Ornamental foliage - Plant Encyclopedia Results

Paradrymonia sp. is a beautiful, small shrub native to Central America and Southern America. It is hardy in USDA Zone 9-11 and can reach a height of up to 2-5 feet. Paradrymonia, often referred to as a terrestrial or epiphyte herb, is usually grown in the same way as other terrestrial gesneriads. It is found in tropical or subtropical moist lowland and montane forests, where it does best in semi-shady conditions.

Its striking flowers come in various colors: white, off-white, red, crimson, vinous, yellow and orange shades, making the foliage even more ornamental in nature. To keep it safe, Paradrymonia should be brought indoors during colder temperatures to avoid frost damage. To do this, it should be placed in a sheltered area near a window, preferably facing north to protect from too much sunlight.

Paradrymonia needs to be watered regularly, but not excessively as this can cause root rot. The soil should be fast-draining and the plant never left sitting in water. In winter, it requires less water, so a sparing and controlled irrigation needs to be in place. Every two-four weeks for mature plants, a water-soluble fertilizer can be applied, diluted to half the strength for a nutrient boost.

In conclusion, Paradrymonia is a luminous and textured shrub appreciated for its beauty. With the correct care and attention, it can be a gorgeous addition to any garden.

The foliage is an ornamental feature of this large shrub, which can grow up to five to ten feet tall, and two to three feet wide. Codiaeum variegatum Golden Arrowhead requires full sun in USDA Zone 9-11. The Golden Arrowhead Croton grows best in a moderately moist and fertile soil, with plenty of organic matter. It is a relatively drought tolerant plant and can handle short periods of dryness, but it will thrive if watered on a regular basis.

The Golden Arrowhead Croton can be propagated by cuttings, but it can also be propagated from seeds. The plant's leaves can be quite attractive, but they have a tendency to be very irritating to the skin if touched.

When growing Codiaeum variegatum Golden Arrowhead in a pot in cold regions, it is important to be aware of the danger of frost damage. The plant should not be left outside when the temperature drops below freezing. To avoid frost damage, it is important to keep the pot in a sheltered area and to water the soil sparingly. It is also important to make sure the pot has adequate drainage. If the soil stays wet for too long, it can lead to root rot. During the winter, the Golden Arrowhead Croton should be placed in a cool, humid location and should be kept away from direct sunlight. In addition, it is important to keep the soil moist, but not overly wet to prevent root rot.

Ficus maclellandii (Alii Fig) is an evergreen tree from Southeast Asia that is widely cultivated as an ornamental foliage plant. It develops slender, elongated leaves that are glossy green and form a graceful, cascading canopy. In cultivation it is grown both as a small indoor tree and as a landscape specimen in warm climates, valued for its elegant habit and tolerance of pruning.

This species thrives in bright filtered light and well-drained soil, and it adapts well to container culture. Outdoors it can be grown in USDA Zones 10-11, where it remains evergreen year-round. The plant prefers consistent moisture but should not be waterlogged, and it should be protected from cold, as temperatures below about 35F may cause leaf drop and damage. Several variegated cultivars, including Amstel King and Amstel Gold , are especially popular for their ornamental foliage and are widely offered in trade. Makes a good container specimen or bonsai.

It has elongated leaves with a patterned coloration and tiger-colored stems that you won't find in other Alocasias. The foliage is very narrow and sharply arrowhead or hastate shaped.

It is a small, evergreen foliage tree or a large shrub. It reaches a height of four to seven meters. The pale green leaves are long and pointed and about 10-12" in length. They are of a pleasing pale green color. Planted in good sunlight, the leaves may acquire a light yellow color, which looks nice and unusual. The plant belongs to Nyctaginaceae family of bougainvillea and four o'clock plant. But, unlike the two other family members, is grown not for its flowers but for its leaves. The leaves used by natives as cattle feed. They also have medicinal properties and cooked and eaten when suffering from rheumatism or arthritis. The young leaves come in handy as a leafy vegetable. The lettuce tree can be grown as a large shrub. Being a coastal tree it does not thrive as well on land as it does on the east and west coast of the USA. The plant grows well in any soil, but being a littoral plant it shows preference for sandy soil. It is propagated through cuttings, which root easily in sand. Pisonia alba can be planted singly in large compounds to make it grow into trees or planted closely and trimmed regularly to make a pleasant looking hedge. The tree rarely flowers. The flowers are small, green and inconspicuous. The leaves are also carminative (expels flatulence). Leaves coated with eau de cologne are used to rub on elephantoid swellings.

Puya alpestris (Sapphire Tower) is a small shrub native to Chile that grows to heights of 2-5 feet. It is best grown in USDA Zone: 9-11 and can withstand mild frost when mature. It requires full sun or semi-shade and moderate water. Its electric-blue, lavender, and purple flowers are a true sight to behold. The ornamental foliage is sure to add interest to any garden and is a favorite among butterflies and hummingbirds alike.

When planting Puya alpestris, it is important to keep in mind that these plants require excellent drainage in order to prevent root rot. It is suggested to plant in sandy or gravelly soils for this reason. If planting in colder regions, consider planting in a container and bring it inside during the winter months. Once established, the mature plants can endure cold temperatures of up to 30°F for short periods of time. However, if the temperature drops significantly lower, the plant may suffer frost damage. After the last frost of the season it's recommended to cover the plant when temperatures drop below 40°F at night.

For optimum growth and health, keep the soil of your Puya alpestris lightly moist throughout the summer. Once established, it has very low water requirements. If allowed to dry out, it may take some time for it to recover. As far as feeding is concerned, applying slow release fertilizer in the spring will help your Puya alpestris thrive.

Taking these simple steps will ensure that your Puya alpestris stays healthy, happy, and in bloom throughout the summer. With its astonishingly vibrant blooms and its easy maintenance, Puya alpestris is an ideal choice for any garden.

Trevesia spp. are small, little branched, forest trees of south-east Asia. They are remarkable for the unusual pseudo-compound leaves that occur in several of the species. Leaves of all the species are palmately lobed, but in some the lobes are narrowed to form false petiolules, and the lamina is expanded again towards the base of the leaf. In one species (Trevesia burckii) these leaves are the normal adult state, while in another species (Trevesia palmata) the leaf dissection is variable both between and within individual plants.

The plant reaches in nature a size of up to 15-20" and prefers the shaded environment of a mountain rainforest. It is a hardy indoor plant that can tolerate a very wide range of home environments from full sunshine to dark corners.

Species:

Trevesia burckii

Trevesia palmata

Tolmiea menziesii (Thousand Mothers) is a plant native to North America. It is a groundcover and low-growing, reaching as much as 2ft, despite most specimens only reaching a few inches. In warmer areas, the plant can grow into a small bush, up to 5ft tall, but this depends on the care taken of it.

It likes full sun, but will do well in semi-shade. It prefers regular water, but can survive on moderate water in drier conditions. The ornamental foliage of this plant is particular attractive, and provides awe-inspiring colors of foliage in the summer.

The plant is cold-hardy, and can survive short time periods in temperatures down to 30F. However, in such cold regions, it is best to grow in a pot to be able to huddle it indoors in winters or during cold snaps. The plant will benefit from some good potting soil and enough moisture so the roots remain damp.

In general, Tolmiea menziesii is suitable for USDA Zones 9-11, so anyone living in warmer coastal states or with a greenhouse or sunroom to bring plants inside during winter should have no issues growing this plant.

Grown for the beauty of its leaves, it makes an ideal basket or terrarium plant.