Information on Heliconia Rostrata

Heliconia Rostrata

Common Name:  Heliconia Rostrata

Scientific Name:  Lobster Claw    

Height: 6-8 m

Span: 2-4 inches 

Growth Rate: Fast

Sun Tolerance: Full Sun, Shade

Heliconia Rostrata is the one of the most recognized species of the plants. It is popularly known as lobster claw and false bird of paradise. Heliconia Rostrata is the national flower of Bolivia together with Kantuta flower. The plant produces flowers in summer, which are similar to the claws of the lobsters and hangs in downwards position. The leaves of the Heliconia Rostrata are evergreen and dark-green in color. They flourish in full or partial sun and prosper well in fertile and moist soil. Heliconia are close relatives of gingers, bananas, birds-of-paradise and traveler's palms. There are approximately 350 species making up the single genus, with the bulk of them originating from Central and South America. Oddly enough, a small group of about 6 species have evolved separately in the South Pacific, and these are typically characterized by having green inflorescences.

Full Grown Heliconia Rostrata Tree

  Close View of Heliconia Rostrata

    Heliconia Rostrata

 Close View of Heliconia Rostrata's bud

 

 Bunch of Heliconia Rostrata

Video on Heliconia Rostrata :

For more information:

University of Florida-Heliconia Rostrata Lobster Claw
Palmvirienden-Heliconia Rostrata facts


Growing Heliconias from Seed 

Growing heliconias from seed is a truly enjoyable experience. Seeds provide an inexpensive means of producing more plants without having to sacrifice clumps or dig rhizomes, and also increases the chance of producing a new cultivar or maybe a hybrid! Plants grown from seed usually take longer to flower than those planted from rhizomes or clump divisions, but for those who are always on the lookout for something new, it's worth a try. Few heliconia hybrids have been found in nature, and there aren't any man-made hybrids as in the world of orchids, roses and other commercially grown flower plants. Some countries, like Australia, ban the import of live plants and rhizomes, and collectors rely on seeds to plant  heliconias and other plant species. Import of clean seeds usually doesn't require a phytosanitary certificate.

Mostly native to the American tropics, heliconias are pollinated by hummingbirds. Puerto Rico has nine different species of hummingbirds, two of them endemic. They are the main pollinators of our native yellow Heliconia caribaea, and of all the other heliconias that have been introduced to the island with time. These tiny birds with iridescent plumage are commonly seen not only around heliconias, but also on the flowers of ornamental gingers like the Red and Pink Torch (Etlingera elatior). Fig. 1 shows a hummingbird on a flower of Heliconia bihai Lobster Claw I (photo by Dr. Antonio Iñigo, from Mayaguez, PR). Bees sometimes stop in heliconia flowers for nectar, like this one seen in a Heliconia chartacea Columbin.

When pollinated, heliconias produce a fruit, called a drupe. It's generally bright blue or blue-violet in color. When this fleshy blue cover is removed, there will be from one to three very hard, black seeds . These seeds vary in size and shape among the different heliconia species.  Some can be as large and round as a pea (H. aemygdiana), while others can be long and thin as a grain of rice (H. rostrata).  

Information on Mondo Grass

Mondo Grass

Mondo Grass in Cracks of Stone Pavement

           

Common Name: Mondo Grass
Scientific Name: Ophiopogon Japonicus    
Height: Up to 15 cm
Span: 10 - 15 cm
Growth Rate: Slow
Sun Tolerance: Partial Sun

Mondo grass is used as an ornamental grass, which has a rich dark green color giving your garden or lawn a luxurious carpet look. Mondo grass is the best plant for your lawn walkway as it is soft and fills the gaps in the pavements. Mondo grass is a slow grower and requires little maintenance, but once Mondo grass is full grown, it will be attractive. It is sometimes used in aquariums. It can be grown on wide varieties of soils and requires partial to full shade of sun. Mondo grass produces blue colored seeds that look like blue berries. A must for any garden.

Mondo Grass Lawn

Mondo Grass in Aquarium


Mondo Grass Tuft

Mondo Grass Seeds 

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For more information on Mondo grass:

How to Grow Mondo Grass

View more about: Information on Sacred Lotus Flower


 

Coral Tree, Purple Coral Tree

Beautiful View of Coral Tree in the Garden

Common Name: Coral Tree, Purple Coral Tree, Coral bean

Scientific Name: Erythrina Fusca

Height: 5 - 8 meters

Span: 5 - 8 meters

Growth Rate: Slow

Sun Tolerance: Full Sun

Erythrina Fusca is also known as coral tree, which is a deciduous and tropical tree. It is a small tree with branches that grow in nice bonsai form. It’s spiny bark with red flowers makes it a treat to watch especially during certain seasons where it is just filled with red flowers. The tree attracts nectar feeding birds and the most often visitor to this gorgeous tree is hummingbird, which pollinate its flowers. The tree’s young leaves and flowers are eaten in some parts of the world. As a matter of fact, Erythrina Fusca is the official flower of Trujillo, a state in Venezuela.

