER • NEW BOOK OFFER
AGS WORKSHOPS 2009
The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation
(A From Seed to Tissue Culture Second Edition
HOW TO WORK WITH PICTURES ON YOUR COMPUTER
A WORKSHOP FOR BEGINNERS
Saturday 8 August 2009 at the AGS Centre at Pershore
By Michael A Dirr & Chales W Heuser, Jr.
Michael A Dirr is a professor of horticulture at the University of
Georgia. He is the author of 12 books, and has published more than
300 scientific and popular papers and articles.
(A FEW PLACES STILL AVAILABLE)
Charles Geuser is a professor of Horticultural Physiology at Penn State
University. He is the international editor of the International Plant
Propagator’s Society.
This Workshop will be led by Diane Clement who has led many computer workshops
on similar topics.
To include:
• How to organise your pictures on your computer
• How to apply simple editing techniques to your pictures
• How to make a presentation of your pictures for family or a larger audience
• How to post your pictures on a website
• Advice on software
• Time for sharing and solving problems
This workshop is not about taking pictures, but what to do with them once you have
taken them. It is aimed at beginners or those with only a little knowledge, and is
definitely not for experts, so please bring along all those “how do I do that” questions
you have always wanted to ask but were afraid to. There will be time for hands on
experience.
The day will start at 9.30am with coffee, and finish at 4.00 pm approximately. The
cost is £25.00 for members and £32.00 for non-members.This price includes lunch
and refreshments.
Paperback, 280 x 215 mm – 800 pages (approx) Illustrated with 200 b/w photos.
RRP £35.00 plus post and packaging.
We are able to offer it to members at £30.00 plus post & Packing. Overseas £33.00
This book describes more than 1100 species
and their propagation requirements by seeds,
cuttings, grafting and budding and tissue
culture. It also includes introductory chapters
with detailed information on propagation
methods.
ORDER FORM FOR NEW BOOK OFFER
Please supply the following :
....... copy/copies of ..... Woody Plant Propagation UK @ £30.00
....... copy/copies of ..... Woody Plant Propagation Overseas @ £33.00
Please find enclosed my cheque for £ ................... made payable to AGS Publications Ltd for
the above Special Offer. Payment can also be made by credit card. The address to which your
credit card statement is despatched must be stated in the right hand panel below.
Please debit my Visa/Mastercard/Swith:
Card Number _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ Security Code _ _ _
Expiry Date _ _ / _ _ Issue No _
(Switch Cards only)
Membership No: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Please complete both address panels and return this form to:
AGS Publications Ltd, AGS Centre, Avon Bank, Pershore, Worcestershire WR10 3JP
Further information and booking forms available from Jill Larner, AGS Centre, Avon Bank,
Pershore, WR10 3JP or email [email protected], Tel No 01386 554790
8
Delivery Address:
Credit Card address (If different):
Name:................................................... Name:..............................................................
Address:................................................ Address:...........................................................
............................................................. .........................................................................
............................................................. .........................................................................
9
AGS
publications
Members’ prices shown reflect a minimum 10%
discount on the Recommended Retail Price.
NEW BOOKSMembers
Price
032 Alpine Gardening for Beginners by John Good £7.20
714 Gardening with Conifers by Adrian Bloom £22.50
696 Plantsman’s Paradise – Travels in China by Roy Lancaster £36 00
697 Seeds of Adventure – In Search of plants by Peter Cox & Peter Hutchison £31.50
552 Seed Germination Theory & Practice Second Ed. Post Free £25.00
711
50 Practically Perfect Plants by Tracy DiSabato-Aust £13.50
713 Timber Press Pocket Guide to Water Garden Plants by Greg & Sus Speichert £13.50
704 Micro Photography for Gardeners and Nature Lovers by Alan L Detrick £16.20
705 The Iris Family by Peter Goldblatt and John C Manning £36.00
SALE BOOKS & SPECIAL OFFERS
018
Corydalis - A Gardener’s Guide by M Liden & H Zetterlund SALE PRICE £4.95
549
Hardy Perennials - The Cultivation of SALE PRICE £11.25
005
Handbook of Rock Gardening by John Good
SALE PRICE £2.50
013
552a
578
020
266
Primulas of Europe & America
by G.F.Smith, B.Burrow & D.B.Lowe Supplement of Seed Germination by Norman C. Deno
The Natural Habitat Garden by Ken Druse
The Woodland Garden - A Guide to Shade loving Plants
by Jack Elliott
Tulips (Species & Hybrids for the Gardeners)
by Richard Wilford SALE PRICE £4.95
SALE PRICE £7.20
SALE PRICE £16.00
SALE PRICE
post free £18.95
TITLES PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY:
024
031 002
019
025 026 027 028 08
Alpines in Pots (New Edition) by Kath Dryden
(Still at a special price to members)
post free
Mountain Flower Walks – The Greek Mainland by John Richards Alpines in Sinks & Troughs by Joe Elliott
post free
Androsace - The Genus by G.F.Smith & D.B. Lowe
Consolidated Index 1930 – 2005
(included with this book is a free CD version)
Crevice Gardening by Zdenek Zvolanek Bulbous Plants of Turkey and Iran by Peter Sheasby Alpine Plants Ecology for Gardeners by John E G Good & David Millward    Dionysia – The Genus by Christopher Grey-Wilson
Saxifrages by Winton Harding – New and re-written edition with colour Silver Saxifrages by Beryl Bland The Smaller Daphnes – Summary of Conference Proceedings April 2000
Cyclamen by Christopher Grey-Wilson
(Still at a special price to members)
post free
011 021 022 268
10
£5.95
£3.95
£18.50
£2.25
£17.95
£10.95
£5.95
£29.65
£22.50
£7.95
£4.95
£11.95
£3.95
£4.95
AGS
publications
Members’ prices shown reflect a minimum 10%
discount on the Recommended Retail Price.
