Category: Foliage

Shallow Roots

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

There are benefits to shallow rooted specimens if you have limited space/ the quality of the soil/the root zone depth is not sufficient. Most plants by their growth habit will penetrate their roots far below the surface. Some will have lateral (branching of from main stem) and some fiborous (fine, feathery roots). These are designed to source nutrients, water and find an available space to develop. However, It can be a problem at times, if roots are close to the surface leaving them exposed, vunerable to the elements and potential harm caused by animals or other external disturbance.

The benefit is that stem cuttings can often be used as the method to propagate successfully. The plant can be transplanted without fuss and generally can be moved at the right time without any problems. These plants can be often quick to establish and straightforward in nurturing. This can be a nuisance, when the plant is too happy and can become quite invasive.

All ash have relatively shallow roots but are not keen on being moved so an exception to the rule. (Fraxinus – woodland and Sorbus – mountain). The contorted Willow, as with all willows, is very close to the surface and can be easily damaged by aggressive winds. In fact, the closer the plant roots are to the surface, it will affect what you choose to plant in that area if anything at all!

Mahonia (x media/winter sun) will give you a show of flowers from late winter to spring and as an evergreen provides attractive foliage all year round. The only pruning is to retain the shape so a thinning exercise periodically is needed. It does prefer a shaded location, but as long as the soil is moist.

Hydrangeas – by the very name, these plants need a lot of water which is why it is unfortunate they’re shallow rooted. The plant can be affected by sun scorching and often intolerant to drought conditions. Hydrangeas like sun to partial shade. The colour will depend on the Ph level of the soil. What natural aluminium resides in the soil. The more acidic the soil, the more likely the hydrangea is blue. The more alkaline the more likely the flowers are pink. Hydrangea quercifolia – the oak leafed hydrangea offers white flowers from summer right through to autumn. The attractive foliage from spring. It prefers a slightly more acidic soil.

Azaleas prefer light shade but are a contender for any border. Similar to Rhododendrons they are shallow rooted and can often be containerised to ensure the soil is suitable for them. Rhododendrons do prefer a partially shaded aspect and a little sheltered. They do have a tendency to become leggy within, so an annual prune will retain the plants vigour. This plant is acid loving and must be planted in ericaceous soil to perform well. A spring flowering shrub that provides fragrance and flowers April onwards.

Virburnum offer a number of functions. This plant will attract both beneficial insects and habitat for wildlife in the winter months. Virburnum x bodnantense is a variety that is scented too. so a productive shrub. V. tinus, as an upright bush or effective hedge offering foliage, flowers and berries offering the same benefits.

Some Climbers as Honesuckle and Jasmine do have shallow roots. The plants have a mat forming growth habit under the surface that give the plant stability. This extensive habit is very dense and highly effective. It has no need to penetrate further down.

Marginal Plants

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

We have suggested the notion that most plants don’t like being saturated or sitting in moisture which is true although there are a handful who do. These plants were intended for water and need to be submerged in it. Often known as oxygenating plants, these plants keep unhealthy algae and weeds in abeyance. Certain plants are equally effective in improving the aesthetics of eyesores and providing habitat for aquatic / insect life.

There are cultivated plants you would expect from irises to water lillies although there wild, native (UK) varieties that deserve a mention. Marsh marigolds (Caltha palustris) are clump forming, providing yellow cup shaped flowers from spring to summer. The plant provides a food source to beneficial insects encouraging bio diversity. The plant likes sun but can be found in woodland areas so tolerates partial shade.

Creeping jenny (Lysimachia nummularia “Aurea”) – although this is a ground cover plant it grows on land and in water. Low growing dense foliage providing shelter and coveting undesirable edging. It flowers from June to September providing pollen to bees. It copes very well in moist soil and marsh-like conditions. The plant will filter the water as it floats. It can be invasive but is straighforward to keep under control. The unwanted growth simply pulled out.

Marsh woundwort (Stachys palustris) – a perennial that flowers usually in June to August providing an essential food source. This marginal plant has attractive pink purple flowers that encourage birds and aquatic life too. Its roots sit just under the surface of the water as opposed to being submerged but resilient from damage if disturbed. It usually does well on low, damp ground.

Water hyacinths (Eichhornia crassipes “Lillianes”) are not native to the UK. The plant can be found in C. America/Southern climes and effectively used to purify the water. The resilience to adverse conditions of Ph, temperature and nutrients are why the plant is used. This and attractive flowers and foliage. However, what it is also known for is being particluarly invasive in more ways than one. Above the surface is a impressive show of flowers and foliage. Underwater, the roots are said to damage pumps, liners, filters and potentially wipe out other neighbouring species including wildlife – insect or aquatic. A pause of caution then.