Bonsai Structure of the Coral Tree

Bunch of Coral Tree flowers

A Bird Feeding on Coral Tree Flowers

Coral Tree Garden

Bunch of Coral Tree Flowers

Video on Coral Tree:

Beautiful View of Coral Tree in a Garden Common Name: Coral Tree, Purple Coral Tree, Coral bean Scientific Name: Erythrina Fusca Height: 5 - 8 meters Span: 5 - 8 meters Growth Rate: Slow Sun Tolerance: Full Sun ABP Index: 3.75 (Aesthetics 3.5, Solidarity 4) Erythrina Fusca is also known as coral tree, which is a deciduous and tropical tree. It is a small tree with branches that grow in nice bonsai form. It’s spiny bark with red flowers makes it a treat to watch especially during certain seasons where it is just filled with red flowers. The tree attracts nectar feeding birds and the most often visitor to this gorgeous tree is hummingbird, which pollinate its flowers. The tree’s young leaves and flowers are eaten in some parts of the world. As a matter of fact, Erythrina Fusca is the official flower of Trujillo, a state in Venezuela. Bonsai Structure of the Coral Tree Bunch of Coral Tree flowers A Bird Feeding on Coral Tree Flowers Coral Tree Garden Bunch of Coral Tree Flowers Video on Coral Tree: More Information on the Coral Tree: AgroForestTree database My Nice Garden Click here if you want to Own an ABP?

Information on The Golden Barrel Cactus

The Golden Barrel Cactus

Common Name:   Golden Barrel Cactus

Scientific Name:  Echinocactus Grusonii    

Height: 1-3 ft

Span: 2-4 ft

Growth Rate: Slow

Sun Tolerance: Full Sun

ABP Index:  4 (Aesthetics 4, Solidarity 4)

Golden Barrel cactus is rare and critically endangered species in the world. The shape of the Golden Barrel cactus is like round globe with 35 ribs in the body. The cactus has spines all over the body and produces flowers rarely. The flowers are pale-yellow in color and mostly blossoms in mid-summer. They can tolerate drought and low light for a longer period of time. Golden Barrel cactus is commonly found in the deserts of North America.

  Close up of golden barrel cactus spines

 Flower of  Golden barrel cactus

                                                                            Golden barrel cactus growing together

                                                                            Golden barrel cactus growing together

 Close up of a golden barrel cactus

 Small golden barrel cactus

 Golden barrel cactus spines

Video on Golden Barrel Cactus:

Information on Japanese Maple

The Japanese Maple

Common Name:   Japanese Maple

Scientific Name:  Acer Palmatum    

Height: 5 - 8 m

Span: 5 - 7 m

Growth Rate: Slow

Sun Tolerance: Partial Sun

Acer Palmatum is well known for their attractive maple leaves in the world. The tree is not a native of North America but stills flourish in United State’s different climates. Acer Palmatum is extensively used in Bonsai. Acer Palmatum are so much versatile that they can fit into any park, garden and roadside. They are very slow growers and flourish in moist soil. The leaves of the tree are star-shaped. The color of the leaves is bright yellow, orange and red. The famous and striking Canadian Maple Leaf gold and silver bullions feature Acer Palmatum’s leaf.  

 Full Grown Japanese Maple 

 Bark of Japanese Maple 

   Japanese Maple during Winter Season

Beautiful leaves of Japanese Maple 

Leaves of Japanese Maple

Japanese Maple Bonsai Tree

Japanese Maple Bonsai Tree

Different Types of Leaves of Japanese Maple

 Fruits of Japanese Maple

Japanese Maple Leaves

Video on  Japanese Maple :

How do you plant a Japanese Maple?- For most palmate leaved varieties select a site with full sun to light shade, more shading for those in warmer zones (8-9) full sun for those in cooler zones.
- For most dissected, linearilobum, and dwarf varieties select a site that is in partial shade (afternoon shade at a minimum especially in hotter climates).
- Soil should be well drained - Choose a location that is sheltered from drying winter winds - Japanese Maples are shallow rooted so try to avoid planting near established shallow rooted trees (beech, large maples, etc.)use mulch to prevent weeds and do not cultivate the surrounding soil.
- In humid climates and climates with very damp spring weather it is important to make sure of adequate air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
Planting:
Dig a hole 2-3 times as wide as the root ball or container that the maple is growing in (wider is better), dig the hole no deeper than the root ball or container. In heavy, poor draining soils the hole should be just deep enough that the top of the root ball is 1-2" above the surrounding grade.
Mix 50% (by volume) organic matter into the native soil, suitable organic matter include compost, leaf mold, soil conditioners made from pine bark, or peat moss. Do not add fertilizer at this time (although a transplant solution with Vitamin B1 may be beneficial)
Place the tree in the hole and backfill halfway, thoroughly soak the root ball and backfilled soil then continue to backfill. Once completely backfilled water again.
Continue watering deeply at least once a week unless there has been adequate (1-2") rain until the ground freezes, the following year gradually wean the tree off of supplemental watering except for during the hottest part of summer or extended droughts.
Form a small berm just outside the drip line of the tree to help the tree get enough water for the first two years as it gets established.
Mulch with 2-3" of hardwood, pine bark, or pine needles. Keep the mulch off of the trunk.
After the second year, eliminate the watering berm.