plant species
Botanical name: Parkinsonia florida (formerly Cercidium floridum) Common name: Blue palo verde Origin: Native to the Sonoran Desert regions of southeastern California, southern Arizona and northern Mexico; often found growing along washes Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zone 7; find your zone) Water requirement: Drought tolerant once established, but looks best when watered deeply once or twice a month in summer Light requirement: Full and reflected sun Mature size: 15 to 30 feet tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Drought tolerant; provides filtered shade Seasonal interest: Lightly fragrant, yellow flowers in late spring When to plant: Fall or spring
Why overplanting happens. There are a few reasons for overplanting. People don’t research their plant choices ahead of time to see how large they will become. They see a small plant in a nursery container and don’t take time to look at the label for the mature size. The top growth will expand exponentially once a plant is put in the ground and its roots have a chance to grow. Consumers also want to see immediate results. A newly planted landscape can look quite sparse when plants are placed with enough space to grow to their mature size. So homeowners, landscapers and even designers will sometimes add more plants than is needed to create the appearance of a more
Chris Barrett Design SaveEmail 1. Fiddle Leaf Fig Ask people who own a fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) and chances are, they will tell you how much they adore it. Fiddle leaf fig mania has taken the interior design world by storm in recent years. Loved for their large, glossy, leathery leaves, they make great houseplants. They are fantastic as larger specimen plants — in a large container, they can easily grow to around 6½ feet tall.
5. Zee Zee Plant With its exotic looks, glossy green leaves and ability to tolerate neglect, the Zee Zee (or ZZ) plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) has been the pride of many a black thumb. A tropical perennial plant hailing from eastern Africa, it is hard to kill, slow growing and ideal as an office plant or a table centerpiece.
Botanical name: Athyrium niponicum var. pictum Common name: Japanese painted fern Origin: Eastern Asia Where will it grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 3 to 8; find your zone) Water requirement: Consistent moisture is best for optimum growth Light requirement: Partial to full shade; can tolerate more sun in moist soil Mature size: 1½ feet tall and 2½ feet wide Benefits and tolerances: This fern is deer and rabbit resistant, which is becoming more important in certain areas; it has few if any insect or disease problems; it tolerates heavy shade, partial sun if kept consistently moist, and wet feet
What are air plants? Plants that grow in the canopy of trees are uniquely adapted to shaded conditions and high relative air humidity. They have morphological characteristics that help them survive in the treetops: aerial roots and tiny fibrous hairs that catch nutritious particles in the air. The native habitat of most air plants —technically called epiphytes — is in the canopy layer of warm, humid hardwood forests. Air plants do not harm their host plant; they simply use trees as structural support as they sit and absorb water and nutrients from the surrounding air.
Samuel H. Williamson AssociatesSave to IdeabookEmail Photo Living fertilizer. White clover (Trifolium repens) is a nitrogen-fixing low ground cover plant that adds nitrogen to the soil. It does well in nutrient-poor soils and can make a lovely lawn addition. Add clover to your lawn and let the bees and pollinators have a great time. Clover is very easy to maintain and looks graceful as a naturalized clump at the edge of a lawn or planting bed. Adding a “living fertilizer” like clover contributes to a healthy soil that is rich with nutrients.
