'/> Fascinating Flowers: August 2015

Saturday, August 22, 2015

10 Exotic Hibiscus in Different Colors

Hibiscus are large shrubs or small trees that produce huge, colorful, trumpet-shaped flowers over a long season. The genus comprises several hundred species that are native to warm-temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. Hibiscus comes in a variety of colours. Below are some species in each particular colour.

White Hibiscus

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Rose Of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) 'Jeanne D'Arc' - frilly pure snowy white double flowers in abundance from midsummer through autumn. The flowers are large and attractive, with numerous white petals that form a full, peony-like bloom.

Yellow Hibiscus

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Yellow Hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei) is an endangered flowering shrub native to the Hawaiian islands. Hawaii's state flower, this rare hibiscus is called Ma'o hau hele by Hawaiian natives. The large flowers are 10.16 - 15.24 cm (4 - 6 in) in diameter. The flowers are creamy yellow, with varying amounts of red or maroon in the center, and form singly or in small clusters at the ends of the branches. Blooms in spring through early summer.

Red Hibiscus

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Chinese Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is a bushy, evergreen shrub or small tree native to East Asia. The species is also called by other names including China Rose, Tropical Hibiscus, Hawaiian Hibiscus,and Shoeblackplant. The plant bears 5-petaled brilliant solid red flowers with prominent orange-tipped red anthers. Blooms in summer and autumn.

Orange Hibiscus

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Only tropical hibiscus blooms in shades of orange as well as producing double blooms. The Queen-of-the-tropics (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) 'Montego Wind' is a perfect example of orange hibiscus. This tropical hibiscus variety originates from southern China. It bears large, disc-shaped blooms that are orange with a lighter pink band around the dark pink center. In the center of each bold bloom is a bottlebrush of yellow anthers topped with a five-parted, spider-like stigma.

Pink Hibiscus

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The 'Pink Swirl' variety of hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) is a prolific producer of large, saucer-shaped flowers that appear in mid summer and continue until frost. The blooms literally swirl open to reveal five silky, white petals with strokes of pink around a deep red eye.

Blue-Purple Hibiscus

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The Hibiscus syriacus 'Blue Satin' is a variety of hybrid Rose of Sharon. It grows mainly as a Perennial plant and tends to bloom in July to October. It produces showy flowers in rich blue with purple throat.

Brown Hibiscus

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The Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) 'Tahitian Sophistication' is a perennial bush that is attractive, well branched, and upright. It produces unusual hibiscus flowers on deep brown, red, and golden bloom. The flower has heavy texture and prominent tufts sometimes giving it the appearance of a double. It blooms year round.

Multi-Colored Hibiscus

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The Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) 'Fiery Furnace' is a tropical (exotic/woody) hibiscus. The plant produces a 17.75-20.32 cm (7-8 in) brown, heavily textured and ruffled flower with a wide orange border; a small, dark red eye, and silver rays. Flower Time: Year Round

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

10 Enchanting Blue Flowers -- Excellent Addition in Your Garden

Although an uncommon color botanically speaking, plants with blue flowers add a cool touch in a blue garden. The cool tones of blue evoke wide open, often unexplored spaces and creates an aura of mystery. The blue garden plan may include, but is not limited to, the following plants with blue flowers:

Himalayan Blue Poppy

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The Himalayan Blue Poppy (Meconopsis betonicifolia) is a gardening real head-turner. The plant is native to the mountains of southeastern Tibet. Flowers bloom from May to July. Tall leafy stems bear a succession of single scintillating, silky blue flowers, 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4in) in width with contrasting yellow stamens.

Blue Butterfly Larkspur

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Blue Butterfly Larkspur (Delphinium grandiflorum) has just the bluest gentian-blue flower. The plant is also called Chinese Larkspur or Siberian Larkspur, because the native range of the species includes northern China, Mongolia, & the steppes of eastern Siberia. The individual blossoms are not on a spike like most larkspurs, but a bit more subtle than other genus. Unlike other types of delphinium which reach impressive heights, Blue Butterfly delphinium is more diminutive, measuring about 12 to 18 inches. Blooms from late spring through early summer.

Eastern Bluestar

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Eastern Bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana) is a perfect pick for blue flowers. This erect-stemmed perennial wildflower is native to the southern and southeastern United States, and northern Mexico. The plant is about 2-4' tall with elongated leaves that are lance-shaped and light-green growing on smooth, erect stems. It produces bright blue star-shaped flowers appearing in fluffy clusters at the tips of the stems. Each flower has a tube shaped corolla with five spreading lobes. Flowers bloom in late spring.

Lily of the Nile

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Lily-of-the-Nile (Agapanthus africanus) is native to South Africa. The plant is an evergreen perennial with strap-shaped leaves and erect stems. The flowers are somewhat lily-like in rounded clusters (umbels) of light to deep blue or white, funnel-shaped flowers. Blooms in summer.

Jack Frost Brunnera

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'Jack Frost' (Brunnera macrophylla) is a perennial plant grown for its exquisite silver and green variegated foliage, and sprays of small bright blue Forget-me-not flowers. It is commonly known as Siberian Bugloss or False Forget-me-not. Excellent for the woodland garden, flowers appear in April to May.

Brazilian Blue Sage

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Brazilian Blue Sage (Salvia guaranitica) 'Black & Blue' is a species of Salvia native to a wide area of South America, including Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. This perennial shrub is also known as Sapphire Sage for its incredible jewel-bright blooms. The cultivar 'Black & Blue' have fairly large (one- to two-inch) long, tubular two lipped cobalt blue flowers, which are held at their bases by near-black calyces. Flowering period starts in August to October.

Borage

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Borage (Borago officinalis), also known as a Starflower, is an easy growing annual gangly plant. It is native to the Mediterranean region. The 15–25 mm (0.6–1 in.) wide flowers are vivid blue and star-shaped with five triangular-pointed petals. They’re a true blue, although pink flowers are sometimes observed. There is a cultivar of borage that produces white flowers as well. Bloom Time: June to August.

Blue False Indigo

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Blue False Indigo or Blue Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis), is a native American beauty. It is a bushy, robust perennial in the family Fabaceae (legumes). Baptisia australis is a standout because of its striking indigo-blue pea-like flowers. The flowers, about 2.5 cm long (1 inch) are borne on long racemes. Bloom Time: May to June.

Siberian Squill

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Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica) is a spring bulb plant. It bears tiny, nodding, sky blue–dark blue, star-like flowers. The flowers have six petals and six white stamens with dark blue tips. Flowers are arranged singly or in racemes of two or three at the top of a slender naked stem. . Each flower is about 1 inch across when fully open. Bloom Time: April.

Cornflower

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Cornflower or Bachelor's Button (Centaurea cyanus) got the name because they grew wild in European corn fields. Centaurea cyanus is an annual plant growing to 16-35 inches tall, with grey-green branched stems. It bears charming true blue flowers. Each disc-shaped flower is about 1.5 inches across, with ragged petals radiating out from the center. Bloom Time: May to July.