BULBOUS PLANTS:
234
239
238
599
243
663
233
242
280 281 608
274
597
363
232
Arisaema - The Genus - by Guy & Liliane Gusman
Agapanthus - A Revision of the Genus by Wim Snoeijer
Ariods Plants of the Arum Family by Deni Bown
Autumn Bulbs by Rod Leeds
Bulbs in Containers by Rod Leeds
Bulbs for Garden Habitats by Judy Glattstein Bulbs of North America - published by NARGS
Bulbs Revised Edition by John Bryan RRP Price £65.00 *postage for this book £7.70 Buried Treasures by Janis Ruksans  Growing Orchids in Your Garden by Robert G M Friend    Pocket Guide to Bulbs by John E Bryan
Orchids of Britain & Ireland (A Field & Site Guide) by Anne & Simon Harrap
Orchids of the British Isles by Michael Foley & Sidney Clarke
The Genus Pleione (second Edition) by Phillip Cribb & Ian Butterfield
Snowdrops - A Monograph of Cultivated Galanthus
by Mat Bishop, Aaron Davis, & John Grimshaw (updated version)
SPECIFIC GENERA:
694 651 653 289 620 584
643
290
652 669
277
263
259
374
670
339
699 257
601
630
Bleeding Hearts, Corydalis & their Relatives by Mark C Tebbitt,
Magnus Liden & Henrik Zetterlund Bromeliads for the Contemporary Garden by Andrew Steens   Calochortus Mariposa Lilies & their relatives
by Mary E Gerritsen & Ron Parsonsm Camellias (The Gardener’s Encyclopaedia) by Jennifer Trehane
Ceanothus by David Fross & Dieter Wilken  Clematis - An Illustrated Encyclopedia of - by Mary Toomey & Everett Leeds Clematis (Pocket Guide to) by Mary Tooney
Clematis in Small Spaces by Raymond J Evison Conifers for Gardens (An illustrated Encyclopedia) by Richard L Bitner
Daylily (A Guide for Gardeners) by John P Peat & Ted L Petit Dwarf Campanulas by Graham Nicholls
Daphnes (A Practical Guide for Gardeners) by Robin White
Dogwoods (The Genus Cornus) by Paul Cappiello & Don Shadow
Epimedium - The Genus by William T Stearn
Ferns (Gardening with) by Martin Rickard Growing Fritillaries - The Gardener’s Guide by Kevin Pratt & Michael Jefferson-Brown Gardening with Hardy Heathers by David Small & Ella May T Wulff Hardy Bamboos (Taming the Dragon) by ) Paul Whittaker
Hardy Geraniums - Gardening with - by Birgitte Husted Bendtsen
Hebes by Lowrie Metcalf
11
£45.00
£26.99
£22.50
£11.99
£18.00
£20.25
£22.50
£30 00
£27.00
£20.25
£13.50
£27.00
£40.50
£29.25
£40.50
£22.50
£20.25
£18.00
£31.50
£27.00
£40.50
£13.50
£18.00
£36.00
£20.25
£22.50
£22.50
£22.50
£31.50
£11.69
£11.69
£27.00
£22.50
£17.99
£27.00
AGS
publications
271
596
248
634
288 664
604
660
582
380
379
668
698 265
283
360
378
700 647 282 267
342
286
Members’ prices shown reflect a minimum 10%
discount on the Recommended Retail Price.
