17 Aug

Lovely Flowering Plant for Rock Gardens: Gaura Lindheimeri

Gaura commonly known as Beeblossom is a genus of annuals and perennials from North America where it grows natively as summer bloomer. These hardy and drought tolerant plants produce long and delicate spikes of conspicuous flowers. The most popular species of the genus is Gaura Lindheimeri which is grown commercially as popular garden plant. Suitable for borders or as background filler in landscape, Gaura Lindheimeri grows into dense clusters and bears ornamental flowers from midsummer till early fall. Flowers are white with a touch of pink and appear in frequent sprays.

Gaura Lindheimeri is a good choice for xeriscaping or rock gardens because of its capacity to withstand drought.

Gaura Lindheimeri, Image by Søren Holt

How to Grow Gaura Lindheimeri

Gaura Lindheimeri performs good at both sunny or partial shady garden locations. Being a hardy plant, it requires moderate watering but protection from strong winds. Propagation is easy from divisions.

15 Aug

Easy to Grow Foliage Plant: Kochia Scoparia (Summer Cypress)

Kochia scoparia or Summer Cypress (Buy seeds online) is a hardy and drought-tolerant foliage plant grown as ornamental as well as forage plant. It is a quick growing plant that tends to form rounded or pyramid body of dense leaves and branches. Young plants of Kochia are bright green and color but turn red in colder climate as they mature. Thin and finely cut leaves of Kochia add to its ornamental value. It is useful as accent plant in landscapes and grows in almost any soil (rich, sandy, alkaline, poor etc.) except very acidic conditions. For this reason, Kochia is sometimes grown at mass level to control soil erosion, and for reclamation or re-vegetation of land.

Kochia scoparia can spread very quickly and become invasive in warm and dry climates where it breaks off from the base and is blown by winds as a tumbleweed. In landscapes and gardens, it can be contained by frequent trimming especially before formation of seed heads in spring.

Kochia Scoparia contains higher levels of protein and oxalate than most grasses and fodder plants, thus it also serves as a forage crop for livestock. However, high intake of Kochia scoparia can be toxic for most animals therefore it should be used sparingly and mixed with other forage plants .

Kochia Scoparia, Image by Shin Kusano

How to Grow Kochia

Kochia is fairly easy to grow and does not have any special requirements. Propagated from seeds, Kochia requires bright sunlight and moderate water.

12 Aug

Lovely Flowering Plants for Garden Landscapes: Crocosmia

Crocosmia is a small genus of exotic summer bloomers that produce sprays of star-shaped red flowers. The Iris-like flowers are quite showy and make an excellent show in fresh floral arrangements. Crocosmia have both evergreen and deciduous species that tend to form large clumps, and bear long and thin leaves. Orange-red flowers are borne on long stalks that last several days and attract bees, butterflies and humming birds.

Crocosmia is an excellent choice for landscapes and rock gardens where they can be grown to fill empty spaces with their foliage and flowers. The delicate and bright flowers of Crocosmia can be easily distinguished from other plants because of their orange-red flowers that appear on long, delicate racemes.

Crocosmia Flowers, Image by Heidi (flickr)

How to Grow Crocosmia

Crocosmia is quite easy to propagate from small corms. These beautiful flowering plants prefer partial sunlight (away from scorching summer sun), moderate watering and a well-drained soil, rich soil. Popular species of Crocosmia include: Crocosmia Masonorum (Golden Swan) and Crocosmia Aurea (Falling Stars)

10 Aug

Ornamental Foliage Plants for Tropical Gardens – Caladium

The first ever plant that I grew myself, as a 7 year old, was a Caladium. Digging small tubers, given by my father, in a container, watering it daily and watching it twice a day sprouting and sending off colorful leaves was like a magic. I just fell in love with colorful heart-shaped leaves of all shades of green, red, white, silver and pink. They looked like color pallets of an artist. We still grow Caladiums in our house and enjoy the spectacular show of colorful foliage every year with the same delight and amazement.

Caladium, Colorful Foliage Plants, Image from wikipedia

Caladium is a genus of about 15 species and thousands of cultivars that are grown in many temperate regions as ornamental foliage plants. Usually grown as perennials, they are good as ornamental pot plants, as colorful foliage plants for window gardens, or as ground covers under shady trees. Flowers are inconspicuous but the plant itself is quite attractive.

