Anagallis
Photo by Dave Brigner
Sunday July 6, 2008
Common name: Anagallis
Light: Full sun
Height: 6-10 in.
Spread: 10-14 in.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 9
Origin: Mediterranean
The ‘Wildcat’ series of Anagallis was released in 2002 as a “Proven
Selection”. The series consisted of a blue and pink and more recently
orange variety. This sun-loving, heat-tolerant annual is becoming more and
more popular as it has many great attributes. This series was bred to
produce larger flowers on more compact plants. Anagallis will adapt to a
wide range of soil types and is considered “self-cleaning”, therefore
deadheading is not required. This low mounding trailing annual is ideal for
hanging baskets, rock walls or to spill over the edge of a mixed container.
They contrast well with plants of dark colored foliage and deep purple and
blue flowers. Anagallis ‘Wildcat Orange’, with its bright orange petals,
blue centers and yellow stamens mixes well with the trailing chartreuse
colored Helichrysum ‘Limelight’. Anagallis is used in mixed containers in
the Grand Mallway at the Franklin Park Conservatory.- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory
Flowering maple
Photo by Dave Brigner
Sunday July 13, 2008
Common name: Flowering maple
Light: Full sun
Height: 18-24 in.
Spread: 18-24 in.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 8
Origin: Brazil, Tropical Asia
Nearly 150 species make up the genus Abutilon. These broadleaf evergreen
tropical and subtropical plants are annuals, small trees or shrubs. They
belong to the family Malvaceae and are closely related to the hibiscus and
hollyhock. Although commonly called Flowering maple, they are not related
to true maples. Their three-lobed often variegated yellow or white leaves
resemble maple leaves. Their graceful flower buds dangle and are
reminiscent of Chinese lanterns then open to a delicate 5 petalled bell or
cup-shaped flower with noticeably long stamens. Color varies from red,
orange, yellow, pink, white and often in pastels. Flowering maples can be
used as annuals, in mixed containers and in butterfly gardens as this is the
host plant for the Yellow-banded Skipper. Flowering maples are used in
ground plantings and in mixed containers in the Grand Mallway at the
Franklin Park Conservatory.- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory
Quaking aspen
Photo by Dave Brigner
Sunday July 20, 2008
Common name: Quaking aspen
Light: Full sun
Height: 40-50 ft.
Spread: 20-30 ft.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 1-8
Origin: Temperate N.A.
The Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) is a deciduous tall and narrow
fast-growing tree. Its growing cycle begins in spring by producing hanging
yellow clusters of petal-less flowers (catkins) before the small rounded
toothed leaves emerge. The leaf petioles (stems) are completely flat
causing them to flutter in the breeze creating a soft “quaking” sound. The
leaves of younger trees are larger and triangular. The Quaking aspen is a
host plant for several species of butterflies, including the Viceroy,
Red-spotted Purple and the White Admiral. These trees get lots of attention
in the fall with their golden-yellow autumn color. Several ski resorts in
Colorado have included “Aspen” in their name, as they are quite prominent
throughout the mountains. There smooth bark is gray to greenish-white with
attractive contrasting black horizontal scars and knots, making this a
four-season tree. Native Americans and Western pioneers used this tree as a
quinine substitute to reduce fever and pain. A Quaking aspen specimen
stands tall near the Wetlands at the Franklin Park Conservatory.- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory
Joseph’s coat
Photo by Dave Brigner
Sunday July 27, 2008
Common name: Joseph’s coat
Light: Full sun
Height: 24 in.
Spread: 18 in.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 8
Origin: Africa, Indochina
There are nearly 60 species included in the genus Amaranthus. Joseph’s coat
(Amaranthus tricolor) is grown for its brightly colored flower heads of
variegated red, green and gold. The true flowers are small and rather
insignificant. This plant is closely related to the Cockscomb (Celosia).
In Greek, the word amarantos means “one that does not wither”, in reference
to the flowers that last so long they never seem to fade. This plant is
traditionally used in Africa as a grain crop in addition to using the leaves
in cooking. In China, the young leaves are cooked and used like spinach,
hence its Chinese common name “Chinese spinach”. The stems and leaves are
used in making yellow and green dyes. Ornamentally, they can be used as
bedding plants, in borders, cottage gardens, mixed containers and are
long-lasting when cut. They also dry well. Various cultivars are
available, including ‘Purple Giant’ having purple foliage and black seeds
and ‘Tempala’ known for its heat resistance, spinach substitute use and
having its cooked stems having an asparagus-like flavor. Joseph’s coat is
used to add splashes of color throughout the Education Garden at the
Franklin Park Conservatory.- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory
