Archive for the ‘Zone 11’ category

Ornamental Grass for Lovely Landscapes: Miscanthus Sinensis

December 15th, 2011

I have a special liking for grasses when it comes to selecting accent plants for landscapes and gardens. Though usually under-valued, grasses, like Pampas or Miscanthus, can add a soft and striking look to any garden or landscape design. They are easy to maintain, do not require special attention and look good in any season – just like Miscanthus Sinensis.

Usually described as Chinese Silver Grass or sometimes as Zebra Grass, Miscanthus Sinensis is quite a robust grass that produces large clumps of blue-green leaves. Like other species of this genus, this ornamental grass grows as tall as 3 meters and produces long, feathery flowers heads of silvery-white color in summer.

Miscanthus Sinensis Grass

Miscanthus Sinensis, Image via Wikipedia

Miscanthus Sinensis is a sun loving grass and grows as evergreen perennial in Pakistan, India, Japan, Korea and parts of Eastern Asia. It is resistant to both windy and frosty conditions and withstands long droughts.

This graceful grass can be used in gardens and landscapes to fill in tough spots and empty spaces where no other plant can survive. It is also good as ornamental plant along borders or for adding variety to ornamental landscapes. It is also used in dried flower arrangements.

Miscanthus Sinensis is also considered a good source of fiber in paper industry. Another popular variety, Miscanthus Giganteus is an excellent source of ethanol and bio fuel.

Miscanthus Sinensis is also described as Susuki Grass in Japan.

Tropically Yours, The Firecracker Flower

December 12th, 2011

Firecracker Flower – the name given to Crossandra Infundibuliformis, is as unusual and fantastic as this lovely plant itself is. Growing as a small shrub, this lovely tropical bloomer produces flowers of salmon, yellow or orange color all through the year. A cousin of Black-eyed Susan, Firecracker Flower belongs to Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India and Madagascar where it grows as evergreen shrub.

Crossandra Infundibuliformis, The Firecracker Flower

Firecracker Flower, Image by Hedwig Storch

It is an excellent ornamental plant for both indoor and outdoor usage. However, the best results are achieved when it is grown in garden beds under bright sunlight. Firecracker Flower is propagated from cuttings and grows easily as long as it is protected from freeze and frost. The plant bears glossy green foliage that provides a decent background for its showy flowers. Most gardeners grow Firecracker Flower in mix borders, garden beds or as a small hedge.

When provided with moderate watering and fairly rich soil, this lovely bloomer would continue to produce colorful flowers for many years. The flowers last long and are often used locally in preparing garlands. Flowers are followed by seed pods that ‘explode’ to spread seeds all around and thus giving the plant its common name – Firecracker Flower.

Popular varieties of Firecracker Flower include: ‘Lutea’ or Yellow Crossandra and ‘Tropic Flame’.

Quick Growing, Tropical Ground Cover: Rhoeo Spathacea

December 9th, 2011

Rhoeo Spathacea is a fast growing and evergreen perennial usually grows as ground cover or border plant. Native to West Indies, Mexico and parts of central America, this tender perennial produces clumps of long bicolor leaves – green leaves with purple side underneath.

Rhoeo Spathacea which is commercially sold as Boat Lily or Moses in the Cradle is quite fast growing plant in warm and humid climates. It can also survive long spells of drought which makes it a good choice for landscapes, xeriscape projects and ornamental perennial for places where most plants would not grow easily. Rhoeo Spathacea only requires a regular but well-drained soil mix, a sunny or partially shaded spot, a moderate watering. It is does quite well as ornamental houseplant especially for beginners.

Rhoeo Spathacea, Ground Cover Plant

Rhoeo Spathacea, Image by Tony Rodd

Rhoeo Spathacea is not a demanding plant and grows well with other plants, that is why, it can be grown with a number of other plants in garden beds, mix borders, landscaping schemes, rock gardens or just as ornamental ground cover. It can also be grow in hanging baskets to add delightful colors in patios or window and balcony gardens.

Rhoeo Spathacea produces small white flowers almost all through the year. Flowers are, however, not very significant. Propagation is easy from cuttings taken in spring or fall.

Lovely and Easy to Grow Indoor Tree: Brassaia Actinophylla

December 7th, 2011

Brassaia is a popular houseplant grown for its ornamental foliage and unusual flowers. Native to tropical and subtropical regions of Australia, Asia and the Pacific, Brassaia is widely grown as small ornamental tree.

Among all known species, Brassia Actinophylla is the most popular and commercially available plant. It is also known as Umbrella Plant because of its leaves that grow in a set of leaves that actually looks like an umbrella. Brassia Actinophylla is easily propagated from cuttings rooted in summer; it requires a deep, rich and well-drained soil under sunny or semi-shaded spots. Its leaves are glossy-green and flowers are red that grown on a long stalk. The stalk appears from the crown of a mature plant. The unusual flowers are often seen in wild, however plants grown in containers rarely bloom.

Brassaia Actinophylla, The Umbrella Plant

Brassaia Actinophylla, The Umbrella Plant, Image by Ahmad Fuad Morad

Brassia Actinophylla is a perfect candidate for bonsai and an easy to maintain indoor container plant as well. Prune and pinch regularly when grown indoors to keep the plant in good shape.

Colorful, Tropical Garden Shrub: The Mickey Mouse Plant

December 6th, 2011

Mickey Mouse plant is common name of Ochna Serrulata because of its beautiful shiny black and berry-like fruits. Ochna Serrulata produces narrow, elliptic leaves of glossy green texture enriched with new leaf growth of bright red color making it a nice ornamental plant. Mickey Mouse plant grows as shrublet sometimes growing into a small tree and performs very well as flowering hedge.

Ochna Serrulata, The Mickey Mouse Plant

Ochna Serrulata, The Mickey Mouse Plant

Ochna Serrulata like most of species of its genus produces bright yellow flowers in spring followed by fruition. Most of the species are deciduous plants and prefer sunny spot where they are protected from heavy frost. Though not fussy about soil, Mickey Mouse plant produces rich foliage and blooms when fed properly in a sunny or semi-shaded spot.

Fruit of Mickey Mouse plant is known to be used for medicinal purposes by Zulu people.

Another popular species is Ochna Pulchra which is known for its yellow, fragrant flowers and lovely growth of new foliage that changes colors from pink, red and green.