by Contributed | Mar 20, 2020 | Plant Spotlight |
Phalaenopsis Orchids are believed to be the most popular kind of orchids. People commonly refer to the them as the “Moth Orchids”. Taking good care of them is very important, same as knowing the dos and don’ts when dealing with them. They are not your typical houseplants you water in whatever way you feel like. For Phalaenopsis orchids, you have to be deliberate when watering them. You can’t afford to overwater them. Underwatering your orchid is a manageable situation unlike overwatering which is more dangerous to the health of the plant because it is not able to absorb the water. Overwatering is believed to be the number one reason most Phalaenopsis orchids get into trouble. These orchids, being epiphytic plants, naturally cling to trees in their natural tropical environment.… Read Full Post
by Keri Byrum | Jan 8, 2020 | Plant Spotlight |
I thought I was sitting down to write about dividing Hippeastrum reticulatum var. striatifolium bulbs, but upon further investigation I am finding that I’ve never written about this plant! This summer blooming bulb features a white stripe along the leaves and beautiful pink flowers. Also called netted-veined amaryllis, it is a flowering perennial herbaceous bulbous plant, in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to South America. In my experience Hippeastrum reticulatum var. striatifolium does well in low light with minimal watering. The bright white stripe along the midrib is quite striking and adds interest throughout the year. I am growing it as a houseplant (zone 5!) but it will also do well in the landscape in warmer climates. The trumpet shaped flowers of this amaryllis are a special treat during the months of September and October.… Read Full...
by Keri Byrum | Mar 22, 2019 | Plant Spotlight |
On our recent trip to Florida I was literally stopped in my tracks by this purple flower vine in Winter Garden. I’ve been familiar with Petrea volubilis, or Queen’s Wreath Vine, but I’ve never seen it like this. Driving down Plant Street in Winter Garden, there is always something beautiful to see. This town does a great job of maintaining and growing their green space for residents and tourists to enjoy. But this. This was too much for me! The purple flowers were dripping off of the trellis. Petrea volubilis is sometimes called “Florida Wisteria” and it is easy to see why. Wow. I can’t tell you how many people I heard talking about this plant. How often do plants get this kind of attention?… Read Full Post
by Keri Byrum | Feb 15, 2019 | Plant Spotlight |
I’ve had a love affair with Farfugium for a long time. When we moved from Florida to Iowa I brought one along to try the lovely farfugium as a houseplant. The good news is that it is flourishing! The big, bold leaves of farfugium, also known as Leopard Plant, are the main attraction. It is a member of Daisy family, so while it does send up spikes of yellow flowers, to me these seem out of place with the large tropical leaves. I’ve even heard farfugium referred to as Tractor Seat Plant, and I can certainly see that in the broad leaf shape. I first referenced Farfugium on here back in 2015 in my New and Underused Plants post. Back then it was really hard to find.… Read Full Post
by Contributed | Jan 26, 2019 | Plant Spotlight |
In lieu of upcoming Spring and Summer vegetation, homeowners are using hop pole and trellis designs for their gardens. These items in the garden manipulate vines and other hanging plants with garden wires, hop poles, and pre-made trellis structures. Landscapers and homeowner enthusiasts often explore different ways to use these designs, which we’ll talk about in this article. Hop poles and trellis designs are a combination of wooden logs, wires (small ropes), and plants. The hop poles are the logs used to hold up the wire and rope. Plants twine around the wire and rope known as a trellis. When the plant develops, the trellis will have a canopy of leaves and blossoms. Utilizing Arbors and Trellis in Gardens Trellis can be purchased in their completed states.… Read Full Post
by Contributed | Jan 19, 2019 | Plant Spotlight |
We are all looking for ways to improve our business, especially in the office, which is the heart of every organisation. Your employees value this space and it should be designed with style and functionality, facilitating work activities in a pleasant ambience. If you are looking for ways to improve the efficiency in your office, here are a few ideas that might do the trick. 1. Introduce Nature We all love being surrounded by nature and with the latest generation of artificial plants, you can transform your office space without much effort. An artificial solution can give you the look you desire without worrying about who will take care of maintenance. 2. Involve the Staff Hold a meeting to get your employees on board and announcing that you care about their well-being and are looking at ways to brighten up the office.… Read Full Post