Botanical names: Tecoma stans var. stans and Tecoma stans var. angustata Common names: Yellow bells, esperanza Origin: Tecoma stans var. stans is native to Mexico; Tecoma stans var. angustata is native to the southwestern United States Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zone 8; find your zone) Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full, reflected sun to light shade Mature size: 5 to 25 feet tall and 4 to 15 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Drought tolerant once established, but does best when watered deeply once a week in summer, every two weeks in spring and fall and once a month in winter; attracts hummingbirds. Seasonal interest: Golden flowers appear spring through fall in zones 8 to 11; if grown as an annual, it will flower throughout the summer into early fall until freezing temperatures arrive. When to plant: In spring, from transplants
Box blight is a fungal disease that specifically attacks boxwood. Initially an infection attacks and discolors the foliage; then it moves to the stems, by which time the leaf has usually died. Box blight is an airborne infection, so there is no easy way to prevent it. Some cultural practices can help: Don’t water the foliage. It’s better to use drip feeders or a leaky hose. Always ensure any pruners or shears used are clean. Remove any dead leaves to reduce the availability of any resting spores. There are no species of boxwood that are immune to box blight, so it’s important to find a suitable
Designers may prefer the regularity of boxwood topiary alone, but here we see the interest created using different plants trimmed in similar shapes. One of the benefits of using boxwood alternatives is the difference you get in tone, texture and color by mixing and matching them. Let’s look at some plants we can use as substitutes.
What to plant in an edible flower garden: Nasturtium, lavender, violets, pansies and Johnny-jump-ups all have edible blooms. Rose petals are edible as well, though the flavor varies from plant to plant. In the vegetable beds, squash blossoms can be harvested and are delicious when stuffed and fried, or tucked into a quesadilla. Be safe and remember to keep pesticides off edible plants.
Sunjoy Tangelo Barberry (Berberis thunbergii ‘Sunjoy Tangelo’) I am fortunate that barberries are not invasive in the Seattle area, and even more so that the deer ignore them. For those two reasons, I am especially excited by this new hybrid with its exotic color. Note: Check with your local cooperative extension or county extension office before planting to see if barberry is considered invasive where you live. Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 4 to 8) Water requirement: Average to low; drought tolerant once established Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Deer resistant; low maintenance Seasonal interest: Spring to fall When to plant: Spring or fall
These remarkable shrubs are highly ornamental and very easy to look after, will grow happily in a container or in the ground, and have sweet, juicy berries that are every bit as good as they look. Since there are four varieties to choose from and many ways to incorporate them into even the smallest space, I’m sure you’ll be joining me for a nostalgic trip down memory lane this summer as we feast on our juicy bounty. Raspberry Shortcake This is the perfect plant to grow in a big pot on the patio. Forget stakes, trellises and having to wear stout gloves — this remarkable bush grows to just 2 to 3 feet high and is thornless.
Quinine How to use it. As a midheight plant, it can go just about anywhere. I suggest massing it to maximize the effect of its blooms. It could also appeal in a moon garden. Wild quinine has a sizable taproot, so it is very drought tolerant, handling dry clay to rocky soils with ease, but it can also thrive in a rain garden setting where water pools and then drains, leaving the area dry for long periods.
Botanical name: Eremophila hygrophana ‘Blue Bells’ Common names: Blue Bells, blue emu Origin: Native to Australia Where it will grow: Hardy to 17 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zone 8; find your zone) Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 3 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Drought tolerant once established, but looks best when watered once a week in the summer and twice a month in spring and fall. Water once a month in winter. Seasonal interest: Flowers throughout the year; attracts hummingbirds. When to plant: Fall or spring
The proportions and size of the parlor palm make it the perfect plant for a tall, slim container tucked into a corner. How to care for parlor palm: Height: Fully mature plants may reach 3 to 4 feet, though most are slow growing. Temperature: Normal to warm room temperatures (65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit; 18 to 27 degrees Celsius). Light: Low to moderately bright. Yellowish-green leaves may be a sign of too much sun. Water: Keep the soil slightly moist. Provide good drainage, as soggy soil can cause root rot. Let the soil mostly dry out before watering; underwatering is preferable to overwatering. Soil: Loamy well-draining soil is imperative to prevent root rot. Feeding: Requires more fertilizer than most palms. Feed monthly in spring and summer with a 10-10-10 liquid fertilizer, and every two months in the fall and winter. Humidity: Tolerates low humidity, though it will thrive with higher humidity. Mist the foliage regularly with room-temperature water. Repotting: Likes to be crowded, so don't repot until the roots fill the pot — preferably in the spring. Propagation: You can make new plants by dividing the root clumps. Don't fertilize for a month or two, until the new ...
Distinguishing traits. The most recognizable trait of any palo verde tree is its green trunks and branches. Tiny green leaves create an airy canopy, which produces filtered shade underneath. 'Desert Museum' has the best attributes of its three parents — Mexican palo verde (Parkinsonia aculeata), blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida) and little leaf palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla) — with a bright green trunk, larger flowers and a more upright growth habit.
How to Care for Baby Tears Temperature: 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 24 degrees Celsius). Light: Bright to filtered indirect sunlight. Leaving the plant in direct sun can cause the leaves to burn and lose their beautiful coloring. Water: The soil should be barely moist at all times. Always use room-temperature water. Soil: Use a good general-purpose potting soil that retains water but also drains well. Well-aerated soil allows the roots to have some breathing room. If the soil is packed tightly, add some sand or perlite along with some peat moss to give the roots plenty of room. Use a pot with a hole in the bottom so excess water can drain out. Humidity: Very high. Mist your plant often to keep it looking its best at all times. Place pebbles or bigger stones in a dish under the pot; this will allow the excess water to create humidity around the plant without your overwatering. Feeding: Balanced fertilizer if desired, though some growers state that fertilizer is unnecessary. Pruning: Pinch off the dead leaves and keep the plant well pruned to maintain its bushy appearance. Botanical name: Soleirolia soleirolii (Helxine soleirolii)
eclectic living room by Lauren Liess InteriorsAdd to ideabook by Lauren Liess Interiors Because of its spreading, creeping form, baby tears (Soleirolia soleirolii) works especially well when allowed to drape over the edge of a pot or systematically pinched off to create a mound of tight green leaves. In the arrangement here, tiny tendrils cascade over the sides of an aged urn, while the show stealer is the central clump.
This stunning living wall owes much of its fluid and textural form to baby tears, which is quite simple to maintain in an installation of this kind, as long as it's kept moist and gets some natural light. A haircut now and then is necessary to maintain the moss-like look.
Planting and care: Choose a spot in full sun with very good drainage; add sand or compost before planting to increase drainage. Lavender does best in poor soil. Set plants 1 to 4 feet apart, depending on their eventual height and spread. If you live in a humid climate, be sure to allow for plenty of air circulation between them. You can also add a mulch of sand or pea gravel.
Tall verbena filters the view without obscuring it, adding a touch of mystery to the summer garden. Completely drought tolerant, it can be left to create its own plant combinations at will as it self-seeds with abandon. This is not a problem in my garden, where it is easy to remove unwanted seedlings. Botanical name: Verbena bonariensis Common name: Tall verbena Benefits: Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and bees Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA climate zones 7 to 10) Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full to partial sun Mature size: 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide Seasonal interest: Summer to fall When to plant: Spring
A stand of scarlet Lucifer crocosmia is an unforgettable sight in any summer garden. Arching stems of brilliant red flowers seem to explode from the swordlike foliage in summer, while hummingbirds vie for the best position like fighter pilots. Botanical name: Crocosmia 'Lucifer' Common names: Lucifer montbretia, Lucifer crocosmia Benefits: Attracts hummingbirds Where it will grow: Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA climate zones 5 to 9) Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full to partial sun Mature size: 4 feet tall and wide Seasonal interest: Summer When to plant: Plant bulbs in spring; plants can also be planted in spring or fall.
