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Digital Flower Pictures.com
Almost daily informative blog about plants, gardening and photography. Written by a professional Estate Gardener from Connecticut. |
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Articles from Digital Flower Pictures.com |
Acacia
2008-01-27 09:29:00
Acacia(a-KAY-see-uh)I am not of the species of this Acacia tree but it was a beauty and quite a shock to see in full bloom in the Bronx. I thought at the time I snapped this picture last week that it would be easy to figure which Acacia it was but it turns out there are 1300 plus species to choose from. I did learn that most are native to Australia but there are 300 or 400 that are native to the warmer areas of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.It used to bother me if I took a picture and didn’t know exactly what the plant was. It still does but not as much. I figure that soon or later someone will tell what it is or I will see it again in person or a book where it is marked. With this picture at least I know the genus and that will make identification a lot easier. I constantly finding out about new plants and that is one thing I love about the Botanical World, there is always room to explore and meet some new citizens.There seems to be some milder temperatures headed this ...
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Bengal Clock Vine
2008-01-26 08:22:00
Bengal Clock VineThunbergia grandiflora(thun-BER-jee-uh) (gran-dih-FLOR-uh)Synonyms: Blue Sky Vine, Sky FlowerToday’s pictures are again courtesy of Wave Hill. This vine was growing in a small pot, which is unusual since it quite vigorous. In climates where the ground doesn’t freeze it can quickly cover its trellis and may have to tamed to fit into the area allotted to it. This vine can easy be cut back if unwanted growth occurs, Outdoors it prefers some light or shifting shade (especially in hot climates) and rich organic soil. The lush heart shaped leaves adds to this native of India attraction in the garden.This is the most commonly seen blue type of flowers but violet colored and white flowered forms are also available. The flowers are beautifully shaded and shaped. In this second picture it is mixing in with some Coleus flowers. I never really get to see the flowers of Coleus since I am always pinching them off. They are quite a pretty blue. ...
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Euphorbia
2008-01-25 06:48:00
EuphorbiaEuphorbia fulgens(yoo-FOR-bee-uh) (FUL-jenz)Wave Hill had a nice collection of different Euphorbia fulgens blooming when I was there two weeks ago. I couldn’t find out much about this plant other than it is closely related to the Poinsettia and is a native of Mexico. The milky sap is said to be a skin irritant so care should be used when handling the plants and cut flowers. It is quite popular as a cut flower, with a vase life of 7 to 10 days.There were several foliage and flower types represented in the Wave Hill collection and I am showing these two because the pictures came out the best. I think the dark red flowers with plum colored foliage was my favorite (not pictured here). I still haven’t figured out all the tricks about shooting indoors in a greenhouse.The common name for this plant is ‘Scarlet Plume’ but that doesn’t really work for the first picture, which was a very nice soft creamy yellow. Euphorbia fulgens actually comes in red, orange, yellow, pink and ...
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Two More Winter Bloomers
2008-01-24 09:34:00
Two More Winter BloomersI have been keeping my eyes open for flowers and in addition to the Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox) that was featured here recently I found my Winter Jasmine and Chinese Witch Hazel blooming. My hat goes off to these plants, which despite the cold temperatures and biting winds have come out to add a little color to the winter landscape.Weeping Winter JasmineJasminum nudiflorum(JAZ-mih-num) (noo-dee-FLOR-um)Synonym: Jasminum sieboldianumThis is an interesting and underused shrub that brings some winter interest to the garden. This one only had a few flowers right now but later in the winter and with the help of a few mild days it will be in full bloom. It can be effective cascading over stonewalls or on sloped banks. While it is rated for USDA Zone 6 I think it does better in Zone 7. If you are planting it in Zone 6 try and chose a warm sheltered location for it.Following its species name, nudiflorum, its flowers emerge before the foliage. The leaves themselve ...
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ABC Wednesday - Torch Aloe
2008-01-23 07:10:00
ABC Wednesday - Torch AloeAloe arborescens(AL-oh) (ar-bo-RES-senz)Synonyms: Tree Aloe, Mountain Bush Aloe, Krantz Aloe, Aloe candelabra, A. milleri, A. natalensis, A. viridifoliaIf you are here for Wordless Wednesday scroll down to the next post, please.Since it is not very tropical outside I thought I would feature a tropical plant. This picture is from my trip to the New York Botanical Garden last week and just as last year when I went at this time the Tree Aloe was in full bloom. The NYBG has quite a collection of Cactus and Succulents and there are two rooms devoted to those types of plants in the Conservatory. It is always fun to visit the wetter areas and then walk through the long tunnel to the dry collection. After that comes the Special Collection area, which always has some interesting flowers.Aloes need a sunny position in the garden, if you are lucky enough to be able to grow them outdoors. You probably wouldn’t want to grow this species indoors as it can get to 6 to 8 fe ...
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More Tree Bark
2008-01-21 10:59:00
Tanyosho PinePinus densiflora 'Umbraculifera'(PY-nus) (den-see-FLOR-uh)Pinaceae (py-NAY-see-ay)Synonyms: Umbrella Pine, Tabletop PineThe cinnamon colored bark is one of this tree’s best attributes. Tanyosho (Tan-y-o-show) Pine grows to about 18 feet tall with a wider spread and often has multi-trunks. The needles are a nice green and grow in bundles of two on this Japanese native. I would recommend the compact or dwarf types for most home gardens.Lacebark PinePinus bungeana(PY-nus) (bun-jee-AY-nuh)A very interesting species of pine that has exquisite bark. A native of China, Lacebark Pine can reach 75 feet tall but is slow growing. It is a bushy tree with medium green needles. I have found that these trees don’t like a lot of extra moisture in the soil and they are susceptible to snow and ice loads. I have a dwarf version at the Estate as well as a grove of the larger ones. Both have been rewarding to cultivate.Just to keep things normal, since the site name is digital flower pic ...
