35. This presentation made possible by the
Arkansas Master Gardener Program.
For more information on becoming a
Master Gardener, contact your local
county extension office.
Gary McClure, Master Gardener
Jefferson County Arkansas
Editor's Notes
Bougainvillea are rapid growing and flower all year in warm climates, especially when pinched or pruned. They grow best in moist fertile soil. Bloom cycles are typically four to six weeks. Bougainvillea grow best in very bright full sun and with frequent fertilization, but the plant requires little water to flower. As indoor houseplants in temperate regions, they can be kept small by bonsai techniques. If overwatered, Bougainvillea will not flower and may lose leaves or wilt, or even die from root decay. Source, Wikipedia®
What is usually called the flower is actually a head (formally composite flower) of numerous florets (small flowers) crowded together. The outer florets are the sterile ray florets and can be yellow, maroon, orange, or other colors. The florets inside the circular head are called disc florets, which mature into what are traditionally called "sunflower seeds," but are actually the fruit (an achene) of the plant. The inedible husk is the wall of the fruit and the true seed lies within the kernel. Source, Wikipedia®.
The florets within the sunflower's cluster are arranged in a spiral pattern. Typically each floret is oriented toward the next by approximately the golden angle, 137.5°, producing a pattern of interconnecting spirals where the number of left spirals and the number of right spirals are successive Fibonacci numbers. Source, Wikipedia®.
Typically, there are 34 spirals in one direction and 55 in the other; on a very large sunflower there could be 89 in one direction and 144 in the other. This pattern produces the most efficient packing of seeds within the flower head. Source, Wikipedia®.
Climbing English Legend
A Harkness introduction that still today is rated by the Royal National Rose Society as the number one climbing rose in England. Most beautiful, large, fully double blooms that are a lovely shade of apricot, copper and gold which are produced in cascades. A most profuse blooming climber that should find a spot in every garden. May also be grown as a large shrub like 'Westerland'. The marvelous fragrance of 'Compassion' has earned it the RNRS winner of Edland Medal for fragrance.Source Heirloom Roses, Inc.
Pacifica Burgundy Halo-Bloom
Vincas have always been reliable, low maintenance flowers, but often they are somewhat plain or common. The striking bi-color of Vinca 'Pacifica Burgundy Halo' gives it a bit more punch in the garden. Vinca 'Pacifica Burgundy Halo' also stands up unusually well to heat and drought, so it keeps blooming when other vincas fade. Plant it in full sun and it will bloom all summer, without pinching or deadheading.
Speeding Again shares its striking coloration with both of its parents (Stellar Lights X Speed Limit). See how the dark blue-violet color of the large flowers is dramatically punctuated with a white zonal pattern at the center of the ruffled falls. Great vigor and a delightfully sweet fragrance add to its garden value. Source, Schreiner's Iris Gardens.
Candy Cane Mix: Looks good enough to eat! But it's even better. An all-time favorite. Lights up any garden with firecracker colors. Easy to use almost anywhere.
Heliconias are attractive tropical plants with banana-like leaves and beautiful, long lasting inflorescences composed of showy bracts which contain the true flowers. They belong to the Heliconiaceae family, which has only one genus (Heliconia), and between 200 and 250 species.
Heliconias are native mostly to the Americas, but a few species are found in the South Pacific. Heliconias may be distinguished from other members of the Zingiberales by their inverted flowers, a sterile staminode and fruits which are drupes (a hard seed surrounded by fleshy pulp). Source, Heliconia Society of Puerto Rico.
Orchids belong to the most diverse family of plants known to man. There are over 880 genera, 28,000 species and well over 300,000 registered cultivars currently documented. These numbers only begin to tell the true story behind the evolutionary success of modern day orchids. Orchids are the most rapidly (genetically) changing group of plants on earth and more new species have been discovered over the last few thousand years than any other plant group known.
Orchids are also one of the most adaptable plant groups on earth. Some Australian orchids grow entirely underground, and many tropical jungle orchids grow in the upper branches of trees. Tundra, rainforest, mountain, grassy plain, desert and swamp environments contain numerous orchid species. Source, The University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, & Cooperative Extension Service.
