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Phlox paniculata

27 Sep

Phlox paniculata ‘Purple Flame’ (21/09/2013, Kew Gardens London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Summer to early autumn

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 1.2m

Eventual Spread: 1m

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Polemoniaceae

Phlox paniculata ‘Purple Flame’ Leaf (21/09/2013, Kew Gardens London)

Phlox paniculata is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a bushy upright habit. Its dark green leaves are lanceolate with entire margins, up to 8cm long and 3cm broad. There are numerous varieties of this perennial and Its fragrant flowers appear in a range of colours including blue, purple, pink and white, are up to 25mm across and appear in terminal panicles.

Phlox paniculata, commonly known as Phlox, Garden Phlox or Perennial Phlox, is native to east USA. This perennial may contract mildew, good air circulation around the plant my help to prevent this.

Phlox paniculata ‘Purple Flame’ Flower (21/09/2013, Kew Gardens London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Phlox is from the Greek and is the former ancient name for Lychnis. Paniculata is derived from the Latin meaning ‘flowers in panicles’.

The landscape architect may find Phlox paniculata useful a part of a mixed herbaceous planting scheme. It may be used as part of a wildlife garden planting scheme as it is very attractive to nectar loving insects.

Phlox paniculata ‘Blue Paradise’ Flower (21/09/2013, Kew Gardens London)

Ecologically, Phlox paniculata is attractive to nectar loving insects.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given a number Phlox paniculata varieties their prestigious Award of Garden Merit.

Phlox paniculata prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislike poorly drained or dry soils.

Phlox paniculata ‘David’ Flower (21/09/2013, Kew Gardens London)

Phlox paniculata ‘Mother Of Pearl’ Flower (28/07/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Phlox paniculata requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided in spring or autumn.

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Categories Autumn interest, deciduous, Fragrant, garden, Garden Phlox, Perennial Phlox, Phlox, Phlox paniculata, Plant of the Week, plants, Summer interest

Plumeria rubra

26 Sep

Plumeria rubra (05/09/2013, Nisyros, Greece)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist, well drained

Flowering period: Summer to early autumn

Eventual Height: 8m

Eventual Spread: 8m

Hardiness:10b, 11, 12

Family: Apocynaceae

Plumeria rubra is an deciduous large shrub or small tree with a spreading, vase shaped habit. Its mid green leaves are lanceolate with entire margins, up to 40cm long and 15cm broad. Its white to dark pink flowers have yellow centres, five petals, are very fragrant and are up to 7.5cm across. Its fruit is a pod which is up to 17cm long and contains winged seeds.

Plumeria rubra Flower (05/09/2013, Nisyros, Greece)

Plumeria rubra, commonly known as Frangipani, Red Frangipani or Temple Tree, is native to Central America. This shrub has naturalised in large parts of south east Asia.

The etymological root of the binomial name Plumeria is named after Charles Plumier (1646 – 1704), a French botanist who discovered this genus. Rubra is from the Latin meaning ‘red’.

Plumeria rubra Leaf (05/09/2013, Nisyros, Greece)

The landscape architect may find Plumeria rubra useful as an attractive free flowering, large fragrant shrub. It should be noted the sap of this plant may be irritating to the skin. Once established this shrub is drought tolerant.

Ecologically, Plumeria rubra flowers are attractive to moths.

The Royal Horticultural Society have given Plumeria rubra their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2002.

Plumeria rubra prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Plumeria rubra requires little maintenance.

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Categories deciduous, Drought tolerant, Frangipani, garden, Plant of the Week, plants, Plumeria rubra, Red Frangipani, Shrub, Summer interest, Temple Tree, tree

Olearia ‘Waikariensis’

23 Sep

Olearia ‘Waikariensis’ (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 2m

Eventual Spread: 2m

Hardiness: 8a, 8b 9a 9b, 10a, 10b

Family: Asteraceae

Olearia ‘Waikariensis’ is an evergreen shrub free with an erect, rounded habit. Its grey/ green leaves are lanceolate with entire margins, have white hairs on their undersides and are up to 6.5cm long and 2cm broad. Its white flowers are daisy like, are up to 2cm across and appear in terminal umbels.

Olearia ‘Waikariensis’ Flower (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Olearia ‘Waikariensis’, commonly known as Daisy Bush, is derived from New Zealand. It is a hybrid of unknown origin. Olearia ‘Waikariensis’ is synonymous with Olearia oleifolia ‘Waikariensis’

The etymological root of the binomial name Olearia named for Johann Gottfried Olearius (1635-1711), a German theologian and botanist.

The landscape architect may find Olearia ‘Waikariensis’ useful as a free flowering shrub for sea side locations, as it it tolerant of salt laden winds. It may be grown as an informal hedge.

Ecologically, Olearia ‘Waikariensis’ is attractive to pollinating insects.