Plant attracts butterflies, hummingbirds - Plant Encyclopedia Results

Large ornamental shrub 9", with bright orange pincushion flowers. Excellent shrub for well-drained alkaline soils. Flowers best in open sunny position.

Hedychium coronarium, also known as Butterfly Ginger, is a small plant native to India and Indonesia. It grows to be 2-5 ft tall and wide and requires full sun or semi-shade exposure and moist, well-drained soil. In the summer and fall, it produces off-white or white, fragrant flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. It is popular in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands, where it is often used in leis or worn in the hair. It is also a good cut flower for scenting the home.

This ginger plant has medicinal properties and is used to treat colds, headaches, arthritis, and injuries. It is known to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. It is USDA hardy in Zones 8 to 10, but it is not frost hardy and may suffer damage at lower temperatures. In regions with colder climates, it is best to grow the plant in a pot and bring it indoors during the winter months.

To propagate Hedychium coronarium, divide the plant in late winter or early spring. Cuttings may also be taken in late spring to mid-summer and rooted in soil. To keep the plant healthy, keep the soil moist at all times and fertilize weekly with a balanced fertilizer. After the flowers have faded, remove old stems to promote new growth. It is a popular plant in the house gardens of the Dai people along the Mekong river and is sometimes mistakenly referred to as Alpinia alba.

Dissotis rotundifolia, or Trailing Tibouchina, is an everblooming plant native to tropical West Africa. It's a low-growing groundcover with slender, four-angled, creeping stems that can grow to 2ft in height. The deep green leaves are velvet-textured, and the bright purple or crimson flowers 2 inches wide appear all year round in warm climates. This stunning plant is a great addition to any garden, attracting both butterflies and hummingbirds.

Dissotis rotundifolia can be grown in USDA Zone 9-11, thriving in full sun to semi-shade, and prefers regular to moderate water conditions. In colder climates, it can be grown in pots and brought indoors when temperatures drop too low. Plant care in these cases includes providing maximum sunlight, and keeping the soil moist but not too wet. Fertilizing regularly will also help the plant growth and flowering.

In warmer areas where it can be grown outdoors, Dissotis rotundifolia does well when planted in well-drained soil and receives full sun or partial shade. Watering once a week is enough to keep the soil lightly moist, but not soggy. Pruning should also be done regularly to encourage bushier, fuller growth, and a layer of mulch around the base of the plant helps retain moisture. With proper care and regular pruning, this plant can put on a great show for gardeners, with its pink and blue, lavender and purple flowers.

With bright, glossy green foliage that provides an evergreen presence to any space, this is one of the loveliest of Mediterranean shrubs.

Genista januensis, also known as Spanish Gorse, is a large shrub native to the Mediterranean region and typically grows to 5-10 ft tall. Its attractively glossy green foliage makes for a year-round lush presence and its bright yellow, orange and brown flowers offer a stunning pop of color during the spring. The flowers of Spanish Gorse also have a pleasant sweet scent and they're particularly attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.

Spanish Gorse is a low-maintenance plant that's easily grown in USDA Zones 9-11 and can tolerate a range of soils and light levels. While it can grow in the full sun, it's wise to provide it with some shade in the hottest parts of the day, especially if you live in a sunny climate. Its spines make for an impressive natural hedge but it can also be kept as a groundcover or a small shrub. In terms of water, it needs moderate amounts and can survive short periods of drought, although it thrives best when watered regularly.

When it comes to caring for Spanish Gorse, it's best to keep in mind the tough conditions the plant can handle in its native environment. As such, it's a great choice for anyone looking for a resilient, low-maintenance shrub without having to compromise on style. It's Also important to remember that in cooler and cold regions, Spanish Gorse must be grown in a pot or kept in a sheltered sheltered location in winter.

Overall, Spanish Gorse is a great choice for adding structure to a garden as well as long-term interest and easy maintenance. Whether you want to use it as a striking feature shrub or a low-growing groundcover, it's certain to provide a beautiful contrast of shape and color in any garden beds.