Water lillies (Nymphaea) – although the roots sit underwater, the plant usually requires some growing medium in a submerged basket as opposed to rooting wherever it can. The leaves are built to resist damage and the waxy surface to ensure they’re not over doused in water. A tip is to adhere to the depth requirements as varieties differ and can strongly determine the plants success. These plants will need to be divided at some point. Lillies do have a tendency to become congested in time. An indication can often be if the flower protrudes from the surface.

Irises are a perennial that can survive and thrive in boggy/marsh-like conditions. Others can be semi-aquatic. The Blue flag (Iris versicolour) is an aquatic variety, the Yellow (Iris pseudacorus) can be found near water although will cope with drier conditions. Iris sibirica, a purple variety provides long lasting blooms but usually are found on harder terrain. The plant still needs moisture but not so much wetlands. Flowering times of irises are spring to early summer with beardless ones usually slightly later. All Irises will benefit from division. It will improve the plants performance and health. In flower, do deadhead the plant since this will prolong the blooming period giving it a show for longer.

The Umbrella plant seems to fuse its purpose to both the garden and house. It is used as a pond plant and some care is needed as the plant is developing its roots system, but when established can withstand moist and wet conditions. It can be immersed in water and grown in soil. Cyperus alternifolius, a grass like perennial providing interesting foliage which will die back in winter. It’s not frost hardy, so in a pot needs protection from the elements. It likes a sheltered position, but does need some natural light too. An ideal soil would be wet and humus rich. It can equally be grown indoors as long as these conditions of medium, moisture, space and temperature are adhered to.

Bathroom Plants

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

House plants generally cope with a rise or flunctuation in temperature. Plants recover from excessive heat, lack of light often and can tolerate a week or two of absence/TLC. What they may not be able to tolerate is a constant source of steam, condensation and excessive moisture in the atmosphere. This is why perhaps there are certain plants are suited to the Bathroom and others not.

Often if you replicate the atmosphere of the plants natural environment you can’t go wrong. Plants of a tropical nature obviously prefer a more humid environment. Succulents, fleshy thick stemmed plants that retain water like Houseleeks or Cacti will tolerate some moisture, but tend to rot if over saturated.

Ferns are an ideal choice. The plants within this genus tolerate shade, almost no maintenance and very little care. The humidity has no detrimental effect and more often than not these plants can get soaked on a daily basis.

Platycerium spp (Staghorn fern, Antelope fern). Leathery flat leaves that often droop and hang dependent on the species. Ferns differ from other plants, they multiply by their spores not seeds. Due to the variety of textures that can be had, the lack of flowers is no shortfall. The foliage offers the desired effect. The Staghorn fern will adapt and often thrive with almost no light and moderate moisture. The soil, however, is important and needs to be humus rich. It needs a generous amount of nutrients.

The (Maidenhair fern) Adiantum Spp. is also commonly used because of these characteristics. Unlike the Staghorn it has very delicate fine leaves but copes well in a shady and highly humid location. It does like sun but will show signs of scorching if over faced with direct sunlight. It seems to adapt well in rising or falling tempertaures but not an extreme shift. It will not thank if exposed to a chilly corner or one where its battered by drying winds.

Chlorophytum comosum (Spider Plants) are popular too since they largely suffer no major problems and are generally disease free. There are green/variegated kinds, both are straightforward, require almost no care and are reliable assets in the bathroom. They can cope with over watering but on a sporadic basis. The plant will not thank if too wet, the roots can easily rot.

There are plants that can improve the air quality and absorb certain chemicals in the atmosphere. As a rule, succulents can get over saturated in these conditions. Aloe Vera, however, is one that can be used since they can tolerate humidity and are so easy to look after. The plants demise can often be root rot so don’t over water as a rule and treat rather like a cactus. It will source its own water if needed. Aloe Vera need a substantial amount of light and will only tolerate light and infrequent shade.

Aphelandra Spp. (Zebra Plant) a silver veined plant, tropical in orgin, it prefers a warm moist environment. It will not tolerate going below 20 degrees so can be quite a challenge. It also demands full sunlight and so not suited to a typical bathroom that may not have a window. If its demands are met it will provide the most striking of foliage and blooms yearly. A. aurantiaca – a red flower. A squarrosa – a yellow.

Another plant used that purifies the atmosphere is Sansevieria trifasciata (Mother in Laws Tongue) which will tolerate partial sunlight. It’s habit will ensure it doesn’t encroach on space since its leaves are upright. It has attractive yellow edged leaves. Again, do not overwater. Less is more.

Bromeliads, a number of plants that absorb moisture from the atmosphere and not the soil. The plants can cope with humidity but still need the air to circulate. Bromeliads remove toxins too, but at night time, so combining it with a standard foliage plant will provide your home with 24 hour purification.