Ina and I have been corresponding about the history and 'survival' of auricula growing in other parts of Europe.

In the Netherlands they have not been widely grown. Ina has found references to auricula theatres in the former East Germany in particular Goethe's garden in Weimar, and around Erfurt and Jena. She also corresponds with Malahide gardens in Eire who are building up a comprehensive collection.

Here is just a small selection of the many auriculas she grows. The first two Ina bought from a local nursery in the Netherlands. The plants go back a number of years, the nurseryman who sold it was old and his parents had grown them before him. She thought the first one might be Purple Velvet but the illustration I have [Brenda Hyatt] shows it with a wider paste ring and no 'nick' in the petals.

Ina's fame is growing in the Netherlands and she held her first exhibition a couple of years ago to promote auriculas .......

Everyone is welcome to contribute their thoughts, it would be great to find some old European survivals!

Kingcup

Fiddlers Green

Vee Too