Amur maple
Photo by Dave Brigner
Sunday June 1, 2008
Common name: Amur maple
Light: Full sun
Height: 15-20 ft.
Spread: 15-28 ft.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8
Origin: China, Japan
The Amur maple (Acer ginnala) is a low spreading ornamental deciduous tree that is often multi-stemmed. The attractive leaves are three-lobed with the central lobe being most prominent. This tree leafs out early in the Spring and provides a medium texture to the landscape. As they grow they will provide dense shade, offering an ideal site for hosta and fern underplantings. Amur maples are often used for screens, specimen and planted in groves. Fragrant creamy white flower clusters appear in mid-Spring. The trunk and older branches have grayish brown bark with dark striations, similar to the Serviceberry. The brightly colored Autumn foliage is variable ranging in shades of yellow, orange and red. Several cultivars are available on the market, including ‘Compactum’ and ‘Durand Dwarf’, which is more shrub-like. They prefer moist well-drained soils and can tolerate dry conditions once established. Groves of Amur maples line the Cascades at the Franklin Park Conservatory.- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory
Angelonia
Photo by Dave Brigner
Sunday June 8, 2008
Common name: Angelonia
Light: Full sun
Height: 12-18 in.
Spread: 12 in.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 9-11
Origin: Mexico, W. Indies
The 30 tropical species of Angelonia include both herbaceous perennials and small shrubs. In temperate climates they are treated as annuals. Many stunning hybrids of the species Angelonia angustifolia have been bred and are available on the market. Atop the mounds of the narrow green pointed leaves arise 8-10 inch spikes containing long lasting one-inch brightly colored flowers. Colors vary in shades of blue, lilac, rose and white. Blooming season begins in late spring to early summer and continues until frost with deadheading during the season. Angelonia is very effective when used in mass plantings. They are also ideal for containers, mixed perennial borders and make good cut flowers. They prefer well-drained soil and once established, they are moderately drought tolerant. Angelonia ‘Alba’ is a white variety, ‘Blue Pacifica’ is white and indigo blue and the ‘Angelmist’ series have received “Best of the Year” awards at university trial gardens. These plants have become more popular in the last few years and more varieties are being produced. Mass plantings of Blue angelonia are located at the entry beds to the Franklin Park Conservatory.- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory
Veronica
Photo by Dave Brigner
Sunday June 15, 2008
Common name: Veronica
Light: Part sun
Height: 12-24 in.
Spread: 12-15 in.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4
Origin: Europe
Veronica (Veronica spicata) is an herbaceous perennial the forms a compact bushy mound with dark green leaves, which are simple in shape. Strong flower stems are dense bearing many tiny flowers in blue, purple, pink or white. They flower from late spring to mid summer and even longer when faded stems are removed. Veronica will attract butterflies, hummingbirds and bees and are rabbit and deer resistant. This plant is ideal for perennial beds, borders, rock and shade gardens, as they will grow in either full or part sun. They make excellent flowers for cutting and because of their compact growth; they are suitable for planting at the base of those perennials that naturally lose their lower leaves taking on a scraggly appearance, such as bee balm or milkweed. They prefer a well-drained garden soil. They especially don’t like “wet feet” during the winter, in which rotting may occur. They are easily divided in the fall. Veronica grows along side Yellow foxglove (Digitalis grandiflora), a great companion plant, in the Shade Garden at the Franklin Park Conservatory.- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory
Spiderwort
Photo by Dave Brigner
Sunday June 22, 2008
Common name: Spiderwort
Light: Part sun
Height: 18-24 in.
Spread: 10-12 in.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5
Origin: E. U.S.
Spiderwort (Tradescantia x andersoniana) is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial closely related to the tropical Wandering jew (Tradescantia zebrina), which is commonly grown as a houseplant. Nearly 70 species are included in this genus. Its stems are succulent and its dark green leaves are rubbery in texture. At the stems terminal, loose umbels of 3-petalled flowers open a few at a time, each lasting for only one day. Colors vary in shades of blue, violet, lavender and white each containing bright yellow stamens. Spiderwort gets its name from the small hairs at the flower clusters, which resemble a spider web. Many cultivars have been bred, including ‘Blue Stone’, ‘Red Cloud’ and ‘Innocence’, a white variety that is considered to have the largest flower of all Spiderworts. ‘Sweet Kate’ has bright yellow foliage with contrasting deep blue flowers. These plants require little care and although they prefer a well-drained soil rich in organic matter, they will adapt to even the poorest of soil conditions.
They are ideal for mixed perennial borders, native plant gardens and in large containers mixed with annuals. Spiderwort is grown in mixed containers in the Grand Mallway at the Franklin Park Conservatory.- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory
Voodoo lily
Photo by Dave Brigner
Sunday June 29, 2008
Common name: Voodoo lily
Light: Part shade
Height: 3in.-12ft.
Spread: 6in.-15ft.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 10
Origin: Asia, Africa
The Voodoo lilies (Amorphophallus species) are one of the more obscure
oddities in the plant world. Nearly 170 species are included in the genus.
The tropical and subtropical plants grow from an underground tuber that
stores food during their periods of dormancy. In many species, these
tubers, once large enough, will produce smaller ones that will produce new
plants. A mature tuber starts its growth cycle in late winter to early
spring by sending up a pink pointed inflorescence (flower spike) that grows
very quickly. This inflorescence contains a spathe (a colored leaf-like
bract) and a spadix (a structured containing separate male and female
flowers). The first day the inflorescence opens fully, the lower female
flowers are receptive to the pollen. During this phase, an unpleasant odor
is released smelling of rotting flesh to attract flies for pollination. The
pollen isn’t released until the second day, which is too late for the female
flowers to be pollinated, as they are not longer receptive. Therefore, the
pollen from one flower must be transferred to the stigmas on a different
flower on those flowers first day. The inflorescence soon collapses and the
tuber rests briefly. The solitary leaf soon emerges consisting of a strong
stalk (petiole), often pattern reminiscent of snakeskin, and a large often
deeply lobed leaf. By late fall, the leaf will yellow and wither to begin
its dormancy until flowering begins the cycle. Amorphophallus bulbifer
(pictured) is one of various species housed in the Show House at the
Franklin Park Conservatory.- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory
