Tuesday, December 9, 2014

An Insectivorous gardening prodigy in the Springs...


Jeremiah Harris and his insectivorous minions
Many gardeners only find time to pursue their hobby when their children grow up, their careers settle down to a dull roar or perhaps when they retire. There are a lucky few who get started very young. We are blessed in Colorado to have a dynamo who grew up in the shadow of the Garden of the Gods, and who's been trying to live up to the billing ever since. I actually took these pictures the first week of June, 2010: that's going on five years ago.  Jeremiah wasn't much past 20 at the time, which means that these pix are definitely historical: he already had three or more greenhouses and was planning great things back then: I've not even talked to him since, but thanks to Facebook, I know he's been to Southeast Asia and done a great deal more exploration in the wild. I have a hunch that there's a lot more to tell about him now: I must revisit him this spring and do an update. I had begun this blog the summer before I visited Jeremiah--but I'd not yet gotten savvy about posting in a timely fashion: I should warn you, I probably have a hundred such "dormant" blog possibilities I can revisit in the winter months...
#244 Nepenthes ventricosa x inermis
Jeremiah does insectivorous plants in a big way: and his special specialty are Nepenthes: I know that each of these has a good story behind them...none of which I took down as we walked through the greenhouses. Fortunately, Jeremiah has glossed this blog and supplied the names! Thank you, Jeremiah: If you're on Facebook, perhaps you can Friend him and follow along on his exploits, or better yet, click on his Website, where you can even purchase some of these plants!
#243 Nepenthes singalana

#240 Nepenthes Predator (N. truncata x hamata)
#239 Nepenthes lowii x ventricosa
                                                            And isn't THIS a stunner?

#238 Nepenthes Miranda

#237 Nepenthes glandulifera

#236 Nepenthes lowii exudata

#235 Nepenthes spathulata x maxima


#230 Nepenthes aristochoides

#231 Nepenthes aristochoides breeding pair

#231 Nepenthes 'Leviathan' (N. rajah x peltata) my own cross.

Some Seedlings

#234 Nepenthes hamata
                                                           This one is really different!
Sarracenia spp.
And he has a whole greenhouse devoted to North American pitcher plants as well...

Sarracenia sp.
                                                                            BOO!

Sarracenia and other temperate Insectivorous spp.
What delightful clean and well grown plants!

Jeremiah with friends...

One last few of the tropicals, with Jeremiah proudly pointing out a treasure: one of the great gifts of horticulture is to have time to develop a collection, and watch it grow and morph over time: Jeremiah Harris started young enough (and has developed things big enough) that I have no doubt he will make some wonderful breakthroughs and discoveries along the way. I'm glad he's just a short drive down the pike! I must corral some friends and colleagues to go check him out again this coming year!












3 comments:

  1. Very Cool! The only carnivorous plants that have survived under dim fluorescent lights in my terarium on a diet of hard water are the Pinguiculas. The Pinguiculas have spread and I have more than I need now.

    James

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fascinating stuff. This is an area that we know very little about at Sissinghurst so thanks for sharing your knowledge and photos. Helen

    ReplyDelete
  3. What an honor to be visited by Sissinghurst! I worship Vita as one of my ultimate horticultural goddesses! A visit from one of the staff of her great garden is a signal occasion. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

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