Plants Archives - Page 6 of 11

Don’t Pick The Trillium Flower and Other Trillium Myths

The trillium is one of the main harbingers of spring, at least here in Ontario. It is not the earliest ephemeral to flower, but it is the most spectacular, and if you find the right location, a deciduous forest without a lot of visitors, the ground is covered with them. It’s the prettiest weed I know.

It is an odd plant. Takes forever to grow big enough to bloom and is mostly distributed by ants. It blooms white but then fades to a light pink. If you transplant one in flower, it could take years before it flowers again. This is one plant that is best left alone.

Many people think that it’s illegal to pick, probably because it is the Ontario flower. Why would it not be protected? This and several other myths about trillium need some attention.

Don't Pick The Trillium Flower and Other Trillium Myths. Photo of Trillium grandiflorum — Don’t Pick The Trillium Flower and Other Trillium Myths. Photo of *Trillium grandiflorum*

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Why Do Hellebore Flowers Last So Long?

Hellebores are all the rage right now and everybody seems to be adding more to their garden. A big appeal is the fact that they flower so early, sometimes even when there is still snow on the ground. But the real reason people like them is that they bloom a very long time; as much as five months.

Or do they?

They certainly seem to bloom for a long time; a closer look will reveal their secret. Once you understand why they bloom so long you will be able to select other plants that do the same thing.

Why Do Hellebore Flowers Last So Long? This is Helleborus niger, by Robert Pavlis

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Ligularia przewalskii

Ligularia przewalskii: photo by Robert Pavlis

Ligularia przewalskii is a great plant for part shade to heavy shade. It likes lots of moisture but does just fine with medium moisture levels. It has interesting toothed leaves and tall yellow flower spikes that contrast well with other shade plants. I cut it back the flower spikes after flowering and that is all the maintenance it gets. By spring, in zone 5, the leaves are on the ground and you can just leave them there. New foliage will soon cover them.

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When To Start Seeds Indoors – Includes a Chart

One of the most frequently asked questions from new gardeners is, when should I start my seed indoors? It all seems so complicated with many different types of seeds, both vegetables and flowers. This post will simplify the answer for you.

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Do Trees Have A Heartbeat? – A Myth is Born

It is becoming popular to ascribe human characteristics to plants and the latest headlines say, Scientists Discover That Trees Have A “Heartbeat”. Imagine that, soon trees will be falling in love with each other.

Plants are extremely interesting organisms, but this habit of making them sound animal-like is confusing a lot of people. In a Facebook Group, gardeners started to question the harm we do to trees when we prune them – does it affect their heat? Do they feel pain?

This myth has a very clear beginning and illustrates how many modern day myths get started.

Do Trees Have A Heartbeat? - A Myth is Born — Do Trees Have A Heartbeat? – A Myth is Born

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Chlorine, Chloramine and Plants – Everything You Need to Know

You have probably heard that chlorine in tap water is harmful to plants. Some cities have switched to using chloramine in tap water and that is also a concern for plants because it is much harder to remove before watering indoor plants.

What is the difference between chlorine and chloramine? Will they harm your plants? How can you remove them from tap water? These are all good questions gardeners should be able to answer and in this post, I will help you do just that.

Chlorine, Chloramine and Plants - Everything You Need to Know — Chlorine, Chloramine and Plants – Everything You Need to Know

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Astilboides tabularis

Astilboides tabularis: photo by Robert Pavlis

Do you want to grow gunnera but your climate is too cold? Then Astilboides tabularis is a good alternative. It has some of the largest leaves you can grow in colder climates and it makes a strong statement in any garden. Most people who visit my garden are unfamiliar with the plant and find it very exotic. Its leaves are an odd round shape that reminds one of an umbrella or table top. They easily reach 60-90 cm (2-3 feet) in diameter.

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Barnardia japonica

Barnardia japonica: photo by Robert Pavlis

Barnardia japonica is a lovely bulb that flowers in late summer, early fall, when most other rock garden plants are slowing down. The pink-mauve flower spikes are quite tall for such a small bulb, reaching about a foot. The flowers are very dainty, but are produced in numbers large enough to give a good display. As the flowers open, the flower scape elongates.

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Health Benefits of Houseplants – Learn the Truth

Houseplants are becoming more popular and there are many health benefits ascribed to them. Unfortunately most of these claims are not true.

In this post I will review our current understanding of the health benefits of houseplants.

Health Benefits of Houseplants - Learn the Truth — Health Benefits of Houseplants – Learn the Truth

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Is Tea a Good Fertilizer for Houseplants?

Lots of people take their left over tea and pour it over the soil of houseplants thinking that it does some good. Tea obviously contains chemicals and they might be good for plants. What about the milk, and sugar? Does it help plants grow?

Are any of the chemicals harmful to plants? Will the mixture cause bacteria or mold to grow in the soil? Sit back, have a cuppa and lets explore this habit of adding tea to houseplants.

Is Tea a Good Fertilizer for Houseplants?

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Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea monstrosa) Forms Peloric Flowers

I walked outside a few days ago and immediately spotted my monster foxglove. It is a cream yellow, growing in a fairly shady spot where the color just glows. But what made it really stand out is the large uncharacteristic flower at the top of the inflorescence (flower stem).

After a bit of work on the computer, I learned that this is a rare peloric mutation.

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea monstrosa) forms peloric flowers, by Robert Pavlis

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Blue Orchids – Are they Real or Dyed?

I just returned from the grocery store and they had blue orchids for sale; both dendrobium and phalaenopsis. These colors are not natural on orchids so I decided to find out how they are produced. How long will the colors last? Do they need any special care?

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