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Thursday, February 19, 2009

Ipheion - "Rolf Fiedler"

I was so surprised when I found this little baby last night. I couldn't get a good blue photo so I tried again this morning, after being drenched in almost an inch and a half of rain it's a little beat up.

Ipheion
Genus of the Alliaceae Family
Leaves smell like onions when crushed
Full Sun
Full Spring height 5 - 7 inches
Well drained soil - clay or winter wet will kill it fairly quickly
Plant 3 inches deep 2 inches apart (I planted 15 of these)

This is an unnamed species, but is considered to be Ipheion uniflorum. Bright blue flowers, this is another plant in this complex that is controversial. Some feel Rolf Fiedler is really Tristagma peregrinans P. Ravenna but this plant has not been verified by anyone except the person who named it.


Note: You may find the leaves emerge in the fall - freezing solid and the flower emerges in the spring, normally isn't a cause for panic as this is it's natural growth habitat.

www.pacificbulbsociety.org
www.flower-garden-bulbs.com

14 comments:

Dennis said...

uummmm.....you're smart. Anyway, has this been the coldest winter in 10 years or what? We're looking at 20's again this week.

tina said...

It's sweet! You got a good picture even after the rain.

Patsy said...

Is it a ground cover? Love any thing blue in a flower.Could use some for a place in back of the house.
Patsy

RURAL said...

What beautiful blue. It still looks wonderful to me. I really like it when there are new "for me" flowers on blogs. Not everything learned should come from books.

Jen

Unknown said...

Patsy: It's not a ground cover, it grows in clumps and naturalizes flowers year after year. It's a little low to the ground for me, I am hoping the next blooms hold their heads up a little higher.

Susie said...

I've never heard of this plant but do like the blue bloom.

Carla said...

oooo what a pretty blue! I bet it was a welcome surprise:)

Patsy said...

The bake a cake was made a post and I made mistake, there is no post it is a slideshow on the side bar.
Patsy

Sugarplum Cottage said...

I've never seen one like this before. I don't have a lot of blue in my garden, buthope to add some this summer. Hugs, Rosemarie

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

What a cute little flower. I've never seen one before!

Lona said...

What a beautiful dainty flower it is. I am very fond of true blue flowers and it showed up pretty in your photo.

The Giant hanging flower basket really got my attention.I would not want to deadhead it and get a nose bleed :)
Lona

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Beautiful ground cover, Darla. I've never heard of this one! We have alot of luck with periwinkle as a ground cover. It doesn't seem to mind the cold weather in winter--and it spreads quickly. It also has blue flowers--but not as large as the one you showed.

So --you all had the storm also, huh??? We had hail, rain, thunder, lightning and wind.. It was like a Summer storm in February. What's up with that???
Hugs,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

Lovely picture. I have a few Ipheions in the garden but Rolph Fiedler disappeared without a trace after I planted it.
I've just been dividing some today and you are quite right about the onion smell!

Leedra said...

Is it still cold there? It was in the teens here last night. Hard to come home to.

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