Download Lily of the Nile - Texas Master Gardeners Association

Lily of the Nile
Agapanthus africanus
Lily-of-the-Nile is native to South Africa (not the Nile River as the misleading
common name suggests). A. africanus is an evergreen species that produces
rounded clusters (umbels) of blue, funnel-shaped flowers atop stiff, upright,
leafless, fleshy stalks (scapes) typically rising 18-24" tall above a dense
mound of basal narrow, strap-shaped, linear, grass-like leaves. Blooms in
summer. Foliage mounds are attractive when plants are not in bloom.
Lily of the Nile
“Peter Pan”
Agapanthus africanus ‘Peter Pan’
It is grown for the dark, glossy, strap-shaped leaves that arch gracefully. Flowers are borne on
long erect stems 3 feet or taller. Agapanthus make good background plants or edging along a
fence, driveway, or wall. These plants can thrive on conditions of neglect and naturalize readily.
They also make excellent tub and container specimens and can be used in cut flower
arrangements. In cold winter areas they can be brought indoors for the winter. This lily has light
blue flowers with 1 to 1.5 foot flower stalk. Plant height is 8 to 12 inches tall. Foliage can remain
evergreen in warmer climates.
Lizard’s Tail
Sauruus cernuus
Lizard's-tail is a common emerzed plant. It grows into small colonies from underground
runners. The erect plant is commonly found growing to one to two feet tall, in
freshwater marshes and swamps nearly throughout Florida. It blooms in the summer.
Lizard's-tail has a bottlebrush spike of white flowers. It is typically six to eight inches
long but can be longer. The flower spike arches above the leaves of the plant. After
maturity, the flowers become a string of nutlets that resemble a lizard's tail. The leaves
are medium sized, about 1 1/2 inches wide, and three to four inches long. They can be
arrowhead-shaped or heart-shaped, are on stalks, and are alternate on the stem. Leaf
stalks form clasps where they join the stem.
Liriope
Liriope muscari
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, fertile soils
in part shade. Tolerates wide range of light conditions and soils. Also tolerates heat, humidity and
drought. Mow in early spring to remove old foliage.
This lilyturf cultivar is a tufted, grass-like perennial which typically grows 12-20" high and features a
clump of strap-like, arching, medium green leaves to 1" wide. Clumps slowly expand by short stolons,
but do not spread aggressively like Liriope spicata. Erect, showy flower spikes with tiered whorls of
dense, lilac flowers, somewhat resembling grape hyacinth (Muscari), rise just above the leaves in late
summer. Flowers give way in fall to blackish berries which often persist into winter. Evergreen in the
South.
Maman Cochet Rose
Growth Habit: Spreading
Year Introduced: 1890 to
1899
Bloom Type: Fully Double
Zone: Zone 7
Fragrance: Fragrance fff
Rebloom: Rebloom rrr
Hybridizer: Cochet, Scipion
Height: 5-6 Feet
Color: Pink Blend
Class: Tea
Bloom Size: Bloom Size 3
Manfreda
Manfreda sp.
This rare Agave relative was discovered in the hills of west-central Mexico. Its
funky leaves have awesome maroon spots that almost seem intended for us
gardeners! Manfredas are basically tuberous Agaves that can go deciduous in
winter. The species name of this Manfreda hasn't been determined. Its fleshy
leaves are completely without thorns or sharp edges, and no two have the
same pattern of spots. This is a must-have for collectors of cool plants!
Maple Leaf Hibiscus
Hibiscus acetosella
Hibiscus acetosella, commonly known as Maple Leaf Hibiscus is a tropical shrub and
relatively little-known member of the hibiscus family which deserves more recognition.
Under ideal conditions, plants can attain a height up to 8 feet. They prefer a moist soil in full
sun or partial shade, but do not like 'wet feet'. We water ours every day during the hot
summer months. They will let you know by curling their foliage when they are thirsty.
Maple Leaf Hibiscus will do well year round where temperatures do not drop below
freezing. Cut back all growth to about 24 inches from the ground after blooming ceases and
temperatures start to get cooler. This will prepare them for the following season's onset of
new growth and also serves to keep the plant compact and bushy. If you have forgotten to
prune the plants or they have been damaged by frost, wait until the first signs of new
growth in spring, then cut back all old and dead wood to within 20 to 24 inches from the
base.
Marble Queen Ivy
Epipremnum Aureum
The Golden Pothos can be found under several botanical (Epipremnum pinnatum, Epipremnum
aureum, Philodendron nechodomii, Pothos aurea, Scindapsus aureus, Rhaphidophora aurea) and
common names (Centipede Tongavine, Devil's Ivy, Devil's Claw, Golden Pothos, Marble Queen).
