Monday Plant Feature

Featured Plant:

Name: Lantana camara (Lantana, shrub verbena)

1. Family: Verbenaceae
2. Plant type: Woody broadleaf evergreen, frequently die-back with winter freezes but usually regenerate.
3. Exposure: Full sun
4. Branching pattern: Opposite
5. Habit: Many forms; from low rambling groundcover to shrub on standard.
6. Foliage: Dark green, medium texture, evergreen.
7. Flowers: Vibrant orange, pink, red and yellow variations; everblooming throughout summer.
8. Fruit: small ovoid berries; not edible
9. Similar species: n/a
10. Other: This plant has a very clean and refreshing herbal fragrance with almost a citrus flare. It is grown as a perennial in warmer climates, but can also be used as a summer annual in cooler parts of the country. Plant parts can make animals sick, so they should be treated as if they are also toxic to humans. Makes a great butterfly attractant addition to any summer garden.

Lady Banks

This is one of my favorite nostalgic roses, and a real Southern beauty it is! In the Pacific Northwest they are few and far between, but I am finding an abundance of these beautiful roses here in the Southeast. The lack of constant drizzling rain here contributes to their stunning spring display. Unlike the more popular repeat bloomers this variety only blooms once, and we are seeing them at their peak right now. I just love those small creamy yellow blooms covering the fine textured branches of this rambling climber. Enjoy!

Name: Rosa banksiae 'lutea'

Family: Rosaceae

Other: Thorn less evergreen climber; quite vigorous. Little to no fragrance on the yellow variety, thought the 'alba' (white) variety is fragrant.

Fragrant Blooms I.D.

Provided Information:

1. Photo:

2. Date: April
3. Location: Charleston, South Carolina
4. Plant type: Large woody shrub or small tree
5. Environment: Private garden
6. Exposure: Appears to be a blend of sun and shade
7. Scent: powerful fragrance (pleasant in nature)
8. Other: Leaves are waxy, and medium to dark green. Flowers are "clusters of small buttery yellow, with each individual blossom being about the size of a lilac blossom."

Identification:

1. Name: Pittosporum tobira (Japanese pittosporum, Japanese mock-orange)
2. Family: Pittosporaceae
3. Origin: Japan, China
4. Random facts: This plant can be planted in sun or shade, but they tend to stay smaller in size when located in full sun. You may see this plant in the form of a dense shrub, or a small rounded tree. The common name Japanese mock-orange refers to the ultra-fragrant flowers that smell very similar to orange blossoms.

Bulb I.D.

Provided Information:

1. Photo:

2. Date: April
3. Location: Kingsland, GA
4. Plant type: Bulb
5. Environment: Home garden
6. Exposure: Filtered shade
7. Scent: none
8. Other:

Identification:

1. Name: Hippeastrum (Amaryllis)
2. Family: Amaryllidaceae
3. Origin: Central and South America
4. Random facts: Most of what are grown and sold commercially are known as "Dutch hybrids." These can be from any combination of species and are typically developed by hybridizers in America, Europe, or South Africa. This is a non-hardy bulb, and must be taken indoors in cold parts of the country. They are also commonly forced for indoor bloom during the winter holiday season. They come in a wide variety of colors; from white to orange, pink, red, or streaked.

Tuesday Terminology: Pendulous

This word may describe the entire plant habit or any specific plant part.

Pendulous: drooping, weeping, hanging downward. (Latin) Pendens, pendulus cernuus: slightly drooping nutans: nodding

Monday Plant Feature

Featured Plant:

Name: Chionanthus virginicus (fringtree)

1. Family: Oleaceae
2. Plant type: Woody shrub
3. Exposure: Full sun or filtered shade. Makes a great understory plant.
4. Branching pattern: Opposite
5. Habit: Loose, open habit that is somewhat varied from plant to plant. 12 to 25 ft.
6. Foliage: Medium to dark green, simple, elliptical leaves. Deciduous.
7. Flowers: White, drooping flowers with 4-5 petals that look like silky ribbons.
8. Fruit: Clusters of bluish-black 1/2 inch drupes; ripen in early autumn.
9. Similar species: Chionanthus retusus (Chinese fringetree)
10. Other: Clonal propagation of this Southeastern native is difficult, so expect seedlings to vary.