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Ypsilandras

AndrewR

By AndrewR

7 comments


Ypsilandras are little-known perennials from woodland habitats in the Far East that flower very early in the year in our gardens. Although there are five listed by Wikipaedia, only two appear to be in cultivation, Y. thibetica and Y.
cavaleriei. It is barely mid March and both are in flower in my garden.

Although you have to search to find a supplier, ypsilandra thibetica is the more commonly available

And a close-up of the flowers

Ypsilandra cavaleriei is much harder to track down – only four suppliers are listed in plant finder last time I checked

And close-up again

As you can see, the habit is the same but the flowers are slightly different. The plant eventually gets about eighteen inches across but only a few inches high. The flowers open white, often partially hidden under the evergreen leaves, but are soon displayed above the foliage and take on pink shadings as they age. Although these are both woodlanders, they prefer not to be too damp (I read they grow on wooded hillsides in the wild) so a shady spot on the dry side rather than being waterlogged would suit them best. Slugs may be a problem in wet springs but I have not had a problem with these pests so far.

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Comments

 

close ups are gorgeous, with those blue/grey stamens.

16 Mar, 2012

 

Gorgeous and so different. Sounds like it could be a good one for my shady border :)

16 Mar, 2012

 

Gorgeous... I mean the Ypsilandra.

16 Mar, 2012

 

These are sweet little plants, I haven`t heard of them before Andrew.

16 Mar, 2012

 

What a lovely plant Andrew.

17 Mar, 2012

 

These are a new one to me what lovely flowers close up,are they bulbs?

17 Mar, 2012

 

Poppylinda - no, they're little perennials

17 Mar, 2012

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