Archive for the ‘Summerflowers’ Category
Saturday, April 25th, 2009 |
DWARF MALLOW
The stems of dwarf mallows are almost prostrate initially, and then rise up to a maximum height of 20 in. The annual species grows wild almost throughout Europe, including The Netherlands. From June until September, the leaf axils are adorned with whitish pink flowers with mauve stripes. At more than V4 in wide, the flowers are considerably smaller than those of its close relative, Malva sylvestris. Sow directly in the garden in April for flowers from July onwards.
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Friday, April 24th, 2009 |
CYPRESS VINE
The winding shoots of this Ipomoea grow slowly but steadily up strings or twigs, which makes this species very suitable for pots or other containers. Its magnificent, deeply divided leaves and relatively small but subtle red flowers grow on the winding stems. The Cypress vine will bear flowers every day from July until the end of September, though not as many as Ipomoea purpurea. The species is sown indoors and may be taken out-of-doors to the warmest and sunniest spot you can find by the end of May. It is also possible to buy the plant, though it is not widely available.
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Thursday, April 23rd, 2009 |
The pendulous stems of needle-shaped foliage superficially resemble those of ornamental asparagus. The flowers of Lotus make you open your eyes – what a magnificent display of red, orange, or yellow! The plants are widely propagated by cuttings nowadays, and the flowers are no longer the preserve of those with greenhouses. You can buy the plants in flower in late spring. Make sure you have a very warm and sheltered spot for it, but preferably not in full sunlight. The soil should be well drained, so that it does not stay wet in cool weather. It should not, however, dry out entirely. If your green fingers can ensure all that, the plant will flower until far into autumn. You can then, if you wish, keep it in a light position at a temperature between 41 °F and 54 °F until the following spring.
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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 |
BALSAM
Flowering plants labelled Impatiens ‘New Guinea Hybrids’ appear on the market round about Mothering Sunday. They are derived from, among other plants, Impatiens hawkeri, a perennial from the Indonesian Archipelago. In The Netherlands, ‘New Guinea Hybrids’ are grown from seeds as annuals, and nurserymen start sowing as early as January or February so that they can market flowering plants by mid-May. The seedlings need a lot of light and warmth but, to avoid the risk of fungus disease, should not be cultivated in excessively wet conditions.
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2009 |
ORNAMENTAL PEPPER
Ornamental peppers make their appearance at florists in June. Most people buy these low-growing plants with their small, colorful peppers as indoor plants, but they also do well as container plants in warm and sheltered positions out-of-doors. Apart from needing a warm position, ornamental peppers make few demands. You may even sow them indoors in February-March. The ideal temperature for germination is around 70 °F. Grow the plants on at a lower temperature and put them out-of-doors in pots or other containers early in June. New little peppers are produced continually and, depending on the variety, ultimately turn red, orange, yellow, or cream.
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