There are approximately 60 species in the genre. The plant is native to Solomon Islands in South
Pacific (northeast of Australia). The Pothos family is one of the easiest plants to grow. There are
four varieties of this plant available; Pothos Gold, Pothos Marble Queen, Jade Pothos and the new
Neon Pothos. Pothos is a low and fast growing vining plant generally not over 18 tall unless grown
on a pole. Vines can reach 10 feet in length. Leaves are heart-shaped and variegated (green with
blotches of golden-yellow). Variegation increases with the amount of sunlight the leaves receives.
Leaves are alternately arranged and glossy.
Mexican Buckeye
Ungnadia speciosa Endl.
Mexican-buckeye, an 8-12 ft., deciduous tree, can reach 30 ft. in height. It is often
multi-trunked with light gray to brown bark, smooth on young branches, becoming
fissured with age. Leaves up to 12 inches long, with a central axis supporting 2 to 6
paired leaflets and a terminal one; leaflets up to 5 inches long, ovate to narrower with an
elongate tip, rounded base, and serrate margins. Pinnate foliage turns golden yellow in
fall. Clusters of bright-pink, fragrant flowers appear before or with the leaves from the
axils of the previous season. Fruit distinctive, a light reddish brown when ripe, 3 lobed
capsule containing 1 to 3 dark brown to black, shiny seeds 1/2 inch in diameter, the walls
of the capsule often persisting through the winter, seeds poisonous.
Mexican Coneflower
Ratibida columnifera
Long-headed coneflower or prairie coneflower is an erect, hairy, clump-forming plant
that typically grows to 1-3’ tall. It is most common on the Great Plains. This is an aster
family member that is perhaps most noted for the long, cylindrical, center disk of each
flower and its deeply cut leaves. Flowers bloom in summer. Each flower features a long
narrow center disk (cone to 2” long) with 3-7 drooping yellow rays at the base. Leaves
(to 5” long) are pinnately lobed. Cylindrical center disks are dark brown and somewhat
resemble in shape the crown of a slender sombrero, hence the additional common
name of Mexican hat. Columnifera refers to these columnar center disks.
Mexican Honeysuckle
Justicia spicigera
Mexican Honeysuckle is a small
shrub that isn't fussy, blooms
most of the year, and is attractive
to hummingbirds. With deep
green leaves and bright orange
flowers, Mexican honeysuckle
grows 3 to 4 feet tall and spreads
3 to 6 feet wide. The soft, velvety
leaves become larger in partial
shade locations. Clusters of bright
orange, narrowly tubular flowers
appear almost any time of the
year.
Mistletoe Fig
Ficus triagularis
This member of the ficus family is most commonly
found as a standard tree or a bush type. It has large
dark green, shiny rounded triangle-shaped leaves
on woody branches. They make an excellent
specimen plant in the right environment.
LIGHT: One of the most important needs for the
Ficus is bright light. Not enough light will cause leaf
loss. An east, west, or southern window with a
sheer curtain is ideal. Some leaf loss is normal as
your plant acclimates to it's surroundings. Once
placed, refrain from moving this plant unless you
see that it needs more light.
TEMPERATURE: Provide average household warmth
with a minimum of 55° in the winter. Mist
occasionally to elevate humidity in dry
environments.
WATER: Allow soil to dry to the touch before
thorough watering. Do not allow plant to stand in
water. With a larger plant you must make sure you
give it enough water to reach the bottom of the pot.
If you do not you will loose leaves. A suggestion is
to give it enough water until you see it run out the
bottom of the pot.
Morning Glory Tree
Ipomoea carnea
The plant is covered with
medium-size, light pink (there is a
white form available) blooms all
summer. Blooms last only one
day but clusters of blooms are
formed in a axil of every leaf.
Plants can get 8-12 feet tall with
multiple trunks. When hard frosts
kill plants, the tops should be
removed; in South Central Texas
plants will sprout again from the
hardy root system the following
May. Once established, it is
tough, being both heat a drought
tolerant. It blooms best in direct
sun light and will not bloom well
if receiving less than 8-10 hours of
sun light. Cutting back in July will
reduce height and encourage a
spectacular fall bloom.
Natal Plum Dwarf
Carissa macrocarpa ‘Napa’
'Nana' is a thornless dwarf bearing flowers with spirally overlapping petals. White, starshaped, fragrant flowers are produced over a long period on this wonderful, low
growing evergreen shrub with dark green, thick leathery leaves. Flowers are followed by
scarlet, edible fruit with a cranberry-like flavor, making this a pretty plant for pots or
beds. It has excellent salt and drought tolerance, making it a great choice for sandy,
coastal sites as well.
