Stoebe plumosa, Seriphium plumosum

Stoebe plumosa, also known as Slangbos, is a small shrub, native to South Africa, that can reach a height of 2-5 feet. Known for its enchanting ornamental foliage, vibrant shade of deep blue-green, and silver-white, clusters of fragrant, small-petalled flowers that blossom in late winter and early spring, it's no surprise that this beautiful shrub is considered a worthwhile investment.

Stoebe plumosa thrives in full sun, but will tolerate some light shade, and prefers moderate water. This plant is surprisingly drought-tolerant and is relatively drought-resistant once established. It possesses an unusual color and looks great in between other forms of low shrubbery or if planted in containers in warmer climates.

This hardy perennial shrub is ideal for many situations. It can be used as a early season plant near the front of the border, in a natural setting, or within a bed of other flowering shrubs for more of an ornamental effect.

In USDA Zones 9-11 Stoebe plumosa can be grown easily in the garden and provided with sufficient sunlight, ample water and a well-drained soil. In colder regions, Stoebe plumosa can be grown successfully in pots, but container-grown plants require well-drained, nutrient-rich soil and regular feeding and pruning. For successful growth, ensure that the soil remains consistently moist but never soggy; moderate water is essential for the best results.

For optimum health, Stoebe plumosa requires good exposure to sunlight and a correct amount of water. Fertilize regularly to promote growth, and consider pruning this evergreen shrub in the spring, to encourage new, healthy foliage and brighten up the existing branches. Regular prunnging helps to keep Stoebe plumosa healthy.

Stoebe plumosa is a fantastic plant for anyone's garden, providing an ornamental look throughout the year to delight the eye. With its unusual colorful foliage, it is a great choice to add texture and interest to any outdoor display.

Streblus elongatus

Bushy evergreen tree to 15m, high rounded crown. Young leaves pinkish brown, flowers in hanging green spikes or catkins 3-8" long, singly or 2-4 together in leaf axils. The wood of Streblus elongatus is very hard and tough, thus they are used to make tool handles.

Strelitzia nicolai

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

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It has become very popular for indoor use over the last 10 to 15 years. It is used outdoors in both Florida and California as a landscape plant, where it can reach a height of 20 or more feet. The flowers can reach a size of 10-12 inches, but plants need to be a few years old before they will flower. Don't expect flowers indoors. Nicolai can handle a wide variety of soils and can grow in a variety of conditions. One condition that it cannot take is having extremely WET soil so it is best to keep it on the dry side. The "White Bird" isn't a small plant, but it is a very upright plant so it can fit into some tight spaces. Their large banana-shaped leaves add a rich tropical look to almost any interior. Growers usually use multiple plants to get a fuller plant.

Strelitzia reginae

Strelitzia reginae is a bold structural plant, which forms large evergreen clumps of stiff leaves growing up from the base. The grey-green banana-like leaves grow about 1,5 m in height and the flowers stand above the foliage at the tips of long stalks. Mature plants are very floriferous with flowers in autumn, winter and spring. The structure and pollination of the flowers are rather interesting. The hard, beak-like sheath from which the flower emerges, is called the spathe. This is placed at right angles to the stem, which gives it the appearance of a bird's head. The flowers, which emerge one at a time from the spathe, consist of 3 brilliant orange sepals and 3 bright blue petals. Two of the blue petals are joined together to form an arrow-like nectary. When the birds sit to have a drink of nectar, the petals open to cover their feet in pollen. It is an easy plant to grow in the garden. Plants do well in full sun to semi-shade, love a rich loamy soil and plenty of water throughout the year. They respond well to regular feeding with a slow release fertilizer and compost. They are however very tolerant plants and will thrive in most soils and can survive with very little water once established. The plants are also wind resistant and grow well in coastal gardens. Strelitzias are sensitive to cold and would need a sheltered position in areas with frost as the flowers and leaves are often damaged by frost. In very cold climates it is better to grow them in pots that could be moved indoors when freezing temperatures are expected. This must be one of the most well-known plants in the world. The fascinating blooms are sold as cut flowers by the million. :Read more about this plant.