Hellebores (A Comprehensive Guide) by C Colston Burrell & Judith Knott Tyler £22.50
Hellebores - The Gardener’s Guide - by Graham Rice & Elizabeth Strangman £11.69
Heucheras & Heucherellas (Coral Bells & Foamy Bells)
by Dan Heims & Grahame Ware £18.00
Hollies for Gardeners by Christopher Bailes £22.50
Hostas (Timber Press Pocket Guide to) by Diana Grenfell & Michael Shadrack £13.50
Hydrangea (Encyclopaedia of) by C J & D M van Gelderen £31.50
Irises (A Gardener’s Encyclopedia) by Claire Austin £31.50
Japanese Maples (Timber Press Pocket Guide) by Peter Gregory & J C Vertrem £13.50
Kalmia Mountain Laurel & Related Species (Third Edition) by Richard A Jaynes £22.50
Lavandula - The Genus - by Tim Upson & Susyn Andrews £33.75
Maples for Gardens A Colour Encyclopaedia
by C J van Gelderen D M van Gelderen £31.50
Magnolias (A Gardener’s Guide) by Jim Gardiner £22.50
Ophyrs – The bee orchids of Europe by Henrik Aerenlund Pedersen &
Niels Faurholdt £29.70
Growing Hardy Orchids by John Tullock £18.00
Peony Rockii & Gansu Mudan by Will McLewin £33.75
Penstemons by Robert Nold £20.25
Rhododendrons & Azaleas - Success with - revised edition by H Edward Reiley £16.20
Saxifrages (A Definitive Guide to the 2000 species) by Malcolm McGregor £31.50
Succulents for the Contemporary Garden by Yvonne Cave  £20.25
The Genus Roscoea by Jill Cowley £29.70
The Genus Sorbus (Mountain Ash & other Rowans) by Hugh McAllister £28.80
Trilliums by Frederick W Case & Roberta B Case £20.25
Viburnums by Michael A Dirr £22.50
FLORAS & GUIDES TO CONTINENTS & COUNTRIES
278
702 244
457
659 683
684
685
686 687
688
Alpine & Sub-Alpine Flora of Mount Jaya (A Guide to the)
by RJ Johns, P J Edwards, TMA Uttridge, HCF Hopkins
Flowers of the Transcaucasus & Adjacent Areas by Eleonora Gabrielian & Ori Fragman-Sapir Alpine Plants of Europe by Jim Jermyn
Alpine Plants of North America and Encyclopaedia
of Mountain Flowers from the Rockies to Alaska by Graham Nicholls
Britain’s Rare Flowers by Peter Marren (New paperback edition) Crossbill Guide to Hungary (Hortobagy & Tisza river Floodplain) by Dirk Hilbers
Crossbill Guide to France (The Camargue, La Crau & Alpilles)
Crossbill Guide to Spain (Andausian Sierras from Malaga to Gibraltar)
Crossbill Guide to Spain – Coto Donana
Crossbill Guide to Spain (Extremadura)
Crossbill Guide to Poland (bialowieza Primeval Forest)
12
£77.00
£65.00
£22.50
£31.50
£15.30
£17.10
£18.00
£18.00
£15.25
£18.00
£15.25
AGS
publications
689
425
680
656 031 701 Members’ prices shown reflect a minimum 10%
discount on the Recommended Retail Price.
Crossbill Guide to Poland (Biebrza Marshes)
Easy Ways to the Plants of the Bernese Oberland by Philip & Jean Tallboys
Endemic Plants of the Altai Mountain Country by A L Pyak & S C Shaw Japan (Garden Plants of) by Ran Levy-Yamamori & Gerard Taaffe
Mountain Flower Walks – The Greek Mainland by John Richards £13.50
£6.30
£27.00
£40.50
£18.50
Orchids of Russia & Adjacent Countries (within the borders of the former USSR)
by M G Vakhrameeva, I V Tatarenko, T I Varlygina, G K Torosyan & M H Zagulski £150.00
597
681 270
478 453
460
657 413
413a
413b
262
Plants from the Edge of the World by Mark Flanagan & Tony Kirkham £22.50
Plants of the Falkland Island by Ali Liddle £9.00
Plants of Western Oregon, Washington & British Columbia by Eugene N Kozloff £45.00
The Caucasus and its Flowers by Vojtech Holubec & Pavel Krivka £48.00
The Himalayan Garden-Growing Plants from the Roof of the World by J Jermyn £22.50
Walks with Crete’s Spring Flowers by Jeff Collman £22.50
Wild Flowers of Britain & Ireland by M Blamey, R Fitter & A Fitter £15.30
Wild flowers of Spain by Clive Innes Vol 1 £3.38
Wild flowers of Spain by Clive Innes Vol 2 £3.38
Wild flowers of Spain by Clive Innes Vol 3 £3.38
Wild Orchids of North America (A Botanical Travelogue)
by Philip E Keenan Now in paperback £18.00
GENERAL TITLES
655 264
609 582
631
279
647 672 276
254
291 252
671 672 667 629
695 269
Botanic Gardens (A Living History) £35.95
Botany for Gardeners(Revised Edition) by Brian Capon £13.50
Creative Propagation (Sec Ed.) by Peter Thompson
£16.20
Design in the Plant Collector’s Garden by Roger Turner £20.50
Digital Photography (A-Z Creative) by Lee Frost £13.50