Obedient Plant
Physostegia virginiana
An erect, clump-forming but rhizomatous
perennial. Typically grows 2-4' tall on stiff,
square stems and features dense spikes of
pinkish, tubular, two-lipped, snapdragonlike flowers which bloom throughout the
summer. Blooms from bottom to top on
each spike. Narrow, lance-shaped, sharptoothed leaves (to 4" long). Genus
members are commonly called obedient
plants because each individual flower will,
upon being pushed in any one direction,
temporarily remain in the new position as if
it were hinged. Sometimes also commonly
called false dragonhead because the
flowers are suggestive of those of
dragonhead (Dracocephalum).
Orange Peel
Cestrum
Cestrum ‘Orange Peel’
This superb and easy-to-grow introduction from Southern Perennials and Herbs is
a cross of Cestrum diurnum x Cestrum nocturnum. This plant selection has been
both floriferous and winter-hardy. The fast-growing woody stems are clothed in
ligustrum-shaped, deer-resistant leaves, and adorned from early June until frost
with terminal clusters of mustard-orange flowers tipped in yellow...a hummingbird
delight. When winters drop into the single digits, Cestrum 'Orange Peel' behaves as
a dieback perennial that returns in spring to reach 8' tall x 8' wide by fall...simply
superb!
Orange Dragon
Ruttya fruticosa
Beautiful vining shrub covered
with very unusual red to dark
orange flowers with brown
markings resembling rabbit's head
with ears. This plant is relatively
rare. The flowers look like 1-2 inch
hummingbirds with their wings
swept back or, from the front, like
rabbits ears. They are full of and
drip nectar. Needs moderate
watering. Needs part to full sun.
Blooms in winter-spring. Attracts
butterflies, hummingbirds and
bees.
Papyrus ‘Little Tut’
Cyperus papyrus ‘Little Tut’
A stouter version of an ancient classic, 'Little Tut' rises to only 4', a much more
manageable size for water pots and small ponds. The thick stems are topped with fine
green filaments through out the season. No plant has more grace and presence. Full sun
to light shade partially submerged in water- the best results are when the pot is less than
three inches below the surface of the water.
Passion Vine
Passiflora sp.
Passiflora is one of the most impressive, fast growing and easiest tropical vines. If you
need to cover a fence, this plant will do it in no time. The ability of these plants to cope
with conditions far from their optimum is extraordinary. Passiflora has one of the most
beautiful flowers. The complex flower symbolizes the Passion of Christ. Passiflora is a
very popular indoor plant due to its ability to withstand a wide range of conditions, it
will take both sun and shade, and some drought. Most passion flowers, whether young
seedlings or mature adult plants, will benefit from supplementary lighting if indoors
over the winter months. If light levels are low, heating the soil is more important than
the air. Water sparingly from below and put a thin layer of sand over the soil. Don't
fertilize and use free-draining soil to avoid root rot.
Peggy Martin Rose
Rosa ‘Peggy Martin’
"Peggy Martin Rose" was one of only two plants surviving 20 feet of salt water over
the garden of Mrs. Peggy Martin, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, after the destruction
of Hurricane Katrina in late August, 2005.
Since then, it has been introduced into commerce in the United States and has
become a symbol among gardeners and rose lovers of a tenacious plant associated
with a spirit of renewal and regrowth in the aftermath of a devastating blow of Nature
against those living and gardening in the Gulf Coast area. Dr. Bill Welch shared
cuttings of this rose which he had taken from Peggy Martin's garden in 2003 and
established at his country home near Burton.
Pam’s Pink
Turk’s Cap
Turk's cap varieties with red and white flowers have been grown in Texas for
generations. But a new hybrid variety, "Pam Puryear," named in honor of one
of the first female graduates of Texas A&M University, has pink flowers.
Because both new and old varieties of Turk's cap are tough and versatile
plants, they have been designated Texas Superstars for 2011.
Gardeners, hummingbirds and butterflies have it made in the shade with
Turk’s cap, the newly designated Superstar by Texas AgriLife Research.
Pepper
‘Bolivian Rainbow’
Capsicum annuum ‘Bolivian Rainbow’
Capsicum annuum. Plant produces good yields of small ¾" long by ½" wide hot
peppers. Peppers are very hot and turn from purple, to cream-yellow, to orange,
to red when mature. Plant has green stems with purple tint, green leaves with
purple tint, and purple flowers. A beautiful ornamental pepper plant with all
color stages on the plant at the same time. The peppers are edible. A variety
from Bolivia. Plant Height: 36" tall.