Caladium is also known as Elephant Ears, Angel Wings or Heart of Jesus.

How to Grow Caladium

Caladiums can be grown easily from divisions. The tubers multiply easily and can be stored in winter for sowing later in spring. Caladiums are native to Florida, South America and parts of Central America where they grow in humid and temperate climate. That is why, you need to imitate the same climate for Caladiums when growing them in outdoor in gardens or indoor as patio plants. Caladium requires regular water and partial shade (but well-lit) spots to flourish. They also require rich soil so fertilize them during the growing season.

Popular Varieties of Caladium

Caladium Bicolor ‘Freida Hemple’
Caladium Bicolor ‘White Christmas’
Caladium Bicolor ‘Rosebud’
Caladium Bicolor ‘Aaron’
Caladium Bicolor ‘White Queen’
Caladium Bicolor ‘Wharton’

04 Aug

Colorful Foliage Plants for Gardens: Coleus

Solenostemon or Coleus is a popular houseplant for its strikingly ornamental foliage. Native to tropics, these colorful foliage plants grow outdoors under partial sunlight where they produce colorful leaves of purple, red, yellow, green and pink colors. A number of cultivars with variegated leaves are also available commonly.

Coleus can be grown as pot plants, as ground covers, to form borders and hedges in gardens or just as foliage plants in landscapes. When allowed to grow freely, most species of Coleus would turn leggy. The best way to keep these plants in share is pinching their growing points to encourage bushy growth. Plants that are clipped properly form dense, colorful and well-shaped foliage. Most species would grow 0.5 to 1.5 meter in height.

Coleus, Image by Ann Stretton

How to Grow Coleus

As Coleus comes from tropics, it would grow well in a temperate and well-lit spot. Water, clip and feed Coleus plants regularly for healthy ornamental foliage. When grown indoors, place them near windows where they receive plenty of light and some fresh air. Plants that are grown indoors or under filtered sunlight usually have deeper colors and contrast in their colorful leaves. Coleus propagates freely from seeds as well as cuttings.

Coleus is also known as Painted Nettle or Flame Nettle.

Coleus, Image by Ann Stretton

03 Aug

Lovely Flowering Trees and Shrubs of Cassia

Cassia is a large genus of flowering trees and shrubs from tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. These fast growing plants are second to none when they are in full bloom. Most species of Cassia would produce dense clusters of very attractive flowers. In fact, a Cassia in full bloom is a treat to watch. Being drought and frost tolerant, Cassias are excellent plants for gardens where they would grow fast into shrubs or mid-sized trees. Almost all species bloom and bear lovely flowers of yellow or pink colors.

How to Grow Cassia

Most species of Cassia are sun loving plants and require moderate watering in a well-drained soil. These lovely flowering plants propagate from seeds and quickly grow into young shrubs or trees.

Cassia Flowers, Image from homestretching.blogspot.com

Popular Species of Cassia

Cassia Fistula (Golden Shower Tree): Locally known as Amaltas, this is one my favorite trees. Cassia Fistula grows into a mid-sized deciduous tree and bears profuse, bright flowers of yellow color.

Cassia Nodosa: Native to Himalayas and the Malay Peninsula, Cassia Nodosa or Pink Shower Tree grows into a large tree with dense leaflets. Flowers are yellow that turn into dark pink as they mature.

Cassia Corymbosa: Native to South America, this autumn bloomer grows as a woody shrub or small tree. Leaves are bright green and dense.

Cassia Didymobotyra: Commonly known as Peanut Butter Cassia (fragrance of its flowers is reminiscent of peanut butter), this beautiful plan grows as evergreen, semi-deciduous, flowering shrub in cold climates. Yellow flowers grow on long stalks in summer or autumn.

Cassia Nodosa, Pink Shower, Pink Cassia, Pink Lady

Cassia Nodosa, Image from oramsnurseries.com.au

29 Jul

Striking, Fragrant Flowers of Monarda Didyam: Bee Balm

Monarda Didyam or Bee Balm is an excellent perennial for gardens for its aromatic leaves and fragrant flowers. These sun loving plants form large clusters and bloom prolifically in summer and autumn. Flowers are rich in nectar and attract lots of butterflies, bees and birds. Flowers of Bee Balm are scarlet-red and serve well as cut flowers in both fresh and dry arrangements. are Leaves are usually crushed to obtain a highly fragrant oil. Bee Balm is also a good companion plant in vegetable and fruit gardens for its ability to attract pollinating bees.

