Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008
You might feel that the name Collinsia grandiflora is somewhat misleading. Grandiflora means “with large flowers” - and that for a species with flowers l/2 in wide, on stems which are only 12 in high! It is therefore a very tenuous little plant that comes into its own when grown in large drifts in a natural-looking garden. It is also a suitable container plant for anyone with a liking for sophistication.
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2008
CHINA ASTER
The China or summer aster has had a long cultural history. The originally Chinese annual has been improved in China and Japan for centuries. The single flowers became semi-double and then fully double, while the original color spectrum of white to violet was extended to include all manner of bright colors. Even the petals (ray florets) underwent all kinds of changes from ray-shaped to curled and sometimes became as thin as threads.
The natural species grows to about 32 in tall, about the same height as the cultivated varieties currently grown for cutting - the principal reason for cultivating asters. Dwarf forms are also marketed nowadays: plants that grow to a maximum height of 8 in and are used mainly in colored flower-beds and tubs. The small varieties in particular are marketed on a vast scale as bedding plants in spring.
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Monday, January 28th, 2008
SWAN RIVER DAISY
This newcomer rapidly conquered the world of containers and hanging baskets. No wonder, because it has everything going for it: beautifully divided leaves and, above them, white, yellow, or lavender-pink to blue flowers which are borne non-stop throughout the summer. The foliage tumbles over the rims of pots, containers, and hanging baskets. Because of its dense growth, it is advisable to combine this brachycome with other species in the same container. It grows trouble-free in sunlight and better still in partial shade, either in a border or in a pot. If you are growing it in a pot, make sure the soil never dries out completely, as the leaves will turn yellow otherwise.
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Saturday, January 26th, 2008
LOVE-LIES-BLEEDING, TASSEL FLOWER
All of the many cultivars oiamaranthus caudatus have trailing panicles of flowers which may grow about 18 in long. They flower from June until well into October and the individual panicles remain beautiful for a remarkably long time. Those of the species itself are a shade of crimson that is difficult to combine with other border plants and is too pronounced for most bouquets. The cultivar Amaranthus caudatus ‘Viridis’ has soft-green, pendulous panicles that go particularly well with all kinds of other plants. They are very popular with flower arrangers and are also cultivated for the commercial cut-flower market. The cultivar Amaranthus caudatus ‘Griinschwanz’ has yellowish-green pendulous panicles, and those oi Amaranthus cau-datus ‘Rotschwanz’ are bright red. Don’t plant them too close together, so that they can develop freely.
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Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008
MARGUERITE
This marguerite will adorn summer patios, but it does not tolerate frost. The species grows naturally in the Canary Islands where it is warm, but never burning hot, and where there is always a cool sea breeze. This should be remembered when caring for these plants. Marguerites like warmth, but not heat, and under glass they often suffer from hot sunlight. You should therefore definitely put them out-of-doors after the last night frost and make sure that the potting compost does not dry out. They flower with such over-1 whelming exuberance that the plants may I easily exhaust their reserves. Re-pot them in nutritive soil immediately after purchase and give them liquid fertilizer several times during the summer.
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Monday, January 21st, 2008
HELIOTROPE
Heliotropes were among the familiar bedding plants in large-scale displays in the gardens of palaces and country houses. The deep colors of foliage and flowers contrasted strongly with the lighter shades of other plants, and complex patterns were created with them. It is still possible to see that kind of summery flower-bed here and there, but they are long past their heyday. Heliotrope is now used for a new craze - that of patio gardening. The plant is, in fact, highly satisfactory as a container plant.
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Sunday, January 20th, 2008
LION’S EAR
This South African plant starts flowering about three to four months after it was sown. It is better known as a container plant and may be kept in a cool and, if need be, dark place in winter to allow it to sprout again in spring after hard pruning. Firms specializing in plants propagated by seed or cuttings, market flowering plants intended for cultivation as annuals as early as June. Put the plant in a large pot on your patio and you will spend months imagining you are in the tropics. Provide leonotis with a sheltered, warm, and sunny position, and give it plenty of water and fertilizer to keep it flowering. The orange whorls of flowers develop from the bottom upwards on flower stems which may ultimately grow to 6 ft.
The genus Leonotis (Lion’s Ear or Lion’s-Tail) consists of about 30 species of plants in the family Lamiaceae. All but one species, Leonotis nepetifolia (native to both tropical Africa and southern India), are native to southern Africa.
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Friday, January 18th, 2008
SPIDER FLOWER
This is certainly one of the most striking of all annuals. They branch widely and, at a height of 4 ft, tower above most other annuals. The flower heads, which appear between July and October, are huge - no less than 8 in in section and longer than they are wide. They also stretch in the course of flowering. Oblong seedpods are formed at their lower end, and - curiously - grow sideways on very thin stems. The stamens protrude so far that they resemble cat’s whiskers or spider’s legs. Both the flowers and the foliage are intensely fragrant.
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Thursday, January 17th, 2008
The informal growth of Browallia americana makes the plant a favorite among gardeners. Browallia americana is an easygoing annual with a long-lasting beauty. Browallia americana is stunning alone and a perfect foil for all partners. The flowering shoots tumble gracefully over the edges of pots, tubs, and hanging baskets, with their violet-blue flowers suspended like butterflies from their stems. The light spot in the center of the flowers enhances their refinement. Sow Browallia americana indoors in March-April at a temperature of about 68 °F. Pinch out young shoots to encourage bushiness and plant out-of-doors after the final night frost. They do best in poor soil, but will also grow in richer kinds. Choose a sunny position in a border, but partial shade is better if you are growing them in pots, tubs, or hanging baskets. The plants do not need much water, but the rootball should not be allowed to dry out entirely, as the plants definitely do not recover from that.
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