Pink Ice Plant
Delosperma cooperi
‘Rosea’
Native to South Africa, this ice plant species typically forms a vigorous, succulent, spreading,
evergreen ground cover in warm winter areas of the United States. However, north of USDA
Zones 7, it is at best semi-evergreen and is not reliably winter hardy. This is a succulent matforming plant that typically grows to 3” tall and spreads quickly to 24” or more. Daisy-like,
bright red-purple flowers (to 2” diameter) cover the plant with bloom from June to
September. The neon-like intensity of the flower color and length of bloom greatly enhance
the ornamental interest of these plants. Succulent, fleshy, cylindrical, medium green leaves.
Foliage is covered with transparent flakes that somewhat resemble tiny pieces of ice, hence
the common name.
Plumeria
Plumeria frangipani
Frangipanis are relatively small trees growing only to about6-15ft in height, but what
they lack in height they make up in width often becoming as wide as they are tall. They
have a well-behaved root system which makes them great for the home garden and for
growing in pots. Frangipanis are also great survivors coping with drought, heat, neglect
and insect and pest attack. They are also deciduous allowing maximum winter sun while
providing shade in summer. Frangipani flowers appear in clusters, also at the end of
the branches, and are distinctively scented. The petals are waxy with the center of the
flower a different color to the rest. For example the most common frangipani has white
flowers with a yellow center. There are many varieties ranging from deep crimson to
orange , yellow and white (and every shade in between). Unlike some flowering trees
which bloom for a few days or weeks, frangipanis go on flowering.
Pomegranate Dwarf
Punica granatum ‘Nana’
Punica granatum ‘Nana’ is a dwarf
version of the species reaching only 3-4′
tall with a 3′ spread at maturity. This
deciduous shrub also has a compact and
dense habit and puts on a great show
with orange-red single flowers, doing
especially well in hot summer heat.
Dwarf Pomegranate blooms on new
wood so it is best to prune late in the
dormant season. In the fall, Dwarf
Pomegranate will bear small red fruit.
Punica granatum ‘Nana’ tolerates the
heat and a variety of soils, works great
in the garden or as a container plant.
This flowering shrub is also drought
tolerant once established, working great
in xeriscape situations.
Porterweed
purple
Stachytarpheta jamanicensis
This pest-free perennial blooms best
during warm months. It is strange
how these small blue flowers attract
butterflies more than large-blooming,
showy neighbors. Blue porter weed
gradually reseeds nearby for a fresh
batch of new plants. Mix with other
species of Stachytarpheta for a
variety of leaf shapes and colors
ranging from purple to coral. Attracts
butterflies and bees; self-sows.
Provide average garden soil in full sun
to partial shade.
Pride of Barbados
Caesalpinia pulcherima
Pride of Barbados plants (Caesalpinia
pulcherrima) are also known as
peacock flowers, dwarf poincianas
and red bird-of-paradise. They are
hardy in U.S. Department of
Agriculture hardiness zones 8 to 11.
In hot tropical climates they are
evergreen but, in zone 9
Mediterranean climates, they are
deciduous. In zone 8, frost kills the
stems of the plant to the ground, but
they return each spring. They grow
between 8 and 20 feet tall,
depending on the climate. Proper
care of this plant begins with proper
planting.
Pride of Barbados
Native Yellow
Caesalpinia gillesii
A short, arid-climate shrub with
amazing flowers! Akin to some of its
paradise flower relatives, this tough
plant is a profuse bloomer and
something to behold as a landscape
plant. Shrubby growth habit to 6-12ft
by 6-8ft. Deciduous. The ornate
flowers bloom through most of the
warmer months and are followed by
woody, podded fruits. Hardy to 1015F. Grows very well in dry regions.
Has a deep root system and needs
little water when established, though
more regular watering will promote
blooming. Weathers hot and dry
conditions with ease. Grow in full sun.
Will grow in pretty much any soil type.