Bee Balm Flower, Image by Stephanie Wallace

How to Grow Monarda Didyam/ Bee Balm

Native to North America, Monarda is a small genus of perennial and annual plants. These fast growing plants propagate easily from seeds or divisions. Bee Balm prefers full to partial sun. Plants grown in full shade produce dense foliage but less flowers. Almost all species of Monarda grow well in moist but well-drained soil.

24 Jul

Evergreen, Ornamental Foliage Plant for Beginners: Tree Ivy

If you are a beginner looking for some easy-to-grow plants for year round ornamental foliage, you should give Tree Ivy (x Fatshedera Lizei) a try. It is a less-demanding as well as a versatile plant that can be grown as evergreen ground cover, as climbing plant against walls and trellis, as evergreen shrub in garden or as pot plant grown both indoor or outdoor.

Tree Ivy is a hybrid between Fatsia Japonnica (a tree) and Hedra Helix (an ivy) that is why it has characteristics of both. Tree Ivy bears relatively larger ivy-like leaves and stiff, shrubby branches. The glossy green leaves appear round the year to make Tree Ivy an excellent foliage plant. Stiff branches require support for climbing against a wall, tree or trellis. A variegated variety (x Fatshedera Lizei ‘Variegate’) is also grown widely for its ornamental leaves (with white margins).

Tree Ivy, Evergreen Ornamental Plant, Image by S John Davey

How to Grow Tee Ivy

Tree Ivy requires a shady spot, moderate watering and protection from frost. Plants propagate from cuttings and reach about 2 meters or more in height. When pruned regularly, Tree Ivy can be grown as ornamental pot plant.

21 Jul

Black Eyed Susan in My Garden: Thunbergia Alata

Black Eyed Susan (Thunbergia Alata) is one of my favorite climbers. Fresh green leaves and bright orange and yellow flowers make it an excellent choice for gardeners as a climber of ornamental plant for hanging baskets. Native to Africa and Asia, Black Eyed Susan is easy to grow is most tropical and temperate regions of the world where it can be grown as ornamental climber. Flowers appear in summer and autumn.

Black Eyed Susan Flowers - Thunbergia Alata

Black Eyed Susan Flowers – Image by Shihmei Barger

How to Grow Black Eyed Susan/ Thunbergia Alata

Propagating from seeds and cuttings, Black Eyed Susan requires moist but well-drained soil. These fast growing climbers prefer full to partial sun and protection from frost. Black Eyed Susan is a perfect climber to be grown against fences, pergolas, trellis, and arches where it can grow up to 8 feet.

The name ‘Black Eyed Susan’ is also used for other flowering plants like Rudbeckia and Hibiscus.

20 Jul

Unusual Flowering Plant: Dicentra, Bleeding Hearts

Dicentra Spectabilis (now known as Lamprocapnos Spectabilis) or Bleeding Hearts is a perennial plant known for its ornamental and unusual flowers. As the name suggests, most species of Dicentra produce heart-shaped flowers. Petals on these unusual flowers are curved and spurred to give them the shape of bleeding hearts. These herbaceous perennials are native to North America and parts of Asia.

Dicentra Spectabilis grows up to 60 cm and bear rosy red and white flowers in spring that hang on long leafless stalks. Flowers last for several weeks when spring is cool.

Dicentra Spectabilis – image from Wikipedia.org

How to Grow Dicentra Spectabilis / Bleeding Hearts

Almost all species of Dicentra are grown in semi-shade. Bleeding Hearts require rich, loose and well-drained soil, and protection from frost and high winds. Propagation can be done by seeds, cuttings or divisions. Seeds can be sown in fall so that they get enough freezing spells, which is required for successful germination. Do not leave young plants dry and thirsty especially in warmer weather; a bit moist environment is perfect for Bleeding Heart plants. These plants do not require much pruning or fertilizer.

Popular Varieties of Dicentra

The name ‘bleeding heart’ is specially associated with Dicentra Spectabilis. Other popular species include: Dicentra Cucullaria (Dutchman’s breeches), Dicentra Canadensis (Squirrel Corn), and several hybrids and cultivars.

Flowers of Bleeding Heart may cause skin irritation.

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