1. Choose Nectar-Rich Plants Not all daylilies are equal. Many suffer from weak stems, untidy foliage and a short bloom time. Flasher daylily is different. The flowers are held high on sturdy stems and bloom for more than a month, while the foliage remains clean and needs minimal cleaning. The burnt-orange color stands up to strong sunlight without fading and looks superb against dark foliage such as the Grace smoke bush shown in the opening combination. Botanical name: Hemerocallis 'Flasher' Common name: Flasher daylily Benefits: Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and bees Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA climate zones 3a to 9b; find your zone) Water requirement: Average to low Light requirement: Full to partial sun Mature size: 2 feet tall and 4 feet wide Seasonal interest: Summer When to plant: Spring or fall
Botanical name: Caesalpinia pulcherrima Common names: Red bird-of-paradise, dwarf poinciana, peacock flower, pride-of-Barbados Origin: Native to the West Indies and Mexico USDA zones: 8 to 11; hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit; find your zone Water requirement: Medium Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 6 to 10 feet tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Drought tolerant once established, but it does best if watered once a week in spring through fall; attracts butterflies and hummingbirds Seasonal interest: Bright orange-red flowers appear in April through September. When to plant: Spring, summer or fall
Light requirement: Full sun Water requirement: Regular until established, then light When to plant: Dill germinates more readily in spring, but you can sow through summer for a steady supply; in desert and mild-winter climates, continue planting through fall. Favorites: Bouquet, Dukat, Fernleaf, Lady Diana, Smokey Bronze mediterranean by Girasole SonomaAdd to ideabook by Girasole Sonoma Planting and Care It's best to start from seeds, not transplants. Choose a site in full sun with well-drained, loose soil. Dill will do fine in rocky soil as long as the drainage is good and there is room for its long taproot to grow. Enrich very poor or compacted soil before planting. To avoid cross-pollination, plant well away from fennel and coriander. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in rows 2 feet apart. Thin seedlings to 1 foot apart when 2 to 3 inches tall. You can feed lightly in spring, if at all, but don’t overfertilize. To keep your crop going, sow successively throughout the growing season. If you're using containers, choose a pot at least 1 foot deep and wide and plant a more compact variety, such as Fernleaf. Care is relatively easy. Dill doesn’t need constant water once established, thanks t...
Use drought-tolerant plants. It's highly likely that your coastal soil is mostly sand, so forgo thirsty turfgasses and finicky plants whenever possible and opt for a water-wise alternative. This planting of century plant (Agave americana, zones 7 to 10), blue fescue (Festuca glauca, zones 4 to 8), kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos 'Red Cross', zones 9 to 11) and crown of thorns (Euphorbia milii, zones 9b to 11) is cohesively colorful and thrives on neglect.
7. Palm trees. If you want a dramatic vertical element with a tropical feel, reach for the palms. Not all palms do well indoors, so it pays to know which ones do. The best indoor palms are kentia palm (Howea forsteriana), sentry palm (Howea belmoreana), lady palm (Rhapis excelsa) and parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans). Avoid majesty palm (Ravenea rivularis), even though it is widely sold as an indoor palm, queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana) and butterfly palm (Dypsis lutescens). Most indoor palms will enjoy a steady supply of water, light fertilizer once a month and bright but indirect light. Tip: Trim off old, brown leaves once or twice a year, or as you see them appearing. The old foliage of many palms needs to be periodically removed and doesn't mean the plant is struggling.
Light: Bright diffused sunlight, but as a houseplant schefflera does not tolerate direct sunlight unless it is acclimated. In many tropical and subtropical regions, schefflera is a garden plant, in which case it can be fine in direct sun. Temperature: About 35 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (2 to 27 degrees Celsius). If your climate rarely goes below freezing, feel free to move your schefflera outdoors. Water: Water thoroughly and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering can cause root rot, so proper drainage is a must. Ideally you should set the plant on a saucer of stones to catch the runoff while keeping the roots dry and aiding in increased humidity from the evaporating water. Foliage that turns black is very likely a sign of overwatering, while foliage that begins to wrinkle is a sign of underwatering. Soil: Use well-draining potting soil. Feeding: Fertilizer is not necessary. Pruning: Schefflera can get leggy, so if you prefer a bush, prune it to maintain a compact shape. Schefflera bounces back even after a radical haircut, so don't be afraid to prune heavily. Pests: Schefflera is known to become easily infested with spider mites. If you spot infestation, the best...
