Jacobaea maritima, commonly known as dusty miller plant, silver dust, or silver ragwort, is a lovely perennial ornamental plant that grows natively in the Mediterranean region. Thanks to its unique foliage, this plant has become a popular ornamental worldwide. Gardeners across the world appreciate the dusty miller plant for its spectacular silvery, lace-like foliage, and easy-to-grow nature.

Formerly a member of the Senecio genus, people became familiar with the scientific name Senecio cineraria. Nowadays, the dusty miller plant is a member of the Jacobaea genus and its scientific name is Jacobaea maritima, but you can still find it labelled as Senecio cineraria in garden shops. So now that you know that it goes by many different names, you will be able to find it more easily in nurseries and plant shops.

Quick Facts

About Dusty Miller

• Besides the basic, but stunning Jacobaea maritima species, this plant comes in lots of other attractive varieties that you can choose from. Some of the most fabulous cultivars include ‘Cirrus’, ‘Silver Dust’, ‘New Look’, ‘White Diamond’, ‘Ramparts’, and ‘Silver Filigree’.
• A cultivar selected for its dense silvery tomentum, J. maritima ‘Silver Dust’, has gained the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
• The Dusty miller will look nice and perform best in habitats that suit both its preferences and appearance. In general, you will notice this plant most often in garden beds, borders, city gardens, cottage gardens, moon gardens, and pots.
• For even more ornamental value, you can plant your Dusty miller along with other interesting species of easy-going plants. Some examples of perfect companions for Dusty miller are Heliotrope, Pelargonium ‘Kimono’, Million Bells, Petunia, Purple Fountain Grass, Salvia, Snapdragon, or Zinnia.

• Dusty miller makes a great addition to cutting gardens as it is a great filler for flower arrangements and bouquets. The attractive silver foliage will act as a clean contrast when combined with colorful blooms, and it’s a nice change from your typical green fillers.  When combined with white flowers, it can make a perfect addition to bridal bouquets and it will add a wonderful elegance to any arrangement You can also try your hand at drying this plant as it usually keeps its attractive colour.

• Dusty miller is a super easy-going plant in terms of growing and caring for it. However, it is not as friendly with us or our pets when we get in contact with it. This plant is toxic, so you might want to keep it outside your children’s and pets’ reach.

• Despite serious safety concerns, the Dusty miller is still present in medicine and it is used as a treatment for migraines, menstrual disorders, and “spots before the eyes”. Likewise, some use it as an eyewash for blurred vision and cataracts.

Dusty Miller Features: An Overview

• Dusty miller is a bushy perennial or subshrub. Depending on the specimen, it can reach from 6 to 24 inches (15-60 cm) in height and a width of about 8 to 24 inches (20-60 cm).
• Jacobea maritima grows natively in Mediterranean regions, in northwest Africa, and southern Europe, but it can also occur in Asia, especially in Turkey. In its natural habitat, Dusty miller thrives on cliffs and rocky coastal sites, and less often inland. Thanks to its ornamental value, this plant can now be found growing further north in Europe and in North America.
• This plant is most attractive throughout its active growing season. It has dense foliage, consisting of numerous finely textured, felted or woolly, dissected, and white-silvery leaves. Sometimes, it looks very similar to lace. On older plants, the hairs will become less visible as they start to wear off, and you’ll begin to see the green underneath.
• Jacobaea maritima features hair-like pieces on the leaves and stems called tomentum. This part of the plant plays a big part in ecology since some species of bees use it for building their nest.
• After its first year, the Dusty miller will generally begin its blooming phase. Expect to see your plant in bloom anytime during the summer months.
• The Dusty miller produces clustered heads that contain many tiny, daisy-like flowers. The blooms can exhibit shades of cream and yellow. They are not particularly ornamental, as the foliage usually takes the spotlight.
• Once the flowering period has passed, the Dusty miller may bear fruits known as achenes. They are small, dry, cylindrical, and one-seeded fruits that do not open to release their seed.

Growing Dusty Miller

The Dusty miller is the type of plant that will keep you company without asking for too much in return. In fact, this shrub will make any dull corner look better, and you will certainly notice the ornamental value of this plant as soon as you bring it to your home or your outdoor area. Dusty miller is a great choice, especially if you are looking for a mix of long-lasting and low-maintenance for your plant family.

When it comes to lighting conditions, the Dusty miller only needs one thing – lots of full sunlight, as this kind of exposure helps it remain compact and keep its gorgeous foliage colour and vibrance. If your Dusty miller experiences more shade overall, it will become somewhat leggy and also lose its soft, silvery hairs. Make sure you opt for a spot in which your plant can get at least six hours of bright and direct light each day.

Temperature-wise, the Dusty miller does best in hot and sunny climates. This plant is relatively tolerant and winter-hardy only in the USDA zones 8 to 11. Still, some gardeners say that it may survive winter months even in colder climates. The Dusty miller is a tender perennial in those areas where it can overwinter without any issue along the way. Otherwise, in harsher locations, you can grow it as an annual and forget about the temperature part.

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In case you want to overwinter your Dusty miller, we warmly recommend you reduce the frequency of watering in late summer. After this, you can prune the plant back using sterile and sharp pruning shears just above ground level. When you finish with the pruning part, mulch the soil around your plant with straw or pine needles. This process of three steps will make your life easier because it prepares your plant for the winter to come.

If you already appreciate the Dusty miller for its low-demanding style, you will be happy to learn that this ornamental is quite resistant to pest infestations and diseases. Some of the most common intruders that find Dusty miller attractive are slugs. This means that you might want to keep an eye out for them. To keep slugs away from your plant, you can simply handpick them once you notice their presence or use beer traps to control their spread.

Planting Dusty Miller

Since Dusty miller has a mounded growth habit and can spread up to 2 feet (60 cm), you will have to pay some attention when you plant it outdoors or near other plants. It is best to leave a distance of 2 feet (60 cm) around your plant to give it plenty of room to grow as it pleases. It does not typically spread any wider, so you should be safe with that.

For the most optimal growth out there, plant your Dusty miller in a substrate that features very good drainage. Other than that, you can provide your plant with a wide variety of soils as long as the chosen growing medium meets the pH requirements. The Dusty miller thrives in acidic soils with a pH between 5.5 and 6.0. If your soil does not have this particular type of acidity or drainage, you can always amend it with compost to improve its general quality.

Fertilizers are not for Dusty miller, at least not as frequent as for other ordinary ornamental plants. It is a light feeder that will demand fertilizers only when it grows in poor soil. In case of this, you can feed your plant by adding some organic matter like leaf mould or well-rotted manure.

If you are growing your Dusty miller strictly for its superb silvery foliage, you should know that this shrubby friend is also a bloomer. Although its flowers are small and cannot become focal points, you might want to get rid of them to enjoy the luxury of your plant’s foliage. You can healthily achieve this by removing the blossoms from the shrub using sterilized pruning shears.

The Dusty miller does not grow at a very fast pace. However, potted specimens can overgrow their containers with time and will also benefit from a soil change once in a while. With this plant, you will know that it is time to repot when its roots begin to come out of the drainage holes. You can transplant your Dusty miller in a one-size larger container filled with fresh, well-draining soil, then water it generously to give it an excellent start.

Watering Dusty Miller

Being both a shrub and a Mediterranean species, the Dusty miller requires only occasional watering once it becomes established. This usually happens after its first year of growth when you can also see it blooming for the first time. Until then, you will have to water your plant as often as it needs to prevent its growing medium from drying out.

After your plant has settled into its new home, you can reduce the frequency of watering. It is a drought-tolerant species that can do just fine with one inch (2.5 cm) of water per week.

The Dusty miller will not appreciate soggy conditions or waterlogging at all. In general, excessive watering can cause root rot in this shrub. This fungal problem is more common in specimens that grow in clay or heavy soils. Make sure you avoid over-watering your Dusty miller and plant it in a well-draining substrate to prevent this from happening.

Propagating Dusty Miller

The Dusty miller makes for a fine garden filler, especially if you already have some nice companions with blue, purple, red, or orange flowers. Once your plant has established, you can take advantage of its dense foliage to make more specimens. The most popular and effective method of propagating Dusty miller is through stem cuttings.

First, wait for the spring to come before taking cuttings from your Dusty miller. When the time is right, usually in signs of warmth, you can start looking for healthy stems on your shrub. Cut about 6 inches (15 cm) off the stems with sharp pruning shears. Keep in mind that you must clean the garden tool before each cutting you take to prevent infection on your plant and also skin irritation.

Once you have the cuttings, strip the leaves from their base, then dip the cut ends of the stems in a rooting hormone. For each cutting, fill a small container with soilless potting mix and water until it becomes damp and the water drains from the pot. Plant the Dusty miller cutting in its individual pot. After this, make sure you provide the cuttings with warmth and a drink whenever the soil feels dry to the touch.

You should notice new leaves showing up on the cuttings after a month or so. When this happens, you can transplant the new Dusty miller plants outdoors or just let them be in their containers where they already grow.

In Conclusion

The Dusty miller is a wonderful companion plant for every gardener, especially if you are a night owl that enjoys spending time outdoors and that appreciates unique-looking plants. This plant makes a perfect addition to moon gardens, alongside other ornamentals, cutting gardens, and Mediterranean gardens.

There is something magical about the beauty of Dusty miller under the moonlight, especially when combined with Angelonia, Ipomoea, Artemisia, and other similar plants. Dusty miller makes a great filler for floral arrangements and bouquets, so if you enjoy using your flowers in an artistic way, this plant is a great choice. Another great advantage of this versatile ornamental is the fact that you can grow it both indoors and outdoors without too much effort.

Are you growing Jacobaea maritime a.k.a. Dusty Miller in your home or in your garden? Share your experience in the comments section!

Dusty Miller FAQS

Do Dusty Millers come back every year?

Dusty Miller is often grown as an annual in cooler climates, but it’s technically a perennial in USDA hardiness zones 8-10. This means that in milder climates, it can come back year after year. In colder climates, however, it may not survive the winter and will need to be replanted each spring.

Does dusty miller survive winter?

In its preferred hardiness zones (8-10), Dusty Miller can survive the winter. In cooler zones, it can tolerate light frosts, but harsh winters may kill the plant. It’s advisable to mulch around the base of the plant in fall to provide some protection against cold temperatures.

Is dusty miller invasive?

Dusty Miller is not typically considered invasive. While it can self-seed under the right conditions, it doesn’t tend to spread aggressively or displace native plants in most garden settings.

What is dusty miller good for?

Dusty Miller is primarily valued for its striking silver-gray foliage, which provides a beautiful contrast in flower beds, borders, and container gardens. Its unique color can complement many other plants and make surrounding colors pop. Additionally, its drought-tolerant nature makes it a good choice for xeriscaping or low-water gardens.

Article Sources

1. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/jacobaea-maritima/
2. https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/353991/jacobaea-maritima-silver-dust/details
3. https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/6/1/6166

The post Jacobaea Maritima Guide: How to Grow & Care for “Dusty Miller” appeared first on GardenBeast.

Adding a new indoor plant to your home or business is a great way to break up the monotony and brighten the space. There are several types of indoor plants to choose from depending on your level of skill and your climate.

The gold dust plant is a durable indoor plant that is suitable for all levels of gardener. This forest-dwelling evergreen will bring nature indoors and delight viewers with its gold-flecked lush green leaves.

You can let this lovely plant grow tall indoors or can keep it small and delightful on a pot on your table. It is a slow-growing plant that will thrive for many years when well cared for. If you ever decide to move it outdoors, expect it to reach heights as high as 10 feet.

The Aucuba Japonica is really the perfect plant for indoors, greenhouses, back porches, or anywhere you want a touch of nature.

Growing and caring for the gold dust plant is rather easy. These long-lived plants do well with periodic pruning, medium amounts of sun, and plenty of TLC.

With a bit of shade and a lot of moist soil, the gold dust plant will grace your home or garden for generations to come. If you are interested in learning more about the gold dust plant, we have more information in our guide below.

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About the Gold Dust Plant

• The gold dust plant is a forest native shrub.
• This is an evergreen plant that will stay green during all seasons.
• The botanical name of the gold dust plant is Aucuba Japonica.
• Most Aucuba Japonica are grown outdoors but can thrive indoors with the right care.
• The gold dust plant has male and female versions.
• Small purple flowers sprout on the plants every spring.
• Pollinated flowers from the gold dust plant will result in bright red berries during the winter months.
• The berries on the gold dust plant are not edible.
• Leaves of the gold dust plant are dark green, glossy, and have gold flecks.
• The Aucuba is a woodland plant.
• The plant will grow tall if left unclipped, which will result in a need for support staking.
• In the wild, or when planted outside, the Aucuba Japonica will grow as tall as 10 feet.

Gold Dust Plant Features: An Overview

• The gold dust plant is a slow-growing forest shrub.
• When grown indoors, it must be pruned often to prevent overgrowth.
• The gold dust plant is also known as Japanese laurel and spotted laurel.
• The plant grows best in filtered light and cooler room temperatures.
• The gold dust plant is toxic for cats and dogs.
• Organic well-draining potting mix is best for the gold dust plant.
• The gold dust plant can live for as long as 20 years.
• Mature gold dust plants have been known to grow as high as 15 feet tall.
• The aucuba plant thrives in shaded areas that feature moist, healthy soil.