Digital Photography - An Introduction by Tom Ang £8.99
Gardening at the Shore by Frances Tenenbaum £18.00
Gardening with Ornamental Grasses by Roger Grounds £11.69
Green Roof Plants by Edmond C & lucie L Snodgrass
£18.00
Elegant Silvers Striking Plants for Every Garden
by Jo Ann Gardner & Karen Bussolini
£22.50
Essential Garden Design Workbook by Rosemary Alexander £18.00
Gardening on Pavement, Tables, & Hard Surfaces by George Schenk
£20.25
Gardening with Foliage Form & Texture by Ethne Clarke £11.69
Gardening with Ornamental Grasses by Roger Grounds £11.69
Garden your way to Health & Fitness by Bunny Guiness & Jacqueline Knox £13.50
Ground Cover (Pocket Guide to) by David S Mackenzie £13.50
High & Dry by Robert Nold £22.50
Moss Gardening (including Lichens, Liverworts, & other miniatures)
by George Schenk £22.50
13
662
588
665
682 249
703 646
589
712 247
648 649 580
654 661 On the Wild side by Keith Wiley £18.00
Ornamental Grasses - Timber Press Pocket Guide to - by Rick Darke
£13.50
Pots in the Garden by Ray Rogers £18.00
Arable Plants (A Field Guide) by Phil Wilson & Miles King £13.50
Perennial Ground Cover Plants by David S MacKenzie
£20.25
Plants Form (An Illustrated Guide to Flower Plant Morphology) by Adrian D Bell £31.50
Seedheads in the garden by Noel Kingsbury £18.00
Shade Perennials - Timber Press Pocket Guide to - by W George Schmid
£13.50
Trees for All Seasons by Sean Hogan £22.50
The Jade Garden (New & Notable plants from Asia)
by Peter Wharton, Brent Hine & Douglas Justice £22.50
The Classic Cattleyas by Arthur A Chadwick & Arthur E Chadwick £31.50
The Well-Tended Perennial Garden by Tracy Disabato-Aust. £22.50
The Plant Hunter’s Garden The New Explorers and Their Discoveries
by Bobby J Ward £27.00
Water Garden Plants (Encyclopedia of) by Greg & Sue Speichert £31.50
Winter-Flowering Shrubs by Michael W Buffin £22.50
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order to any of our national Shows for you to collect.
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14
15
Autumn Bulbs of
Southern Greece 2009
23rd October – 5th November 2009.
LEADERS: MARGARET & DAVID THORNE.
Cost: circa £1000.
AGS
expeditions
T
he main purpose of the trip is to enjoy the rich and colourful display of autumn
flowering bulbs and other plants found throughout this scenically spectacular area.
Many of the Ancient Sites have great botanical interest, so our visits will include Delphi,
Mystras, Epidavros, Mycenae and Sounion.
We expect to see many Crocuses and Colchicums, all three local species of Sternbergia,
also Cyclamen graecum and C. hederifolium, Narcissus serotinus and N. tazetta, and
delicate Galanthus reginae-olgae. From Parnassos, in the north, there will be visits to
find the rare Crocus robertianus, the autumn flowering orchid, Spiranthes spiralis,
tiny Sternbergia colchiciflora
and a possibly new species
of Colchicum. Other
plants include Campanula
versicolor, Alkanna orientalis,
Centranthus ruber and
Daphne jasminea, with
delicately scented white
flowers. We go to the
southern tip of the Mani
peninsula for Scilla autumnalis
latifolia and the white flower
spikes of Urginea maritima.
On the way, we should find
Biarum tenuifolium, glorious
Crocus goulimyi and a vast
swathe of C. niveus, with
much else besides. We will
explore the rocky splendour of
Monemvasia, nearby terraces
of Crocus goulimyi leucanthus
growing with Anemone
coronaria flowers in vivid blues
and reds and a seaside site
for Colchicum sfikasianum.
Then we travel further east to
less well-visited areas, which
proved most rewarding during
our 2006 AGS Tour.
16
For those who wish to learn how to identify each species, there will be plenty of help
available, but you are equally welcome to come just to enjoy the spectacle, the sunny
weather and convivial company of fellow AGS members. Accommodation will be in
comfortable hotels in Delphi (2 nights), Kalavryta (2 nights), Mystras (2 nights), Gythion
(3 nights), Gefyra (2 nights) and Nafplion (2 nights). Flights will be from London to
Athens and transport by small coach
to enable us to travel in comfort but
have access to the narrow roads in
many areas of interest.