Clumping bamboo. Clumping bamboo is a noninvasive grower with clumps of compact, nonspreading culms (stems). It is well suited to smaller spaces because of its manageable mature size (most varieties top out at 8 to 16 feet in temperate climates) and compact growth habit. These plants tend to have slimmer culms and take on the appearance of a bamboo hedge. Clumping bamboo does not require containment and flourishes in a wide variety of situations in a small garden. Tip: Fargesia bamboo is one of the best clumping bamboo species for the small garden and fares well in a variety of light conditions. My favorite variety is the low-maintenance Fargesia robusta, which grows to a maximum height of 14 feet in a temperate climate. It's also the bamboo variety preferred by panda bears — but sadly, this isn’t taken advantage of where I live! contemporary landscape by Integration Design Studio, Landscape ArchitectsAdd to ideabook by Integration Design Studio, Landscape Architects Running bamboo. Running bamboo has a tendency to spread out vigorously, so it takes more planning and oversight to incorporate it into a small garden space. But that doesn't mean it should be taken out of the equatio...
Botanical name: Carpenteria californica 'Elizabeth' Common names: Bush anemone, California bush anemone USDA zones: 7 or 8 to 9 or 10; hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit (find your zone) Water requirement: Regular to establish; deep, occasional watering afterward Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade (protect it in the hottest climates) Mature size: 4 to 6 feet tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Flowers attract butterflies; deer resistant; tolerates drought and coastal conditions Seasonal interest: Flowers late spring into summer, with inconspicuous foliage When to plant: Fall or spring
Notice how the iridescent pink and blue glass highlights those same colors in the adjacent coral bells (Heuchera sp) and dinosaur food, also known as giant rhubarb (Gunnera sp.). Because this sphere is so shiny, it bounces the light in such a way as to throw a spotlight into an otherwise dark area. The smooth glass surface also creates a fascinating counterpoint to the abrasive oversize foliage.
There were several of these glass nuggets hanging from the branches overhead, encouraging me to explore this bejeweled cavern that I might otherwise have avoided. Glass art does not have to be large or expensive. Simple chunks of colored beach glass wrapped in copper wire are an easy project to try at home.
Botanical name: Leptospermum scoparium Common names: New Zealand tea tree, Manuka USDA zones: 8 to 11 (find your zone) Water requirement: Very low once established Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 16 feet tall and 9 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Attracts bees, butterflies and birds; tolerates coastal conditions and wind Seasonal interest: Evergreen; flowers in spring or summer When to plant: Plant in spring after the threat of frost has passed.
PB Found Glass Buoys - $59.00 » I love that these buoys are made from hand-blown glass. They will make a great centerpiece for any outdoor dining table.
Mandevilla If you have a trellis or another support structure, you might try Mandevilla. When grown in containers, this vine will typically reach 3 to 5 feet tall in a growing season, making it another great way to add height to containers. With large, white, funnel-shaped flowers, Mandevilla shines brightly on a moonlit night. USDA zones: 10 to 11 Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Water requirement: Medium moisture Size: 3 to 10 feet tall and 2 to 6 feet wide
Common name: Gardenia USDA zones: 8 to 11 Light requirement: Partial shade Water requirement: Medium moisture Size: 5 to 6 feet tall and wide
Add to ideabook by Kim Gamel Brugmansia Brugmansia is another large white-flowered plant with a heavenly scent that makes an appearance only in the evening. In many parts of the U.S., Brugmansia must be wintered indoors. Growing it in a container makes this chore a bit easier. USDA zones: 8 to 10 Light requirement: Full sun Water requirement: Medium moisture Size: 5 to 10 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide
Hosta A variegated hosta is a good choice for your container, as its leaves will reflect the moonlight even if its flowers aren’t in bloom. Keep it to a nice small mound as a filler for your container garden; ‘So Sweet’ (shown) is a terrific variety for moon glow. USDA zones: 3 to 8 Light requirement: Partial shade to full shade Water requirement: Medium moisture Size: 6 to 9 inches tall and 9 to 12 inches wide
Canna (Canna 'Bengal Tiger') Such an abundance of generous foliage and extravagant colors is the source of spectacular displays, temporary or permanent; my friend and garden designer Glenna Partridge has mastered the art of these. On the few warm days that our Vancouver — or any other maritime climate — offers, cannas, coleus and sweet potato vines literally explode. Be ready.
