Plant of the Week: Poinsettia "Christmas Flower"

Poinsettia

'Christmas Flower'

Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are popular potted plants, particularly during the Christmas season. Brightly colored and mostly red, a Poinsettia provides effective color in home decor during and after the holiday season. The newer Poinsettia cultivars are long-lasting in contrast to the cultivars that were available a few years ago. Christmas charm is what these amazing Poinsettias hold.

Facts About Poinsettias:
- Poinsettias are the most popular of the holiday plants.

- Poinsettias are native to southern Mexico and Central America.

- Poinsettias also bloom in cream, lemon, peach, pink colors and with white and gold-splashed leaves.

- Poinsettia's botanical name, Euphorbia pulcherrima, means "the most beautiful Euphorbia".

- Poinsettia was named after the former US ambassador to Mexico, Dr. Joel R. Poinsett who introduced the      Poinsettia to the United States.

- Recent research has proved that Poinsettias are not poisonous.

- Poinsettias, at times, reach a height of sixteen feet.

- Poinsettias are also known by other names such as 'Christmas flower', 'lobster flower', and 'Mexican flame leaf'.

- As a result of its importance in the celebration of Christmas and its beautification of America, December 12th is celebrated as National Poinsettia Day, to honor the passing away of Joel R. Poinsett.

Not Poisonous
A common misconception about poinsettias is that they are a poisonous plant. While these plants should not be eaten, extensive studies have proven they are not poisonous to humans or animals. But like most members of the Euphorbia clan, they do have a milky sap inside the stem, which may cause skin irritation for some people.

Leaves, Not Flowers
Another misconception about poinsettias is that they have red flowers. When actually, the "flowers" are simply colored leaves called bracts. The insignificant yellow buds in the center of the colored bracts are the actual flowers.

Sensitive to Carbon Monoxide
It's a little known fact that poinsettias are very susceptible to carbon monoxide. If your poinsettia is wilting or losing leaves immediately upon arrival in your home, you may want to have your carbon monoxide levels tested.

Poinsettias & Christmas:

The ancient Aztecs (the Mexican Indians) prized the Poinsettia as a symbol of purity. Centuries later, Mexico's early Christians adopted the Poinsettia as their prized Christmas Eve flower. The Mexican Poinsettia, known as the Christmas flower in North America, is used in most Christmas decorations, owing to its bright red color and its blooming season coinciding with the Christmas holiday season.

The Mexican poinsettias are commonly bright red. For some, these star-shaped bracts symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. The Christmas Poinsettia flowers have become a symbol of Christmas and are used as festive decor.

A Mexican legend explains how Poinsettias came to be associated with Christmas. Apparently, a child who could not afford a gift to offer to Christ on Christmas Eve picked some weeds from the side of a road. The child was told that a humble gift, if given in love, would be acceptable in God's eyes. When brought into the church, the weeds bloomed into red and green flowers and the congregation felt that they had witnessed a Christmas miracle.

Plant of the Week: Dazzleberry Sedum

DAZZLEBERRY SEDUM

Plant type : Groundcover, Perennial, Cactus/Succulent

Deciduous/evergreen : Herbaceous

Growth habit : Spreading

Growth rate : Fast

Average landscape size : Reaches 6 to 8 in. tall and 18 in. wide.

Special features : Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Deer Resistant, Dramatic Foliage Color, Easy Care, Waterwise

Foliage color : Blue-green

Blooms: Summer

Flower color : Pink

Flower attributes : Long Bloom Season, Showy Flowers

Garden style : Cottage, Mediterranean, Rustic

Plant of the Week: Gibraltar Exbury Azalea

RHODODENDRON
(GIBRALTAR EXBURY AZALEA)

Genus2:

 Rhododendron

Variety:

 'Gibraltar'

ItemForm:

 Trade Gallon (3qt)

Zone:

 5 - 8

BloomStartToEnd:

 Mid Spring - Late Spring

PlantHeight:

 6 ft

PlantWidth:

 4 ft

BloomSize:

 3 in

Additional Characteristics:

 Flower, Fragrance

Bloom Color:

 Dark Orange

Light Requirements:

