Flowers Land: July 2011

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Astilbe Arendsii

Astilbe Fanal is a lovely shade plant, especially along borders and garden paths. Its deep red flowers are the darkest of all Astilbes. These vivid and feathery crimson spires grow to at least 12 inches in length, fading in autumn to a rusty brown color. The Astilbe arendsii's old foliage is best left uncut during the winter months. This will protect the plant from weather damage. The foliage also looks striking in a snowy landscape.

The astilbe's crown has a woody appearance. Plant Fanal crowns at ground level about 8 to 12 inches apart. Soil should be rich, fertile, moist, and well drained. The Fanal's roots are shallow and its crown will become exposed over time. When this occurs, crowns may be covered with soil and compost or divided and replanted.
Astilbes thrive when they are well watered and frequently mulched. Fanals can dry out quickly, but when well maintained will happily tolerate a few hours of morning sun. If not divided when their crowns reappear, astilbes should be divided every three or four years to keep them strong and blooming. Astilbes actually grow better from this division rather than seeds.In the original Greek, astilbe means without brilliance, an ironic name for such a dazzling plant. Take advantage of Astilbe Fanal's beauty by planting it as an accent piece along shaded garden borders and next to pulmonaria, hosta, and bergenia. Even on its own, the contrast between the Fanal's garnet red blooms and lacy bronze-green foliage is very fetching.

Red Astilbe

False Spirea Homeowner Growing & Maintenance Tips:

Astilbes are long-lived perennials that prefer rich soil and light shade to filtered sun. They will grow in full shade, but will not bloom as prolifically there. Plants must have consistently moist soil; dryness leads to a quick demise, especially in sun. Increase watering as the foliage emerges and the plumes mature. If the soil dries out, the leaves will develop brown, crispy margins and will begin to drop. Fertilize Astilbes in late spring before flowering starts. Wait to cut back the old foliage until spring; it will help protect the plant from winter damage. In the spring, if the crown has risen above soil level, gently press it back into the ground and apply some organic matter around the plant. Plants should be divided in early spring every 3-4 years to maintain vigor.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Astilbe White

Astilbe

The astilbe is a plant with delicate feathery flowers. The astilbe prefers shade, but will grow in sunshine. They do not put up with hot, dry weather. They prefer moist shady spots in your garden.

They come in a variety of colors and styles with colors of pink, red, magenta, cream and white. The astilbe will bloom in June and July. If the plant drys out in hot weather then the flowering will be over for the summer.

You can divide the astilbe in early spring. Remove the entire clump, cut into smaller clumps and then replant. Remember the different cultivars you have when replanting. Generally this perennial is pest free, though you may have troubles with slugs. Use bait traps where needed in moist, cool locations

These plants should go into your shade garden. They look great next to Hostas and ferns. Water these delicate flowers during hot dry spells to keep the flowers looking nice.

Agapanthus Praecox

Like many plants which do well in Sydney gardens, Agapanthus are native to South Africa. The big rounded umbels of mid-blue or white flowers appear on 1m stems above the strappy leaves in late November and bloom all through December, providing lots of material for floral arrangements at Christmas time. The most commonly seen species is Agapanthus praecox subspecies orientalis.

They enjoy a sunny, well-drained position (with boggy conditions being fatal for them) and can grow in very harsh, deprived situations, providing a refreshing sea of green leaves where few other plants will thrive. However, they shouldn't be just used as a desperation measure in gardens: they have much more to offer than that.

Their foliage forms an excellent groundcover and they can also be used as a low border along a driveway or fence. The bold flower-heads make them probably more suited to a semi-tropical style or shrubbery garden than dainty cottage gardens. They mix well with summer-blooming Salvia, providing a good contrast of flower form, or with lush Dahlia and Canna cultivars. The many colours of daylilies (Hemerocallis), which are in bloom at the same time, provide a range of possible combinations.

White Agapanthus

Native to South Africa the name agapanthus is derived from the words Greek 'agape' meaning love, and 'anthos' meaning flower. Agapanthus White Swan has large umbells loaded with lovely bell shaped flowers. They thrive on neglect and produce beautiful funnel-shaped flowers for weeks and is quite drought resistent. Excellent plants for big patio planters & look great when planted with low growing perennials in sunny locations.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Agapanthus Africanus

There are about 10 species of Agapanthus, all native to southern Africa. Agapanthus praecox, A. africanus and various hybrids are most often grown in American gardens. African lily grows as an ever expanding clump of evergreen strap shaped leaves around 12 in (30 cm) or a little more in length. There are up to 18 leaves, arranged in two ranks. The dark blue flowers are trumpet shaped, 1-2 in (2.5-5 cm) wide, and borne in rounded umbels containing as many as 30 blossoms. These flower clusters are 6-12 in (15-30 cm) across, and held above the leaves on scapes 2-3 ft (60-75 cm) tall. Flowers appear in late summer and are long lasting. The African lily cultivar 'Peter Pan' is a dwarf, with its scape reaching little more than 18 in (45 cm) in height, but what it lacks in stature is compensated for by its profusion of long lasting deep blue flowers. 'Albus' is a white flowered cultivar. The Headbourne Hybrids (aka Palmer Hybrids) include several cultivars that are hardier than the species and available in various shades of blue and violet as well as white.

Agapanthus

gapanthus ("Lily of the Nile") is a genus of flower plants with six to ten species depending on how the different species are classified. They are all herbaceous perennial plants native to South Africa. Members of the genus have funnel-shaped flowers, in varying shades of blue colors with white fucuba is a genus of three to ten species of flowering plants, now placed in the family Garryaceae, although formerly classed in the Aucubaceae or Cornaceae.

Aucuba species are native to eastern Asia, from the eastern Himalaya east to Japan. They are evergreen shruSunday morning I saw bambi for the first time. I knew she was out there somewhere but this was the first sighting. We watched mother walk by the window on her way to picking up her fawn and heading back with her. She was browsing a little on goodness knows what. Believe you me there isn't much out there to eat.