Yesterday, today & tomorrow
Photo by Dave Brigner
Sunday March 1, 2009
Common name: Yesterday, today & tomorrow
Light: Part sun
Height: 3-8 ft.
Spread: 2-5 ft.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 9
Origin: South America
40 species are included in the genus Brunfelsia. These are evergreen tropical shrubs or small trees that belong in the solanaceae, or nightshade family. A few familiar plants in this family include potato, tomato, eggplant and petunia. Many plants in this family are toxic to various degrees. The Yesterday, today & tomorrow (Brunfelsia australis) is a unique plant in that each flower lasts for 3 days. The 2-inch fragrant 5-petalled flowers open purple the first day, then turning lavender the second and nearly white on its third day. The shrub has an open-growing habit and produces its flower clusters on new growth at the onset of warm weather and will continue to flower sporadically throughout the season. Its leathery pointed leaves grow 3-6 inches. These shrubs are often used as landscape plants in warmer climates and often seen in conservatories in colder regions. Specimen Yesterday, today & tomorrow are located in the Palm House at the Franklin Park Conservatory.- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory
Triostar ginger
Photo by Dave Brigner
Sunday March 8, 2009
Common name: Triostar ginger
Light: Part sun
Height: 3 ft.
Spread: 2 ft.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 8
Origin: Cultivated variety
The Prayer plant family (Marantaceae) contains 31 genera and 520 species, many of which are grown for their attractively colored and patterned foliage. The Triostar ginger (Stromanthe sanguinea ‘Triostar’) isn’t a ginger at all, but is given the common name, as the foliage is reminiscent of ginger leaves. The species of this plant is native to Brazil. This clump-forming tender perennial has gained much popularity with its leaves variegated in tones of green, pink and cream. Its pink waxy inflorescence compliments the plant when it does flower. The Triostar ginger was named Plant of the Year by the FNGLA (Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association) in 2008. Since then, it has been more commonly used in the interiorscape trade, conservatories and sold as houseplants. If grown in the home, the key to keeping this plant healthy is higher humidity. This can be achieved by occasional misting, setting the plant in a gravel tray with water and never letting the soil become completely dry. Triostar gingers are located inside the entrance to the Franklin Park Conservatory.- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory
Silver nerve plant
Photo by Dave Brigner
Sunday March 15, 2009
Common name: Silver nerve plant
Light: Part sun
Height: 2-5 in.
Spread: 6-9 in.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 11
Origin: South America
The Acanthus family (Acanthaceae) includes 250 genera and over 2500 species. One of the more commonly known plants in this family is the Silver nerve plant (Fittonia argyroneura). Its dark green oval leaves are heavily patterned with striking silvery white veins. It has a compact creeping habit, which makes it ideal for terrarium use. It’s need for high humidity also makes it an excellent choice. There size can be maintained by frequent pinching. It’s often seen growing as groundcovers in conservatories. They like to be kept evenly moist. Yellowing leaves is a sign of too much water. The cultivated variety ‘Minima’ has much smaller leaves than the species. The Pink nerve plant (Fittonia verschaffeltii) has pink to scarlet veination. Silver nerve plant is utilized in the Model Railway as a “landscape” plant in the Lower Lobby at Franklin Park Conservatory.- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory
Loropetalum
Photo by Dave Brigner
Sunday March 22, 2009
Common name: Loropetalum
Light: Full sun
Height: 4-6 ft.
Spread 4-5 ft.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 8
Origin: India, China, Japan
The Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense ‘Razzleberry’), sometimes called Fringe flower, is one of the most striking late winter to early spring bloomers. This evergreen shrub has a loose spreading growth habit. Its new growth is reddish which turns green as the leaves age. The fragrant fringe-like flowers are red-violet in color and contain four draping petals that appear in clusters of three to six flowers along the branches, which are then followed, by clusters of black fruits. Although very different in appearance, this shrub is in the same family (Hamamelidaceae) as the Witch-hazel and Sweetgum. There are several “red” varieties, including a white one, which isn’t quite as showy. Loropetalum is used in the Northwest as a landscape plant. Its’ small leaves, showy flowers and horizontal branching makes this a perfect choice for bonsai. The Loropetalum is located in the Himalayan Biome at the Franklin Park Conservatory.- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory
Loropetalum
Photo by Dave Brigner
Sunday March 28, 2009
Common name: Jungle flame
Light: Full sun
Height: 1-2 ft.
Spread: 1-2 ft.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 10
Origin: India, Sri Lanka
There are nearly 400 species in the genus Ixora, which is in the Rubiaceae family, and includes the gardenia and coffee. Many of these tropical evergreen trees and shrubs produce colorful blossoms and are used in the horticultural trade. One of the most common, Jungle flame (Ixora coccinea), is widely used as a landscape plant in Southern Florida and as an annual in temperate climates. These plants have attractive glossy leathery 3-6 inch long leaves that grow in a mound. The clusters of many 4-petalled flowers are orange, red, pink or yellow. Jungle flames are popular in butterfly gardens, either planted or used in mixed containers. They are long lasting when used in cut flower arrangements. The red Ixora is used in Hindu worship and in Indian folk medicine. They can be over-wintered indoors and should be heavily pruned in early spring, as the new growth will produce flowers in early summer. Although they enjoy the summers heat, they are not drought resistant and should be consistently moist. They should also be fed with an acid fertilizer throughout the growing season. Jungle flame adds color and provides nectar in the Blooms & Butterflies exhibit at Franklin Park Conservatory.
- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory
