Category: Foliage

Alpines/Succulents

by zoe100675, posted in Foliage, Horticulture, Perennial, Soil, Succulents

If you are looking for a hardy, low maintenance and drought tolerant scheme, it’s worth mentioning these plants. Succulents have fleshy leaves since they’re cabable of storing their own water. Alpines can often survive in poor, sandy, free draining soil with no humus matter. A downfall of both these plants is to overwater them. They will not tolerate being doused and root rot can follow.

These plants can often be incorporated in rockeries and require almost no support or very little attention.

Aubretia a good ground cover plant. Grows often in cracks of walls with little soil. It has a trailing habit and needs to be in full sun. It can cope in very dry conditions. It flowers in spring, attracting beneficial insects and encouraging bio diversity.

Aurinia saxatilis a clump forming perennial which provides golden flowers from spring to early summer. It is very hardy and can cope well in an exposed position. It does require full sun, not a fan of shade. The soil, however, needs to have a little substance and not be totally barren.

Saxifraga flowers in early to mid summer and requires a sunny aspect. The plant can tolerate most types of soil, although well drained and moist. This ideally on the chalky side too. It welcomes some shade in the height of summer. The consistency needs some substance.

Antirrhinum sempervirens (snapdragon) an evergreen suited to a rocky, poor environment. It flowers in mid to late summer. It needs sun but a little shelter too.

Arabis, a succulent that provides foliage all year round. It flowers in spring to summer. A versatile evergreen, it needs well drained soil with sun. However, the aspect can be sheltered or exposed.

Sempervivum (Houseleeks) offer flowers in summer and attractive leaves all year round. A fleshy, hardy succulent needing light but very tolerant of sandy, free draining soil.

Aizoaceae, a general term for the whole family, but carpet weed / ice plants are its common names. Aptenia cordifolia (Heart leaf ice plant – there is a variegated one too) or Lampranthus coccineus (hardy) / spectabilis (trailing), Delosperma is another. The trailing variety can be quite invasive. It can offer effective ground cover with its mat forming, spreading habit.

Sedums (Stonecrop) are particularly suited to poor soil and can withstand prolonged periods with little moisture. They do need sun however, so not a plant for a shady corner. The species can flower pink, white and yellow flora. The commonest is pink but there are many. The plant acts as an effective pollinator and attracts beneficial insects.

Variegated Plants

by zoe100675, posted in Flowers, Foliage, Grass, Hedges, Horticulture

To achieve consistent interest in your space throughout the year, an easy method would be to incorporate variegated foliage. All year round, you will be provided with beautiful leaves, flowers as a bonus and offering a hardy canvas for bulbs, perennials and bedding.

Hebe – Hebes flower between summer and autumn – purple / blues mostly. The aspect is not particularly important although Hebes don’t like prevailing winds or exposed areas. The wind damages the foliage. The plant needs some shade but sheltered is the key. It is not a terribly hardy plant, may need a degree of protection in severe conditions. It’s suited to a container, so be moved to an insulated / coveted wall if need be. Cut back dead, diseased and damaged after frosts.

A particularly interesting Miscanthus ‘zebrinus’ (Zebra Grass) – it provides colour (green / yellow to pink and silver) throughout the year; textural qualities in winter too. The pruning is only necessary in spring, highly ornamental in all seasons. As a Miscanthus, it “whistles in the wind”, which adds a quirkiness to the garden. The new growth will start to emerge from the crown, this will indicate the grass is ready for pruning.

Aucuba japonica ‘crotonfolia’ – (Spotted Laurel). The spots, a result of a “friendly virus – “the mosaic” – it doesn’t harm the plant in any way and simply mutates its leaves. In the event of the plant reverting, cut the green out. It produces berries after the height of summer through to the next season. It is a very robust specimen. Good in all soils, aspects and conditions especially polluted air which makes it popular in urbanised areas or those with a high traffic content. No pruning, just unecessary / unwanted growth.

Other Bamboo / Sedges – Hakonechla macra / Carex variegata / Pleioblastus fortunei (Bamboo, sedges and grasses) – related but very different in habit. Most the pruning is in spring but some die back in winter. Hakonechla is mound forming, stays relatively compact but decidious. Carex everillo, Acorus is evergreen and Pleioblastus fortunei is too. There are different species, growth habits, sizes for varying purposes. These too in a variety of colours. Pennistemon (not typically recognised as a sedge/grass) are tolerant to moderate frosts and although do like full sun, can tolerate partial shade. These plants do prefer well drained soil and not in a waterlogged environment.

