26 Feb

Best Fragrant Houseplants for Your Home

Indoor plants, especially fragrant houseplants are ideal when it comes to bringing nature and its goodness to your home. Weather you are looking for plants for your living room, patio, or the sunroom garden, fragrant houseplants freshen up the air and add that distinctive and irresistible natural look to your indoor space. The following are some of the best fragrant houseplants you should consider for your home:

Gardenia

Gardenia is one of the best fragrant houseplant you will find. Their dark green leaves and creamy-white flowers are a sight to behold and easily compliment any décor you may have. Gardenia may not be the easiest indoor plant to care for, but the look and fragrance they offer your living space are all worth the extra effort.

Jasmine

Jasmine plants produce a particular nighttime scent and belong to a class of winter blooms. Not all of them are sweet smelling, but Jasminum polyanthum is what you will be looking for if the nighttime fragrance is your goal. Just make sure they sit next to a sunny window and are in an area with adequate air circulation.

Scented Geraniums

There is a wide variety of Scented Geranium with each having a distinctive scent. They are natives of South Africa and rarely survive the American winters outdoors. Scented Geraniums feature bright green lemon-scented leaves and colorful flowers. You can train them as standards, have them in hanging baskets and put them in cute pots for your living room or kitchen.

Spearmint

Most of us want a plant that is easy to grow and maintain. Spearmint releases a unique minty smell to make any living room feel fabulous. The aroma is almost similar to that of peppermint but has less menthol. Spearmint has a square-shaped stem and spear-like leaves. It is pest-resistant and is rich in vital nutrients, vitamins, and anti-oxidants. You can harvest leaves to spice up your morning tea and evening dessert.

Lavender

Lavender has a reputation for its sweet fragrance and appealing flowers. It is generally a low maintenance plant that also repels mosquitoes and other bugs. They thrive in dry climatic conditions, and it’s perfectly fine to water them once per month. However, lavender requires a good dose of lighting so placing them on a windowsill is a good idea.

For more information on fragrant houseplants and gardening tips, check out Michelle’s website: https://www.gardeningleave.org

15 May

How to Care for Amaryllis in Your Garden

Amaryllis are beautiful flowers that, if cared for correctly, will bloom year after year. They have a magnificent, exotic appearance and are best known for featuring red or red and white blooms. Although they do come in other colors such as purple, pink and yellow and some varieties are even multicolored. These colorful flowers are grown from bulbs and Amaryllis is the more popular name for what is actually the Hippeastrum bulb.

Amaryllis are easy to plant and of all the flowering bulbs, they are the easiest to bring to bloom. While they are ideal for any garden, they also make fantastic houseplants and have become popular gifts at Christmas because of this.

So, you have your Amaryllis bulb, now what do you do…?

Ideally you will plant it between October and January, they will then flower from winter to spring – generally within six weeks of planting. Amaryllis bulbs are tender and need warmth to grow therefore it is best to plant them in pots – in nutritious compost – and start them indoors, to avoid the frost. The Amaryllis should be grown in a pot only slightly bigger than the bulb itself, with two-thirds of the bulb remaining above the surface.

You should begin to water sparingly – then, as the new leaves develop, start watering regularly avoiding excessive watering while not letting the compost dry out.

Amaryllis should be placed in full sun – they will grow in light shade but they tend to develop better in brighter light – but remember to turn the pot regularly to avoid the stalk growing towards the light. You should feed your amaryllis bulb every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer and stake larger flowers as they start to grow.

Once the flowers on the initial stem have faded, cut the stem back to the bulb and another should grow and flower.

So, when can you move Amaryllis into the garden?

Firstly, as soon as the plant starts flowering it should be moved to a cooler spot to help extend the flowering period. Then, in the summer, once the last of the frost has passed, it can be moved outside. When choosing where to place it in the garden remember that Amaryllis should not be in intense sunlight, instead look for a semi-shaded position.

Once outside you need to be aware of and on the look out for slugs and snails! Similarly, if you find that your plant is flowering this could be down to growing in conditions that are too shady, or under-watering during the previous summer. But, this could also be due to attack from fungal disease or bulb pests.

You may be tempted to start pruning but you don’t need to do this until the leaves turn yellow (around late September) – then you can cut them back to around two inches from the top of the bulb. Your Amaryllis will need re-potting every two to three years in January to March – after flowering.

Amaryllis will be a great addition to any garden and if you care for them properly, you will be able to enjoy their pretty, colorful flowers for months and years to come.

04 Sep

Best Flowering Shrub to Grow in Your Garden

Flowering shrubs make excellent ornaments in a garden or landscape design. They come in all sizes and shapes and offer a wide variety of foliage, flowers, colors, texture and structure. Besides their ornamental value, flowering shrubs are utility plants that can be used to make hedges, privacy screens, wind breakers, and interesting espalier or topiary designs.

Most flowering shrubs require little maintenance and make excellent choice for designing low-maintenance landscapes.

Following is a list of best flowering shrubs you can grow in your garden or landscape.

Best Evergreen Flowering Shrub

Tibouchina urvilleana

Tibouchina is a genus of excellent bloomers from tropical and sub-tropical climates, majorly from Brazil and Mexico. Most species are evergreen and produce attractive flowers of pink and purple colors. Tibouchina urvilleana is a nice evergreen flowering shrub that can grow up to 10 feet in its native climate. It is known for its silvery-green foliage and beautiful purple flowers that attract bees and butterflies.

Foliage: Evergreen
Flowers: Purple (summer)
Water: Regular; do not over water
Light: Full to partial sun
Size: Up to 12 feet
Propagation: Cuttings
Soil pH: Neutral to Slightly acidic
USDA Zone: 9a to 11
Special Care: Protect from frost and extreme cold
Other Names: Princess Flower, Glory Flower

Tibouchina urvilleana makes an excellent evergreen flowering shrub. It does not require much maintenance and blooms profusely in mid-summer. If you are looking for other options, I would recommend the following evergreen flowering shrubs:

Polygala myrtifolia

Foliage: Evergreen
Flowers: Purple (all year)
Water: Drought tolerant; water when the soil is dry
Light: Full to partial sun
Size: Up to 6 feet
Propagation: Cuttings
Soil pH: Neutral
USDA Zone: 9a to 11
Special Care: Do not over water
Other Names: September Bush

Loropetalum chinense (Buy online)

Loropetalum chinense

Foliage: Evergreen; Colorful in winter
Flowers: Pink (early spring)
Water: Regular
Light: Full to partial sun; also grows in shaded spots
Size: Up to 6 feet
Propagation: Cuttings
Soil pH: Slightly acidic
USDA Zone: 7 to 10
Special Care: Do not over water
Other Names: Chinese fringe-flower

Streptosolen jamesonii (Buy online)

Streptosolen jamesonii

Foliage: Evergreen; Colorful in winter
Flowers: Orange (spring/summer)
Water: Regular
Light: Full to partial sun
Size: Up to 6 feet
Propagation: Cuttings
Soil pH: Neutral
USDA Zone: 9a to 11
Special Care: Do not over water
Other Names: Marmalade Bush

Best Flowering Shrub for Colorful Foliage

Breynia disticha (Buy online)

Breynia disticha is a nice flowering shrub better known for its colorful foliage. Originally from the tropical climates, Breynia disticha can be grown in colder climates when protected from frost and freeze. This attractive flowering shrub is characterized by wavy, red stem and variegated foliage of white and pink hues. Breynia disticha makes an excellent plant for containers, garden borders as well as a ground cover in landscape designs.

Best flowering shrub for colorful foliage: Breynia disticha

Breynia disticha/ Image by Forest & Kim Starr

Foliage: Evergreen colorful foliage
Flowers: Inconspicuous
Water: Regular; do not over water
Light: Full to partial sun
Size: Up to 6 feet
Propagation: Cuttings
Soil pH: Slightly alkaline
USDA Zone: 9a to 11
Special Care: Protect from frost and extreme cold
Other Names: Snow Bush

Other flowering shrubs for colorful foliage include:

Coprosma repens

Coprosma ‘Tequila Sunburst’/ Image by Leonora Enking

Foliage: Evergreen colorful foliage
Flowers: Inconspicuous
Water: Regular; do not over water
Light: Full to partial sun
Size: Up to 5 feet
Propagation: Cuttings
USDA Zone: 9a to 10b
Special Care: Protect from frost and extreme cold
Other Names: Mirror Bush

