myGardenAnswers
Collection by Leonora Engelbrecht
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Free Plant Identification
Golden Dewdrop (duranta): You have a Golden Dewdrop shrub. It gets its name from the golden berries that occur after the flowers fall off. This particular variety is call 'Sapphire Falls.'
Free Plant Identification
Gardenia (gardenia jasminoides): Your plant does appear to be a gardenia, which grows best in acid soil. Its white flowers have an intoxicating fragrance, but the plant is toxic to cats and dogs. Needs full or partial sun and regular water and feed with a slow-release or organic fertilizer formulated for blooming gardenias.
Free Plant Identification
Calla Lily (zantedeschia species): Your plant is a Calla lily, which grows from a bulb, reaches two to four feet tall, and commonly produces flowers in white, yellow, pink, or orange. It grows best in part shade with regular moisture. Continue to care for the plant after the colorful spathes (the true flowers are the spikes in the center of each spathe) are spent until the foliage yellows and dies back. It will come back next spring to bloom again. Also very popular in cut flower…
Free Plant Identification
Black Mondo Grass (ophiopogon planiscapus nigrescens): This appears to be a plant known as Mondo Grass, forming thick mounding clumps that are 6-8 inches tall and spreads by underground stems. Needs moderate to regular water and full sun where climates are mild. To rejuvenate, mow or clip before spring growth begins and feed with a slow-release fertilizer. Black mondo grass is a cultivar that also grows in clumps about 8 in. tall and 1 ft. wide. Leaves are more than 1 ft. long and evergreen…
Free Plant Identification
Yesterday Today And Tomorrow (brunfelsia): Your lovely plant is likely an evergreen shrub identified by its purple, bluish-lavender to white flowers that appear simultaneously depending on the maturity of the blossoms. A tropical plant, it flowers from spring-summer with clusters of purple, tubular flower that open to flat blossoms. Oval, dark green leaves; can grow to 10 ft. but can be kept shorter if desired by pruning. Needs partial shade, regular water, and note that all parts are…
Free Plant Identification
Marguerite Daisy (argyranthemum frutescens): A wonderful addition to any garden! Marguerites are typically frost tender and are often treated as annuals in many locations; in mild winter climates they will persist. White and yellow are the typical colors though many new hybrids have been developed to include pink, lavender, red, and in double flower form as well. They require full sun and regular watering. Pruning back after flowering will keep them tidy and encourage re-blooming.
Free Plant Identification
Holiday Cactus (schlumbergera): Your plant is a holiday cactus (we could call them Christmas cactus but it's closer to Thanksgiving!), a succulent that needs bright indirect light indoors, moderate to regular water, and a slow-release fertilizer formulated for blooming container plants. Do not allow plant to sit in water as this may lead to root rot.
Free Plant Identification
Chrysanthemum Plant (chrysanthemum): This lovely flowering plant has likely been greenhouse grown for the florist industry and yours is prized for its floriferous display. Can be grown outdoors as long as weather remains mild in full sun, regular water and feed with a slow release fertilizer formulated for blooming plants. Clip off the spent flowers. But for greenhouse grown plants, they can be grown indoors where there is bright, indirect light. Take the pot out of the saucer when watering…
Free Plant Identification
Gardenia Bud Drop: Sadly, many factors can cause bud drop because gardenias can be finicky. The buds may be dying because the leaves cannot maintain the vascular network that sends water and nutrients to them. Together, these symptoms point to a root problem - either the root zone is staying too dry or too wet. If you determine that it's been too wet, drench the root zone with a fungicide. Obviously if it's too dry, begin soaking the gardenia deeply weekly. If you think it's either of…
Free Plant Identification
Cymbidium Orchid (cymbidium): Your lovely flower is a Cymbidium orchid of which there are many, many species and cultivars. If you have ever attended an orchid show, you will be amazed at the array of Cymbidiums in all shapes, sizes, colors, etc. As a plant indoors, it needs bright indiirect light, regular water but make sure the water drains out - do not allow the plants to sit in water as this leads to root rot, and feed with a slow release fertilizer formulated for blooming container…
Free Plant Identification
Verbena (verbena spp): This is a verbena although we cannot discern the cultivar. To make the plant fuller, remove the spent flower and cut back slightly to encourage branching and new growth. Verbena is susceptible to powdery mildew so always water at the bottom to help prevent it. Full sun and good air circulation is important along with a moist well drained soil and fertilizing every 2 weeks with a slow release or organic food formulated for blooming annual plants.
Free Plant Identification
Coleus Hybrid (solenostemon scuttellarioides): Your plant belongs to the genus Solenostemon, but because there are so many cultivars, we cannot identify any further. Needs partial sun or shade (not full sun!) and regular water. Grown for colorful or unusual foliage and perfect for containers. Coleus can be propagated by tip cuttings taken early in the morning and placed in 2-3" pots with a good potting soil. After 30 days they should be ready to plant outdoors. There are some cultivars…
Free Plant Identification
Million Bells (calibrachoa): This appears to be a lovely million bells plant, or Calibrachoa, popular for its colorful trailing flowers and lush form. Grow it in sun, water regularly, and fertilize monthly to keep the flowers coming. Million Bells or sometimes you will see them also labeled Superbells, come in a wide variety of colors and bloom types. We can't see the plant very clearly but this is our best guess. Your local nursery should be able to confirm. Thanks.
Free Plant Identification
Bougainvillea (bougainvillea): Yes it is! Bougainvillea can be an impressive woody vine bearing colorful bracts (the real flowers are the small white flowers in the center). A South American native, it does not tolerate frost but is a fast-growing, vigorous plant that needs a sturdy support such as a wall or fence. Needs full sun and moderate water. Bougainvillea blooms best in nutritionally poor soils. Once established, it should do well without too much additional care.