LIMITED
PLACES
REMAINI
NG
For further information on this tour please contact AGS Centre.
Tel: 01386 554790 or email: [email protected]
17
AGS TOUR TO NEW ZEALAND:
31.12.09 – 21.01.10 (OR 25.01.10 TO INCLUDE EXTENSION)
Leader: Mark Hanger.
Price: in the region of £3800, inclusive of international flights. Single
supplement £500. Stewart Island extension: £450 per person, with a single
supplement of £100
We then cross by ferry to South Island and spend remainder of the tour studying the
superb upland, sub-alpine, scree and rock outcrop flora of areas including Mount
Arthur, Blackbirch, Clarence Valley and Mount Hutt. We hope to find a variety of scree
harebells, lobelias, forget-me-nots, penwipers and vegetable sheep.
A day on the coast at Kaikoura will allow for an optional three-hour marine trip, with
the opportunity to view sperm whales, which inhabit deep water just off the coast or
alternatively you may opt for the Oceanwings Albatross excursion.
One of the highlights of the tour will be the opportunity to explore the renowned
Mount Cook National Park, where plants will include giant Mt Cook buttercups,
golden Spaniards and sub-alpine shrubs abound amidst unforgettable landscapes. The
Remarkables Range gives sweeping views of the Wakatipu Basin and holds high altitude
vegetation at its superb best. Cushion and upland bog flora abounds, including such
treats as Buchanan’s buttercup, white matt daisies, cushion forget-me-nots and local
endemic Spaniards. We will also visit the upper Hollyford Valley, which contains superb
boulderfields and herbfields, the Gertrude Cirque and other treasures of the Darran
Mountains.
Our final mountain destination will be the Hunter Mountains. Superb alpine vistas and
local endemics characterise this area. We should see the bizarre local wild spaniard,
hybrid giant buttercups, Buchanan’s buttercup in profusion, plus several species of
Celmisia. The tour ends in Invercargill, from which we will depart to Auckland to
connect with our international flights home.
W
e are delighted to offer this tour of New Zealand. We will depart from Europe
on 31st December, arriving in Auckland on 2nd January 2010. Mark Hanger will
lead the tour, having led previous successful AGS tours in New Zealand and Australia.
He is an extremely experienced naturalist, with a superb knowledge of the flora of his
native country.
Previous AGS tours to New Zealand have concentrated on South Island, but this tour
will spend the first few days on North Island, exploring its many volcanic landscapes
and the plants they support.
18
19
SPRING BULBS OF PARNASSOS AND THE PELOPONNESE
March/April 2010 (15 days)
Leaders: Margaret & David Thorne
Cost: circa £1,200
S
pringtime in Greece brings a
kaleidoscope of glorious flowers.
Fields full of poppies, anemones,
mayweeds, spurges, crown daisies,
corn marigolds and many more
species, create a colourful roadside
spectacle.
Our botanical exploration will start
in the south of the Peloponnese,
on the Mani Peninsula, a scenically
beautiful area where Tulipa goulimyi,
Fritillaria davisii and Teucrium
brevifolium are local endemics.
Here we will also find Cyclamen peloponnesiacum on woodland edges, both Cerinthe
major and C.retorta and a fascinating range of orchids. Among the most showy of these
are Orchis papilionacea, O.pauciflora and Ophrys speculum, but good displays are likely
of O.tenthredinifera, O.spruneri, O.bombyliflora and the local endemic, O.argolica. Some
spikes of Himantoglossum robertianum, the Giant Orchid, will still be at their best and
there will be plenty of opportunity to identify several species of Serapias.
We are offering a short tour extension to Stewart Island and the south of South
Island. There will be an opportunity to discover the grand diversity of life on this, the
least modified of the three main islands of New Zealand, where the coastal flora is
characterised by an array of shrubby daisies, and the forests abound with mosses and
ferns. Returning to South Island, we will visit a forgotten corner of New Zealand, which
lies to the east of Invercargill. It includes some of the finest coastal scenery and lowland
forests in the country. We sample the botanical delights of this region before continuing
to Dunedin, where we stay for two nights. We will visit Dunedin Botanic Gardens and
a Yellow Eyed Penguin colony on the Otago Peninsula. Later we will take an evening
harbour cruise around Taiaroa Head, the only mainland breeding site of Northern Royal
Albatross. This promises to be a magical wildlife experience, drawing to a close our rich
and diverse discovery of New Zealand’s native treasures.
If you are interested in joining this tour, please contact Tracy Watterson at the AGS
Centre on 01386 554790 or by email at [email protected] to request a
prospectus and booking form.
For further information on this tour please contact AGS Centre.
Tel: 01386 554790 or email: [email protected]
20
On the Malea peninsula, we will visit the impressive rock of Monemvasia and its well
documented floral treasures including Campanula andrewsii, Onosma frutescens and
Procopiana cretica. A nearby area of acid soils is characterised by Arbutus unedo, Erica
arborea and Lavandula stoechas, with Dactylorhiza romana and Romulea bulbocodium. A
roadside terrace has vivid red Papaver apulum with black and white throat markings and
clumps of Ophrys lutea and O.iricolor. Further north, we will find red Tulipa undulatifolia,
orange T.orphanidea, good populations of Fritillaria graeca ssp guicciardii with distinctive
bicoloured flowers, Cyclamen peloponnesiacum ssp vividum and
Anemone blanda in blue and white forms.
During the latter part of the Tour, we visit Mounts Chelmos
and Parnassos, and the surrounding areas for Crocus sieberi
ssp sublimis, C.olivieri, Iris attica, Daphne jasminea, Leontice
leontopetalum, Ophrys cornuta and other local specialities.
There will be visits to Ancient Sites including Mystras, Delphi and
perhaps Epidavros, Mycenae and Sounion. Flights will be from
London to Athens and accommodation in comfortable hotels.
Transport is by small coach enabling us all to travel together
and in comfort, while having access to narrow roads in areas of
interest.
For further information on this tour please contact AGS Centre.
Tel: 01386 554790 or email: [email protected]
21
PONTIC MOUNTAINS AND THE NE BORDERLANDS:
PICOS DE EUROPA:
28th May-6th June 2010
2nd half of May 2010
Leaders: Bob &
Rannveig Wallis.
Leader: Dr Christopher
Grey-Wilson.
Cost: expected to be in the
region of £1700
Cost: in the region of £650
per person
W
Try a new venture with the
AGS, a self-catering tour with
an experienced leader.
e are pleased to offer a
tour through the high
passes of NE Turkey at snow
melt time. Bob & Rannveig have
been in the region on numerous
other occasions and therefore
have a pretty good knowledge of
good botanical sites. They aim to
explore some of the lesser known
passes from both sides of the Pontic mountains with a number of excursions on to
some of the high mountains adjoining the Georgian border. The trip will also go along
parts of the spectacular gorge created by the massive Coruh river. The dates are timed
to coincide with the flowering of bulbs, woodlanders and early alpines. At this time, the
slopes are ablaze with colour in the melting snow and many real rarities are in amazing
abundance.
The tour will comprise a few leisurely walks with plenty of time will allow for
botanising and wayside photography. Also included will be a special walk in the forests
on the north side of Kahkar Dag to find Epigea gaultherioides and a day on the Çam
Gehidi to view the vast fields of Scilla rosenii with many other specialities of the area.
The Pontic mountains run through the north of Turkey, parallel with, and very close
to, the Black Sea coast. Proximity to these cold mountains to the warm body of water
gives rise to a moist temperate climate on the northern slopes which cools with
altitude until, precisely at the summit, the climate changes and becomes continental
like much of central Turkey. The winters on this side are very cold with good snow fall
and the summers largely dry. This zoning of the climate in a short distance gives rise to
a huge and diverse flora which ranges from large Rhododendrons with snowdrops to
high alpines and, of course, a generous sprinkling of bulbs many of which are endemic
to the region.
Some of the plants that we hope to see are:
Caltha polypetala, Corydalis conorrhiza and alpestris, Crocus aerius and biflorus subsp
tauri, Cyclamen parviflorum, Daphne glomerata, Epigea gaultherioides, Fritillaria armena,
caucasica and latifolia, Gentiana pyrenaica, Jurinella moschos, Paris incompleta, Primula
auriculata, elatior subsp mairei, longipes and vulgaris subsp sibthorpii,Rhododendron luteum
and ponticum, Scilla roseni and siberica, Tulipa armena and Viola altaica.
For further information on this tour please contact AGS Centre.
Tel: 01386 554790 or email: [email protected]
22
O
ne of the great scenic
delights of Northern Spain
is the Picos de Europa, shared
between the provinces of Catabria
and Asturias. The Picos are very different to the mountains of central and southern
Spain due to their close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. The scenery is splendid, the
high mountains rugged limestone in the main, the slopes and valleys densely wooded.
Here wild bear, lynx and boar still roam and the mountains are renowned for their birds
and butterflies. The flora is rich and includes a good number of endemic species such as
Aquilegia discolor, Asperula hirta and Genista legionensis. Many western Pyrenean plants
are also found in the Picos but the region is particularly rich in ericaceous plants (Erica
and Daboecia in particular). In spring (April to early June) the high meadows are full of
colour, particularly different species of Narcissus and various orchids.