Euonymous fortunei – ” Emerald ‘n Gold”. A hardy staple evergreen, there is a cream variety too. ‘Silver Queen’. Good with adverse conditions. (Poor soil, light and water). These plants can be used as groundcover – an embankment or difficult location (very good as a weed suppressant). The plant does revert to its green state, you need to cut this unwanted foliage out to retain its variegation.”Colouratus” is the ground cover variety as a few others. The leaves turn a pinkish tinge if provided with full sun in autumn. The plant is very low maintenance, can cope with almost any soil without water or nutrients. It requires almost no pruning save unwanted growth.

Eleagnus ebbengeii offers the most eyecatching combination with their silver – green foliage mixed with Photinia as an evergreen hedge.  The plant is tolerant of little water, a drying atmosphere – so coastal areas, salt laden winds are fine. What Eleagnus don’t tolerate is the cold, so an exposed position is ok but with a good degree of sun.

Floral interest

by zoe100675, posted in Flowers, Foliage, Horticulture, Shrubs

An attractive bouquet of flowers are pleasing to receive, having a shrub giving continual flora for a period is a breathtaking sight. Plants provide you with colour all season long, flowers in such profusion. The plants blooms are their saving grace.

Magnolia soulangeana is a shrub that offers tulip shaped flowers fusing a number of colours together (pink, white and purple). It is scented, not hugely though. It flowers in spring, and can sometimes cusp over to summer. The plant is reasonably quick to establish but will keep its shape relatively well without much maintenance. The plant can cope with drought conditions although excessive light can damage flowers and leaves. The base needs a degree of protection, so a layer of bark, mulch or any organic matter will help retain its moisture and provide shade.

Magnolia stellata – the flowers couldn’t be more different but equally as eyecatching as soulangeana. The plant bears white, star-like, highly scented flowers. It is a hardy large shrub/small tree and its flowers appear before leaves like soulangeana. It prefers a sheltered spot due to the damage cold winds can cause. Therefore, a warmer aspect is advisable.

Azaleas are an acid loving shrub that flower in such profusion late spring into early summer. If in warmer climes – in extreme conditions all through summer. A number are scented but it’s the colour that makes them memorable. The plant is related to the Rhododendron.”You could say an Azalea is a Rhododendron but a Rhododendron is not an Azalea”. If you work that? It refers to an unresolved debate.

For Camellia, a dappled, partially shaded area is ideal. The plant is easily burnt by direct sun. C. sasanqua is the group that flower in autumn and usually more susceptible to winter damage. This kind tends not to be as hardy and requires some protection. The japonica’s and x williamsii are spring flowering, although the plant prefers some shade, if the base of the shrub is in shade the plant can tolerate being in direct sunlight.

A mountain shrub, they are resilient but do encounter problems. The browning of leaves, a discolouration and curling can be indicative of a fungal infection/scaley bug (evidence of this on underside of leaf) caused by too much moisture. Good drainage can alleviate these problems and other disorders linked with saturation. No direct sunlight and free draining soil is a must.

Daphne Odora Aureomarginata is a heavily scented specimen which will provide fragrance and attractive foliage through spring (some species or year round). The soil is better on the chalky side, this being alkaline but provides you with a plethora of colour. It needs some shade but a sunny spot is desired to really thrive. The only maintenance really is to retain shape.

Hydgrangeas make marvellous cut flowers. Pink, blue and some are white. The oak leafed (Hydgrangea quercifolia) is more resilient and perhaps more attractive in its foliage, good in drier conditions and more robust than the typical variety. If you leave them later than after they have flowered, you might think of spring to give them a crop. It takes some of the buds away but the plant will thank you. It won’t get woody and regenerate new growth. Cut all non – generative growth out or stems that appear to have no life before and after blooms.

Office Plants

by zoe100675, posted in Foliage, Horticulture, Houseplants, Succulents

Plants in offices are difficult. Someone has to feed, nurture and maintain their vigour. However, with careful calculations to light, attention and growth habit – it can be achieved easily (in house).

The factors to consider are space, shade, artificial lighting and problems caused by air conditioning. Plants make it clear when they need water. With these plants, a high humidity level is needed, so a spray of water into the atmsophere is enough.

Dracaena burley (Dragon plant) – it tolerates light shade and requires little watering. It can cope in drought conditions, though not for prolonged periods. It can equally adapt to cooler temperatures for short periods but not below 12c. No pruning except to control growth.

