The Plants Around Us

[dr_bates]

Chinese Windmill Palm / Trachycarpus fortunei

This is one of the hardiest of the palms. While inside sipping hot chocolate during a blizzard, it is comforting to look out the window to see this soldier standing strong against the cold.

Unless residing in areas with extreme cold, protection isn't needed. In areas where the temperature plummets even lower, some extra care should be given for severe cold. I got lazy and stopped making a shield against the wind and adorning lights to keep it warm. Now I keep the palms potted. On severe weather days, they are moved to the garage.

With the banana, it adds a tropical vibe to the garden.

 

[dr_bates]

Hardy Fuchsia / Fuchsia magellanica

For warmer regions there are several fuchsia types to select; some even becoming sizable shrubs. In the cold north, we're more restricted with hanging baskets being quite popular. Often overlooked is this species that it remarkably hardy.

Here it dies back in the fall, acting like an exotic perennial. Unlike the tropical types, this one can take full sun, though partial shade seems preferable. Typically when establishing new plants we dig the hole so that the roots rest at the same depth. For this one, dig the hole deeper, even burying some of the stems. This will help it have hardier roots. (It's also a good idea to mulch well in the fall.

It takes awhile for this plant to start regrowing in the spring. Don't prune back the old dead growth until new growth appears.

For an even more dramatic look, consider the yellow leafed variety, aurea:

I have found the white/pink form, molinae, especially hard to locate.

As is the all white hawkshead:

Hummingbirds love all of them!

 

[dr_bates]

Torreya taxifolia

This is the rarest native tree to continental United States. A few can be found precariously growing in a tiny little region in Florida where they are ravished by fungal infections and damaged by hurricanes.

It is currently believed the population was originally accustomed to a cooler climate. When the ice age receded, this tree was seemingly unable to move north, since the species that disseminated its seeds went extinct. Now it is restricted to a small area of high ground. As the climate warms, even this limited range is becoming ever more inhospitable.

Fortunately, trees planted further north grow admirably well. Trees in my garden, despite the harsh winters, are thriving. (If I was able to secure both sexes, hopefully more seedlings can be established. Fingers crossed!)

They look like yew trees, which they are closely related. With hope maybe someday this evergreen will be commonly planted in gardens.

 

[dr_bates]

Torreya jackii

This is another torreya. Like the species from Florida, it is endangered.

The needles are much longer and appear weeping. It's native to China and is extremely difficult to find in nurseries. I have been searching unsuccessfully. (It would make a fine addition to my collection!)

 

[dr_bates]

Perennial Hibiscus

When size matters, consider hibiscus, which has blooms that can be nearly a foot across. They make a very colorful statement throughout late summer.

Being a perennial, new growth will come from the roots each year; however, don't expect to see new growth in early spring. This plant sleeps in! Once active, they grow fast, quickly growing to four feet in height. Cut the previous year's growth back in early spring before new shoots emerge.

Only offer hibiscus fertilizer that is low in phosphorus. Don't give them bloom boosters! Normally phosphorus encourages more blooming. In the case of hibiscus, it causes the stems to elongate.

Size makes a powerful statement!

 

[Southeasterner]

Perennial Hibiscus
View attachment 148592811
When size matters, consider hibiscus, which has blooms that can be nearly a foot across. They make a very colorful statement throughout late summer.
View attachment 148593261
View attachment 148593271
View attachment 148593421
Being a perennial, new growth will come from the roots each year; however, don't expect to see new growth in early spring. This plant sleeps in! Once active, they grow fast, quickly growing to four feet in height. Cut the previous year's growth back in early spring before new shoots emerge.

Only offer hibiscus fertilizer that is low in phosphorus. Don't give them bloom boosters! Normally phosphorus encourages more blooming. In the case of hibiscus, it causes the stems to elongate.

View attachment 148595231

Size makes a powerful statement!

Thank you! I love hibiscus.

 

[dr_bates]

Peruvian Daffodil

When is a daffodil not a daffodil?

Peruvian daffodils are not daffodils.

This flower is in the genus Hymenocallis, which is derived from the Greek words "hymen", meaning membrane, and "Kalos", meaning beautiful. Yes, it literally translates to a beautiful hymen.

This exotic looking member of the amaryllis family is, as the name suggests, native to South America, specifically the Andes Mountains.

They aren't especially hardy. Here they need to be planted in pots or have the bulbs dug up in the fall. Digging up bulbs can be laborious but in the process you can have your beautiful hymen blooming many years.

 

[dr_bates]

Narcissus
According to legend, Narcissus was punished by the Greek gods. Though he had a beautiful exterior, he was cruel and selfish. He fell In love with his own image, forgoing eating and drinking for simply pining away at his features. In remembrance, daffodils sprang from the site where he died.

Daffodils are one of the most commonly planted spring flower. They are easy to grow and quite reliable. It's however not the best for pollinators, as they have virtually no nectar.

There are numerous varieties, which are divided in several groups.

Division 1: Long Trumpet.
These have large blooms with one flower per stem. The trumpet is as long (or longer) than the perianth.

Dutch Master

Division 2: Large-cupped.
While the perianth is larger, the trumpet is at least a third of the size with one flower per stem.

Division 3: Small-cupped.
Flowers are less than a third the length of the perianth with one flower per stem.

Birma

Division 4: Double
These have extra petals.

Tahiti

Division 5: Triandus
The perianth flares back with multiple flowers per stem.

Thalia

Division 6: Cyclameneus.
These are small flowers with one flower per stem.

Tete a Tete

Division 7: Jonquil.
These have small flowers with multiple flowers per stem.

Pipit

Division 8: Tazetta.
The trumpet is very short with very aromatic flowers. (Many are not cold hardy but are ideal for forcing indoors.)

Paperwhites

Division 9: Poeticus
These fragrant flowers are large with a rec rimmed trumpet.

Recurvus

Division 10: Bulbocodium.
These have very small narrow petals with a large trumpet.

Golden Bells

Division 11: Split Trumpet.
Trumpets are split but not doubled.

Orangery

To help ensure consistent flowering for the next year, it is important not to cut the green growth back too early.

 

[dr_bates]

Crape Myrtle / Lagerstroemia

Though native to southwest Asia, crape myrtle has become a landscape classic of warmer regions of the US, where it's blooms add color throughout most of the summer.

Because of the cold, crape myrtle cannot grow as a tree here; therefore, they are seldom used in the north. Nevertheless, I have crape myrtle in the garden. While some winters offer no challenges, occasionally it gets too cold, killing the plant back to the root. Even after frost damage, by midsummer new shoots are blooming.

I selected a variety with dark leaves and flaming bright red flowers. White and several shade of pink (some nearly violet) are also available. They certainly draw attention.

 

[dr_bates]

Abelia Kaleidoscope

The colorful foliage of this plant reminds me of tropical crotons. Few plants are brightly decorated simultaneously in red, orange, yellow, and green. In spring, foliage is often more yellow, getting more red in autumn.

Unlike crotons, Kaleidoscope abelia are reasonably hardy. Since winters here are harsh, frost damage is possible. To help protect them, I mound extra mulch around them then wrap the plants in burlap. (Never wrap plants in plastic.) Even if my efforts are not enough, new shoots can come from the roots.

The plants can flower intermittently from late spring to autumn, which is a remarkably long bloom period for such a highly decorated plant.
Butterflies and hummingbirds will likely appreciate the blooms too.

It's a small shrub, seldom exceeding three feet. (It'll grow somewhat taller in warmer climates.)

It adds a little color to the garden.

 

[dr_bates]

Yew / Taxus

Though commonly used around the home landscape, yews are often overlooked.

There are several species. Here the Canadian yew is native; however, thanks (in part) to deer browsing, it's quite rare. The Florida yew is extremely rare, almost as endangered as the torreya. There's also types from Japan, Europe, the mountains of Mexico, China, the Himalayan Mountains, Sumatra, and the Pacific coast.

The shrubs in the nursery trade are usually hybrids. There are two principal types readily available: densiformis and hicksii. The first grows wider than tall, while the later grows tall but stays narrow.

Yews can grow to be extremely old small trees. Plants are either male or female. Perhaps in means to help ensure pollination, trees can temporarily switch sexes. In theory it might be limited to just once in every thousand years or so. (I'm not old enough to verify that.)

To humans all parts of this plant are toxic, including the berries. Deer can somehow eat the foliage with impunity and birds relish the berries.

It's one of the few shade tolerant needled evergreen. Having green cover through the winter is important for wildlife. It might seem boring but yews offer a vital component to many gardens.

 

[dr_bates]

Golden Lotus Banana / Musella lasiocarpa

Musa basjoo is often considered the only hardy banana; however, the golden lotus banana, though not a true banana, is quite hardy too.

It's smaller, seldom exceeding 6 feet. In our northern climate, the smaller size is an asset, as it is more likely to flower.

In areas not dropping below 0°F, winter protection is probably not needed. Here it gets colder, much colder; therefore, I mulch the plant well, then cover the mound with a tarp. Afterwards I wait impatiently for spring.

 

[dr_bates]

Bladdernut / Staphylea trifolia

Bladdernuts are small trees native to eastern United States and named after the hollow papery fruit.

As a native to my region, it has ecological significance, including flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

While it can grow in full sun, it's often found in full shade. (It is often difficult finding small trees that can prosper in shade.)

Theis species can be difficult to find in the nursery trade. I got mine from growing seeds obtained in a walk through nearby forest.

flowers.