 Full Sun, Part Shade

Moisture Requirements:

 Moist,  well-drained

Soil Tolerance:

 Normal,  loamy

Uses: 

Border, Hedge, Ornamental

Autumn in Moorestown Festival

Plant of the Week: Katsura

KATSURA

(Cercidiphyllum japonicum)

Environmental conditions:

• Katsura trees grow well in acidic, loamy, clay and well-drained soil (hardiness zones 4-8). It is not drought tolerant, so water regularly.
•  Medium growing tree, growing 1-2 feet a year and reaching 40-60 feet at maturity.
• Has a shallow root system and some of the roots can grow to six inches in diameter or more above the soil. Does not do well in compact soil. Add mulch around the tree to maintain a cool root environment.
• Tree grows in partial sun and full sun.

Physical Attributes:

• Doesn’t have any showy flowers, but displays vibrant fall foliage with shades of crimson and yellow.
• Relative of magnolia and tulip trees, producing heart-shaped leaves.
• Releases sweet sugar smell in the fall, resembling brown-sugar or cotton candy.

Plant of the Week: Lamb's Ears

Lamb's Ears

'Stachys byzantina'

Category:

Perennials

Foliage Color:

Silver/Gray

Bloom Characteristics:

This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds

Water Requirements:

Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Height:

6-12 in. (15-30 cm)

Spacing:

12-15 in. (30-38 cm)

Sun Exposure:

Full Sun

Sun to Partial Shade

Danger:

N/A

Bloom Color:

Violet/Lavender

Inconspicuous/none

Bloom Time:

Late Spring/Early Summer

Foliage:

Grown for foliage

Evergreen

Velvet/Fuzzy-Textured

This plant is resistant to deer

Other details:

May be a noxious weed or invasive

Soil pH requirements:

6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)

6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)

Patent Information:

Non-patented

Propagation Methods:

By dividing the rootball

From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall

From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse

From seed; stratify if sowing indoors

From seed; sow indoors before last frost

From seed; direct sow after last frost

Seed Collecting:

Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds

Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored

Flower of the Week: Floss Flower

Floss Flower

'Ageratum houstonianum'

Bloom Characteristics:

This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds

Flowers are fragrant

Water Requirements:

Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Where to Grow:

Unknown - Tell us

Height:

6-12 in. (15-30 cm)

Spacing:

9-12 in. (22-30 cm)

Hardiness:

Not Applicable

Sun Exposure:

Full Sun

Danger:

Seed is poisonous if ingested

Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction

Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling

Pollen may cause allergic reaction

Bloom Color:

Pale Pink

Blue-Violet

Violet/Lavender

Purple

White/Near White

Bloom Time:

Late Summer/Early Fall

Mid Fall

Late Fall/Early Winter

Foliage:

Herbaceous

Other details:

Unknown - Tell us

Soil pH requirements:

5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)

6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)

6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

Patent Information:

Non-patented

Propagation Methods:

From seed; sow indoors before last frost

Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season

Seed Collecting:

Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds

Regional

This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:

Auburn, Alabama

Garberville, California

Merced, California

Palm Springs, California

Greenwich, Connecticut

Plant of the Day: Daffodil

Daffodil

'Narcissus'

Division:

Division 13 - Species (incl. Wild Variants & Hybrids)

Height:

12-18 in. (30-45 cm)

Bloom Time:

Late Winter/Early Spring

Sun Exposure:

Full Sun

Danger:

All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

Bloom Color:

Pale Yellow

Bright Yellow

Foliage:

This plant is resistant to deer

Other details:

Unknown - Tell us

Soil pH requirements:

6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)

6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)

Patent Information:

Unknown - Tell us

Propagation Methods:

By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)

Seed Collecting:

N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed

Foliage Color:

Unknown - Tell us

Bloom Characteristics:

Flowers are good for cutting

Water Requirements:

Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Where to Grow:

Suitable for growing in containers

Regional

This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:

Garberville, California

Houston, Texas

Stephenville, Texas

Plant of the Week: Bee Balm

Bee Balm

'Monarda'

About This Plant

Bee balm flower colors include pink, red, and white; new double-flowered forms are also available. The plant blooms from early to late summer and grows 2 to 4 feet tall, depending on the variety. Some bee balm species tolerate wet soil and will thrive along a waterway or in a bog garden. Bee balm is susceptible to powdery mildew disease, so select resistant varieties. Under favorable growing conditions the plant can become invasive.