Growing The Gold Dust Plant

If you are a beginner gardener the gold dust plant is a great starter that will be very easy to grow and care for. Many newbies struggle with house plants due to strict watering and climate requirements, but with this plant, things are much easier.

Make sure to house your plant in organic potting soil. It should be well-draining to prevent root rot, but loose enough to support proper root growth.

The best way to fertilize the gold dust plant is to use a fertilizer that is water-soluble once monthly. Outside of the growing season, fertilize the plant with a weakened water-soluble houseplant fertilizer every six weeks.

The gold dust plant can grow in regular garden dirt or even infertile soil which makes a great option for plant owners who are looking to revitalize existing soil. Once matured, the gold dust plant is generally resistant to drought though maintaining moist soil is best for its overall health.

If the leaves on your aucuba plant start to turn black, chances are it is suffering from some form of root stress. Too much water can cause stress on the roots which will manifest in the leaves. Although this plant is easy to grow and care for, it is important not to overwater or over-fertilize it. In rare cases, black leaves may also be a sign of disease. The gold dust plant is highly resilient and can live for as long as 20 years with the proper care.

Watering The Gold Dust Plant

The aucuba japonica is easy to water. The soil should always remain a bit moist and during the growing season, make sure to water the plant once weekly. In hotter climates, you can water the plant twice a week or every three days to prevent the soil from getting dried out. A well-draining organic soil will ensure the right amount of moisture is maintained for the roots without getting too soggy.

You can add the gold dust plant to your indoor garden or even your patio with a dramatic effect. Use containers that have plenty of drain holes in the bottom to prevent root rot from stagnant water.

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On the topic of watering, it is best to water this plant by pouring tepid water directly on the soil. Watering the top of the leaves can encourage fungal growth such as leaf spot. Too much water can lead to root rot and the eventual death of the plant. Along with well-draining soil, make sure there are plenty of drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.

A mature gold dust plant can grow as tall as a house and live for up to two decades. They love healthy soil and shaded spaces, so consider planting them on the side of your home that doesn’t face the sun. In soil that is well-drained the plant will thrive without becoming dehydrated, but make sure that it is watered often enough that the soil remains slightly moist.

Propagating The Gold Dust Plant

Propagating the aucuba japonica plant is simple. Start by choosing a mature plant and selecting a section to cut. Take a generous cutting, and then remove any leaves on the lower portion of the stem. Place your aucuba japonica cutting in fresh organic soil that has been mixed with peat moss and vermiculite. No leaves should be planted below the soil when propagating a gold dust plant.

The aucuba japonica does tend to grow very well, so you can also consider propagating in the spring during your regular pruning session. You would follow the same steps listed above, just make sure that you have a healthy cutting to start off your new plant. Your gold dust plant cuttings should be watered well, potted, and then covered with a plastic bag. This will create a greenhouse-like atmosphere that supports optimal growth and strong roots.

New gold dust cuttings and plants should not be exposed to harsh or direct sunlight. Misting is suggested to keep the soil moist and the plant well watered while in its immature stage. You can also use rooting hormones to give your gold dust plant a boost, or you can nurture your cutting on your own until it has safely rooted in the new soil.

In Conclusion

The gold dust plant is a great house plant or even a garden plant for those who are new to providing personal plant care. It is a slow-growing plant that needs to be kept out of direct sunlight but thrives both indoors and outdoors. It needs to be watered once or twice a great week for absent-minded plant owners and new gardeners.

This tropical plant is aesthetically pleasing with dark green leaves that are covered in attractive golden flecks. If you are looking for a creative forest plant to add to your home or garden, the aucuba japonica is a great choice. If you have small children or pets, it is important to make sure they don’t ingest this plant because it is toxic. Like most houseplants, it can cause motor incoordination, vomiting, dizziness, or worse.

The gold dust plant is generally resistant to pests, but like most house plants can fall victim to a few common aggressors. Scale insects, aphids, and mealybugs can be controlled by introducing ladybugs to your plants or occasionally spraying the plant with water. This plant plays well with others and only needs to be pruned once or twice yearly.

The Aucuba japonica has both female and male plants. Though most people keep these plants for their beautiful leaves, they do produce tiny purple flowers in the spring. If the flowers are pollinated, they will produce red berries that will stay on the plant throughout the winter.

The post Aucuba Japonica Guide: How to Grow & Care for “Gold Dust” Plants appeared first on GardenBeast.

Commonly referred to as Angel’s Trumpet, Angel Star, Tree Datura, or Trumpet of Death, Brugmansia is a genus that contains exactly seven species of flowering plants. These beauties belong to the Solanaceae family. You can find them growing natively in several tropical regions of South America, from northern Chile to Venezuela, and also south-eastern Brazil.

Specialists have divided Brugmansia species into two genetically isolated natural groups. The Brugmansia section, which is the warm-growing group, contains species like Aurea, Versicolor, Sauveolens, and Insignis. Meanwhile, the Sphaerocarpium section contains species that grow in cold environments including Arborea, Vulcanicola, and Sanguinea.

At the moment, Angel’s Trumpet plants only exist in cultivation, without any specimens growing in the wild. Although they are pretty popular ornamental plants and still exist outside their native habitat as new species, botanists consider them “Extinct in the Wild”. They believe that the main reason behind their extinction in the wild is the disappearance of animals that dispersed their seeds in the past.

Thankfully, humans viewed these plants as truly beautiful and ensured the genus’s continued survival. Most gardeners that grow Angel’s Trumpet plants value them for their ornamental properties. However, these plants also have other interesting uses worldwide.

Angel’s Trumpet plants play a role in modern medicine, as they contain some alkaloids that have spasmolytic, anesthetic, anti-asthmatic, and narcotic properties. Moreover, traditional South Americans used Brugmansia plants in the preparation of tinctures with anti-inflammatory properties. They used these tinctures to treat many afflictions including arthritis, dermatitis, infections, headaches.

 Read on to learn more about growing, watering, and propagating Brugmansia.

About Angel’s Trumpet

• In the Northern Peruvian Andes, local shamans used Brugmansia plants in rituals of black magic, initiation, and divination.
• In Peru and Colombia, modern shamans use certain types of Brugmansia genus in some ayahuasca brews. The hallucinogenic effects are usually described as “terrifying rather than pleasurable”.
• Brugmansia houseplants make great companions to other ornamental plants, such as Euphorbia Cotinifolia, Physocarpus ‘Summer Wine’, or Hibiscus Acetosella.
• Most Angel’s Trumpet plants are fragrant, dispersing their scent in the evenings to attract pollinators like moths. Interestingly enough, one species that lacks scent (B. Sanguinea) is highly attractive to hummingbirds.
• These plants interact with various species of animals pretty often. One curious example involves the Placidula Euryanassa butterflies that use B. Suaveolens as one of their main source of larval foods.
• Brugmansia plants are tropical and they do well in lots of warmth and humidity. They are not drought-tolerant and over-watering can have a negative effect on them.
• Although Brugmansia plants do not require pruning, it’s best to trim them during the fall to induce constant flowering. You can also cut off older stems and branches to encourage new growth.
• Angel’s Trumpet plants are one of the most toxic species of ornamental houseplants. They contain a type of tropane alkaloids that can also be found in the well-known Deadly Nightshade.

Angel’s Trumpet Features: An Overview

• Brugmansia species are very tall small trees or shrubs that can reach from 10 to 36 feet (3-11 m) in height and 10 to 15 feet (3-5 m) in width.
• The trunks of these plants are somehow semi-woody and often contain many branches. The leaves grow alternately arranged on green and wood-like stems.
• The foliage is generally large, with leaves that measure between 4 and 12 inches (10-30 cm) in length and 2 to 7 inches (4-18) in diameter.
• Their leaves are bright to dark green and come along with coarsely toothed or entire margins. They are pretty soft and often covered with fine hairs.
• During their blooming period, from spring to late autumn, Brugmansia plants produce flowers sporadically. The heaviest flowering occurs in fall, but they can also bloom year-round when grown in warmer climates.
• The alluring blooms are the main attraction of these plants and what gives them the ‘Angel’s Trumpet’ name. Most species exhibit a strong and pleasing fragrance that can be noticed better in the evening.
• Brugmansia bloomings are quite large, pendulous, and present a shape that resembles trumpets. They usually grow about 6 to 20 inches (14-50 cm) in length and 4 to 14 inches (10-35 cm) in diameter when opening.
• Depending on the species, their flowers can appear in various shades of red, orange, yellow, green, pink, and even white. Most specimens may come tinged with an ombre effect and can present more than two colors at once.
• Angel’s Trumpet plants produce slightly spiny, oval, and green fruits. They contain many seeds that are highly poisonous but can be used easily in propagation.

Growing Angel’s Trumpet

We know, Angel’s Trumpet plants are a bit fussy when it comes to touching them, but with time they can become a friendly companion. Although every part of these plants is toxic, you will have nothing to worry about as long as you are cautious and wear protective gloves. Once you realize how simple is to grow and care for these beauties, it will be hard to resist them!

Light-wise, Angel’s Trumpet has different preferences depending on the area you grow them in. If you live in a region with warm climates, your plant will grow best in a location where it can receive plenty of morning sunlight and some shade in the afternoon. In cooler zones, this plant can survive just fine under full sunlight exposure all day.

In terms of temperatures, Brugmansia species can withstand moderate to warm conditions. In autumn, when the temperatures start to get cooler, it is best to bring your outdoor-grown plants to a dark, frost-free location. Once the spring comes with temperatures above 32 °F (0 °C), you can move your plant outside and repot it.

Planting Angel’s Trumpet

Angel’s Trumpet plants will show nice growth if you plant them in acidic soil, but they can also tolerate alkaline soils. If you want to grow these plants in pots, look for commercial potting mixes designed for camellias and azaleas.

Like most species that exhibit spectacular flowers, you’ll have to fertilize Brugmansia plants pretty often. Feed your younger plants with a water-soluble fertilizer at least once a week, especially during their flowering season. When mature and larger, your plants will require fertilizing less often, at about two or three times a week. The ideal fertilizers for Brugmansia plants are bloom-boosting without slow-release formulas, such as 15-30-15 or 10-50-10.

Angel’s Trumpet grows at a pretty fast pace and needs repotting regularly to maintain healthy growth. If you notice that your plant starts to outgrow its container, transplant it in one that is one size larger filled with fresh potting mix. The final container should measure about 16 inches (40 cm) in height and 18 inches (46 cm) in diameter.

The most common pests that can infest your Angel’s Trumpet include whiteflies, cabbage worms, aphids, and spider mites. You can treat the infested parts with a cotton pad dipped in rubbing alcohol. If this method is not enough, treat your plant using neem oil, insecticides, or suitable pesticides.

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Last update on 2024-11-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Watering Angel’s Trumpet

Like all tropical species, Angel’s Trumpet is a thirsty plant that requires watering quite often. This plant is not drought-tolerant, so you should provide it with plenty of water every time it demands. It is also susceptible to root rot, you can avoid over-watering if you use a ‘soak and dry’ technique.

Make sure you always check the soil in-between the waterings and water your Angel’s Trumpet plants only when the soil feels dry to the touch. As long as they are not wilting and the soil seems moist, your plants are doing just fine and do not need additional moisture. If you grow these plants in a container, provide them with excellent drainage, as they do not appreciate waterlogging or soggy conditions.

Propagating Angel’s Trumpet

With their alluring appearance and gorgeous, fragrant flowers, it will be a shame not to propagate Angel’s Trumpet plants. Yes, they can reach outstanding sizes and space might be a problem, but you can always gift one of these babies to your family or friends. You can propagate Angel’s Trumpet fast and easily through seeds or cuttings. Just make sure you do not forget about those protective gloves we have been talked about earlier!

You can collect the seeds from the plant’s fruits and sow them in fresh soil. Fill a pot or bed with a suitable potting mix and place the seeds just above the substrate. Place the container in a warm and shaded location and provide the seeds with regular watering to maintain the soil moist. Usually, the seeds will germinate in a month or so. Once the seedlings have reached about 2-3 inches (5-8 cm), you can transplant them to their individual pots.

If you want to propagate your Angel’s Trumpet by cuttings, you must use healthy stems. Cut about 2 inches (5 cm) from the stem using a sharp and clean knife and remove any extra leaves from the bottom half. The cuttings will root faster if you plant them in suitable potting soil and keep it constantly damp. Once you place them in a shaded area, the cuttings will develop a strong root system after a few weeks.

In Conclusion

Without a doubt, Angel’s Trumpet plants are the missing piece of your gardening puzzle! With their mesmerizing look, these plants can be the center of attraction in every garden, room, or even near door entrances. If you provide them with environmental conditions that are on their taste, these beauties will be your elegant companion for a long time!

If you are growing Angel’s Trumpet, share your experience with us in the comments below!

The post Brugmansia Guide: How to Grow & Care for “Angel’s Trumpet” appeared first on GardenBeast.

