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Poison Bulb
Plant of the week
Photo by Dave Brigner

 

Sunday April 5, 2009

Common name: Poison bulb

Light: Full sun

Height: 5-6 ft.

Spread: 5-7 ft.

USDA Hardiness Zone: 9

Origin: Tropical Asia


Nearly 130 species are included in the genus Crinum. These plants, like the common holiday Amaryllis, are in the Amaryllidaceae family. Like the common name implies, all parts of the Poison bulb (Crinum asiaticum) are toxic. Its huge bulb, often weighing 10-20 pounds produce bright green leaves up to over 3 ft. in length and 5-6 inches across. The plant grows in a spiral rosette and resembles a huge Spider plant. From its leaf axils, a thick stem will emerge and produce large airy umbels of white spidery flowers. Their yellow anthers sit atop long dark mauve filaments, which contrast nicely with the white flowers. After flowering, large fleshy seeds up to 2 inches across develop and often begin to sprout while still attached to the flower stem. Poison bulbs have become increasingly popular as landscape plants in Florida and California for both specimen and mass plantings. Crinum procerum ‘Splendens’ has reddish leaves with dark rose flowers. Poison bulbs flower periodically throughout the year in the Pacific Islands biome at the Franklin Park Conservatory.

- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory

Lily of the nile
Plant of the week
Photo by Dave Brigner

Sunday April 12, 2009

Common name: Lily of the nile

Light: Full sun

Height: 12-15in.

Spread: 12-15in.

USDA Hardiness Zone: 9

Origin: South Africa


Lily of the nile (Agapanthus africana) is an evergreen tropical perennial belonging in the Lily family (Liliaceae). Its thin light green strap-shaped leaves grow from a mass of thick fleshy roots that will soon fill a pot producing many offsets. Flower production will increase when plants are left to grow pot bound. Large loose clusters (umbels) of funnel-shaped violet-blue flowers are produced on sturdy stems held high above the foliage. Lily of the nile is often seen as a conservatory plant. They make ideal patio  plants and require copious amounts of water during the summer while actively growing. Before frost, they can be brought indoors and given only enough water to keep the plant from wilting. They can also be left to die back completely and stored in a cool location until spring when watering is resumed. Its genus name is derived from the Greek words meaning “love” and “flower”. Lily of the nile is located in the Palm House at Franklin Park Conservatory.

- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory

Korean spice viburnum
Plant of the week
Photo by Dave Brigner

Sunday April 19, 2009

Common name: Korean spice viburnum

Light: Part sun

Height: 6-8 ft.

Spread: 8 ft.

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4

Origin: Korea, Japan


The Korean spice viburnum (Viburnum carlesii) is a welcome site in April. Its soft pink buds open to clusters of 2-3 inch highly fragrant white waxy flowers. Its fragrance can carry in the breeze for long distances. After flowering, green fruits begin to develop turning red in late summer, which then mature to black. This woody deciduous shrub has attractive dark green leaves that are covered with minute hairs, which gives them a “dusty” appearance. This shrub is ideal for use as a hedge, mixed shrub border or woodland garden. Its autumn color is dark red. The Korean spice viburnum will attract butterflies, bees and birds. It prefers soil enriched in organic matter, but will adapt to a wide range of soils. It is a slow grower and pruning should be done after flowering to maintain its desired height. It is included in the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae). Korean spice viburnums are planted near the main entrance to the Franklin Park Conservatory.

- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory

Spicy jatropha
Plant of the week
Photo by Dave Brigner

Sunday April 26, 2009

Common name: Spicy jatropha

Light: Full sun

Height: 8-10 ft.

Spread: 6-8 ft.

USDA Hardiness Zone: 10

Origin: Cuba, W Indies


Spicy jatropha (Jatropha integerrima) belongs in the Euphorbia family (Euphorbiaceae), which is one of the larger plant families including over 300 genera and 7,500 species, many of which are arid plants. This tropical evergreen shrub or small tree has attractive glossy green variable leaves in that they can be one to three lobed. New growth is dark bronze later turning green. Loose clusters of bright scarlet star-shaped flowers grow from the new growth from spring through fall and sporadically through the winter. Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to them. In warm climates, they are used in mixed shrub borders. Although not seen often in temperate climates, they make excellent patio plants and can be brought indoors during the winter. Keep Spicy Jatropha on the dry side during this time. They may completely defoliate but will resume growth in the spring, when watering should be increased. All parts of this plant are toxic. Spicy jatropha is located in the Blooms and Butterflies exhibit at Franklin Park Conservatory.

- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory
Franklin Park Conservatory Sponsors: City of Columbus, Franklin County Board of Commissioners, The Columbus Foundation and Scotts Miracle Gro
   
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