Special Features

Easy care/low maintenance
Multiplies readily
Attracts hummingbirds
Attracts butterflies
Tolerates wet soil

Site Selection

Select a site with full sun to light shade and rich, well-drained soil. Some species tolerate wet soils, while others are adaptable to a wide range of soil moisture levels.

Planting Instructions

Plant in spring or fall, spacing plants 1 to 2 feet apart. Prepare garden bed by using a garden fork or tiller to loosen soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, then mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the plant's container. Carefully remove the plant from its pot and place it in the hole so the top of the rootball is level with the soil surface. Carefully fill in around the rootball and firm the soil gently. Water thoroughly.

Care

Apply a thin layer of compost each spring, followed by a 2-inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds. Water plants during the summer if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week. Remove spent flowers to keep plants looking tidy. After the first killing frost, cut stems back to an inch or two above soil line. Divide plants in spring every few years or when you notice the center of the plant dying out

Plant of the Week: Dove Tree

Dove Tree

Common Name: dove tree

Type: Tree

Family: Cornaceae

Native Range: Southwestern China

Zone: 6 to 8

Height: 20.00 to 40.00 feet

Spread: 20.00 to 40.00 feet

Bloom Time: April to May

Bloom Description: Red (flowers) and white (bracts)

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Water: Medium

Maintenance: Medium

Suggested Use: Shade Tree, Flowering Tree

Flower: Showy

Leaf: Good Fall

Fruit: Show

Plant of the Week: Black Scallop Ajuga

BLACK SCALLOP

Ajuga reptans 'Binblasca' 

Common Name: bugleweed

Type: Herbaceous perennial

Family: Lamiaceae

Zone: 4 to 9

Height: 0.25 to 0.50 feet

Spread: 0.50 to 2.00 feet

Bloom Time: May to June

Bloom Description: Violet

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Water: Medium

Maintenance: Low

Suggested Use: Ground Cover, Naturalize

Flower: Showy

Leaf: Colorful

Tolerate: Rabbit, Deer, Black Walnut

Plant of the Week: Goldflame Honysuckle

 Goldflame Honeysuckle 

Lonicera x heckrottii 'Goldflame'

Common Name: honeysuckle

Type: Vine

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Zone: 5 to 9

Height: 10.00 to 15.00 feet

Spread: 3.00 to 6.00 feet

Bloom Time: June to August

Bloom Description: Rose pink with yellow interior

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Water: Medium

Maintenance: Low

Flower: Showy, Fragrant

Attracts: Birds, Hummingbirds, Butterflies

Fruit: Showy

Tolerate: Deer, Black Walnut

Plant of the Week: Mount Airy Fothergilla

'Mount Airy' Fothergilla

Common Name: dwarf fothergilla

Latin name: Fothergilla ‘Mount Airy’

Type: Deciduous shrub

Family: Hamamelidaceae

Zone: 5 to 8

Height: 3.00 to 5.00 feet

Spread: 3.00 to 5.00 feet

Bloom Time: April to May

Bloom Description: White

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Water: Medium

Maintenance: Low

Suggested Use: Hedge

Flower: Showy, Fragrant

Leaf: Good Fall

Plant of the Week: Joe Pye Weed

Joe Pye Weed

'Eutrochium purpureum'

Common Name: Joe Pye weed

Type: Herbaceous perennial

Family: Asteraceae

Native Range: Eastern and northern United States

Zone: 4 to 9

Height: 5.00 to 7.00 feet

Spread: 2.00 to 4.00 feet

Bloom Time: July to September

Bloom Description: Mauve pink

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Water: Medium

Maintenance: Low

Suggested Use: Water Plant, Naturalize, Rain Garden

Flower: Showy, Fragrant

Attracts: Butterflies

Tolerate: Deer, Clay Soil, Wet Soil