The Picos has a great deal to offer the walker and photographer. The group will be
centred on the mountain hamlet of Tudes staying in beautifully converted farm buildings
in what is a rural idyll, with splendid views of the Picos. The apartments (fully equipped
English owned and run) are self-catering. The charming medieval market town of Potes
is close by and has excellent restaurants shops and supermarkets and can be reached
from Tudes in 15 minutes by car, or by a n excellent walk down through meadows and
woodland in an hour or so.
Day excursions (by car) from Tudes will include the Puerto de San Gloria, the cable car
ascent at Fuente Dé, the Picos de Macondiu in the heart of the Picos and Somaniezo in
the Sierra de Peña Sagra east of the main Picos range. There will also be plenty of time
for local walks and visits to ancient mountain towns.
Couples or singles can share apartments which range from two to four person. This is
a self-catering holiday and transport will be by car hire (not coach) as the latter greatly
restricts the places that can be visited. If any participants wish to stay longer this can also
be arranged.
Christopher Grey-Wilson, Editor of the AGS, is an experienced tour leader and has
visited the Picos on several occasions.
The Picos is very accessible from the UK with regular flights from Stanstead and
elsewhere to either Bilbao or Santander.
For further information on this tour please contact AGS Centre.
Tel: 01386 554790 or email: [email protected]
23
EVEREST’S ALPINES, TIBET
SUMMER 2010 (28 DAYS)
Leaders: Margaret & David Thorne
Cost: circa £3,500
T
his Tour extends
the scope of AGS’s
botanical investigations in
Tibet, as our visit will be
slightly later than in 2005
and includes some new
areas of exploration. Its
highlight will once again be
the Everest Kangshung Face
Trek, a circular route at the
foot of Makalu and Everest.
Our time spent camping
will be fully supported by
a trekking crew and yaks carrying our luggage. We cross the Shao La into the Karma
Valley, a richly forested area described by George Mallory as ‘one of the most beautiful
valleys in the world’ and return to the Kharta Valley over the Tour’s highest pass, the
Langma La (5347 masl).
plants: Saussurea, Soroseris, Cremanthodium,
Eriophyton and Corydalis as well as cushion of
Androsace, Arenaria, Chionocharis, Saxifraga
and Waldheimia. Other well represented Genera
are Gentiana, Leontopodium, Meconopsis,
Rhodiola, Rhododendron, Pedicularis, Potentilla
and Primula.
The Tour will be limited to 20 members
including leaders and should only be
contemplated by the adventurous and fit, as it
involves some long walking days and camping at
nearly 5000 masl.
The cost of the Tour includes all flights,
land transportation by coach and 4 wheel
drive vehicles, sightseeing fees, the trek,
accommodation, and food apart from lunches
and dinners in Kathmandu. Although we know
of no reason why access to Tibet should be a
problem in 2010, a substitute Everest Trek in
Nepal will be offered should the unexpected
occur.
To acclimatise before the trek, we will
botanise in the hills around Lhasa and
eastwards to the Mi La (5050 masl)
near Rutok - for Corydalis milarepa and
many other exquisite plants. We will
also visit the magnificent Potala Palace,
the Dalai Lama’s childhood home, and
the Jokhang, Tibetan Buddhism’s most
sacred monastery. Our journey along
the Friendship Highway between Lhasa
and Kharta will include several stops to
botanise at passes over 5000 masl and the
return drive to Kathmandu will present
opportunities to experience a wide range
of other new landscapes and habitats.
We expect to see many of the 800 species
found in 2005 including Meconopsis
tibetica and 2 others new to science, and
perhaps some later flowering additions.
There will be a good selection of scree
24
For further information on this tour please contact AGS Centre.
Tel: 01386 554790 or email: [email protected]
25
The Karawanken Alps
19th to 28th July 2009
£1595 per person (Ground Cost £1415)
T
he Dolomitic mountains of the Karawanken Alps bordering Slovenia
and Austria have some of the finest flowerscapes in Europe with a host
of regional endemics. The impressive limestone massif of Triglav rises from
meadows and forests where we’ll find Lilium carniolicum and Lady’s Slipper
blooming amid rampions and tall bellflowers. Indeed Campanulas are abundant
and growing with yellow Primula auricula and pink Potentilla nitida on the
rockfaces of Triglav itself is the memorable Campanula zoysii. Saussurea pygmaea
and delicate white Ranunculus traunfellneri inhabit the almost white screes and
above are Papaver julicum, Crepis kerneri and the scarce and beautiful King of
the Alps. Cirques to the north have big purple Gentiana pannonica and hopefully
still the last flowers of Primula carniolica. The hard rocks of Monte Matajur are
home to Saxifraga petraea, endemic
Saxifraga tenella and Campanula
caespitosa. The meadows and open
woodlands in these scenic valleys
have Hemerocallis fulva, bright pink
Centaurea julica, Adenophora liliifolia
and many monkshoods including
Aconitum vulparia, Aconitum
napellus and endemic Aconitum
angustifolium. Another group well
represented in these mountains
are the Primulaceae with several
Soldanellas blooming at the highest
altitudes along with Primula halleri
and Primula wulfeniana, on rocks
widespread Androsace villosa and
more local Androsace hausmannii,
and in the damp wooded meadows
below, Cortusa matthiola. We’ll
finish the tour at lovely Laghi di Fusine and Monte Canin where we’ll see small
blue Gentiana pumila, yellow Paederota lutea, Primula clusiana, and a host of
Saxifrages including caesia, crustata, squarrosa, hostii and burserana.