Looking for an easy-to-grow shrub that will put a show from summer to fall in your garden? Look no further than Peacock Flower!

Caesalpinia Pulcherrima, or commonly known as Peacock Flower, is a spectacular tropical/subtropical shrub that produces bright orange flowers that will fill your garden with color and life. The beautifully colored flowers of the Peacock Flower resemble butterflies and they attract… well, unsurprisingly, butterflies and hummingbirds.

This shrub is so loved by growers that it has been given many fabulous names, from Red Bird of Paradise to Flamboyan-de-Jardin, and the Texas Superstar plant. What’s more, in 2012, it has received a Royal Horticulture Society Award of Garden Merit Winner. The term “pulcherrima” from its botanical name translates as “very pretty.”

Peacock Flower is a sun-loving plant and thrives in the hottest, sunniest sites of gardens. It’s perfect to be grown as a large shrub in zones 10 and 11. It can also be grown as a container plant.

Besides looking spectacular in any garden, the Peacock Flower also has plenty of medicinal uses. It has been used in ancient times as a medicine to cure minor injuries and to relieve fever. The flower is also known to have weight-loss benefits and anti-septic and anti-inflammatory properties. A boiled mixture of Peacock Flower’s leaves, bark, and rots is thought to relieve kidney pain, fever, sore throat, and gastrointestinal disorders, but we do not recommend trying this at home without your doctor’s consent.

Ready to learn more about how to grow and care for Peacock Flower? Keep reading below!

About Peacock Flower

• Native to the West Indies and to Mexico, Peacock Flower belongs to the family of Fabaceae.
• The botanical name of the Peacock Flower is Caesalpinia Pulcherrima. This flower has many other common names, including Dwarf Poinciana, Pride of Barbados Flower, and Paradise Flower.
• Peacock Flower is a striking ornamental plant that will thrive in gardens in areas with hot climates. Since it is a tropical plant, it does not tolerate cold temperatures well. Yet, if it finds a lot of sunlight and hot temperatures in your outdoor space, it will thrive, filling your garden with lovely bright colors.
• This shrub is really sun-loving and needs full sun to thrive when grown in outdoor spaces. When grown inside, it also needs a lot of sunlight, but not direct light. So, look for the sunniest spot in your garden to plant your Peacock Flower.
• Peacock Flower thrives in porous, sandy, well-drained soil. One of the most common problems with this plant is root rot. For this reason, you need to ensure that its soil provides optimal drainage.
• As mentioned above, Peacock Flower needs a warm climate to thrive as it is not cold-hardy. If grown outdoors, temperatures should preferably remain above 55°F (12°C) during the night and 70°F (21°C) during the day. These are the average preferred temperatures by this shrub.
• Although the immature seeds found in Peacock Flower’s green pods are known to be edible, the mature seeds are known to be toxic. So, whether you grow your Peacock Flower in your garden or inside your home, make sure you place it in a spot out of your kids’ and pets’ reach.
• The most common and serious pests that can affect your Peacock Flower are spider mites. This plant can also become the victim of aphids and scale insect infestation. If the leaves of your shrub start turning yellow or they drop off, or if there are visible spots in leaf surfaces, these can be signs of pest infestation. To treat pest infestations, you can use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Aphids can be removed with a spray of cold water.

Peacock Flower Features: An Overview

• Caesalpinia Pulcherrima is a fast-growing shrub that can reach heights of up to 15 feet (3m) and grow up to 6 to 10 feet (1,8- 3 m) wide.
• Peacock Flower has bushy growth with fern-like foliage. It features thin stems and delicate leaves that emerge from spiny stems and branches. It has rapid growth, requiring lots of space to develop.
• In the blooming season, during the summer months, Peacock Flower produces red and orange flowers that resemble butterflies.
• The flowers it produces have a delightful scent. Growers believe that the fragrance of Peacock Flowers alone is a good enough reason to grow this plant in your garden.

Growing Peacock Flower

Despite its intimidating and unique appearance, growing Peacock Flower is actually really easy. There are a few basic growing conditions that this shrub needs to survive. As long as you provide your flower with what it needs, it shouldn’t give you a hard time caring for it.

One of the most important growing conditions this shrub needs to thrive in full sun. Peacock Flower is really sun-loving, which isn’t a surprise since it is a tropical plant. As long as it’s provided with a lot of sunlight, it will grow healthy, bloom during summer, and reach bigger sizes faster.

We recommend placing your Peacock Flower in a spot of your garden where it will get a few hours of full, direct sunlight but partial shade in the evening. If the shrub receives full sun the entire day, it is more susceptible to spider mites infestation. If you grow your Peacock Flower indoors, keep in mind to provide it with a lot of indirect sunlight.

Fertilizer is another thing to provide your Peacock Flower with to ensure that it grows healthy and fills your garden with beautiful colors and delightful fragrances. Fertilizer isn’t absolutely necessary, but it does help your shrub with a boost of nutrients. We recommend using a liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the spring and summer months.

Keep in mind that Peacock Flower is a fast-growing shrub, meaning that you may need to prune it to maintain a smaller size and a specific shape that you prefer. In fact, this shrub actually benefits from pruning as well. Prune it in late autumn or winter after the blooming season has ended.

How to Plant Peacock Flower

If you’ve decided to plant a Peacock Flower in your garden or in a container to grow it inside your home, we have some tips on how to do that to ensure successful planting.

It’s not difficult to plant a Peacock Flower. All you have to do is to keep all its needs in mind so that you choose the best place to grow it.

First, remember to choose a sunny location to plant your shrub if you want to enjoy your Peacock Flower’s beautiful colors. This tropical plant needs full sun to grow and bloom in summer. If you’re planting it in your garden, choose a spot where it will get direct sun for a couple of hours daily. If you plant your Peacock Flower in a container to grow it indoors, place the container close to a sunny window of your home.

Bestseller No. 1

Red Bird of Paradise Flower Seeds for Planting - 10 Seeds - Caesalpinia pulcherrima - Peacock Flower

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QAUZUY GARDEN 10 Red Mexican Bird of Paradise Seeds Caesalpinia Pulcherrima Barbados Peacock Flower Seeds - Attract Pollinators - Showy Bonsai Hedge Accent Plant

• Feature. Pride of Barbados’ flower has showy blossoms of orange and red. The flowers are bowl-shaped, 2-3″ across, with five crinkled, unequal red and orange petals, and ten prominent bright red stamens that extend way beyond the corolla.
• Attract pollinators. The mexican bird of paradise sprouts beautiful yellow fragrant flower color, attracting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
• Use. Mexican Bird of Paradise is a showy and spectacularly colourful tree. It can be pruned into a standard but is also grown along fence lines, on walls, in containers and hanging baskets, and as a hedge or an accent plant.
• Planting time. The best time to plant a Pride of Barbados shrub is in the Spring or Fall.
• Sow. Soak seeds in water for 24 to 48 hours. Nick the seed with a knife or nail file. Plant seeds in soil about 1/2 to 1 inch deep and at least 3 inches apart from other seeds. Keep soil moist. Seeds will germinate in about 2 months.

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Bestseller No. 3

Pride of Barbados 10 Tropical Seeds Red Peacock Flower Tropical Plant Zones 8+ drought tolerant loves heat Caesalpinia pulcherrima

• Fantastic spectacle of color!
• Easy to Grow!
• Perfect for Rare Plant Collectors
• An easy to grow plant that can be grown in most soil types, loves full sun to partial shade. Drought tolerant once established. Young plants will need protection. Grow as a standard oin zones 9+

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Last update on 2024-11-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Another essential aspect to remember when planting your shrub is to ensure that it has porous well-draining soil. Root rot due to overwatering is one of this plant’s biggest problems. So, ensure that the soil provides good drainage and allows excess water to pass through. To ensure optimal drainage, you can mix the soil with a bit of peat or sand.

The climate in your area is also an important detail to keep in mind when choosing whether you should grow your Peacock Flower indoors or in your garden. This shrub loves warm weather and hot temperatures as it is not a cold-hardy plant. For your Peacock Flower to thrive, temperatures should best be above 55°F (12°C) during the night and 70°F (21°C) during the day. If your climate is colder than that, you should consider planting your shrub in a container and grow it inside your home.

Watering Peacock Flower

Overwatering is a sure way to kill your Peacock Flower! Overwatering leads to root rot, which kills the plant.

The good news is that Peacock Flower is drought-tolerant. So, it’s best to underwater it than to overwater it.

The best way to ensure that you don’t overwater your shrub is to use the “soak and dry method.” In other words, you need to allow the top few inches of the soil to dry out before watering your Peacock Flower again. This way, you’ll be sure that you don’t pour too much water into your plant.

During the winter months, you’ll likely have to cut off on water almost completely.

Propagating Peacock Flower

The easiest way to propagate Peacock Flower is via seeds.

If you want to propagate your mature shrub, you need to gather the seeds from the flowers produced by it during the blooming season. Simply cut the flowers at the end of the summer season and let them dry during the winter months.

At the end of the cold season, gather the seeds and sow them at the end of spring. Next, spread them in trays and keep them at 75°F (23°C) or warmer. Once you notice that the seedlings emerge, place them in sunlight next to a window. It should take about two months before the seeds grow into small Peacock Flowers that you can plant in individual pots.

In Conclusion

Peacock Flower is a spectacular shrub absolutely worth growing for its lovely bright colors and wonderful fragrance. Your garden will be filled with color and life. Ready to start growing Caesalpinia Pulcherrima? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The post Caesalpinia Pulcherrima: Guide How to Grow & Care for “Peacock Flowers” appeared first on GardenBeast.

Brunfelsia is a genus that contains about 50 species of colorful and adorable flowering plants in the Solanaceae family. Although you’ll usually find these tropical plants as ‘Brunfelsia’ which is their genus name, you might also find them in nurseries or markets by other common names like “Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow”, “Raintree”, or “Lady of the Night”.

These interesting plants are grouped into three main sections (Brunfelsia, Franciscea, Guianenses), which vary significantly in both characteristics and distribution. They are native to several regions worldwide including the Caribbean, Brazil, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, or the Argentinian and Bolivian Andes.

About Brunfelsia Plants

• The most popular Brunfelsia species that gardeners love to grow as ornamental houseplants include B. americana, B. australis, and B. pauciflora.
• The main reasons why gardeners all around the world love Brunfelsia flowers are their tricolored flowers and drought-tolerance.
• In their natural habitat, wild Brunfelsia plants thrive in light woodland and thickets.
• Some Brunfelsia plants contain toxic and medicinal alkaloids which can have negative effects on the health of domestic animals. Therefore, it is best to grow them in a location where your curious beloved ones cannot reach them.
• The roots of ‘Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow’ contain helpful toxins that can be used to reduce fevers and can also make an excellent treatment for rheumatism, snake bites, and syphilis.
• Besides their ornamental purposes, Brunfelsia plants have aphrodisiac properties.
• In the past, people used these plants as an anesthetic, blood cleanser, diuretic, or antirheumatic medicine.
• Brunfelsia plants do well in environmental conditions that simulate their wild habitat. They prefer bright light to partial shade and slightly warmer temperatures.
• These flowers are humidity-lovers and enjoy having their feet constantly wet. For extra care, you can prune them once in a while and provide them with fertilizer as needed.

Brunfelsia Plants Features: An Overview

• The species from the Brunfelsia genus are usually neotropical shrubs, small trees, and sometimes lianas. They usually grow on their own but sometimes they will use trees for support.
• In their natural habitat, Brunfelsia plants can reach up to 12 feet (3.6 m) in both height and width. If you plan on growing Brunfelsia plants in pots, keep in mind that they won’t grow more than 3.3 feet (1 m).
• Their foliage consists of simple, shiny, oval, and green leaves that appear alternately arranged on long and slender stems.
• During their blooming period, in spring and fall, these plants produce many delicate flowers that can also come along with a pleasant fragrance at night.
• Their blossoms are rather fragile in their appearance. They are large and have five petals that can be exhibited in various shades of white, pink, lavender, and purple.
• Once their flowering season has ended, the bloomings are followed by fruits that look like small berries. They contain many seeds and, depending on their stage, can be green, orange, red, or brown.
• Thanks to their showy flowers, Brunfelsia plants can be great companions to many other species of plants including Rhododendron, Fuchsia, Muscari, or Cineraria.

Growing Brunfelsia Plants

Like most perennial species of shrubs, Brunfelsia plants are super friendly and can thrive in almost any type of environment. However, if you want to give your plants the time of their life, you might want to pay attention to their very few, but particular demands. But do not worry, gardener! As always, if you care for your plants properly, they will not hesitate to show their gratitude through beautiful growth and colorful flowers.

As mentioned above, in their natural habitat, Brunfelsia plants grow in thickets and light woodlands that provide them with partial shade. If you want to grow your plants outdoors, in the garden, plant them in a spot where they can get protection from the scorching sun. Indoors, these plants grow at their best in slightly shaded locations, such as near windows with curtain sheers to mimic their natural habitat or in room corners.