Purple Oxalis
Oxalis regnellii
Oxalis regnellii is often used as a gift plant this time of the year for St. Patrick’s Day. It is easy to
grow but there are a few requirements to assure success. Shamrocks bloom in the Spring. Flowers
are lilac in color. Oxalis regnellii like cool air and moist soil while they are growing. A suitable
compost for shamrocks consists of 2 parts peat moss to 1 part loam to 1 part sand. Bright indirect
light is best, but they will grow in lower light levels. Fertilize weekly while they are growing with a
balanced fertilizer. No matter what you do, they will seem at times to be unhealthy and lose their
leaves. When this happens, they are "tired," so let them "rest." Shamrocks are bulbs, and they
require a dormant period every once in a while. Restrict all watering. As with any bulb, let the
leaves die back naturally. Do not remove any leaves until they are brown. Let the bulbs stay
dormant for 3 to 4 weeks, then water and fertilize. In most indoor-grown shamrocks, this dormant
period occurs 2 to 3 times a year.
Purple Rubber Vine
Crytostegia grandiflora
The Purple Rubber Vine has large (2" across), showy, lilac flowers with a broad
funnel-shaped tube and five spreading lobes. Leaves are very ornamental, wide,
deep green and waxy. This exotic woody vine poses a significant threat to northern
Australian savanna landscapes. The Rubber Vine is poisonous it contains glucosides
interfering with the heart, and ingesting with provoke stomach and intestinal upset.
When trimming wear gloves since the sap is very irritating to the skin, and discard
what you trimmed rapidly, because the dust from dried plants is also irritating.
Ramie
Boehmeria nivea
var. tenacissima
Ramie has large, olive-green, eliptical leaves resembling a fish's tail. The rough texture of the leaf feels like
sandpaper This highly decorative foliage plant is easy to cultivate and performs well in either part-sun or
shade. It grows 2ft to 4 ft in Zone 8-10, preferring semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or
moist soil. Cream/tan flowers appear early summer through late fall. Grown mainly for the foliage interest.
Rangoon Creeper
Quisqualis indica
The Rangoon Creeper is by far
the most exotic plant in the
garden, the name alone is more
appropriate for a horror movie
than a plant. The flowers
change three different colors in
one day, when they open in the
morning they are white, by mid
afternoon they turned pink, and
at sundown they are bright red.
In the early evening the flowers
omit an aroma of fresh picked
apples that is intoxicating
throughout the garden.
Redbirdvariegated
Pedilanthus tithymaloides
‘Variegated’
This subtropical succulent is a distant relative of the well-known Christmas
poinsettia. The plant grows from a few inches to 3 or 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet
wide. It has 1 to 3 inch long leaves. The variegated form takes on a pinkish tint
during cooler weather. It will grow outdoors in hot, humid regions. Indoors, you'd
want to give this Central American member of the Euphorbia plant family really
bright light and warm conditions.
Red Powder Puff
Calliandra emarginata
This is a slow-growing, evergreen to
die-back shrub. It grows to about two
to four feet tall. Leaves are composed
of four leaflets. It produces red flowers
on new growth for a long season of
color. It grows well in sun to part
shade in a well-drained soil. It is
drought tolerant. This plant is an
evergreen shrub in zone lower 9a and
south. It is not reliable in northern
zone 9a.
The plant is evergreen to about 29º F.
The plant dies back to the ground in
the low to mid-20's F. New shoots and
leaves appear in early April. It flowers
from mid-June into January or until a
hard freeze.
Red Yucca
Hesperaloe parviflora “Red”
Red yucca (which is not a yucca) is a stalwart in the landscapes of Texas and the
southwest. Its dark green rosette of long, thin leaves rising fountain-like from the
base provides an unusual sculptural accent, its long spikes of pink to red to coral bellshaped flowers last from May through October, and it is exceedingly tough, tolerating
extreme heat and cold and needing no attention or supplemental irrigation once
established, although many people remove the dried flower stalks in the fall. Unlike
yucca, the leaves are not spine-tipped, and have fibrous threads along the edges. Red
yucca is native to Central and Western Texas. Hummingbirds are attracted to the
flowers.
Rock Rose
Pavonia lasiopetala
Pavonia lasiopetala is a Texas Native that is
extremely drought tolerant, although is does not
mind a little water now and then. Texas Rock Rose
can be see growing native in the Edwards Plateau,
Rio Grande Plains, and the Trans Pecos areas of
Texas. The most eye-catching feature of this plant is
the Hibiscus-like pink to rose colored flowers. These
flowers are generally 1″ in diameter and the Rock
Rose will stay in bloom from summer till fall. This is a
shrub-like perennial that can get woody at the base,
it should come back every year if planted South of its
native habitat. To keep this plant in bloom and to
prevent legginess it can be trimmed back throughout
the growing season. Texas Rock Rose generally only
last 3-4 years but will reseed freely and the seedlings
can replace the older plants. The flower will open in
the morning and will close in the afternoon, blooms
can be extended if there is afternoon shade.