Not so long back I posted a profile on the Begonia Flamboyant. Today I am looking at one of the other Royal Renaissance varieties, Helen Harmes (Harms), an excellent tuberous Begonia with small single and semi double flowers.

 

 Helen Harmes (Harms) with its canary yellow flowers makes an excellent partner alongside the showy red flowered Flamboyant.

I wouldn’t be without it, however, in spite of its identical appearance with Flamboyant except of course for the colour, there is a bit of a disappointment which I have now fully gotten over.
Flamboyant starts flowering from the moment it is planted in the border at the beginning of June, sometimes even showing blooms whilst still in the greenhouse,  Helen Harmes in our garden does not start to bloom until the end of July, and unlike Flamboyant it will only flower in a position that is out of full sun. In fact it performs best of all in almost full shade. In spite of this it is a lovely plant which at least looks good for three months of the season.  Since finding its preference for shade I am actually starting to favour it over flamboyant. At this stage I am going to have to tell you it is very unlikely that you will find this plant. Dont give up on me yet though, please read on.

 

 

The Renaissance series of Begonias began in 1902 with the introduction of a semi double flowering canary yellow Begonia named Royal Renaissance Helen Harmes (Harms). Followed in 1911 with RR Flamboyant, bright red with yellow centre, then finally in 1932 the threesome was completed with RR Richard Galle, beautiful semi double apricot flowers.Very strangely this exquisite Begonia almost died out completely, possibly due to the introduction of the non stop variety which has become very popular. Fortunately growers have taken an interest in reintroducing this variety (Vale Royal Horticultural Ltd) have a list of suppliers, contact Dave Wales on 07748 698802.

 

A new Begonia Lemondrops has been developed and is said to be a match, and in fact an improvement on Helen Harmes.

     Unable to find a supplier at the moment.

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 One of the links on my site (Aberdeen Gallery) gives a little information on my birth place and pictures which I have taken of the city and surroundings in recent months.  I may have previously   mentioned that this page once contained photos from flickr members.  This is no longer the case, here below is a few of the more recent entries.

Unveiled by Prince Charles on the 15th of October 2011. The statue to commemorate the Gordon Highlanders Regiment The sculpture is the work of Mark Richards FRBS.

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One of the few remaining medieval buildings in Aberdeen, dating from 1545. Sir George Skene was Lord Provost from 1676-1685

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King Robert the Bruce Statue was unveiled in May 2011.  In 1319 Robert the Bruce set up the common good fund for the benefit of the Aberdeen people. The fund today is a staggering 30 million pounds plus. The  statue was unveiled by direct descendants, Lord Charles Bruce and Master Benedict Bruce.

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In 1686 John Montgomery local mason built Aberdeen’s mercat cross. A unicorn is positioned at the top of the highly decorated structure. The site was used for public punishment and Royal proclamations.

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In 1710 John Ross a successful merchant in Aberdeen became lord provost. Ross purchased this house in 1702,  it was built in 1593 by master mason Andrew Jamieson.

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The statue positioned across from His Majesty’s Theatre in 1888 bearing the inscription.   I tell you a truth, liberty is the best of all things, my son, never live under any slavish bond.

© 2011 – 2015, Alistair. All rights reserved.