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Tree Bark
2008-01-20 08:58:00
Tree BarkI have wanted to do a post on the various nice tree barks I have been seeing. Often times that is all we northern gardeners have to look at this time of year. It can also be very useful in identifying tree species this time of year. I like that there are so many variations of bark and a lot of times there are variations throughout the life of the tree.This picture and top photo: Stewartia pseudocamellia barkThe functions of tree bark are quite complex here is a link to a UCLA site that deals with some of the scientific aspects of it:ucla.eduThere are a multitude of reason bark is important to trees. One of the biggest is protection against the elements. It protects against both hot and cold temperature extremes. It also can block insects and diseases from entering the cambium layer of the tree. Since it is sometimes porous it helps the tree breathe while still protecting against water loss.Bark can be an excellent way to enhance the winter garden. The different colors and tex ...
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Hoop Petticoat Daffodil
2008-01-18 07:43:00
Hoop Petticoat DaffodilNarcissus cantabricus var. foliosus(nar-SIS-us)Amaryllidaceae (am-uh-ril-id-AY-see-ay)These were blooming in the Wave Hill Alpine House. Like the Conservatory at Wave Hill it is small by public garden standards but it is always packed with interesting plants. These little Narcissus were a bit of tease (since spring is still so far away), but were a welcome sight. They were only about 3 inches tall but the stand of flowers looked very natural in their grouping. I featured another Hoop Petticoat flower from Wave Hill here:Hoop Petticoat Narcissusand if your interested the divisions of the different Daffodil types are on this postThe 13 Divisions of DaffodilsThat last link also explains the difference between a Daffodil and a Narcissus.This flower falls into Division 10, the Bulbocodium Hybrids. The pictures are shot at a little bit of a weird angle because I didn’t want to included the clay pot they were in or the others around it.When I went around the side of t ...
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Wonder Tree
2008-01-17 06:55:00
Wonder TreeIdesia polycarpa(eye-DEE-zee- uh)FlacourtiaceaeSynonyms: Flacourtia japonica, Polycarpa maximowiczii, Iigiri Tree, LigiriThis tree blew me away at Wave Hill. It was simply amazing. I hadn’t seen it before and was thoroughly enchanted with it. I would have sworn that this tree wouldn’t be hardy in Connecticut but apparently it is hardy to USDA Zone 5. It was certainly living up to its scientific name polycarpa, which means many fruited. The long pendulous clusters of orange berries were visible from across the garden.Since I have never grown this tree it would be hard for me to pass on any cultural information. I definitely want to get one for the estate. I did find out it is native to China, Korea, Taiwan and Japan, has fragrant yellow-green flowers and likes moist, well drained soil. It can grow in part shade also. It reaches a height of 50 feet and you can eat the fruit either raw or cooked. ...
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ABC Wednesday – Z is for Zinnia
2008-01-16 06:32:00
ABC Wednesday – Z is for ZinniaZinnia elegans 'Zowie Yellow Flame'(ZIN-ya) (ELL-eh-ganz)If you are here for Wordless Wednesday scroll down to the next post and thanks for visiting.In many ways this plant exemplifies what the breeding in annuals has brought us over the years. Petunias, Marigolds and Zinnias are three types of plants that have benefited from the work of these programs. I don’ think even 10 years ago I could have imagined a Zinnia that looks like this one. I really like the growth habit, flower color and the disease resistance that have been included.‘Zowie Yellow Flame’ was introduced in 2005 and won the prestigious All-American Selection award in 2006. This Zinnia is both semi-double (flower) and semi-tall (plant). It is easy to grow and makes excellent cut flowers. One trial had the flowers lasting up to two weeks in vases. Since I have already featured this plant before I thought I would do a little more research into Zinnias themselves.'Heartland Red' Zin ...
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Fragrant Wintersweet Tree
2008-01-14 08:23:00
Fragrant Wintersweet TreeChimonanthus praecox(ky-moh-NAN-thus) (pray-koks)CalycanthaceaeThinking I would enjoy the last day of moderate weather I went down to Wave Hill Gardens in the Bronx. What a wonderful winter walk I had around the gardens. I found this plant, Chimonanthus praecox, in full bloom. It didn’t look like a sporadic bloom but it was doing what it did every year at this time. Its translucent yellow flowers were highly fragrant and in various stages of blooming. I can’t really report what it is like to have this plant in the garden but after looking it up I will have to give it a chance. I found out it hardy to USDA Zone 6 and grows to 12 to 15 feet tall. It was planted in a protected location at Wave Hill and I will probably do the same with mine. The only negative thing my research turned up is that it can sometimes take several years to bloom. Since I have learned that you really need to have patience in the garden that wouldn’t really bother me.I will be featuri ...
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Japanese Maple and White Birch
2008-01-12 10:03:00
Japanese Maple and White BirchSince I was a little bored, and I got some new Photoshop plugins, I decided to play around a bit. Normally I try and keep any adjustments in PS to a minimum and really try to take the photo ‘in the camera’ with the correct composition and exposure. It is fun to use the massive editing power of Photoshop sometimes. I really don’t have any set work-flow, I just keep trying things until it looks right.This picture was taken with the 50mm/1.8 lens in my backyard on Thanksgiving Day. The Maple is in my neighbor’s yard and it turned the most stunning color. He just cleared some trees from around it and in the six years I had been living here I hadn’t noticed it. It was hard to miss this year. November 22nd is a little later than most Japanese Maples usual fall color timing. It sure was a strange and extended autumn. The White Birch is in my yard and is quite a distance from the Maple. I thought the contrast between the two was nice. A day or two later ...
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