Bree

i haven't had flowers from a gentleman in a long time.

thank you.

mouse.

Any plant is invasive just have to show them whose is the boss.

godfry n. glad

Hmmm... I disagree with your assessment, but agree with your recommended course of action.

I consider "invasive" to be a term that is in relation to other plants, so in my eyes "any plant" is not invasive. Some species are far more invasive, and often at the cost of other plants. In the United States, it has often been introduced plant species that have thrived, while native species have been crowded out, choked out or otherwise marginalized. Witness the spread of English Ivy, kudzu and that ol' standby, the dandelion.

Now the lil' ol' violet that you nominated is pretty pushy. In my garden, it has expanded at the expense of the woolly thyme and other, more "genteel" groundcovers. You're right, though...to maintain the look I desire, I have to "show them who is boss"...though... at times, I despair. Usually after I see new violet starts in the midst of my recently planted Corsican mint or lemon thyme. I don't know who is showing whom who is boss....

Kinda like trying to control a mouse population.....

Best,

godfry

scigirl

Wow, thanks Gurdur! They are very beautiful.

I'm trying to remember the story "Flowers for Algernon." I remember reading it and liking it back in junior high, but I can't remember what it's about!

scigirl

godfry n. glad

Functionally retarded man gets treated by beautiful experimental medicine doctor using the latest in experimental drugs. As a result of the treatment, he becomes not only functionally normal, but charming as well, and, of course, the beautiful doctor falls in love with him. And he with her. Alas, sadly, the beneficial effects of the drug are temporary and cannot be repeated, and he lapses back into his functional retardation, forgetting forever that he loved and was loved....

<sniff>

It is a theme treated a little more realistically with "Awakenings", a film loosely based upon Oliver Sacks' work as published in _The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat"....I think.

godfry

dublczek

The 1968 movie adaptation of Flowers for Algernon was Charly starring Cliff Robertson. A made-for-TV adaptation using the original title starred Matthew Modine was shown in February of 2000.

Gurdur

You left out the lab rat, Algernon.

It was an excellent novella, if very depressing.
An excellent parallel; I never thought of that. Quite true and striking.
BTW, the film is based on Oliver Sack's book of the same name; not "Man....Hat" or another of his other works.

IMHO, Harold Klawans is a bit better with extremely similar books, and got in there first, including three neurological/crimi suspense novels.

Gurdur

Well, all I can say is.
whew
whew
whew


I'll be putting up another for you later.

godfry n. glad

Thanks, Gurdur. I sit corrected. (I knew I was challenging my CRS syndrome, which is why I included the "...I think" as a coda to my statement.) Still, considering that the last time I thought about it was 1969, when I went to see "Charly" with my high school sweetheart, I did fairly well with my synopsis...didn't I? I loved it...not for the film content, writing or acting...but for the effect it had on her. A worthy picture of sentimental pablum.... 'Nuff said.

Oh... And I did remember Algernon, only it was after I'd already posted it.

I'm looking forward to more pictures from your garden. My iris are now in full bloom. Too bad I'm such a technological philistine and don't own (or even know anybody who owns) a digital camera, or I'd post up some pictures of my beauties. Deep purple selfs, 4-6 open blooms per stalk, with 8 18"-20" (approx 50 cm) tall stalks in a group. It's awe inspiring. The white with purple trim grouping is just opening with the first bloom on each stalk. Breathtaking.

Of course, I just went out an bought a tub of white Siberian iris and a tub of lavender Siberian iris. The objective is to vary the impression made by the masses of violet Siberian iris that seem to grow like weeds on my little piece of paradise. Now... where to put them? ...<sigh>

And... The delphiniums are about to open their first bloom of the year.

And... My roses are just opening. Fragrance hedonism is just around the corner. <heightened anticipation>

My viburnum (variety "Doublefile") is in full bloom, too. The lilac blossoms have blown, though...<sigh> The azeleas, rhododendrons and camelias are now past peak and looking worse for the wear. Plus they're all so common in this city as to be taken for granted. Y'know...."oh, you've a giant screaming pink rhododendron in bloom...yeah, so?...My neighbor's got one that's eight feet taller than yours."

godfry

Gurdur

Hey, please forgive me; just that I thought the relationship between Charley and Algernon is also important, and poignant --- the staring in the face of what will become one's own fate.
Excellently; thank-you very much for answering Scigirl's qustion so well, and also for pointing out the parallel to Awakenings.
ah, you think you have problems.

Here am I, wanting (for various sentimental reasons) pseudo-acacia, jacarandas, flame-trees, lantana, wattles and banksias galore..........
.......
....
and I live in rainy, cold, mildly gloomy Germany.


I have tried growing various eucalyptuses and wattles, and kangeroo-paws, but most succumb to the climate.
You teased mouse on invasive plants; lantana in Australia is so bloody invasive it has officially being declared a Noxious Weed, and yet no matter how much I beg with or I threaten my lantana plant here, not only is it not invasive, it constantly trembles on the verge of passing away to that Great Compost Heap In The Sky.

Forsooth I should mention my Amazonian vines with the *cough* *cough* interesting botanical Latin names; they almost always cark it quickly even as spoilt indoor plants, and a fat chance of being able to harvest and use them in the way their botanical names might indicate.
_________

I'll answer other questions, and post what I've promised to post, soon.