Ornamental foliage - Plant Encyclopedia Results

The plant reaches in nature a size of up to 15 feet meters and prefers the shaded environment of a mountain rainforest. This tree has a very ornamental foliage. Leaves are evergreen and have a shiny upper side. They are up to 20 inches wide, and are deeply lobed. They look like stylized snowflakes, hence the common name.

This plant has tiny scented flowers, which are grouped in globose inflorescences.

Planted in pots and kept indoors this species makes a great room design and does not need much sunlight. It is a hardy indoor plant that can tolerate a very wide range of home environments from full sunshine to dark corners. This plant prefers a drained and fairly moist ground.

Fatsia japonica produces large, dark green, deeply lobed leaves. From fall through winter umbels of small whitish flowers grow are seen which are then followed by clusters of small round black fruit. Often grown as a foliage houseplant for cool positions, this is also a very successful shade-tolerant garden plant. It is best grown in the open in seaside gardens, or against warm walls and in sheltered corners inland - hard frost can injure the leaves, but plants recover if the roots are safe from freezing. The handsome bushes tend to be wider than they are tall, with very large leaves which create a sub-tropical effect. Plant in spring to allow time to establish before the frosts. Remove berries to increase leaf size, and water and feed regularly.

Bright light - avoid direct sunshine. Water freely from spring to autumn - sparingly in Winter. Use tepid water. Mist leaves frequently, especially in hot weather.

Philodendron scandens Mediopictum Brazil is a spectacular rare variegated philodendron with heart-shaped leaves that are dark green with yellow variegation in the center of the leaf. Stems have a pinkish orange hue.

See Article about Philodendrons.

Calathea prefers moist, shady, jungle-like conditions in a garden and is also often grown as potted specimens. When it is used as a house plant, the leaves should be sprayed with water several times a week. Propagation is by root division. Water with soft water. Keep uniform high humidity and temperature.

See Article - How to grow Calathea indoors.

This is a large group that includes annuals, herbaceous perennials and shrubs. These plants love the sun and soil that is well drained.

Species:

Helichrysum italicum (Curry Plant) looks very similar to a Lavender in its leaf stage. Helichrysum oil has recently been reinvestigated as a medicinal herb. It is reputed to be good for bruises and varicose veins. The fragrance is warm, slightly honey like, rich and buttery, with green notes of wood, spices, herb.

Helichrysum litoreum

Helichrysum petiolare (Trailing Dusty Miller)- it makes an attractive addition as a trailing plant or hanging pot. Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping.

Helichrysum retortoides

Helichrysum sanguineum (Red everlasting)- drought-tolerant.

Amorphophallus species are herbs with an underground storage organ. This is usually a tuber. One single leaf emerges from the tuber, consisting of a vertical petiole (stalk) and a horizontal leaf-blade. The latter is dissected into few or numerous small leaflets. Once plants are mature an inflorescence may develop. The inflorescence may replace the leaf in one season, or develop alongside it. From winter dormant tubers emerge an umbrella like plant with beautiful speckled stems. Large flowers will emerge from mature plants in the spring. When the spathe opens the female flowers are receptive and must be pollinated that same day. The opening inflorescence emits an attractant scent. In Amorphophallus this scent has diversified considerably. In most species the scent is anything but pleasant, and reminds one of varieties of death, decay, sewage, gas and the like. A few species develop a scent that is actually pleasant to the human nose (e.g. carrot-like, anise, chocolate, fruity, lemon). After successful pollination most parts of the spathe wither and drop off, after which the individual female flowers develop into berries, containing the seeds. These berries are usually red or orange-red, but occasionally blue, white, or yellow-and- white. Amorphophallus thrives in a rich loamy soil in partial shade. Compost should consist of 2 parts loam to 1 part peat moss to 1 part sand. Keep the plant evenly moist all through the growing season. Keep dry during dormancy, keep moist during growing period. Fertilize monthly with a houseplant fertilizer. Water should be gradually withheld starting in October until the leaf withers. Store corms at a temperature above 50 degrees. They can be brought into active growth in late March. If the corms are strong enough, a blossom will soon be produced. The leaf follows soon afterwards. A. bulbifer definitely dislikes low humidity - the leaflets may partially desiccate; this seems to be more pronounced in low light. Also, in low light, the leafes become exceptionally dark green, with nicely contrasting pink margins. Such plants have to be moved to brighter light very gradually. In bright light, the leaves are bright green, with pinkish margins less pronounced. Other species: konjac, titanum, and much more...

Amorphophallus konjac is one of the largest flowers, a perennial exotic Asian plant. It grows a single, elongated center called a corm and a single large leaf that wraps around it. The corm is the part of the plant that is used, as well as its tuber, which is commonly called the konnyaku potato. Amorphophallus konjac acts as a diet aid that has many benefits. Its ability to swell when mixed with water allows it to fill the stomach. It also moves through the digestive system very slowly, making the appetite feel satisfied for a longer period of time. This characteristic of Amorphophallus konjac is beneficial in treating obesity. It is one of the most exotic, bizarre flowers. Can be easily grown in a pot as a house plant. The single leaf dormant in winter, then in spring the plant shoots out a remarkable flower.

Requiring full sun and sandy, well-drained soils, this plant is excellent for seaside locations since it is highly salt- and drought-tolerant. Plants should be well-watered until established and then should only require occasional pruning to control shape and develop structure. The contorted, twisting trunk (which can grow to 2 feet or greater in diameter) and upright branching habit makes this an interesting, picturesque shade tree or specimen planting.

The genus Rhus belongs to the mango family. Nana-Berry is an attractive shrub indigenous with showy, lovely yellow to orange-red foliage in autumn.

The shrub has smooth, greyish brown bark; the leaves, which are pink when young, turning dull yellow to orange-red in autumn, are trifoliolate, with the two side leaflets smaller than the terminal leaflet, dark green above and paler green below with long hairs.

The small, yellowish green flowers are borne in clusters at the end of the branches, wiyh male and female flowers on different plants. The flowers are followed by the shiny, bright red fruits, in heavy clusters.

The nana berry makes an interesting focal point in the garden; the flowers attract butterflies and the attractive fruit brings a host of birds and insects to visit. In autumn the ornamental leaves change color, making this a multi-season garden plant.

This species grows in almost any kind of soil. Young plants need lots of water but once they are established, they do not need much. These plants are therefore good subjects for water-wise gardening. It can be used as a hedge plant and forms akes a very strong barrier if planted closely. It is frost and drought hardy and makes a beautiful container plant.