Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Angelonia

Angelonia angustifolia
An upright, clumping perennial, reaching up to 2 x 2.3 feet, that is native to Mexico and the Caribbean. It is great for summer bedding and patio planters.
The toothed, lance-shaped to oblong leaves, up to 3 inches in length, are glossy mid-green.
The white, pink, violet or blue flowers, up to 0.7 inches wide, are borne on narrow, terminal spikes, up to 8 inches in length. They appear early summer to mid-autumn in temperate climates.
Hardy zones 9 to 11 as a perennial, but commonly grown zone 4 to 8 as an annual. It prefers full sun on moderately moist, fertile, well drained soil. Angelonia is moderately drought tolerant and rarely bothered by insect pests or disease.

* photos taken on Aug 31 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 1 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 5 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photo taken on Aug 13 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Sep 1 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 14 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 9 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Sep 5 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 13 2021 @ Hershey Gardens, Hershey PA

* photo taken on July 24 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 16 2021 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on Aug 26 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Sep 8 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 1 2022 in Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photo taken on Sep 16 2022 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on Oct 21 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 10 2023 @ Smithsonian Institute, Wash., DC

Heliotrope

Heliotropium arborescens
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 10 x 4 ( rarely over 4 ) feet in the tropics, that is native to Peru. It is often grown as an annual, typically not over 2 feet in cooler climates.
The wrinkled lance-shaped leaves are up to 3.2 inches in length.
The highly fragrant, lilac or purple ( rarely white ) flowers, up to 0.5 inches long, are borne on dense heads up to 12 inches wide, during summer.
It thrives in full sun to partial shade on fertile, well drained soil. Propagation is from seed or cuttings for cultivars.

* photos taken on Sep 2 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 20 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 10 2020 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD


'Haskeils Form'
Vigorous, reaching up to 4 feet as an annual.

Lemoine'
Tall & vigorous, with purple flowers.

Sandwort

Arenaria

Arenaria grandiflora ( Largeflower Sandwort )
A very low, spreading perennial, reaching up to 6 inches x 2 feet in size, that is native to Europe.
The lance-shaped to ovate leaves, up to 1.2 inches in length, are deep green.
The white, saucer-shaped flowers, up to 0.8 inches wide, are borne mid-spring to early summer.
Hardy zones 5 to 7 in full sun on very well drained, sandy soil.

Arenaria montana
A very low, spreading perennial, reaching up to 6 inches x 2 feet in size, that is native to Europe.
The lance-shaped to ovate leaves, up to 1.2 inches in length, are deep green.
The white, saucer-shaped flowers, up to 0.8 inches wide, are borne mid-spring to early summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 7 in light to moderate shade only on very well drained, sandy soil.

* photos taken on June 5 2013 in Columbia, MD


'Blizzard'

* photos taken on Mar 24 2019 in Elkridge, MD


Arenaria purpurascens ( Pink Sandwort )
A very low, spreading perennial, reaching up to 4 inches x 2 feet in size, that is native to Europe.
The lance-shaped leaves, up to 1 inches in length, are deep green.
The pale purple, saucer-shaped flowers, up to 0.8 inches wide, are borne mid-spring to early summer.
Hardy zones 5 to 7 in full sun on very well drained, sandy soil.

* photos taken on June 5 2013 in Columbia, MD


'Elliott's Variety'
Clear pink flowers; otherwise identical to species.

Arenaria 'Wallowa Mountains'
A very tiny, moss-like perennial, reaching up to 1 x 15 inches in size.
It is great for using between paving stones.
The very tightly arranged leaves are bright green.
This variety does not bloom.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on sandy, well drained soil.
Very drought tolerant.