Many gardeners have learned the value of Cuphea for summer long flowers. We value them not only for the small, attractive flowers, but also for the hummingbirds, butterflies, and nectar-feeding insects that swarm around them. Aka Bat-Face Cuphea, St. Peter’s Plant, Tiny Mice, Bunny Ears, Cuphea llavea. Cuphea is a family of plants containing about 115 species according to the …
Read More »Tag Archives: red
Cyclamen
Cyclamen is a great winter-flowering plant that loves light shade. You can grow in indoors or out. The red cyclamen is classic for the winter holidays. In the summer, the foliage dies back and it is stressed by reflected heat (so shade is important).
Read More »Nicotiana
Gardeners who enjoy growing Nicotiana, enjoy great, fragrant perfume. It’s a flower that is grown for it’s fragrance. Nicotiana attract hummingbirds to their trumpet shaped flowers. Nicotiana plants are easy to grow. Flowers begin to appear and bloom in the early summer. The plant will rebloom all season. Flowers open up in late afternoon, and are on fragrant display all …
Read More »Scarlet Larkspur
Spectacular in its vivid red grandeur, this tuberous rooted Delphinium is a boon to Summer dry gardens. To 3-4’ tall, it’s been known to reach a majestic 6’ when happy. Hummers and bumblebees go nuts for 1.5” intense red, long-spurred “elf hat” flowers during Spring and early Summer. Native to our coast and foothills from Monterey South, this heat lover …
Read More »Alonsoa meridionalis
Mask Flower (Alonsoa meridionalis) Blooms lasting three months or more. When it slows down, just cut back to 6” tall, add a bit of compost & boom – it’s back with another explosion of 1” cinnabar-red, roundish Snapdragon-like flowers. Even in Winter! Nice in front of a bed & an excellent container plant. A bushy 30” high & 18” wide.
Read More »Blood Flower – Aclepias curassavica
Blood flowers (Aclepias curassavica) are red-orange with yellow hoods. Flowering continues throughout the summer to early autumn. Hummingbirds, butterflies and bees are attracted to the flowers. Monarch butterflies lay eggs on this plant and the resulting larvae (caterpillars) use the plant leaves as a food source. Flowers are followed by long, narrow seed pods (3-4” long) which split open when …
Read More »Begonia boliviens s. ‘Santa Cruz Sunset’
The Santa Cruz Sunset begonia has dramatic angled petals. These plants fall into the tropical and subtropical category of perennials, growing well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 11. Many varieties with ornamental leaves and blossoms grow well outside in USDA zones 10 and 11, while hardy begonias survive winters in USDA zones 6 through 9 …
Read More »Mandevilla vine
Among the garden’s most elegant vines, mandevilla offers stunning trumpet-shape flowers in shades of pink, white, or red. It’s the perfect plant for creating a lush, tropical look. Mandevilla is usually grown as an annual, though it can be overwintered indoors in a bright spot. Note: All parts of this plant are poisonous. First planted in 2014. I relocated the …
Read More »Gloriosa Lily
The exotic yellow and red blossoms of the gloriosa lily (Gloriosa superba), also known as the glory lily, flame lily and climbing lily, cover the plant’s 3- to 8-foot-tall vine. Native to Africa and Asia, gloriosa lilies are generally available in two colors: the red “Rothschildiana” and yellow “Lutea.” A tender perennial, this tropical vine thrives in the warm summer …
Read More »Lobelia aguana
Hundreds of well displayed, exotic, bearded, 2″ flowers jut out on prominent stems up and down the numerous upright stalks almost year round with the heaviest bloom occurring in Summer and Fall, with plenty of blooms continuing thru Winter. Pretty, evergreen, linear foliage. Can be cut back to 2′ tall in Winter to contain growth. Hummingbird heaven! Lobelia aguana, a …
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