Jatropha (Gout plant) is an attention grabber and a must in every tropical garden. It has a large bottle-like caudex and huge leaves up to 10-12 inches in diameter. The more shade, the bigger the leaves. Great natural bonsai. Makes a good potted plant but can also be used as a conversation piece specimen in a small garden. This showy plant grows about 2-3 ft high, with a knobby, swollen stem and red flowers in large terminal clusters. Partial sun and a well-drained soil are preferred. Propagation is by seeds, which are produced freely and germinate easily. When the seeds ripen, they burst open, so watch them to turn brown before you miss them jumping away! Seed pods will explode, launching the seeds several feet away.

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Species: Wisteria sinensis, Wisteria floribunda, Wisteria frutescens, Wisteria macrostachya. Vigorous, showy, woody ornamental vines that can climb trees, apparently limited only by the height of the tree, and have been observed to reach 65 feet. Unlike American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens), which flowers June through August, exotic wisterias flower in the springtime (April-May) and produce a velvety seed pod. The fuzzy brown seed pods are 4-6 inches long, narrowed toward the base, with constrictions between the seeds. Stems of the exotic wisterias can grow to 15 inches in diameter in older plants. White-barked Japanese wisteria vines twine clockwise around the host plant and Chinese wisteria twines counter-clockwise. Fragrant, violet to blue-violet flowers, occur in showy, pendulous clusters that hang gracefully from the twining stems. Exotic wisterias are long-lived, some vines surviving 50 years or more.

There is about 100 taxa of Echinocereus. The different species have a large range of colors from green to yellow, pink, orange, and red.

As is often the case in cactus genera, the bigger species will take full sun while the smaller species like some shade.

Species:

Echinocereus acifer

Echinocereus adustus

Echinocereus albispinus

Echinocereus engelmannii

Echinocereus fitchii

Echinocereus morricalii

Echinocereus pentalophus

Echinocereus polyacanthus

Echinocereus reichenbachii

Echinocereus rigidissimus

Echinocereus subinermis

Echinocereus viridiflorus

Growth and Plant Care: Placed in the right conditions, this semi-tender deciduous perennial vine is relatively easy to care for and maintain. Strophanthus preussii - commonly known as the Medusa-Flower plant - is a climber or creeper mature plant that grows anywhere between 5 to 10 feet high and prefers to be planted in USDA Zones 10 to 11. To thrive, this large shrub requires to be planted in semi-shade and needs regular watering. The Medusa-FLower Plant is attractive for its off-white and vinous reddish-crimson flowers that also have a sweet, delicate fragrance. This deciduous plant can also attract hummingbirds, butterflies and other wildlife, given the right conditions. The mature plants are also moderate to good cold hardy and can withstand temperatures at least down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, though these plants may drop its leaves during cold season.

For those growing Medusa-Flower plants in a pot or container in cold regions, the plants need to be placed in a sheltered area, such as a porch or conservatory and supplied with extra mulch and insulation during the winter months. Furthermore, the container must provide sufficient drainage and be placed in semi-shade to protect roots from direct sunlight, especially during extreme temperatures. Regular watering is also key, but one should make sure to not over-water the plant or leave waterlogged soil in the pot. Also, feeding the Medusa-Flower is essential and can be done either prior to or shortly after flowering season.

Lumnitzera littorea is found in the back mangroves, in soft, muddy substrates where tidal inundation is rare. Has ornamental potential due to its red flowers.

The versatile Lobelia erinus (Bellflower) is a low-growing, sprawling groundcover, growing to a maximum of 2ft. It looks absolutely stunning when in full bloom with its clusters of small, nodding bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink, white, off-white, blue, lavender and purple. Lobelia not only brightens up any garden but also attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Lobelia thrives in USDA zones 9-11, but even in colder climates can be grown as an annual. It does best in full sun and requires regular water to keep its soil consistently moist, so it's ideal for window boxes, hanging baskets, planters and as a ground cover.

For potting, use a loose and well-draining soil mix and a good-sized pot, since Lobelia has a deep root system. Place the pot in an area that receives full sun, always keeping a consistent moisture level. When deadheading and pruning, in colder areas it is recommended to wrap the pot in bubble wrap and place it in a sheltered location for winter. In spring, repot the Lobelia in fresh soil, fertilize it and it will be ready to bloom again.