Aucuba japonica ‘Variegata’

Aucuba japonica ‘Variegata’, Image by Kaustav Bhattacharya

Foliage: Evergreen colorful foliage
Flowers: Inconspicuous late winter flowers
Water: Regular; do not over water
Light: Full to partial sun
Size: Up to 10 feet
Propagation: Cuttings
Soil pH: Slightly acidic
USDA Zone: 6a to 10b
Special Care: Protect from frost and extreme cold
Other Names: Gold Dust

Iresine herbstii

Iresine Herbstii, The Bloodleaf Plant, Image by Leonora Enking (flickr)

Foliage: Evergreen colorful foliage
Flowers: Inconspicuous
Water: Regular; do not over water
Light: Full to partial sun
Size: Up to 6 feet
Propagation: Cuttings
Soil pH: Slightly alkaline
USDA Zone: 9a to 11
Special Care: Protect from frost and extreme cold
Other Names: Snow Bush

Euonymus japonica

Euonymus Japonica, Spindle Tree, Image by John (Puzzler4879@flickr)

Foliage: Evergreen colorful foliage
Flowers: Inconspicuous
Water: Regular; do not over water
Light: Full to partial sun
Size: Up to 6 feet
Propagation: Cuttings
Soil pH: Slightly alkaline
USDA Zone: 9a to 11
Special Care: Protect from frost and extreme cold
Other Names: Snow Bush

Dodonaea Viscosa ‘Purpurea’

Dodonaea Viscosa ‘Purpurea’, Image by Suzette Hosken

Foliage: Evergreen colorful foliage
Flowers: Inconspicuous
Water: Regular; do not over water
Light: Full to partial sun
Size: Up to 6 feet
Propagation: Cuttings
Soil pH: Slightly alkaline
USDA Zone: 9a to 11
Special Care: Protect from frost and extreme cold
Other Names: Snow Bush

Best Low-maintenance Flowering Shrub

Bougainvillea

Bougainville is a widely grown flowering shrub in many parts of the world. It is known for its attractive and colorful bracts. It is a hardy shrub that survives a range of climatic conditions and growing environment. A large number of varieties of Bougainville are commercially offered and are liked because of their colorful bracts and variegated foliage. Most varieties originate from four major species. Bougainville spectabilis (purple or rose-purple bracts), Bougainville glabra (magenta bracts and oblong, bright green leaves), Bougainville peruviana (smaller, mauve-pink bracts, yellowish flowers and large, smooth leaves), and Bougainville formosa (large clusters of pale magenta-pink flowers, usually bears variegated leaves).

Image by Tushar Pokle

Foliage: Evergreen colorful foliage
Flowers: Bracts of Red, Orange, Purple, Pink, Magenta, Apricot (Spring/ Summer)
Water: Regular; do not over water
Light: Full to partial sun
Size: Up to 6 feet
Propagation: Hardwood cuttings
Soil pH: Slightly acidic
USDA Zone: 9a to 11

Other low-maintenance flowering shrubs you should consider include:

Weigela florida

Foliage: Deciduous
Flowers: Pink, Mauve (Spring / Summer)
Water: Regular; do not over water
Light: Full to partial sun
Size: Up to 12 feet
Propagation: Hardwood cuttings
Soil pH: Slightly acidic
USDA Zone: 5a to 8b

Pimelea ferruginea

Pimelea Ferruginea, Image by Barry Michael

Foliage: Evergreen
Flowers: White (Spring / Early Summer)
Water: Regular; do not over water
Light: Partial Sun
Size: Up to 15 cm
Propagation: Hardwood cuttings
Soil pH: Slightly acidic
USDA Zone: 9a to 11

Tecoma capensis

Tecomaria capensis/ Image by James Gaither

Foliage: Evergreen
Flowers: Red, Orange (Late Summer / Early Fall)
Water: Regular; do not over water
Light: Full to partial Sun
Size: Up to 8 feet
Propagation: Cuttings, Layering
Soil pH: Neutral
USDA Zone: 9a to 11