Pachira aquatica (Money tree) it can cope with artificial light, in fact it needs some shelter from direct sun. It prefers high humidity and temperatures not going below 10c.

Nephrolepsis exaltata (Boston fern) a plant that enjoys humidity and regulates it too. Neither a cold aspect nor a hot one, so away from machines / equipment that dry it out. It’s shade tolerant and has purifying benefits. This plant likes moist soil but not excessive.

Maranta leuconeura (Prayer plant) – It likes full to partial light. It will not tolerate shade / wet soil. A mist of water occasionally will appease its dryness or when it becomes discoloured. This plant survives on being rootbound. By its habit, it does not require repotting as long as the size of the pot is substantial enough not to overbalance. It purifies the air too.

Adiantum rubbelum (Maidenhair fern) versatile because of its ability in adapting to different environments. A sheltered aspect outside with partial shade – it likes its moisture, so inside, partial sun in a direct spot.

Chamaedorea elegans (Parlour palm) – A shade tolerant plant, it can cope with fluctuating temperatures caused by equipment and heating. However, it will need a degree of humidity and a feed every week or so. It needs more water than most drought tolerant, but must be free draining. It will not tolerate saturated soil.

Zamioculus zamiifolia (ZZ plant) It needs little attention other than a shaded area. Shaded and cool, but not cold. It will not cope going below 8c. A plant that will cope with most conditions but avoid direct light. It is a drought tolerant plant and generally low maintenance. It’s effective in filtering air.

Sansevieria trifasciata (Mothers tongue) this plant as the others has filtering attributes. It will keep fresh air circulating and improve the quality of the atmosphere. In a confined area, it is capable of coping with shade, little care and almost no water. It is not good in a chilly spot or one with a strong draught. Its downfall is probably fuss and to overwater will kill it.

Drought Tolerant

by zoe100675, posted in Flowers, Foliage, Horticulture, Shrubs

In the summer, plants often suffer as a result of rising temperatures. Like us, they need adequate hydration. However, mediterranean plants usually cope well with little water – cistus / hebe and ornamental grasses. Miscanthus, some festcues and bamboo are resistant to these conditions. Those with fleshy leaves – succulents and alpines.

In fact, these plants tend to be deeply rooted so they source their own moisture and can often survive in poor soil as well.

Rosmarinus officianlis (Rosemary) is a herb but effectively used as a shrub. It does like full sun and generally problem free. A light prune after the frost is advisable. The plant will look killed off but underneath there will be hidden growth. If it’s pruned too soon, it will affect its regeneration. It offers aromatic leaves and flowers at varying times based on your climate.

Stonecrop (Sedum) is a very good choice in free draining soil. It does like full sun and is self sufficient and low maintenance. The plant can cope with partial shade but not full. The only maintenance to be done is to remove dead growth in spring. Periodically, dividing the stonecrop will increase numbers and help with the vigour of the plant. It doesn’t cope well in wet soil though and susceptible to root rot. It is gaining in popularity as cover used on roofs encouraging biodiversity.

Lamb ears (Stachys byzantina) offer attractive silver leaves that are velvety to the touch. It does flower, but its textural qualities are more what it’s known for. A ground cover or mixed border plant, it does like full sun. It is, however, particular about moisture. It will not cope with over watering and well drained soil is needed.

Cistus (Rock rose) – this evergreen requires little maintenance save a light prune after flowering. The plant prefers well drained soil and often found in rockeries because of its resilience to poor conditions. Full sun is preferred and will provide with you with flowers all through summer. An interesting fact – the flowers only last one day but colour in such profusion, you don’t notice they’re shortlived.

Hebes are generally hardy evergreens. H. ‘summer blue’. The only maintenance is retain its shape and remove the flowers. The flowering time usually is summer through to autumn. If you have a less hardy variety. H. Tricolour, a variegated one, you need to take out any dead, diseased or damaged wood as spring appraoches. It may flower until December. H. ‘Simon Delaux’ also flowers late into winter.

Ceanothus (Californian lilac) known for its drought tolerance and provides an abundance of colour from spring to summer. C. ‘Marie Bleu’ flowers later. The plant prefers a drier soil. A full sun aspect too. It is an evergreen, the only maintenance is to remove dead, damaged or damaged growth. Other than this, no major pruning is necessary. It’s self reliant and prefers no fuss. The leaves are attractive, the flowers and the fragrance too. Normally the flowers are indigo blue, although certain varieties like ‘Marie Simon’ are pink.