If you are interested in joining any of the joint tours and would like
further information and a detailed itinerary please contact Greentours –
Autumn in Yunnan
Sixteen days in September 2010
Yunnan has many
stunning autumn
flowers. The Zhongdian
Plateau has marvellous
displays of Gentiana,
indeed we’ll see a
wide range of these
beautiful plants during
our visit. We’ll visit Dali,
the Baima Shan near
Deqen, Lijiang, and Zibenshan where we’ll seek the amazing Crawfurdia
campanulacea, a giant pink climbing Gentian! Saussurea and Aconitum are
both genera that will be at the peak of the flowering and we’ll also encounter
Cyananthus and Comastoma.
Tulips of Tien Shan
Two weeks in Mid April 2010
A remarkable display of colourful tulips carpets Southern Kazakhstan in Spring.
Chief among them are the magnificent goblets of Greig’s Tulip which come in
an unforgettable pageant of reds, oranges and yellows. Tulipa kaufmanniana
adorns the lower slopes of the Mountains of Heaven, while swathes of multicoloured Tulipas ostrowskiana and kolpakowskiana shine in the crystal clear
air of these Central Asian Mountains. Rarities such as Tulipa borszczowii,
Tulipa buhseana, Tulipa binutans and lovely Tuliap zenaidae are among sixteen
or so species of Tulip on the tour. Fritillary-like Korolkovia severzovii and
Rhinopetalum stenantherum, with their strange-coloured bells, the latter a
stunning pink, mix with bright yellow anemones and a colourful variety of
elegant Corydalis species.
By patches of snow are
the white stars of Crocus
alatavicus and along with
half a dozen species of Iris is
the many-hued Iridodictyum
kolpakovskianum.
T: 01298 83563 or E: [email protected]
26
27
Narcissi of Spain and Morocco
Two weeks in March 2010
A tour designed to see the majority of Iberian and Moroccan
Narcissi that bloom in early spring. We start in mid Portugal
where drifts of Narcissus asturiensis and Crocus carpetanus
colour the mountains. There’s golden Narcissus gaditanus
as well as Narcissus calcicola, Narcissus obesus and fine
stands of Narcissus triandrus. Moving south into Andalucia
we’ll encounter Narcissus assoanus and endemic Narcissus
cuatrecasasii. Narcissus minor is plentiful in Spanish Fir forests
and in the Sierra de Alcaparain is ghostly Narcissus cantabricus.
Narcissuses bulbocodium, cordubensis and jonquilla adorn
meadows dotted with cork oaks. We’ll cross the Straits of Gibraltar to the Parc
Nacional de Talassemtane in the Rif Mountains of Northern Morocco. Based
in picturesque Chefchaouen we’ll explore these verdant mountains, home to
huge-flowered Paeonia coriacea and drifts of confusing Romuleas. The albidus
subspecies of Narcissus romeiuxii is common and we’ll look for golden Narcissus
rupicola and rare Narcissus albimarginatus.
Crocuses of Jordan
Ten days in early January 2011
Forming the eastern margin of the deep rift that descends
to over a thousand feet below sea level in the Dead Sea
are the mountains of Western Jordan, an area with a
rich and distinctive flora set amid stunning landscapes. Surrounding the hilltop
villages are terraces which in the cool of the desert winter host abundant bulbous
species, most notably Crocuses. We’ll see elegant Crocus aleppicus, lots of
Crocus hyemalis and Crocus cancellatus, newly described Crocus naqabensis
and the lovely Crocus moabiticus. Colchicums are varied too and include ritchii,
heirosolymitana and crocifolium. There are many superb archaeological sites to
be visited most especially magnificent Petra and in Petra’s beautiful landscapes
we’ll find hillsides dotted with Biarums and the gorgeous juno Iris edomensis.
AGS Centre Avon Bank Pershore Worcestershire WR10 3JP UK
tel: 01386 554790 fax: 01386 554801 email: [email protected]