Lagerstroemia indica

Lagerstroemia Speciosa

Foliage: Deciduous
Flowers: Pink, Magenta, Purple (Spring/ Summer)
Water: Regular; do not over water
Light: Full to partial Sun
Size: Up to 12 feet
Propagation: Cuttings
Soil pH: Neutral
USDA Zone: 9a to 11

Best Shrubs for Attractive Flowers

Chaenomeles speciosa

Chaenomeles speciosa/ Image by Etringita (flickr)

Foliage: Deciduous
Flowers: Pink, Red, White (Winter/ Early Spring)
Water: Regular; do not over water
Light: Full to partial Sun
Size: Up to 10 feet
Propagation: Cuttings, layering
Soil pH: Slightly acidic
USDA Zone: 5a to 8b

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis/ Image via flickr by Dinesh Valke

Foliage: Evergreen
Flowers: White (Summer / Fragrant flowers)
Water: Regular; do not over water
Light: Full to partial Sun
Size: Up to 12 feet
Propagation: Cuttings
Soil pH: Slightly acidic
USDA Zone: 9a to 11

Melaleuca

Melaleuca tree/ Image by Tatiana Gerus

Foliage: Evergreen
Flowers: Cream (Fragrant flowers)
Water: Regular; do not over water
Light: Full Sun
Size: Up to 40 feet
Propagation: Seeds
Soil pH: Slightly acidic
USDA Zone: 9a to 11

Holmskioldia sanguinea

Holmskioldia sanguinea, Image by Douglas Sprott

Foliage: Evergreen
Flowers: Red, orange, yellow (Spring/ Summer)
Water: Regular; do not over water
Light: Full Sun to partial Sun
Size: Up to 10 feet
Propagation: Cutting, layering
Soil pH: Slightly acidic
USDA Zone: 9a to 11

Best Flowering Shrub for Unusual Flowers

Clianthus puniceus

Clianthus puniceus/ Image by Tony Rodd

Foliage: Evergreen
Flowers: Red, pink (Spring/ Summer)
Water: Regular; do not over water
Light: Full Sun to partial Sun
Size: Up to 10 feet
Propagation: Cutting, seeds
Soil pH: Slightly acidic
USDA Zone: 9a to 11

Leonotis leonurus

Leonotis leonurus, the Lion’s tail/ Image by Andy Carvin

Foliage: Evergreen
Flowers: Red, pink (Spring/ Summer)
Water: Regular; do not over water
Light: Full Sun to partial Sun
Size: Up to 10 feet
Propagation: Cutting, seeds
Soil pH: Slightly acidic
USDA Zone: 9a to 11

Crotalaria agatiflora

Crotalaria agatiflora/ Bird Bush/ Image by Erick Lux

Foliage: Evergreen
Flowers: Yellow (Spring/ Summer)
Water: Regular; do not over water
Light: Full Sun
Size: Up to 4 feet
Propagation: Seeds
Soil pH: Slightly acidic
USDA Zone: 8a to 11

Justicia brandegeana

Justicia brandegeana, The Shrimp Plant

Foliage: Evergreen
Flowers: Pink(Spring/ Summer)
Water: Regular; do not over water
Light: Full Sun
Size: Up to 5 feet
Propagation: Cutting
Soil pH: Slightly acidic
USDA Zone: 8a to 11

22 May

Medinilla magnifica, the Philippines Orchid

Medinilla magnifica (Buy seeds online) is a tropical evergreen shrub known for its attractive and unusual flowers. The pendulous flowers grow in clusters surrounded by beautiful pink bracts making it a nice outdoor as well as indoor plant. Broad, shiny green leaves retain ornamental value of the plant when it is not blooming.

How to Grow Medinilla magnifica

Medinilla magnifica (Buy seeds online) comes from tropical regions of the Philippine where it prefers warm and humid climate. The same conditions should be provided to this lovely bloomer when growing in your garden. As a general rules, grow it in a well-drained and rich soil. You can use any orchid mix to grow your plant. Water it regularly during spring and summer and reduce it to minimum during winter. If you are growing it in colder climates, move your plant indoors where it receives bright sunlight. Mist leaves occasionally.

Flowers appear in spring and last throughout the summer season. Flowers of Medinilla magnifica are small are grow in drooping clusters covered with large pink bracts.

Medinilla magnifica can grow up to 3 or 4 meters however you can contain its growth by keeping it in smaller pots, if required. You can also prune it back after each flowering season. Propagation is usually done from cuttings.

The plant is also known as Pink Lantern, Chandelier Tree or the Philippine Orchid.

14 May

Lovely Flowering Shrub: Potentilla fruticosa

Potentilla is a genus of lovely flowering shrubs and small perennials from the family of Rose. These summer flowering shrubs make excellent plants for beginners. Most species, such as Potentilla fruticosa, grow in almost any soil and are resistant to pests.

Potentilla fruticosa (Buy online) grows from 1 to 3 feet in height and produces attractive yellow flowers in late spring. Flowering continues till early days of fall. Potentilla fruticosa can be used to border plants, cover the ground in mass plantation schemes or as an outdoor ornamental plant. The ornamental value of the plant is because of its compact silvery-green leaves and attractive yellow flowers.

How to Grow Potentilla fruticosa

Potentilla fruticosa like other plants in its genus prefers bright sunlight, regular watering and a well-drained soil. To keep the plant in shape, it is advised to prune annually at the end of the flowering season. When grown in colder climates, reduce or stop watering during the freezing period. Most Potentillas can be grown from softwood cuttings or divisions. Popular varieties include:

P. fruticosa ‘Abbotswood’ is grown as a hardy flowering shrub that produces abundance of white flowers.

P. parvifolia ‘Goldfinger’ is known for its large and prominent yellow flowers.

P. fruticosa ‘Goldstar’ grows as a compact and low-growing flowering shrub. It is suitable for growing as a ground cover. Flowers are yellow.

P. fruticosa ‘McKay’s White’ produces very nice white flowers.

P. fruticosa ‘Pink Beauty’ is the most beautiful flowering shrub in this genus. It is known for its lovely pink flowers.

P. fruticosa ‘Red Robin’ produces yellow flowers that gradually change their color to yellow-orange.

25 Feb

Aloe ferox: Flowering Succulent for Lovely Xeriscapes

Aloe ferox is a hardy and attractive succulent known for its lovely flowers and medicinal value of the gel extracted from its leaves. If you are planning to design a xeriscape, Aloe ferox should be on top of your plants list for many reasons. It is a hardy succulent that does not require much care. It produces very attractive flowers of red, orange, yellow-orange and scarlet colors in mid-winter. When grown in groups, spikes of attractive flowers on Aloe ferox add striking colors to the landscape.

Aloe ferox originates from rocky and tropical regions of South Africa where it receives marginal rainfall and plenty of sun. When growing it in your garden or xeriscape, you need to imitate the similar climate. You can plant this hardy Aloe in a spot where it receives good amount of sunlight in a loamy and slightly sandy soil. Aloe ferox does not require frequent watering and should survive long spells of drought.

Aloe ferox (Buy seeds online) can grow up to 3 meters though it takes many years to attain this size. The plant produces fleshy leaves of dull green color. The leaves are arranged around the stem to form a rosette. Young leaves have prominent spines along the leaf margins and smaller spines on leaf surface. As the plant matures, older leaves dry up to expose main stem of the plant. The Greek name ‘ferox’ meaning ‘fierce’ is probably because of prominent spines on the leaves.

Aloe ferox is also known as Cape Aloe.

Flowers of Aloe ferox

Aloe ferox produces abundant flowers that attract birds and bees as pollinating agents. Mid-winter is the time when this lovely Aloe begins to send out orange, scarlet, yellow-orange and red flowers giving the plant its common name, Red Aloe.

Medicinal Benefits of Aloe ferox

Aloe ferox is grown commercially for its medicinal value. The gel derived from its succulent leaves is used in cosmetics. The hard, brown excretions obtained from the plan are used for their laxative properties.

How to grow Aloe ferox from seeds

Aloe ferox can be propagated from seeds (Buy seeds online) that easily germinate when sown in a well-drained but slightly moist soil. Young seedlings should be kept lightly moist until they are 4- 6 cm in size.

15 Feb

Lovely Ground Cover: Moss Phlox

Phlox subulata (Buy online), also known as Moss Phlox, is an excellent ground cover for low-maintenance landscapes. Known for its ability to survive under various conditions, Moss Phlox makes an excellent plant for covering unsightly patches. It can be grown as a bordering plant, as a ground cover in rock gardens, as cascading plant against walls, or as a charming creeper in gardens and landscapes.

