Flame of the Woods, Evergreen Plant Of The Day

Ixora coccinea
    Flame of the Woods,  Jungle Geranium

Type    Shrub, woody plant 

Hardy range    10A to 11

Height    6' to 10' / 1.80m to 3.00m
Spread    36" to 6' / 90cm to 1.80m
Growth rate    Slow
Form    Oval and upright or erect
Exposure    Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence    Evergreen

Bloom Color    Orange, pink, red, white and yellow
Bloom Time    Year 'round

The flowers are very showy.

Environment
This plant tolerates some drought and a little salt.
This plant will grow in dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color    Green
Fall Color    No change in fall color

Culture Notes
Ixora thrives in full sun, in moist but well-drained acid or neutral soil, but can tolerate some shade.  Foliage turns yellow in alkaline soil such as next to sidewalks and foundations, where it is often planted.  A continued micronutrient fertility program is needed to maintain green leaf color in alkaline soil. Be sure fertilizer contains a significant amount of  manganese and iron, preferably in the chelated form. Recent work also shows that a combination of potassium and phosphorus deficiency causes a leaf spotting in sandy soils in Florida; this can be corrected by applications of both elements in controlled release fertilizer. Plants in flower attract hummingbirds. Plants serve as butterfly nectar sources.

Planting and establishing shrubs

The most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep.  Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery.  In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off.  The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider.  In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole.  Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.

Weed suppression during establishment is essential.  Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth.  Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk.  If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer.   This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry.  Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water.  Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.

Please feel free to comment on any post at any time. All feedback is welcome and we’d love to receive all of your thoughts.

Thank You

Rio Samba Rose, Deciduous Shrub Of The Day

Rosa x 'Rio Samba'
    Rose

Type    Shrub, woody plant
Hardy range    3B to 10B
Height    36" to 6' / 90cm to 1.80m
Spread    18" to 24" / 45cm to 60cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Rounded and upright or erect
Exposure    Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence    Deciduous

Bloom Color    Orange and pink
Bloom Time    Summer

The flowers are very showy, suitable for cut flowers and suitable for dried flowers.

Environment
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

Leaf Color    Green
Fall Color    No change in fall color

Culture Notes
Rose is the national flower. Depending on the cultivar, the growing attributes of roses vary widely.  Check with your nursery as to the specific attributes and growing requirements for your particular rose.

The rose is an essential garden element and will prosper if proper fertilizing, pruning and spraying are done on a regular basis. Planting as bare root plants in the spring or early summer is recommended as it will not disturb the growth cycle. Roses need to be actively growing in order to flower. Place in the open in a well-drained soil where they receive plenty of sun light. Plant roses far enough apart so you can prune and treat for insect and disease problems adequately. If you can choose a spot with a soil pH around 6.5 this is ideal.

A 2-3 inch deep cover of mulch is needed to keep the soil cool in the summer, retain moisture and keep the plant warm in the winter months. Plant in full or partial sun, morning sun is best. Soil should be rich in organic material such as peat moss, rotted manure, leaf mold or compost. Allow adequate spacing between plants for better air circulation and to lessen the spread of disease.  Do not plant near tree roots as they can deprive the plant of necessary moisture and nutrients.

Winter protection depends on the climate and the location of the garden. In most locations that receive freezing temperatures, stop fertilizing in mid to late summer so the plant slows down its growth before the first freeze. After the first few cold snaps below freezing, mound soil to about 12 inches up the stems and cut back any canes greater than about 3 to 4 feet long. Some people tie the stems together to keep them from whipping around in the wind. You may also cover the soil mound with mulch to help maintain a constant temperature all winter long. This is not necessary in the warmest portion of the hardiness range. Roses may be propagated by root cuttings, budding, or grafting.

Planting and establishing shrubs

The most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep.  Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery.  In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off.  The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider.  In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole.  Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.

Weed suppression during establishment is essential.  Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth.  Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk.  If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer.   This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry.  Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water.  Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.

Please feel free to comment on any post at any time. All feedback is welcome and we’d love to receive all of your thoughts.

Thank You

Bronze Red Treasure Flower, Perennial Of The Day

Gazania rigens 'Bronze Red'    

syn. Gazania ringens; Gazania splendens
    Treasure Flower,  Gazania

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    9A to 10A
Height    10" to 16" / 25cm to 40cm
Growth rate    Fast
Form    Spreading or horizontal
Exposure    Full sun

Bloom Color    Red
Bloom Time    Spring through Fall

The flowers are showy.

Environment
This plant tolerates drought and some salt.
This plant will grow in dry to moist soil.
Suitable soil is sandy.
The pH preference is  a neutral soil

Leaf Color    Green

Culture Notes
The flowers close at night and on cloudy days.  These plants are often grown as annuals in colder areas.  This plant will tolerate mild frost only.

Please feel free to comment on any post at any time. All feedback is welcome and we’d love to receive all of your thoughts.

Thank You

Tiger Flower, Deciduous Perennial Of The Day

Tigridia pavonia
    Mexican Shellflower,  One Day Lily,  Shellflower,  Tiger Flower

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    8A to 11
Height    18" to 36" / 45cm to 90cm
Spread    4" to 8" / 10cm to 20cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Upright or erect
Exposure    Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence    Deciduous

Bloom Color    Orange, pink, purple, red, white and yellow
Bloom Time    Summer

The flowers are suitable for cut flowers.

Environment
This plant tolerates drought.
This plant will grow in dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy or sandy.
The pH preference is  a neutral soil.

Leaf Color    Green
This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture Notes
This bulb can tolerate poor soil, but It likes well-drained, fertile soil. Plant bulbs in the late spring, lifting and dividing them before frosts occur.  Can be grown from seed in the warmer climates; if sown in the ground at springtime, they will bloom the next season.  Propagate by offsets as well.  Tiger flowers come in a wide range of colors, are rather large (anywhere from 3-6" in diameter), and are divided into six segments  The three larger, outer segments are usually a solid color, whereas the three smaller, inner segments are usually white with dark blotches.  Blossoms last for only a day, but continuous flowering lasts for several weeks.

Please feel free to comment on any post at any time. All feedback is welcome and we’d love to receive all of your thoughts.

Thank You

Japanese Skimmia, Evergreen Shrub Of The Day

Skimmia japonica syn. Skimmia rogersii

Japanese Skimmia

Type Shrub, woody plant
Hardy range 6B to 7A
Height 36" to 4' / 90cm to 1.20m
Spread 36" to 4' / 90cm to 1.20m
Growth rate Average
Form Rounded and vase shaped
Exposure Full shade to partial sun

Persistence Evergreen
Bloom Color White
Bloom Time  Spring

Environment

This plant tolerates some drought. This plant will grow in dry soil. Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay. The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.

 
Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color

The flowers are fragrant and showy.

Culture Notes Japanese skimmia is a small, broad-leaved evergreen shrub that grows 3 to 4 feet high. Skimmia is a wonderful addition to the shade or part-shade garden and mixes well with rhododendrons, azaleas and other shade-loving plants. Like the rhododendrons, Skimmia prefers a moist, loamy, acidic soil. Skimmia may tolerate limestone (alkaline) soils if they are moist. In March to April, skimmia produces small white flowers which are somewhat fragrant. Variety intermedia scarcely attains a height of 18 inches.
Planting and establishing shrubs

The most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.
Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment. 

Please feel free to comment on any post at any time. All feedback is welcome and we’d love to receive all of your thoughts.

Thank You