My sunrise plant is in bloom.
Also known as Anacampseros telephiastrum variegata, the common name must be derrived from its hot pink hues because it doesn’t start blooming until the afternoon.
I’m partial to the plant’s hot pink colored rosettes; I once had an apartment that color.
There were Several S’s in the garden to choose from for today’s ABC Wednesday post - Salvia, Sage, Succulents, and Sunflowers. But in the end, I had to Select Sweet potato vine. Originally chosen for its hardiness, it became the Star of this post for an entirely different reason…ooh…the Suspense!
The name refers to the vine’s bulbous-looking root System called root tubers. It’s hardy in the Sun or Shade and even thrives in the Summer heat. This is a purple Blackie variety, but leaves can also Show green. Save your money when Shopping for Sweet potato vine because one Sole plant can Spawn a Slew. Simply Snip the bottom leaves off and Stuff the Stems in Soil. Sustain watering for Several days in Succession for 100% Success.
As the vine Spreads and Sprawls, it Stays low and Serves as a Splendid ground cover. It fills in bare Spots quickly and thickly - maybe a little too thickly. I was knealing near a patch and Somehow failed to Spot this 3-foot Snake!
I’m Suddenly Soured on Sweet potato vine!
I haven’t been depressed, but I could definitely qualify as bewildered this week. That must be why I forgot about ABC Wednesday. But better late than never, and there are too many K’s in the garden in need of celebration. They all begin with Kalanchoe…
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Kalanchoe tubiflora
Kalanchoe daigremontiana
My succulent garden pretty much consists of two plants, and it started with one. A couple years ago John’s father brought me a little succulent from his garden. It was about four inches high, if that. That one little plant has bred hundreds since, some of which had grown into three-foot giants before the cold hit.
I never knew what these two plants were called, but our trip to Caspersen beach made me curious. We took the trail through the coastal hammock and spotted a couple familiar blooms.
If only I could tell you definitively what its name is! Common plant names are both obvious and confusing. Obvious because their names often reflect their appearance making them easy to identify. This is the same Chandelier plant blooming in my garden.
Just like the blooms by the beach, this one will open fully and drop to look just like a chandelier. The name is perfect. The problem is that it’s also know as Mother-of-millions and so is the little succulent that John’s father brought us. It’s all very confusing, and I didn’t have much more luck with the scientific names. The chandelier plant is called Kalanchoe tubiflora and Bryophyllum tubiflorum. Either way these names are ridiculous for the home gardener like myself. I require the simplicity of the common name. I can remember Chandelier plant. Bryophyllum tubiflorum – not likely. More often than not, the Chandelier plant is called Mother-of-millions, and the other one is called Mother-of-thousands. Of course, the names fit. These plants reproduce like crazy. The mother-of-thousands grow and reproduce so easily that I’ve planted them in cups, bowls, and shells.
They are fascinating plants and particularly self-preserving. Normally the buds that form drop from the leaves and root with no preference or mercy. You really have to stay on top of them. They’ve rooted between our brick pavers, the grass, potted plants, you name it. This shell has been a different story. It’s been growing on our kitchen window sill. There was literally no where for the buds to drop and take root, so they started rooting in the air.
Amazing! I love and fear both of these plants. I can’t even count how many Mother-of-thousands are around the house and garden at this point…thousands? And the story is the same for the Mother-of-millions. I started with one and now have fourteen! There are only 14 because I learned my lesson the first time around and kept my one little plant much more contained.
My First Ficus
Ficus elastica
I’ve had this ficus since it was a baby in a gallon pot. It was originally planted outside but grew too fast and unruly to stay there. Plants either die or flourish in the Florida heat. Ficus plants fall into the latter category; they’ll grow into huge trees if given the chance. I like them better this way - contained and low-maintenance. I put it outside when we’re expecting a heavy rain. The roots get a soak, the leaves get a shower, and done.
So why is F for Ficus in the first place? Because I’m participating in a blog project called ABC Wednesdays. Each Wednesday I’ll be featuring an item in my garden from letters A to Z…actually F to Z. This week is Round 6 – F - so I’m late…very late if you consider that the project is in its third year. But better late than never – here is A to E: Ants, Butterflies, Crotons, Dahlias, and Echinacea-I’d normally refer to these as Purple coneflowers but E is a tough letter. I better plant some Zinnias before I get to Z.