How to Grow Moss Phlox

Consider Moss Phlox when you are looking for a ground cover that does not require much care and performs well in a sandy, rocky or low-fertility soil. Phlox subulata is propagated from seeds, layering or stem cuttings (cuttings especially shorter ones root quickly).

Young plants require moderate watering in a well-drained soil. They also benefit from a little application of fertilizer in early spring. Once established they do not require much maintenance. Except for annual pruning (preferably in winter to encourage better growth in the following season), this lovely ground cover will thrive under full sun and require occasional watering.It usually spreads 1 meter across and gain a height of up to 10 cm. Depending on the climatic conditions, a young plant may require 2 to 5 years to reach this size.

Moss Phlox bears flowers of magenta pink-purple, red, fuchsia, violet, cream and white colors appear in mid-spring.

Popular varieties include: Phlox subulata ‘Candy Stripes’, Phlox subulata ‘Snowflake’, Phlox subulata ‘Red Wings’, Phlox subulata ‘Drummonds Pink’, and Phlox subulata ‘Emerald Cushion’. Buy Moss Phlox online.

17 Jan

Lovely Flowering Shrub: Cuphea

Cuphea is a genus of evergreen and perennial flowering shrubs. These lovely flowering shrubs are useful for growing in garden borders where they keep blooming almost all through the year. Native to Mexico and tropical regions of Central America, these flowering shrubs produce flowers of green, purple, pink and white. Most species start blooming as soon as winter days are gone and continue to bloom until late summer.

How to Grow Cuphea

Most species of Cuphea require a well-drained soil and indirect sun, and grow up to 1 feet. In colder regions, Cupheas will freeze to ground in winter but will emerge in early spring. Being excellent flowering shrubs, most species are used in garden borders, mixed with seasonal bloomers in a mixed flowering bed or grown as small container plants.

Several hybrids and cultivars of Cuphea are easily available at commercial nurseries. Most of them are easily propagated from seeds (buy seeds online).

Popular species include:

C. ignea: Also known as ‘Cigarette Bush’, Cuphea ignea grows as a small flowering shrub and produces bright red flowers in spring and summer.

C. hyssopifolia: Also known as ‘False Heather’, this small flowering shrub produces flowers of varying shades including white, green, pink and purple.

C. micropetala is known for its bright summer flowers.

12 Jan

Lovely Flowering Shrub:Buddleja

Buddleja is a large genus of flowering shrubs and small trees known for their fragrant flowers. Most species in the genus of Buddleja produce lush green foliage with silvery-white underside. The attractive foliage is contrasted by colorful and fragrant spring or summer flowers that attract wild birds and butterflies to the garden.

Also See: How to attract birds and butterflies to your garden

Most species of Buddleja are fast growing shrubs or small trees ranging from 4 to meters in height. Propagation can be done from seeds or hardwood cuttings. Being low-maintenance plants, Buddleja are suitable for xeriscapes or low-maintenance gardens.

Also See: How to design a low maintenance garden landscape

A large number of Buddleja hybrids and cultivars are available easily and can be grown in most tropical and sub-tropical climates where are provided with moderate watering and protected from heavy frost.

22 Dec

Lovely Flowering Vine: Lonicera sempervirens

Lonicera sempervirens is a fast-growing vine from the famous Honeysuckle family. Also known as Carol honeysuckle and sometimes as Trumpet honeysuckle because of its trumpet shaped flowers, this lovely vine can be used as a nice climber for pergolas and trellis.

Also see:

How to Grow Lonicera sempervirens

Lonicera sempervirens (Buy online) grows up to 5 feet and produces showy trumpet-shaped flowers of scarlet or red-orange color. Summer flowers are followed by red berries. Both flowers and berries attract wild birds. The vine grows in a well-drained soil under full sun. Though it can grow in shade, Lonicera sempervirens is primarily a sun loving vine. Brighter sunlight encourages abundance of ornamental flowers.

Lonicera sempervirens is a vigorous growing vine and might require annual pruning. It is evergreen in warm climates but sheds most of its foliage is colder climates. It can be propagated from layering or softwood cuttings.