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QAUZUY GARDEN 5 Brunfelsia Pauciflora Seeds, Yesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow Plant, Kiss-Me-Quick, Brazil Raintree,Showy, Fragrant Flowers, Striking Accent Privacy Screen Plant

• USDA Hardiness Zone. Brunfelsia pauciflora (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow) is a beautiful flowering bushy evergreen shrub grown in 9-11 (USDA).
• Color. The flowers change their color from one day to the next, starting out purple, then turning lavender, and finally becoming white as they mature.
• Blooming. This tropical evergreen shrub is a long, persistent bloomer. After the first, heavy bloom in the spring, it will produce more of its showy, fragrant flowers in the fall, or anytime during the year if it likes its location.
• Sun. An excellent location to plant Brunfelsia is under the canopy of tall conifers that give it enough room to reach its mature height.
• Soil. The soil should be moist, acidic, and fertile, with a high amount of organic matter and good drainage.

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Brunfelsia Pauciflora Seeds Yesterday-Today-and Tomorrow Plant Perennial Deer Resistant Fragrant Evergreen Beds Screens Hedges Outdoor 5Pcs Shrub Seeds by YEGAOL Garden

• LIGHT: In its natural habitat, yesterday-today-and-tomorrow grows in light woodland and thickets with partial shade where it is protected from the scorching sun.
• SOIL: The soil should be moist, acidic, and fertile, with a high amount of organic matter and good drainage.
• TALL: Grows up to Three to eight feet in height, four to six feet in width.
• BLOOM PERIOD: Blooming profusely in spring and early summer, the showy clusters of deep purple, tubular blossoms open to flat disks with 5 overlapping, wavy-edged petals and white throats.
• PLANTING SUGGESTIONS: In cooler climates, Brunfelsia can only be grown as a container plant that needs to be brought indoors for the winter.

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CHUXAY GARDEN Brunfelsia Pauciflora Seed,Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 5 Seeds Ornamental Flowering Plant Attract Butterflies and Bees Rare Plants

• HARDINESS ZONE.9-11
• GROW. You can propagate Brunfelsia by seeds. Its seeds grow in pods, for this, let the pods dry on the plant, then remove seeds, it is ready for sowing.
• WHEN TO PLANT.Spring
• TALL. Grows up to 3-8 ft. tall (90-240 cm) and 4-6 ft. wide (120-180 cm).
• CARE. Thrives in full sun to part shade,in humus-rich,moist,well-drained soils.Because Brunfelsia is a tropical plant, it thrives in a humid environment.

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Last update on 2024-11-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Brunfelsia plants are tropical by nature, so they do well in humid environments and warm temperatures. During the summer months, these plants enjoy average room temperatures or values that range from 68 to 71 °F (20-22 °C).  Sudden temperature changes can be pretty harmful to your Brunfelsia plants, so it is better to grow them indoors in pots. This is especially true if you live in a region with harsh winters. You can also bring your outdoor plants inside when temperatures get cooler, but you must place them in a location where they can receive at least 3-4 hours of bright light daily.

All Brunfelsia species grow at a slow pace, thus many gardeners prune them only for aesthetic purposes. If you dream about achieving that specific bushiness, you can give your Brunfelsia plants a neater overall appearance right after the spring flowering. To make this happen, make sure you remove all the spent blossoms and give your plants a light trim yearly.

Although these flowers are typically disease and pest-free, they can be occasionally bothered by aphids. These intruders can weaken your Brunfelsia plants by sucking their sap, so you should act immediately after noticing some suspect presence on your plants. Unless there is an advanced infestation, aphids can be removed gently by using water sprays or neem oil.

Planting Brunfelsia Flowers

Brunfelsia plants are one of a kind and deserve the best growing medium we can provide them with! In general, these beauties perform best in sandy, loamy, or silt and acidic soils that come along with excellent drainage. When you are looking for potting soils in markets, we advise you to choose fertile substrates that are rich in organic matter.

In terms of fertilizers, your indoor Brunfelsia plants will need regular feedings once every two weeks during their growing period. Outdoor plants, however, have no high demands and do not require regular feedings unless the soil is not acidic enough. Before adding any fertilizer, go on and test the pH of the growing substrate around your plants.

If the soil is not in the correct pH range (<6.0), Brunfelsia plants will benefit from a liquid fertilizer designed for acid-loving plants applied at about ½ strength. If it turns out that the soil is acidic enough, you can just add an acidic mulch like pine needles or peat moss.

When you are growing Brunfelsia plants in containers, they will require repotting once in a while. In early spring, remove your plants from their pots to inspect their root system. If the flowers tend to outgrow their current pots or their roots seem crowded, plant them in slightly larger ones filled with fresh potting mix.

Watering Brunfelsia Plants

The secret of thriving Brunfelsia plants is the amount of water they receive daily. Big lovers of moisture, these plants prefer to have their feet wet constantly. These plants do not enjoy drought very much but you should still avoid over-watering them. Like most plants, Brunfelsias do not appreciate soggy conditions or waterlogging.

For an optimal watering routine, make sure you always check the soil in-between waterings. If the substrate feels dry to the touch, you can provide your lovely plants with water but not in high quantities. With these plants, it is best to go with the flow!

Unlike the Brunfelsia shrubs that you grow in the garden, potted plants will require a little more attention to grow healthy and happy. During the summer months, you must check your plants daily because extra warmth will dry their soil faster. In winter, these plants go dormant and need less water than usual, so you should reduce the frequency of watering accordingly.

Propagating Brunfelsia Plants

Brunfelsia flowers are so delicate and easy-going that it would be a shame not to add more of these bushy companions to your plant family. No matter how much experience you have with flowering plants, you won’t have any problems propagating Brunfelsias. These plants can be propagated by any type of gardener through stem cuttings or seeds. Both methods are very easy and usually take no more than a few minutes to finish.

If you want to surprise your family or friends with a gorgeous gift, you should propagate Brunfelsia plants using cuttings. Look for healthy stems and cut about 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) off them with sterilized garden scissors or pruners. In the next step, make sure you remove all the leaves you can found on the lower half of each cutting.

With a sharp and sterile knife, make tiny slits through the bark at the base of your Brunfelsia cuttings and dip the cut ends in rooting hormone before planting. After this process, plant each cutting in its own pot. Use a mixture of damp, well-draining potting soil combined with vermiculite or perlite. For optimal results, cover the pots with plastic bags and let the end of them slightly open.

The Brunfelsia cuttings will germinate properly if you keep them in a well-lit and warm location where they will get protection from the wind. If you provide the cuttings with water regularly to maintain the soil constantly damp, they will develop a healthy root system in 4-6 weeks.

Propagation from seeds is also a nice choice, but it will take longer to show nice results. The Brunfelsia seeds grow either in pods or seedheads and must be collected from the mother plant when the fruits are ripe. At this moment, you can safely remove the dry pods or seedheads and sow them in fresh potting soil.

In Conclusion

Brunfelsia plants have their own way to win your heart, so why not offer them a place in your indoor or outdoor garden. These flowers look absolutely stunning and, besides that, they are relatively easy to grow, care for, and also propagate. In fewer words, once you decide to add one of these shrubbies into your collection, they will be your friendly companions for a long time!

The post Yesterday Today & Tomorrow Plants Guide: How to Care for “Brunfelsia” Plants appeared first on GardenBeast.

Are you looking for a plant that is easy to care for as an amateur gardener? Azalea shrubs are a popular choice for many gardeners, whether they have been doing it for a long time or are just starting out. They appeal in many different ways, such as through their beautiful, vibrant colors and their longevity.

They are widely popular for their blooms, which can come in various shades, as well as their somewhat fragrant scent. This is an excellent shrub to have in the springtime when its flowers reach the peak of their beauty. Having an azalea in your own home or garden will bless you with beautiful blooms throughout the year.

Azaleas belong to the genus Rhododendron. They are said to be mostly native to regions in North America and East Asia. They have been around for several years, having been described in a poem dating back to 772 A.D. The Japanese Azalea was first brought to Holland in 1860 and started to gain popularity across Europe.

About the Azalea

• Azaleas are notorious for their vibrant and colorful blossoms, earning the moniker of “Royalty of the Garden.”
• There are more than 10,000 registered varieties of azalea around the world, making it such a diverse plant that is popular among gardeners. Each type has its own unique combination of petal shape, number, and color.
• Their petals can come in various colors from red, orange, purple, pink, white, and many more. The flowers can occasionally have bicolor blooms depending on the variety.
• They are commonly grown in cold climates due to their hardy nature. Some varieties can even survive in freezing temperatures such as the Pink Azalea.
• There are two classifications of azaleas, namely deciduous and evergreen.
• Azaleas produce toxic honey, commonly referred to as “mad honey,” which leaks all throughout the plant. It is strongly recommended to place these plants out of the reach of pets such as cats or dogs as they are the common victims of poisoning from the honey.

Azalea Overview

• Azaleas are flowering shrubs that are well known for being hardy, being able to withstand cold temperatures, and grow well in acidic soil even with low nutrient levels.
• They are composed mainly of two groups, which are deciduous and evergreen. These two groups are primarily distinguished by the fact that deciduous azaleas lose their leaves in the fall, while evergreen azaleas keep most of their leaves all year round.
• Beginners mostly prefer evergreen Azaleas as they are easier to propagate and also have a greater variety when it comes to color. The downside is that this type is less hardy and prefers warmer climates. On the other hand, deciduous varieties are more robust, have larger leaves, and can grow in extremely cold environments.
• Deciduous azaleas also grow taller, reaching around eight to fifteen feet, compared to evergreens, which can only grow up to six feet.
• Azaleas are usually sold as container-grown plants or have a ball of soil to protect their delicate roots.
• When buying azaleas, it is best to consider the local climate to be able to choose the variety that grows best in your location.
• While azaleas can be planted during any time of the year, it is best to plant them during fall so that you would have enough time to prepare it for the hot summer. The only downside of growing them in the fall is that you would need to wait for a longer time to see the plant in full bloom.
• If you want to see the flowers bloom immediately, you can plant them in the spring. However, great care must be taken, and proper watering must be done to ensure that the plant will be able to survive the oncoming summer heat.

Growing Azaleas

The good thing about azaleas is that they don’t have too many growth requirements, albeit they are a bit specific. Azaleas must be planted in acidic soil, which means that it should have a pH level between 4.5 and 6.0.

Aside from this, it must also be planted in soil with good drainage for its shallow roots. A soil that is rich in organic material will be incredibly beneficial for your azalea, as long as it still drains well.

You can create our own organic-rich soil by mixing in a large amount of peat moss to the soil you already have lying around. If your land does not have good drainage, it is recommended to place the shrub on a raised bed.

When it comes to sunlight, it is best to keep azaleas in small amounts of shade, especially when grown in places with warm climates. Although, flowers in colder climates can be left out in the open.

Too much exposure to sunlight can burn the petals, while too little can prevent the plant from getting enough oxygen needed for growth. It is generally recommended to place the flowers in a spot where it can get sunlight in the morning and be in the shade during the afternoon.

This plant can survive well in various temperatures, averaging from 30ºF to 85ºF (-1ºC to 30ºC). Some azaleas, such as the white variety, cannot withstand temperatures above 80ºF (27ºC), or else the blossoms would wither and fall.

It is also essential to keep the azaleas free from pests and diseases. Pest infestations in azaleas rarely occur, but they do happen. Lace bugs are the most common pests. A lace bug infestation can easily be identified as yellow or white foliage along with clusters of these bugs under the leaves.

These kinds of infestations are very easy to treat with common insecticides. When it comes to diseases, deciduous varieties may suffer from petal blight, root rot, and leaf spots, which can be prevented by maintaining proper drainage in the soil and conserving water.

These shrubs do not require too much pruning, and you usually only need to cut off branches that are infected, dead, or are about to die. Additionally, mulching is highly recommended as it protects the root system and keeps the soil moist for longer.

SaleBestseller No. 1

Azalea Encore Autumn Twist, 2 Gallon

• USDA zone 6a-10b
• Mature size 48 in. W x 54 in. H
• Blooms spring, summer, fall
• Part shade to full sun
• Evergreen- year round interest

$26.97

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Bestseller No. 2

Encore Azalea Autumn Bonfire (1 Gallon) Red Flowering Shrub - Full Sun Live Outdoor Plant - Azalea Shrub - Rhododendron

• FAST GROWING: Encore Azalea Autumn Bonfire is a fast-growing dwarf azalea that glows with beautiful red single and semi-double bloom throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Like every Encore Azalea, this one will be a great addition to your garden year-round because it holds onto its bright green foliage. Bonfire is larger than the similarly named Autumn Fire, with a mature dimension of 3' high by 3' wide.
• ATTRACTS BUTTERFLIES: Butterflies and hummingbirds alike love the flowers of this azalea, and they will be sure to make a stop on these deep, true red azaleas. To create a low-growing hedge along walkways or foundations, you can use this Encore Azalea shrub in large quantities. Or, use a single plant as a colorful accent in a mixed garden bed or containers on patios.
• LOW MAINTENANCE: Encore Azalea Autumn Bonfire is a low-maintenance plant that makes a statement once established. Although not necessary, you can prune this evergreen shrub after the spring bloom to promote future growth.
• USDA ZONES: Encore Azalea Autumn Bonfire is hardy in USDA Zones 6a-10b. Plant in full sun to partial shade as it requires 4-6 hours of sunlight to provide optimum growth and flowering. Water thoroughly twice per week until established, then water once per week.
• POTTED PLANT: Ships as a 1-gallon potted plant with soil from the Alabama Gulf Coast. Not guaranteed to be in bloom on arrival. This plant is unavailable to ship to Hawaii and Alaska.

$22.01

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Bestseller No. 3

Encore Azalea Autumn Chiffon (1 Gallon) Pink Flowering Shrub - Full Sun Live Outdoor Plant

• Year-Round Beauty: Enjoy vibrant blooms throughout the year with the Autumn Chiffon Encore Azalea, renowned for its stunning pink flowers that re-bloom season after season.
• Low Maintenance: Perfect for both novice and experienced gardeners, this azalea requires minimal care, thriving in a variety of light conditions from full sun to partial shade.
• Compact Growth: Ideal for small gardens, borders, or container planting, the Autumn Chiffon Encore Azalea maintains a neat, compact form, reaching just 2-3 feet in height and width.
• Hardy and Resilient: Designed to withstand various climates, this azalea is hardy in USDA zones 6-10, ensuring robust growth and long-lasting beauty.
• Easy to Plant: Arrives ready to plant with a well-established root system, ensuring quick acclimation and healthy growth in your garden or container.

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Last update on 2024-11-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Watering Azaleas

Water requirements may vary between azalea species, as well as the climate and the amount of light that your shrub is exposed to. If it is placed in a colder region or shaded area, it is typically best to water the shrub less, only as often as twice or thrice a month.

In warmer regions, you may need to water it around once or twice a week. Be sure to check the soil moisture before watering as these plants generally cannot tolerate soil soaked with too much water due to its shallow roots, or it will drown.

It is crucial to provide good drainage to the soil to avoid these conditions. It can also be a good rule of thumb to water the plants as soon as the upper three inches of the soil starts drying out.

Propagating the Azalea

Azaleas are typically propagated through two methods. The first method involves cutting a part of the stem just a little below the point from where a leaf attaches. Remove all flower buds and leaves from the cutting and dip the end of the cut stem into a rooting hormone.

Then, place the cutting into a well-draining rooting medium at a depth of around one-third of the cutting’s height. Place a plastic bag over the cutting to trap in moisture and position it in an area with bright, indirect sunlight.

The roots should start to develop after two months. You can then remove the plastic covering and expose the plant to direct sun in the morning. The plant can be transferred to a different pot after four months and would have grown enough to be placed outdoors by the next spring.

For the second method, you would need to grow the azalea seeds. This will definitely require more time than the first method, but will surely be worth the wait. Planting the seeds will result in growing new shrubs that could look like either one of its parents or a mixture of both.

Azaleas propagated using the first method will always look like the parent, so this method would be best if you want to have more variety and colors in your garden.

In Conclusion

The azalea is a beloved flowering shrub that is not only beautiful but also very easy to maintain. It is easy to see why it has continuously remained as one of the favorite flowers of gardeners.

It can be a wonderful addition to your garden as well as an excellent decorative plant to have inside the house. They are a good option for beginners because they require only a little bit of maintenance and can keep growing through all the months of the year, making it a shrub that is as strong as it is lovely.

Its vibrant blooms will surely be something to look forward to whenever the spring season comes around.

The post Azalea Guide: How to Grow & Care for This Flowering Shrub appeared first on GardenBeast.

Coleus is a genus that contains about 290 species of herbs and shrubs in the Lamiaceae family. These plants are native to regions of the Old World tropics and subtropics, such as tropical and subtropical Asia and Malaysia.

Coleus plants are mostly grown as ornamental houseplants, but some species have gained their popularity since ancient times thanks to their multiple health benefits. For example, Coleus Forskohlii (Plectranthus Barbatus) contains a chemical in its roots called forskolin.

In traditional medicine, forskolin served as an excellent treatment for heart disorders, respiratory problems, allergies, insomnia, and skin conditions. Nowadays, some healthcare providers still recommend forskolin to patients with asthma, glaucoma, and use it intravenously for heart failure.

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About Coleus Plants

• Although Coleus plants are herbaceous perennials in their natural habitat, they are usually grown as an annual by every gardener around the world.
• Herbal product manufacturers use Coleus Forskohlii to produce plant extracts that are high in forskolin. They are promoted for the same health problems for which forskolin has been used in the past.
• Due to their various colors, Coleus plants can make for a great companion to Begonias, Lobelia, or any flowering annual plants. They also work just fine planted at the bottom of taller potted plants, such as Amaranth, Yucca, Fountain Grass, or Dracaena.
• Coleus plants are tropical plants that thrive in warm temperatures and humid conditions. Keep them away from cold drafts and frost.
• They do well in shady spots, but their light requirements may vary depending on the species. For better blooming, some cultivars will need bright and direct light.
• Coleus plants prefer a rich, loose, and slightly acidic to neutral soil that is consistently damp. The watering frequency changes from one season to another.
• During the spring and summer, they will benefit from regular feeding with a water-soluble fertilizer. Outside these seasons, you should go easy on the fertilizer to promote the best foliage color.
• These plants are not poisonous to humans, but they produce a sap that can cause skin irritation. They also contain essential oils that are pretty toxic to cats, dogs, and other animals.

Coleus Plants Features: An Overview

• Coleus genus provides us with gorgeous species that come in distinct colors, patterns, and leaf textures. The most common cultivars include the Wizard series, Kong series, Fairway series, Premium Sun series, and Black Dragon.
• Depending on the species, Coleus plants can grow between 6 to 36 inches (15-91 cm) in height and 1 to 3 feet (30-91 cm) in width.
• Some species of Coleus plants are succulents, while others have fleshy or tuberous rootstock.
• When it comes to their foliage, Coleus plants exhibit an incredible palette of natural color variation including dark green, yellow, orange, purple, and red.
• Enthusiastic breeders have developed specimens with numerous combinations of green, pink, bright chartreuse, black-ish velvet, and many others.
• There are species with solid-colored leaves, but other ones may appear with highly contrasted veining, splotches, or stripes.
• Their leaves are about 1 to 6 inches (2.5-15 cm) long and grow on square-shaped and semi-succulent stems. Some cultivars can also come in many different sizes and shapes.
• They are seasonal bloomers that produce small white or bluish blooms at any time of the year. Their flowers are said to draw energy from the colorful leaves.

Growing Coleus Plants

Coleus plants are literally for everyone! They are pretty easy to grow and care for as houseplants as long as you pay attention to their general needs. If you already live in a tropical region, there is not much effort to put on your part. Still, when growing these plants in temperate climates, things will change a little bit. But nothing you could not manage!

Depending on the variety or the area you live in, light requirements may be different. Before placing a Coleus plant in a sunny location, it is better to find out if yours is either an old-fashioned specimen grown from seeds or a modern vegetatively cultivated one.

Generally, the seed-grown plants do well when they are exposed to part shade to full shade. For the other Coleus type, you will notice the best foliage color when placing your plant in a spot where it can receive more sunlight.

If you grow Coleus plants in a region with hot and dry climates, keep in mind that they mostly prefer shade, especially in the afternoon. In cooler climates with short seasons, these plants need plenty of direct light, as this will help them warm up a little.

Like all tropical plants, Coleus species thrive in warm to slightly hot temperatures. When growing them indoors, they have a great time at temperatures between 60 and 75 °F (16-24 °C). During the winter, make sure you protect these plants from temperatures that drop below 50 °F (10 °C). They do not get along with frost, so you should wait for temperatures to constantly remain above 60 °F (16 °C) before moving your Coleus outdoors.

How to Plant Coleus

Coleus plants grow at their best when planted in loose, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. When first planting these beauties, you can improve the overall soil’s quality by adding a layer of compost or another organic substitute. If you want to grow them in a container, look for a good-quality potting mix that is mostly peat-based.

When you manage to plant your Coleus in rich soil, it will not require fertilizing at all. Otherwise, your plant will benefit from a balanced fertilizer diluted at ½ strength once a month.

Usually, these plants do not need regular pruning, but many growers do it for aesthetic purposes. To maintain a certain size and shape, you can remove the growing stem tips once your Coleus is about 6 inches (15 cm) tall. During its flowering season, you can also pinch off the spent flower shoots to induce new blooming and keep the plant bushy.

They are sometimes infested by mealy bugs, aphids, slugs, whiteflies, and spider mites. If you notice some white fuzz on the stems, you can treat them with a cotton pad dipped in rubbing alcohol. For plants with spots and holes in their foliage, it is suggested to maintain a humid environment around them and spray the leaves with insecticide.

Bestseller No. 1

Park Seed Giant Exhibition Complete Mix Coleus Seeds, Popular Colorful Houseplants, Pack of 20 Seeds

• Seed Selection: Begin by choosing Coleus seeds in the colors and varieties you desire. Coleus comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, so select seeds that match your garden or indoor decor.
• Indoor Start: Coleus seeds are typically started indoors, especially in cooler climates. Plant them in seed trays or small pots filled with seed-starting mix. Press the seeds lightly into the soil surface, as they require light to germinate.
• Temperature and Light: Coleus seeds germinate best at temperatures between 70-75°F (21-24°C). Provide bright, indirect sunlight or fluorescent grow lights to encourage strong, healthy seedlings. Maintain consistent moisture in the soil without overwatering.
• Transplanting: When your Coleus seedlings have at least two sets of true leaves and are a few inches tall, transplant them into larger containers or your outdoor garden. Space them according to the specific variety's mature size, as Coleus can range from compact to quite large.
• Care and Maintenance: Coleus plants thrive in well-draining soil and can tolerate partial to full shade, depending on the variety. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Pinch back the growing tips to encourage bushier growth and prevent legginess.

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Bestseller No. 2

Coleus blumei Rainbow Mix 250 seeds Beautiful Foliage Eye catching

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Bestseller No. 3

100+ Seeds Coleus Wizard Mix Beautiful Flower Plants Coleus Blumei Seeds

• Coleus is a temperate plant that likes full sun and has strong adaptability.
• It is an erect or ascending herb, the stem is usually purple, the leaves are membranous, usually ovoid, the apex is obtuse to short acuminate, the color is diverse, there are yellow, dark red, purple and green, and the cymes are many flowers; the flowers are mostly densely arranged , Pedicel and produle are puberulent, corolla light purple to purple or blue.
• Coleus is a temperature-loving plant and has strong adaptability. The temperature in winter is not less than 10¡æ, and it is slightly shaded when the temperature is high in summer. It likes plenty of sunlight and sufficient light can make the leaves bright.

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Last update on 2024-11-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Watering Coleus Plants

Coleus plants need more attention when it comes to watering. They have a rather fast tendency to show their owner when something is wrong with their watering routine. So, to understand their demands, all you have to do is be all-eyes and patient.

These plants grow healthy in constantly damp soil, but they do not appreciate soggy conditions. Too much moisture around the roots may flatten your Coleus plant, resulting in root rot and irreversible damage. On the other hand, short periods of drought will slow down the growth and its leaves will turn brown around the edges.

For both indoor and outdoor growing, Coleus plants will respond well if you add some mulch to their planting soil. Make sure you do not use cedar mulch, as it can be very toxic to these plants. It is also worth mentioning that you shouldn’t allow the mulch to get in contact with their stems. It will promote root rot and hide pests like slugs.

They enjoy humid environments, so you can maintain the ideal levels by keeping them around other humidity-lover plants. If the air around your plant is dry, mist them regularly using a water spray. When growing in a container, you should water your Coleus once or twice a day during hot temperatures.

Propagating Coleus Plants

Your adorable Coleus are among the easiest plants to propagate, as they usually grow at a pretty fast pace with proper environmental conditions. All you have to do is take one or more stem cuttings and wait a few weeks for them to develop a tiny root system. Once this process is complete, Coleus babies can be integrated into your collection or gifted to your plant-lover friends.

When taking cuttings, look for stems that have healthy leaves on top and cut about 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) from them. Remove the bottom-half leaves, dip the stems in a rooting hormone, and plant them in a container filled with fresh and moist potting mix. Make sure the soil covers all the leaf nodes and cover the pot with a plastic bag to increase humidity.

Place the container in a bright and warm spot until new roots appear. After two or three weeks, take out the plastic bag and keep your tiny Coleus plants in the same location as before.

In Conclusion

Coleus plants are something to remember! Once their hypnotic foliage gets in your way, you can’t stop but thinking about them until buying one. Or more? Well, why not? They are pretty easy to grow and care for as long as you simulate their natural habitat both indoors and outdoors. If you already are the happy owner of one alluring species and want more, your Coleus can be easily propagated to fill your surroundings with more colored patterns.

The post Coleus Plant Guide: How to Grow & Care for “Plectranthus Scutellarioides” appeared first on GardenBeast.

Looking for another gorgeous and interesting ornamental plant to have around? Madagascar Periwinkle is waiting for you to bring it home and it has a lot to offer! Its lovely appearance makes it just perfect as bedding and border plant, ground cover, or even potted in eye-catching containers or hanging baskets. Read on to find out more about this low-maintenance plant.