Add to ideabook by CYAN Horticulture Rice Paper Plant ( Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Steroidal Giant') A similar look can be Achieved with the weird and wonderful Rice Paper Plant ( Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Steroidal Giant'). Fast growing, this plant dies to the ground in colder regions; otherwise it is a shrub of few, upright and sturdy stems, cloaked in very fuzzy, titan parasol-shaped leaves. The overall effect is mind blowing. Be advised: Its vigor Also translates into inquisitive underground runners That will sprout here and there. USDA zones: 7 to 10 Water requirement: Moist but well-drained soil Light requirement: Full sun to dappled shade Mature size: 6 1/2 feet tall Seasonal Interest: Spring to fall When to plant: Anytime
Add to ideabook by CYAN Horticulture Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) The high-profile epitome of the tropics, palm trees line avenues in Los Angeles, populate wild thickets in Florida and can grow as far north as Canada. The hardy windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) is native to Asia and handles snow and cold like no other palm tree. Its skinny yet stately presence and large fan-shaped foliage make it the one must-have tree in nordic tropical gardens. I particularly like it clustered in a small grove, as in the example here. USDA zones: 7 to 10 Water requirement: Moist but well-drained soil Light requirement: Full to partial sun Mature size: Up to 10 feet tall Seasonal interest: Year-round
Perennial Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) Before flowers are even considered, interesting foliages should be sought after, especially in a tropically minded garden. But who can resist the dinner-plate-size flowers of herbaceous hibiscus? They're cheesy to some, but I adore this over-the-top floral display. There is a generous handful of hardy-to-the-bones hybrids available in the trade (the one shown here is 'Sweet Caroline'). While they're slow to emerge in spring, a good dose of heat triggers them into explosive growth. USDA zones: 4 or 5 to 9 Water requirement: Moist but well-drained soil
Add to ideabook by CYAN Horticulture Ginger Lily (Hedychium spp and cvs) Hardy ginger lilies (Hedychium spp and cvs) are a treat for whoever can grow them successfully. (They barely have time to start blooming for me.) Their undivided stems showcase glossy leaves often set off in rows and hold large heads of intensely fragrant spidery flowers in varied colors. The one shown here is called 'Anne Bishop', a hard-to-get yet so good Hawaiian selection. I saw them blanketing hillsides in the wilds of Bhutan, to great visual and olfactive effects.
Lime Zinger Elephant's Ear (Xanthosoma aurea 'Lime Zinger') Lesser-known but just as spectacular is golden-leaved elephant's ear (Xanthosoma aurea 'Lime Zinger'). Belonging to the same botanical family but to a different genus, this selection deploys steroidal foliage (each leaf grows to 24 inches) of a uniform chartreuse green that seems to glow in even the dimmest light. Even more so than Colocasia, Xanthosoma requires lots of heat to perform — it sneers at my maritime climate. Another genus of elephant's ear to watch for is Alocasia.
Botanical name: Serenoa repens Common name: Saw palmetto Origin: Native to the southeastern U.S. Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 8 to 11; find your zone) Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Soil requirement: Prefers well-draining, sandy soils Mature size: 4 to 10 feet tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Attracts butterflies and birds; salt and drought tolerant Seasonal interest: Evergreen, with spring flowers and autumn fruit When to plant: Fall
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