A floating aquatic plant with large, fragrant, white or pink flowers and flat, round, floating leaves. The leaves have long stems and are bright green above and reddish or purplish underneath, almost round. They are narrowly and deeply cut almost to the center, where the stem is attached. They are up to 10 inches across, floating on the surface of the water or just beneath. There is 1 flower to a stem, white, fragrant, 2–6 inches across, and floating on the water. Flowers open in the early morning and close about noon. There are 4 sepals and many rows of white petals, often more than 25, which are 3/4–4 inches long, thick, and pointed at the tip. There are more than 70 stamens. The outer ones are large and petal-like they become smaller toward the center. Source, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Blanket Flowers are valuable in the summer border for their very long season of bloom. Plants form a low mound of light-green leaves, bearing upright stems of large daisy-type flowers. This unique selection has tubular orange petals with yellow tips, surrounding a large burgundy eye. Flowers are almost lacy in appearance. Plants are midsized with a good mounding habit. Excellent for cutting, with nice long stems. Attractive to butterflies. Drought tolerant once established. Removing faded flowers will encourage constant blooming. Although rated conservatively at Zone 5 by the breeder, this is likely to survive down to Zone 2 or 3 just like any other hybrid Gaillardia selection. Source, The New Perennial Club.
Blooming season lasts from May until frost. The vigorous vine has dark green glossy leaves and makes an attractive flowering screen on arbors, trellises or pergolas. Grow in full sun in well-drained soil. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks. This beautiful flowering tropical can be grown as an annual in the north or as an evergreen landscape plant in the south. Mandevilla is hardy in zones 9-11 so if you’re a northern gardener, bring in your plants once the temperatures reach 50°F. Source, Logee's Greenhouse.
Deciduous azaleas are probably the most striking flowering shrubs. Their colors are vivid and bright, and often have the shades that not many rhododendrons can offer. They need full sun. Deciduous azaleas are ericaceous plants, loving insulate position with always moist soil.
Natural species and hybrids of violets are widely grown. Wild species, often called heartsease, are grown for their color, fragrance, and interesting flower shapes and coloration patterns. Violets are easily hybridized, and many hundreds of types have been developed. These are usually called pansies and are favorite early spring flowers.
Hibiscus sinensis ‘Black Dragon’‘Black Dragon’s outstanding blooms are sure to impress you! The 8” deep burgundy flowers have unusual, eye-catching black centers. The American Hibiscus Society named it the 2005 Hibiscus of the Year. The bush is a slow grower and once it reaches 18” it starts to grow laterally. However, the spectacular blooms more than offset its growth habit. Grow in full sun with lots of water and fertilizer. Source, Logee's Greenhouse.
Clematis are the aristocrat of climbers; their hues and varied bloom times enable the gardener to have masses of bloom from spring to late fall. The blooms of the clematis often change color, some very markedly thorough the life of each flower. There are several hundred species of clematis world wide. The vast majority of these are very hardy, however, some species particularly the evergreens, can only take a few degrees of frost.
The California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is native to grassy and open areas from sea level to 6,500 feet altitude in the western United States. It can grow up to two feet tall, with alternately branching glaucous blue-green foliage. The leaves are ternately divided into round, lobed segments. The flowers are solitary on long stems, silky-textured, with four petals, the petal is about two inches long and broad; their color ranges from yellow to orange, and flowering is from February to September.
These beautiful and durable plants are very easy to keep. The Silver Vase Bromeliads large pink flowers will last 8 to 12 weeks. Most varieties of Bromeliads are purchased as a disposable plant. With this in mind you can place the Bromeliad plant any where in the home or office. If you wish to keep your plant long term place it in very bright indirect light.
Common names: "Silver Urn Plant" or "Silver Vase Bromeliad“ Latin name: Aechmea fasciata - syn Billbergia rhodocyanea
Source, www.denverplants.com.
The blossoms of Double Tulip Bulbs have so many petals that many people refer to them as Peony Tulips. The blossoms of double tulips extremely large; when fully open they can be as much as 4 inches (10 cm) across. The flowers will bloom late and are very long lasting. They are as good for bedding as they are exquisite in a vase.