Catharanthus roseus a.k.a Madagascar Periwinkle is an evergreen species of flowering plants in the Apocynaceae family. This lovely and colorful plant is commonly known by many names including the Madagascar Periwinkle, Bright Eyes, Graveyard Plant, Cape Periwinkle, Old Maid, and Pink or Rose Periwinkle. Until today, only two varieties have been recognized: C. roseus var. roseus and C. roseus var. angustus.

Although Madagascar Periwinkle plants are native and endemic to Madagascar, you can find them growing almost anywhere worldwide as both ornamental and medicinal plants. Yes, their flowers bring a spectacular display during the warmer months, but they have a long history of cultivation for their herbaceous properties.

In Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicine, the extracts of their shoots and roots were used to treat several diseases. Moreover, in Chinese traditional medicine, they worked as an excellent treatment for malaria, diabetes, or Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Nowadays, Madagascar Periwinkle plants are an important source of the drugs vinblastine and vincristine, and people use them to treat various types of cancer.

About Madagascar Periwinkle

• In the wild, these shrubs thrive in a wide range of environments. They grow on limestone soils and sand in the forest, grassland, woodland, and disturbed areas.
• The flowers produced by Madagascar Periwinkle plants are highly attractive to many species of pollinators like butterflies and moths. The seeds are often dispersed by ants, water, and wind.
• Thanks to their easy-going style and large color palette, they make for great companions to plants like Dracaena Spikes, Dusty Miller, Lobelia, or other Catharanthus species.
• In the United Kingdom, C. roseus plants have gained the prestigious Award of Garden Merit for their stunning appearance and medicinal importance.
• To grow healthy and bloom sporadically, they need lots of sunlight and warmth all-year-round. These plants cannot tolerate frost but will do just fine in partial shade.
• Madagascar Periwinkles grow at a pretty fast pace, so they require repotting once every six to eight weeks to thrive. When repotting, always choose a container that is one size larger than the current one.
• During their blooming period, these plants will benefit from regular fertilizing. However, too much fertilizer will result in showy foliage, but fewer flowers.
• C. roseus plants are pretty toxic if ingested or smoked. If you have curious pets or children around, grow these flowers in a spot where they cannot reach them.

Madagascar Periwinkle Features: An Overview

• Madagascar Periwinkle plants belong to the Catharanthus genus that contains exactly 8 species of flowering plants. They were formerly included in the Vinca genus and named Vinca rosea.
• They are perennial sub-shrubs or small herbs that can reach between 12 and 39 inches (30-100 cm) in height. The base is somewhat woody, but sometimes sprawling.
• Their foliage consists of oval to oblong leaves that are glossy green, and 1 to 3.5 inches (2.5-9 cm) long. The leaves grow oppositely arranged in pairs on green to dark red stems.
• Both the stems and leaves are usually pubescent, meaning they contain many tiny hairs. Some specimens can be hairless or lose their puffy appearance with time.
• Gardeners value C. roseus plants for their long blooming period which can last throughout the year in tropical areas. In warm temperate climates, they will exhibit flowers from spring to late autumn.
• Their tiny and hairy flowers are born individually or paired on very short stalks. They typically have five petals and come in different shades of pink, purple, orange, red, or white with a darker red center on some varieties.
• Once their flowering period has ended, the blossoms are followed by pairs of fruits. They are follicles, dry fruits that have one compartment and open only along one side when reaching maturity.
• The fruits contain numerous small black seeds that can be used in propagation. The seeds germinate better if you sow them indoors, three to four months before the last frost.

Growing Madagascar Periwinkle

Catharanthus roseus plants usually thrive in locations with bright and indirect light but will prefer some partial shade in hot climates. For optimal blooming, you must also provide your plants with at least three to four hours of direct sunlight daily.

In general, Madagascar Periwinkle plants do well as houseplants in average room temperatures. Outdoors, these tender plants can only withstand temperatures down to 50 °F (10 °C). If you live in a region with harsh winters, plant your babies in pots and bring them inside when the temperatures get too frosty.

These beauties are prone to a few fungal infections, such as leaf spots or aster yellows, but they can be treated easily with suitable fungicides. Also, the most common pests that can bother your Catharanthus roseus plants are snails and slugs. If you notice any suspect presence on your plants, remove the pests and the unhealthy parts, then apply an appropriate molluscicide.

Planting Madagascar Periwinkle

Although Catharanthus roseus plants are dwarfs, you should grow them in a roomy location to allow their luxuriant foliage and flowers to show off. When planting your shrubs, make sure you keep a distance of 12 inches (30 cm) between each specimen.

Catharanthus roseus plants grow healthy and happy in soil that has excellent drainage. The perfect growing mediums for these flowering shrubs are sandy or loamy soils but look for those that are not very fertile. You can also plant them in a potting mix designed for flowering plants.

Madagascar Periwinkle plants are not heavy feeders by nature, but they require some attention during their blooming period. Feed your plants with a balanced liquid fertilizer once every month from early spring to late fall.

Bestseller No. 1

Madagascar Periwinkle Seeds for Planting - Mixed Color Flowers - Catharanthus roseus (200 Seeds)

• PRETTY PERIWINKLE: Beautiful and long blooming annuals that have a variety of colors. A great garden or container grow.
• EASY TO GROW: Plant the seeds in good soil 1/2 inches deep after the last frost has passed. Or start them indoors earlier.
• MADE IN USA: Hand packaged and Shipped for CZ Grain. From Iowa.
• GROW OR GIFT: For mom, dad, him or her, this is the perfect gift to give on birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, housewarming or any other occasion. Ideal for beginners, masters, and children alike. See the excitement in their eyes as they experience growing indoor bonsai trees.
• CZ GRAIN GUARANTEE: Satisfaction Guaranteed. Message us if there are any issues for a fast and easy solution. CZ Grain specializes in exotic and rare plants to grow.

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Bestseller No. 2

Sow Right Seeds - Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) Flower Seeds for Planting - Non-GMO Heirloom Packet with Instructions to Plant in Your Home Garden - Colorful Favorite - Attract Pollinators (1)

• Beautiful - Large seed packet of Periwinkle flowers (Catharanthus roseus). Colorful mix of white, rose, and red flowers dwarf flowers that make an excellent ground cover. Also known as Annual vinca or Madagascar periwinkle. Tender perennial that will overwinter in warmer climates. Minimum of 400mg per packet (about 240 seeds).
• Productive - Periwinkle germinates in 10-14 days when soil temps are 75-80°F. Plant 1/4” deep and space 12-18” apart in an area with full sun or part shade. This variety will grow 12-36” tall with a spread of 3-4”. Flowers will mature in 40-50 days, plant in USDA zones 4-9.
• Pollinator Friendly - Butterflies and bees love Periwinkle and will pay your garden many visits. Great way to support your local pollinators. Plant wildflower style or in carefully arranged beds.
• Easy to Grow - Instructions included on each packet. Plus, we are available to answer all your questions. If these seeds don’t germinate, we will happily make it right for you.
• Safe and Sustainable - Our operation is fully solar powered, and Sow Right Seeds has taken the Safe Seed Pledge to sell only fresh Non-GMO heirloom seeds for you and your family.

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Bestseller No. 3

CHUXAY GARDEN 200 Seeds Pink Madagascar Periwinkle,Rosy Periwinkle,Vinca Rosea,Lavender Blue,Creeping Myrtle Annual Pink Flowers Easy Care

• HARDINESS ZONE.9-11
• GROW.Sow vinca indoors 12-15 weeks before the last frost. Sow seeds in seed-starting formula and cover with 1/8 inch of seed starting formula. Seeds are sensitive to overwatering, keep lightly moist. Seedlings emerge in 14-21 days at 75-78 degrees F.
• WHEN TO PLANT.Periwinkle can be started indoors from seed 12-16 weeks before the last frost.
• FEATURE.Starry flowers, glossy leaves, and persistent fruits characterize the rosy periwinkle plant.
• USE:Madagascar or rosy periwinkle plant (Catharantus roseus) is a spectacular plant used as a groundcover or trailing accent.

$11.99

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Last update on 2024-11-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Watering Madagascar Periwinkle

Compared to other species of flowering plants, watering Catharanthus roseus plants is piece of cake! With these plants, you will have no reason to worry about how often you should water them. Your watering schedule depends on the region you live in or the environmental conditions in which you grow your Catharanthus roseus. These plants are very easy-going and will forgive their busy or forgetful owner without hesitating!

However, natural factors like sunlight or weather can change the frequency of watering, so you must pay attention to your plants once in a while. To avoid over-watering or keeping your plants thirsty for too long, make sure you check the soil in-between waterings. If the soil has dried out completely, then this is the perfect time to provide your plants with a nice soaking.

Drainage is an important factor when it comes to water Madagascar Periwinkle plants. If you want to grow them indoors, choose a pot with drainage holes at the bottom to allow the excess water to drain properly. After watering, remove the water from their tray to avoid soggy conditions or waterlogging around the roots.

Propagating Madagascar Periwinkle

Catharanthus roseus plants have a secret way through every gardener’s heart. Their puffy foliage and delicate flowers are a great addition to any decoration, being it indoors or outdoors. When the warm season comes along, these flowering plants will also be the best gift for your family members or friends. You just simply cannot lose the chance to have more of these beauties around you or your loved ones!

Luckily, Madagascar Periwinkle plants can be propagated through cuttings much easier than you might imagine. The cuttings will respond well to propagation if you take them from new growth in late spring or summer. Also, try to cut them off just below a leaf node and measure about 2 to 3 inches (5-8 cm) in length.

Once you’ve taken the cuttings, you must dip their cut end in rooting hormone before planting. For the growing substrate, fill a medium-sized container with a well-draining potting mixture and water the soil until it becomes damp. The cuttings require protection from direct sunlight and a little extra humidity to grow properly, so enclose them and the pot in a plastic bag.

Your baby plants will develop a strong and healthy root system in three to four weeks after planting. After this period, you can transplant them into their individual pots and treat them as mature plants.

You can also propagate Catharanthus roseus plants through seeds. It’s best to sow them in late winter or early spring. Plant the seeds in a moistened rooting mixture, cover the container with a plastic bag and place it in a location with bright, filtered light. Once the germination occurs, in 2-3 weeks, you can uncover the pot and provide the seedlings with water anytime the soil is entirely dry.

In Conclusion

Having plenty of flowering plants in your garden during the warmer season is great! Not only do Catharanthus roseus plants look superb, but they also come along with very few demands. We know, these lovely shrubs might not be the most long-lived houseplants, but they really worth all the effort because they will reward you with their blooms.

The post Catharanthus Roseus Guide: How to Grow & Care for “Madagascar Periwinkle” appeared first on GardenBeast.

Osmanthus fragrans is an evergreen species of flowering shrubs or small trees in the Oleaceae family. In cultivation, you can find this buddy by various common names, such as the Fragrant tea olive, Sweet osmanthus, Fragrant olive, Tea olive, or sweet olive.

Osmanthus fragrans a.k.a. the Fragrant tea olive is one of those ornamental companions that can bring a an exotic and oriental vibe to your garden without too much effort.

If you are looking for a low-maintenance ornamental, Osmanthus fragrant is a perfect choice! Besides its obvious spectacular look, this plant is super easy-going. It will thrive as long as you can simulate its native habitat in your garden or in your home, which is much easier than it sounds.

Many gardeners worldwide appreciate the fragrant tea olive for its ornamental qualities, that can bring joy to any dull corner. It is a popular garden plant that makes for an excellent statement piece for hedges, walls, specimen plantings, screens, Japanese gardens, woodland gardens, coastal gardens, cottage gardens, Mediterranean gardens, and also in containers.

If you want a fabulous landscape in your garden, do not hesitate to plant the Fragrant tea olive near other eye-catching species with similar demands.

If you want to learn more about growing and caring for this attractive plant, keep reading!

About Fragrant Tea Olive

• The fragrant tea olive comes from several regions of Asia, ranging from the Himalayas through South China, southern Japan, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. This plant grows naturally in mountaineous regions and forests at high elevations of 3937 to 9843 feet (1200 to 3000 m).
• The flowers of the fragrant tea olive are very fragrant and their perfume resembles apricots. Because of this, in some regions of North India, native folks use them as an insect repellent to protect their clothes.
• Osmanthus fragrans plays an important part in traditional Chinese medicine. Many use this plant to prepare herbal tea, which is a wonderful treatment against irregular menstruation. The extracts of dried blossoms have neuroprotective, antioxidative, and free-radical scavenging properties.
• In Chinese mythology, a story presents Wu Gang who endlessly cuts down a self-healing Fragrant tea olive that grows on the moon. Some versions of this story held that Wu Gang had to cut the plant down because its luxuriant growth overshadowed the moon itself.
• The fragrant tea olive enjoys cultural significance in numerous regions of Asia. It is the city flower in several cities in China, the city tree of some Japanese cities, and the town tree of Yoshitomi, Fukuoka.
• Osmanthus fragrans is closely associated with the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival due to its blooming period which intersects with this season. Likewise, Chinese people have the popular “reunion wine”, when they drink with their families, and osmanthus wine is usually a traditional choice.
• In Chinese cuisine, people use the flowers of the Fragrant tea olive to brew infusions that can be combined with black or green tea leaves and obtain a delicious beverage usually referred to as osmanthus tea.
• This plant can be used as an ingredient for making various traditional Chinese desserts like osmanthus tangyuan. The blooms of Osmanthus fragrant are a common ingredient in many other desserts and dishes. These include osmanthus-scented jam, dumplings, osmanthus cakes, osmanthus liquor, soups, etc.
• The fragrant tea olive has other forms, varieties, and even hybrids to choose from. Some of these are O. fragrans f. aurantiacus, O. fragrans f. thunbergii, O. fragrans f. semperflorens, ‘Apricot Gold’, ‘Butter Yellow’, ‘Conger Yellow’, ‘Fudingzhu’, ‘Orange Supreme’, and O. × fortunei (cross of O. fragrans and O. heterophyllus).
• Osmanthus fragrans is not toxic to either animals or humans if touched or ingested. You can safely grow this versatile plant wherever you want even if you have curious kids or pets around.
• The perfect companion plants for it include Abelia, Boxwood, Daylily, Heavenly Bamboo, Petunias, Gardenias, Barberry, Rhododendron, Viburnum, and Loropetalum.

Fragrant Tea Olive Features: An Overview

• The Fragrant tea olive belongs to the Osmanthus genus which comprises about 30 species of flowering plants. It shares this genus with other edgy plants like O. armatus, O. delavayi, O. heterophyllus, O. suavis, or O. yunnanensis.
• Osmanthus fragrans is a perennial shrub or small tree. Depending on the cultivar, the plant can grow between 8 and 40 feet (2.4 to 12.2 m) in height and about 10 to 15 feet (3-4.6 m) in width.
• Like most members of the Osmanthus family of plants, the fragrant tea olive tends to have a long life span. When it is not affected by severe diseases, the Osmanthus shrub can live for decades. These plants are not as long-lasting as the ancient olive trees described in the bible, but they will keep you company for a very long time, and might even outlive you.
• Osmanthus fragrans has a dense, upright, oval to columnar overall growth habit. It develops at a relatively slow pace. In cultivation, its height is much smaller than in its natural habitat.
• Its foliage consists of numerous leathery, oval, and dark green leaves that have entire or toothed edges. The leaves can reach from 2.8 to 5.9 inches (7-15 cm) in length and 1 to 2 inches (2.5-5 cm) in diameter.
• The fragrant tea olive can bloom in spring and autumn, with the most profuse blooming in the fall. During these seasons, the plant produces clusters that contain lots of tiny, 4-lobed blossoms.
• Osmanthus shrubs produce flowers in a wide variety of colours, such as white, orange, yellow, pale yellow, or orange-yellow. They feature a strong, apricot-like fragrance.
• If you want to enjoy as many beautiful blooms as possible, there are certain things that you can do to encourage this plant to flower. A light spring feeding with a slow-release fertilizer can encourage blooming. Protecting your Osmanthus from frost is another way to ensure that it will bloom nicely. And last but not least, make sure you only prune it after the flowering period is over and before spring growth starts to happen. If you prune it during its growth period, you risk clipping off the flower buds.
• Once the flowering period has come to an end, the Fragrant tea olive may bear fruits, commonly referred to as drupes, that are purple-black of 0.4 to 0.6 inches (10-15 mm) long. Each fruit has a single hard-shelled seed and reaches maturity about six months after blooming.
• The fruits of the Osmanthus tree are considered edible, but they aren’t very easy to eat as they are quite small and full of seeds. They also have a bitter taste when they are not fully ripe, and the whole ripening process can take up to six months, so these fruits are rarely harvested for food. The flowers of the Osmanthus are more often used in the kitchen and you can add them to jams and teas to enhance the flavour.

Growing Fragrant Tea Olive

If you are looking for a small tree or a shrub that is easy to grow, the fragrant tea olive is a great option. If you are not  the owner of one of these amazing ornamentals and you wish to bring some good vibes to your outdoor area, why not try your hand at growing a fragrant olive tree.

This plant is perfect for novice gardeners as it has very few basic demands and you will manage to satisfy them all even if you are not that experienced with gardening.

When it comes to sunlight exposure, you don’t have to worry that your Fragrant tea olive could receive too much. This low-demanding plant will have the time of its life if you find a spot for it where it can benefit from the strong and generous light of our sun.

The only exception that puts sunlight on the black list would be if you live in a climate with very hot summer months. If this is the case for you, we recommend you plant your fragrant tea olive where it will experience some partial afternoon shade.

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• This plant loves the sun and would prefer a spot in the landscape that receives full sun exposure and partial shade exposure throughout the day — no pruning necessary to keep Tea Olive clean-cut and shapely
• Mature Height: 15-30 ft | mature width: 15-20 ft, with buoyant, light-green foliage reaching skyward
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Fragrant Tea Olive ( osmanthus fragrans ) - Trade Gallon

• Blossoms of the hardy tea Olive are visually inconsequential, but their impact can be significant
• The strong fragrance can be smelled from several hundred feet away. Tiny White flowers bloom in clusters along the stems
• Sweet Olive blooms during the cool season. Expect it to bloom in late fall and again in early spring.
• Mature Height ( 10-15 feet ) -- mature width ( 8-10 feet ) -- exposure ( sun to partial shade ) -- hardiness zones ( 7-9 )
• Ships in a Trade gallon Pot -- we can not guarantee flowers at time of purchase

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Yellow Flowering Fragrant Tea Olive - Live Plant - (1 QT)

• Blossoms of this hardy tea olive are lemon yellow in color and their impact can be significant.
• The strong fragrance can be smelled from several hundred feet away. Tiny yellow flowers bloom in clusters along the stems. Typically does not bloom when young.
• Leaves are dark, glossy green, arranged oppositely on the stem, and may be finely toothed or smooth. Sweet olive blooms during the cool season. Expect it to bloom in late fall and again in early spring. Sweet olive does best in fertile, moist, well-drained, slightly acid soil. Sunlight or partial shade suits it well.
• Mature Height ( 8-12 Feet ) -- Mature Width ( 6-8 Feet ) -- Exposure ( Full sun to partial shade ) -- Hardiness Zones ( 7-9 )

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Last update on 2024-11-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The fragrant tea olive is relatively hardy in the USDA zones 8 to 11. This plant can withstand cold temperatures that drop to 10 °F (-12 °C), but only if the temperatures decrease gradually. In autumn, if the temperatures in your area drop too quickly, your fragrant tea olive may suffer and eventually die off with time.

You will have to grow this plant in a container and bring it inside or in a greenhouse to prevent this from happening. This is mandatory if the night temperatures in your region constantly drop below 40 °F (4.4 °C).

Before overthinking about the cold tolerance of this plant, you should know that it is the hardiest of all species from its genus. As long as you are growing your fragrant tea olive in the hardiness range mentioned above, you will not have to do anything more to overwinter it properly.

It is safe to say that the Fragrant tea olive is virtually pest-free, as only aphids or scale insects may visit it once in a while.

These intruders occur most often on those specimens that spend the winter months indoors. If you notice any pest presence on your fragrant tea olive, do not panic! Aphids can easily be washed off and you can use horticultural oil such as neem oil to get rid of scale insects.

When the plant experiences prolonged periods of drought, some fungal issues like leaf spot or botryosphaeria canker might occur.

Likewise, root rot is a common problem among plants that grow in poorly drained or soggy soils. Make sure you avoid these kinds of growing conditions because the effects of the fungal problems are mainly irreversible.

Aside from these common pests and diseases, osmanthus shrubs can sometimes lose their foliage unexpectedly. This happens more frequently with plants that are grown indoors, in containers, but it can happen with garden plants also.

The most common issues that can lead to leaf drop in Osmanthus fragrant include sudden and extreme changes in temperature, underwatering, insufficient lighting, and fungal infections.

Planting Fragrant Tea Olive

The Fragrant tea olive is not fussy at all in terms of growing medium. This friendly plant will appreciate almost any ordinary garden soil as long as it is of good quality. It also prefers an acidic to a neutral substrate that comes along with very nice drainage overall. Aim to plant your Fragrant tea olive in soil that features a pH ranging from 5.0 to 7.5.

For indoor growing or container gardens, it is best to look for a pot with drainage holes at the bottom in which to plant your Fragrant tea olive.

The ideal pots for this shrubby tree are usually heavy clay or ceramic ones. If you bring your plant indoors during the cold season, it would be great to plant it in a big container filled with standard peat-based potting soil.

The Fragrant tea olive is so easy-going and carefree that it can do well only with a single feeding once every year in spring. We suggest you feed your plant with a slow-release fertilizer designed for shrubs and trees. Moreover, you should wait for the warmth of spring to show up before applying fertilizers to this plant.

In case you have a Fragrant tea olive that travels in your house for the winter, however, it will warmly thank you if you fertilize it lightly immediately after you bring it inside in autumn.

There is no secret that this buddy right here tends to grow a bit too large, producing many branches that lose their grace or health with time. The greatest thing about the fragrant tea olive is that you can train it as a small tree, espalier, or shrub, making it look fantastic in hedges or maybe a dull corner.

If you wish to keep yours at a certain size, you can clip its tips or just prune it when the winter ends. Pruning is probably the best friend a plant owner can get, but try not to overdo it because it might prevent your Fragrant tea olive from flowering.

Another important thing to avoid when it comes to growing Osmanthus indoors, in containers, is keeping them near heat ducts. Also, it is not ideal to keep these plants indoors year-round, as they will benefit from spending the warm summer months outdoors, in a sunny location.

Watering Fragrant Tea Olive

There is nothing special or too demanding about the watering needs of the fragrant tea olive. Your plant will be more than happy if it receives weekly rainfalls, so you can forget about it if you live in a climate with this kind of weather.

If not, however, you should water your Fragrant tea olive regularly in its first year of growth, about once or twice a week. Once established, the plant becomes somewhat tolerant of drought.

Propagating Fragrant Tea Olive

If you want to propagate your Fragrant tea olive, we have good news – this is an easy process and you will have so much fun doing it.

Although many gardeners find propagating their plants exhausting sometimes, this is not the case with Osmanthus fragrans. You can propagate it by stem cuttings or seeds with minimal effort and you will have enough specimens even for your beloved family members or friends. Let’s get this through!

Propagating Osmanthus fragans through cuttings

Before taking cuttings of your fragrant tea olive, you can make things easier and create the propagation medium for them. Fill a container with a mix of equal parts of sand and potting mix and place it in a bright, indirect-lit spot outdoors.

After this, take cuttings of about 8 inches (20 cm) long from semi-hardwood stems with sharp and clean pruning shears. Once you have the cuttings, make sure you remove the bottom leaves and dip their cut ends in rooting hormone before planting them.

If you keep their soil constantly damp, the cuttings will have a strong root system after three or four months. When this happens, you can transplant them to their permanent location.

Starting Osmanthus fragrans from seeds

You can start new Fragrant tea olives from seed, but it may take several months through one year for germination to occur.

Firstly, you need to collect the seeds from the fruits. Secondly, fill a pot with a commercial seed-starter mix, then sow the seeds in the moist substrate. Move the container to a warm and humid environment and wait for the results patiently.

In Conclusion

Known by many common names, the fragrant tea olive is an ornamental evergreen broadleaf shrub or small tree appreciated for its wonderful fragrance. Long grown as an attractive garden shrub or as a large indoor plant, the fragrant tea olive is a very popular plant, especially in warmer climates.

The fragrant tea olive is not just stunning but it also comes along with a low-maintenance habit that makes it a perfect companion for novice and neglectful gardeners. If you live in a warm climate, you can grow this attractive shrub in your garden, and if you don’t you can still enjoy its beautiful aromatic flowers by growing it indoors in containers.

Do you already have a fragrant tea olive in your plant family? If so, share your experience and thoughts about this great ornamental plant in the comments!

The post Fragrant Tea Olive Guide: How to Grow & Care for “Osmanthus Fragrans” appeared first on GardenBeast.

Hypericum is a truly interesting genus that contains almost 500 species of flowering plants. In the gardening world, most species belonging to this rich genus are known by their common name ‘St. John’s wort’. However, some Hypericum species might also appear in nurseries or markets by the common name ‘Goatweed’.

The primary common name ‘St. John’s wort’ refers to the idea that people harvested the flowers of these species on 24 June, the Catholic Saint’s Day, which honours the nativity of St. John the Baptist.

Once they harvest the flowers, the believers would hang them over statues or paintings of St. John in their homes. It was believed that this practice would protect them from evil spirits. Fun fact: the word “wort” means “plant” in Old English.

If you find one of these beauties in nurseries or in a friend’s garden, do not hesitate to bring it home with you! People have been familiar with St. John’s wort plant for thousands of years and over time, this plant has come to symbolize protection and rebirth and it can also be associated with positive feelings of joy, cheerfulness and inspiration.

It is a friendly and super exciting ornamental companion to have around. Although all Hypericum species look somewhat similar at a first glance, a bit of research will prove that each species has its unique personality.

In other words, you have plenty of options to choose from. Thus, we warmly recommend you check as many specimens as you can until you find at least one that suits your taste!

But before you start growing Hypericum a.k.a St. John’s wort, make sure you read this article to learn what this plant needs in terms of its environment.

About St. John’s Wort

• St. John’s Wort plants belong to the Hypericaceae family of plants, which also goes by the name St. John’s Wort family. These flowers have a nearly worldwide distribution, occurring absolutely everywhere except for the deserts, tropical lowlands, and polar regions.
• The most popular Hypericum species that are cultivated as ornamental plants include H. aegypticum, H. androsaemum, H. balearicum, H. bellum, H. calycinum, H. densiflorum, H. elodes, H. forrestii, H. kalmianum, H. olympicum, and H. perforatum.
• The species come along with spectacular varieties and hybrids, bringing more ornamental importance to their name. Some of these are ‘Golden Rule’, ‘Sunburst’, ‘Blues Festival’, ‘Cobalt-n-Gold’, ‘Sunny Boulevard’, ‘Hidcote’, ‘Elstead’, ‘Magical’ series, ‘Red Fame’, ‘Red Star’, and ‘Tricolor’.
• Due to their eye-catching appearance, the ‘Hidcote’ and ‘Rowallane’ cultivars, among with H. × moserianum hybrid, have gained the Award of Garden Merit from the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society.
• Hypericum species are common food plants for various species of beetles including St. John’s wort root borer. Likewise, the Lepidoptera larvae (common emerald, the grey pug, the engrailed) and the caterpillars of the St. John’s wort inchworm, a species of moth, often feed on the foliage of these plants.
• The St. John’s wort plant is a perfect addition to many different types of landscape decorations, such as banks, slopes, naturalized areas, cottage gardens, city gardens, rock gardens, borders, hedging planting, mass planting, or containers.
• Hypericum perforatum is probably the most well-known and appreciated Hypericum species in the gardening world. It is a noxious weed and an invasive species in the humid and sub-humid temperate areas globally in farmlands and gardens.
• St. John’s wort is considered an invasive plant in  South Africa, southern Australia, and North and South America. In the western United States, St. John’s wort is commonly referred to as Klamath weed, and to keep it under control, certain beetle species have been introduced to eat the plants and prevent them from spreading.
• St. John’s wort is a plant that doesn’t require much to thrive, which is why it’s quite common to find it growing along roadsides, on fields, prairies, pastures, around waste areas, and in all types of abandoned gardens and places.
• This plant does and looks great near other superb ornamental species. The best companions for it are native flowering plants, ornamental grasses, foliage ornamentals, and herbs. Here are a few examples of plants that will thrive alongside Hypericum: Black-Eyed Susan, Bloody Cranesbill, Chinese Lantern, Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’, Fountain Grass, Globe Thistle, Heuchera, Hyssop, Montbretia, or Spiraea.
• Hypericum perforatum (Common St. John’s wort) has a long history in traditional medicine and herbalism. It is a popular herbal substitute for prescription drugs, especially in Europe. People use commercial pill forms of St. John’s wort extract as a treatment for depression and also as a dietary supplement. However, this plant can also cause increased sensitivity to the sun, so it’s highly recommended to use it only if your doctor recommends it.
• Hypericum has been used as a traditional treatment for millennia by crusaders such as the Knights Hospitaller and the Order of St. John who would use an extract of St. John’s wort to treat wounds. There are many writings about the Middle Ages that describe St. John’s wort being used as a treatment for a wide range of conditions including insomnia, burns, injuries, high blood pressure, stomach problems, etc.
• The St. John’s wort plant contains a compound known as hypericin that sensitizes the skin to sunlight. Getting in touch with this compound can be pretty dangerous for humans. The plant is also poisonous to livestock and pets as it can cause photodermatitis. Because of this, you should keep your plant in a spot where no kids or pets can reach it.

St. John’s Wort Features: An Overview

• The Hypericum family of plants includes hundreds of members so it’s only natural for these plants to have various environmental requirements and growth habits. Hypericum plants can be either annual, perennial herbs, shrubs, or even trees. Most Hypericum species appear as completely glabrous, while others feature simple hairs or long, fine ones.
• Depending on the species and cultivar, the St. John’s wort plants can reach up to 1 to 3 feet (30-90 cm) in height. In some cases, the plant can grow quite wide and it can have a shrub-like growth habit. However, most members of the Hypericum family grow upright.
• The foliage of the St. John’s wort plants is quite variable from one specimen to another. It can consist of many somewhat narrow, ovoid to elongate to linear-shaped, green, greyish-green, blue-grey leaves, or variegated leaves.
• A trick to distinguish Hypericum species is to look for the line patterns on their stems. For example, while H. perforatum features two lines on its stems, H. maculatum, on the other hand, has four lines.
• The stems of various St. John’s wort plants come along with dark glands, which are clusters of black to reddish cells, and pale glands, which are intracellular spaces lined with flattened cells.
• In general, St. John’s wort plants can bloom from June through September. During this period, they produce flowers that have a wide range of sizes and shapes.
• The blossoms are most often yellow, but the varieties and hybrids exhibit other shades, such as orangish-yellow, pale lemony, white, pinkish, or tinged or lined with red.
• When the flowering period begins to end, some Hypericum cultivars may bear fruits. They are fleshy, elongated fruits that have a generous colour palette including hues of white, salmon-pink, rosy-red, yellowish-orange, and burgundy.
• Hypericum anagalloides, commonly known as creeping Saint-John’s-wort, tinker’s penny and bog St. John’s-wort and H. patulum, known as goldencup Saint-John’s-wort are two types of Hypericum species that can be used as ornamental plants. Both types produce beautiful yellow blooms but H. anagalloides is more of a groundcover, while H. patulum has a shubby aspect.
• H. hypericoides, commonly known as St.-Andrew’s-cross is another great example of Hypericum plant that can be cultivated as an ornamental shrub for its attractive flowers.

Growing St. John’s Wort

Despite all worries and expectations, we assure you that the St. John’s wort plant is very easy to grow and care for. This friendly plant can withstand a wide range of conditions regarding sunlight exposure, temperatures, and soil.

Moreover, Hypericum plants perform best with less water than other species of flowering plants. But we will talk about this a bit later!

Keep reading to find out how low-demanding the St. John’s wort plant is and, implicitly, how simple is to meet its needs and spoil it from time to time!

When it comes to lighting, the St. John’s wort plant will have different requirements depending on the region and climate. In the Northern hemisphere, this plant will grow and bloom nicely if you place it in a location where it can experience lots of full sunlight. In the Southern hemisphere, on the other hand, the St. John’s wort plant will have the time of its life only with the conditions of receiving a bit of shade.

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Outsidepride 1000 Seeds Perennial Hypericum Perforatum St. John's Wort Yellow Flower Seeds for Planting

• Hypericum perforatum, or commonly called St. John’s Wort, is a short-lived, shrubby perennial that has lovely, bright yellow flowers and is known as a medicinal herb.
• St. John's Wort is a 24 inch tall perennial growing in USDA zones 4 - 8.
• Sow St. John’s Wort seed indoors 6 – 8 weeks before the last expected frost. Or, for areas with a long growing season, start the seed directly outdoors in a prepared seed bed after frost danger has passed.
• Sowing Rate: 3 - 4 seeds per plant. Press the seed into the soil but do not cover it. Keep seed moist until germination. With a temperature of 60F, germination is usually within 20 days.
• Space the plant 18 – 24 inches apart. Grow this perennial in full sun to partial shade and in well-draining soil. St. John’s Wort is usually resistant to deer.

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• Productive - St Johns Wort germinates in 14-21 days when soil temps are above 70°F. Plant 1/16” deep and space 18-24” apart in an area with full sun or partial shade. This variety can grow up to 6’ tall with a spread of 3-2’. Plant will mature in 80-95 days, plant in USDA zones 3-8.
• Versatile - Also called Klamath weed or goatweed, this herb is actually a beautiful shrubby wildflower that pollinators will love. The leaves and flowers have been historically used in medicine for treating wounds, or relieving symptoms of depression.
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This kind of protection is most efficient during the second part of the day when the harsh afternoon sunlight hits.

The St. John’s wort plant is cold-hardy even in those regions where temperatures drop to (-12). Still, a combination of prolonged freezing temperatures, cold winds, and snow may affect the overall well-being of this flower.

If the winter temperatures in your zone are cold but not as harsh as those mentioned above, you can overwinter your plant by mulching it in autumn. Likewise, we suggest you cover the plant with a plastic bag to protect it from winds. In case you do not want to go through all this fuss, you can also plant your St. John’s wort in a pot and bring it inside before the weather gets cooler in fall.

Luckily, the St. John’s wort plant is generally disease-free. When we are talking about pests, however, some intruders might visit your plant once in a while.

Some of these are aphids, scale insects, thrips, or white flies. If you encounter these issues, you can easily get rid of the infestation by washing your plants and knocking off the intruders. Washing the plants is a great solution for aphids, but for severe infestations, you can also treat your plant with neem oil or another horticultural oil.

Planting St. John’s Wort

Since the St. John’s wort plant tends to grow and spread as it wishes with time, it would be wise to plant it in a spot where it has enough room to develop properly. This will also help you avoid overcrowding other species that grow near it and eventually affect their performance.

In terms of soil pH, the St. John’s wort plant is not as picky as other species of flowering plants. This ornamental species can tolerate a wide variety, from acidic to alkaline types. It usually prefers to grow in soil that comes along with very sharp drainage.

Even if this particular type of growing medium is beneficial for your plant, this does not necessarily mean it is mandatory for optimal growth. The St. John’s wort plant can also do just fine in a compacted ground, but it will not experience the same drainage as with a well-draining substrate.

Although the St. John’s wort plant can grow pretty well in poor soils, it benefits more from fertile growing mediums that are rich in organic matter.

Because of this, you will have to amend your plant’s soil with compost once every year for excellent results. If you are doing this annually, you can basically forget about supplemental fertilizing once and for all without worrying about your plant’s general performance.

In the opinion of many gardeners, the St. John’s wort plant has the status of a weed. But this should not stop you from adding this plant to your garden.

In fact, you can control the growth and spread of this plant by pruning it regularly. You can do this whenever you notice that your plant tends to become leggy or just occupies too much space. This process will not only help you keep a certain size on your companion, but also improve its overall health and performance for the next season of growth.

If you are thinking about growing your St. John’s wort plant in a container, you should know that regular repotting is necessary for best results. However, this is not a hard part of its caring routine. When the plant seems to lack space in its current pot, all you have to do is transplant it into one that is slightly larger, then give it the same care as before.

Watering St. John’s Wort

When the St. John’s wort plants are young, usually during their first year of growth, they will appreciate if you water them regularly and whenever the soil feels dry to the touch.

Once established, these plants become reasonably tolerant of drought and will thrive if you water them when the soil has dried out completely or even less frequently. This makes these plants great additions to rock gardens, gardens that don’t get a lot of rain, and can be easily grown by neglectful or busy gardeners.

Propagating St. John’s Wort Plant

Another great thing about the St. John’s wort plant is that you can propagate it through various methods that are easy to do for any type of gardener including beginners. In general, the most common propagation materials are seeds, softwood cuttings, and divided roots.

But enough talking! Let’s show you how you can master these propagation techniques to obtain more specimens for your plant family. And if you feel like it, you can also show your love to one of your family members or friends by gifting him or her a cute St. John’s wort young plant.

Growing St. John’s Wort from seeds

To start the plants from seeds, you will first need to collect them from the mother plant. You can sow the seeds whenever you want between mid-spring and early autumn. The seeds will send seedlings in the same way whether you sow them in a pot filled with fresh potting mix or directly in the ground outside.

Either way, you must assure that the growing medium is weed-free and well-dug and the top layer of soil has a crumbly texture. Keep the soil moist and you will notice growth in little to no time.

Growing St. John’s Wort from cuttings

If you want to use softwood cuttings, you should wait for July or August to do it, as this is when the plant is in full bloom. Look for young, non-flowering stems on your plant and cut about 4 inches (10 cm) off them with a sharp, sterilized knife.

Remove the lower leaves, dip the cut ends in rooting hormone, and then plant each cutting in its pot filled with compost. If you place them in a warm area, cover them with a plastic bag, and keep their soil moist, the cuttings will develop roots in ten weeks or so.

Growing St. John’s Wort by division

Dividing your St. John’s wort plant through division is super simple and works best if you do it in spring or autumn. All you have to do is lift the plant out of its soil, divide the root ball into two or three pieces, replant each section wherever you want, and water them well.

In Conclusion

The Hypericum family of plants are often referred to as St. John’s Wort plants and they are all wonderful and friendly garden companions that can grow in almost any type of soil and don’t need much to thrive. Whether you already have Hypericum species in your plant collection or not, there is always more room for another special ornamental plant. These plants will make your garden more attractive to beneficial pollinators and will also look great with no effort.

Are you growing Hypericum a.k.a. St. John’s wort in your garden? Share your experience with other gardeners by leaving a comment below and let us know what type of Hypericum you enjoy growing and why!

The post Hypericum Guide: How to Grow & Care for “St. John’s Wort Plant” appeared first on GardenBeast.