Dried pods that can be used in arrangements.

 

[Silmende]

Yew / Taxus
View attachment 148956891

In addition, the shavings are used to make cancer medication; over here, they are gathered separate from other "green garbage" in the container park, and dumping these shavings is free (contrary to stuff like grass etc).

 

[dr_bates]

In addition, the shavings are used to make cancer medication; over here, they are gathered separate from other "green garbage" in the container park, and dumping these shavings is free (contrary to stuff like grass etc).

Yes!
Paclitaxel is also used to treat some coronary complications.
One of the most commonly mentioned medication is aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid. It was originally obtained from willow branches.
Digoxin (digitalin) is obtained from foxgloves and is another coronary medication.
Opioids are derived from poppies.
Quinine is used to treat malaria; we got that from Cinchona trees.
St John's wart is sometimes used to treat depression; it also contains anthraquinones, which are anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer.
The forest is full of drugs!
There's even more chemicals in the soil. Technically, it's in the fungi, which are warehouses of chemical warfare.

 

[dr_bates]

Peve Minaret Baldcypress

Baldcypress is a deciduous needled tree native to southeastern US, probably most famous for growing in swamps. Peve Minaret is a dwarf variety with distinct compact upward growth, that can resemble a bonsai.

Though from warmer regions, it is fully hardy here, even with our harsh winters.

While it can survive in wetlands, even tolerant of growing in stagnant water, it is remarkably drought tolerant.

The super soft foliage turns a rusty reddish brown in autumn before dropping.

 

[dr_bates]

Luffa

Sponge gourds, or sometimes simply called luffa, are native to regions of tropical Asia.

While easy to grow in areas with long warm summers, here it sometimes feels like winter has a permanent residence. There's a potential for springs being late and autumn arriving early.

To give yourself a better chance of getting a harvest, start seeds indoors, up to six weeks before transferring to the garden. It takes a long time to form fruit!

They grow big, so give them ample room. For best growth, offer them support to ramble over. As you probably suspect, they need full sun and a rich, well-draining soil. The soil shouldn't be allowed to get fully dry. Mulching will help retain soil moisture.

As with squash, melons, and other gourds, the leaves are suspectable to powdery mildew. (Leaves will be covered in a greyish white powdery film.) Whenever possible, keep the leaves dry. (You can try making your own fungicide by adding a teaspoon of baking soda and a few drops of vegetable oil in a liter of water. Never spray plants during sunny weather; spray in the early morning or evening.)

There are two different species. Luffa aegyptiaca is the most common; it's the one used in making sponges. Luffa acutangula is more tender and used in cooking. (Both can be eaten when small.)

Luffa was used in ancient Egypt. Even if you can't walk like an Egyptian, you can bathe like one.

 

[dr_bates]

Tuxedo Weigela

There are a lot of interesting weigela varieties, many with variegated or dark foliage. Since I am one never shy about adding more color, you might think I'd prefer ones with pink or red flowers. Nevertheless, my favorite is tuxedo.

From its name, one can easily speculate this is black and white. There's a flush of white flowers in spring that contrast against the neat black foliage. Unlike a lot of weigela varieties, it can continue blooming through the summer (though not as heavily).

Despite being hardy, many weigelas can seem finicky, with seemingly inexplicable die backs. Tuxedo, in my opinion, is more robust and reliable, while being low maintenance.

Even the hummingbirds will like it.

 

[dr_bates]

Snake Branch Cryptomeria: Araucarioides

Some varieties of cryptomeria are highly distinct. One might even say bizarre. Having plants with novelty features gives the garden character.

Snake branch has long drooping branches (that have a slight resemblance to snakes). It's hard to find but worth the hunt.

While cryptomeria is often resistant to deer browsing, I have found snake branch is an acception. I learned this the hard way.

Don't be afraid to be a little freaky!

 

[dr_bates]

Magnolia Vine / Five Flavor / Schisandra

This is a robust and vigorous vine. While it's small magnolia like flowers are cute, primarily this vine is grown for the berries.

The magnolia vine is often listed as being dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are on different plants. This might not be entirely true. I only planted one and still got fruit.

The fruit has lots of flavor, hence the other common name, five flavor. Beyond the taste, they're supposedly filled with nutritional value.

This is one of the few fruiting plants that will tolerate shade.

The soil should be acidic. (If acidifying is required, be wary of aluminum sulfate. Adding aluminum to the soil around plants for harvesting seems perilous. Stick with organic means: pine needles, oak leaves, coffee grounds, or sulfur.)

Since it's so vigorous, don't be afraid to prune it back. (Just do most the pruning in early spring.)

Add the berries to salads or eat raw. They can be dried or juiced. Infuse the berries into other drinks, juices, and teas.

It's not just a plant of a different flavor; it's a plant of lots of flavor!