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| As we
in the northern hemisphere descend into winter,
spring is well on in the southern. In late
October this year, we saw the first flowering of
Ranunculus lyallii, the Mount Cook lily,
below the snowy peak of Mount Cook, in the South
island of New Zealand. This is early, as its
flowering period is normally quoted as from late
November until mid January |
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| This
magnificent plant is the biggest buttercup in
the world, and one of the most magnificent, and like so many New Zealand flowers,
is white. It is a big, robust plant, with
thick leathery leaves up to 40cm across, and the
flower can grow to a metre in height - the
flower pictured below, growing through some
thorny bushes, was nearly this size, and the
flower 7 to 8cm across. |
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| It
grows in the wet mountain areas of South Island,
at low alpine or subalpine level, and often
along the side of streams, which is where we saw
it first, just below the Hermitage Hotel. |
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| The
New Zealand mountains have gravelly soils which
drain quickly, while mists and regular rainfall
across New Zealand's Main Divide keep moisture
levels high. Thus the alpine flora demands the
sharp drainage, sun and constant moisture of the
high mountains.
Ranunculus
lyallii therefore has a reputation as difficult
to grow, demanding cool conditions, constant
moisture levels and sun. However if you can
allow it to grow to its full height of a metre,
and provide some spiny bushes in your alpine bed
to support it, it will be really spectacular! |
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