Streptocarpella sp.

Streptocarpella are a sub-genus of streptocarpus. They are easy to grow, produce an abundance of blue flowers on wiry stems that seem to float airily over the foliage. Pinching helps to keep the plant attractive. Hummingbirds love them! Related to African violet and enjoys similar conditions. Small, tender basket plant, quickly grows to eight inches tall with a spread of 12 inches across. It branches freely and produces soft, velvety green leaves that are about two inches long. From nodes along the stem the plant produces an array of slender, almost wiry, four inch long scapes which terminate in three to five flowers which gracefully float above the foliage. The flowers are an inch long with a narrow tube which splays out at the end into a slanted, pansy-like face with five lobes. should be grown in a well drained, organic potting mix in either a hanging basket, window box or decorative container. While not a heavy feeder, it should be fertilized periodically to keep it growing and flowering. It is best situated in a bright location where it gets good light but not direct sun. Like all gesneriads it should have uniformly moist conditions. This plant not only will perform well on the patio or porch during the summer months, it will continue to bloom all winter long as a houseplant. In the winter give it an east or south window to assure it gets enough light to continue blooming. It is easy to propagate by terminal cuttings.

Streptocarpus sp.

Streptocarpus have shallow root systems and are best grown in wide shallow pots using a well-drained soil-less compost.

Keep in good light but not exposed to hot sun which can cause leaf scorch. An east or west-facing windowsill is best in summer; in winter move to a south-facing position.

To increase humidity in drier surroundings stand the pots on saucers of pebbles kept moist, but do not allow the water to reach the base of the pot.

Overwatering and/or too dense a soil mix. This is really the only way one can kill most modern streptocarpus hybrids. Streps almost always will recover from lack of water, even when almost totally limp, but can be killed by continual overwatering. For this same reason, a lighter soil mix is always preferred over a heavy one.

Streptosolen jamesonii

A spectacular bloomer, it is a rambling perennial vine that without support will grow 4-6 feet tall and wide. It is great for containers, hanging baskets, or as a ground cover in Southern landscapes. Oval-shaped evergreen leaves with a wrinkled appearance clothe the sprawling branches. A bountiful of orange, bell-shaped flowers bloom at the terminal ends of the branches in the spring and summer. Best in sun or part shade with regular watering. The shrub is evergreen and striking in any position, especially spilling over walls and lining garden stairs. It is somewhat frost tender though, and needs a protected position, or cut back before cold weather.

Strobilanthes anisophyllus

Strobilanthes anisophyllus is a frost tender, evergreen sub-shrub with unequal pairs of lance-shaped and toothed leaves. The longer of the leaves can be up to 9cm long. It produces tubular flowers that range in brightness from pink and blue to lavender and purple. Cone-shaped inflorescences of these flowers appear in the spring and winter.

This small shrub can reach a mature height of 2-5 feet and prefers to be grown in a sunny spot or semi-shaded area. Moderate water is ideal for optimum growth, although overwatering can lead to root rot concerns. It does best in USDA zones 9-11, but can also be grown in a pot in colder regions. However, pay close attention to cold snaps as Strobilanthes anisophyllus is frost tender and cannot be kept in temperatures below 55°F. During the growing season, it should be fed a balanced liquid fertilizer once or twice a month. Watering should be reduced in the winter season.

Bursera morelensis can be propagated from cuttings taken in laterite or coral sand. These cuttings should root in two to four weeks, and can then be transplanted either into the ground or larger containers.

This evergreen shrub is not just an attractive addition to any outdoor space, but it is also an incredibly valuable healing plant with many medicinal properties which have been held in high regard throughout history. Growing and caring for the Bursera morelensis is a straightforward task, making it the perfect choice for those wish to add some color and traditional medicinal benefits to their garden.

Strobilanthes dyerianus, Perilepta dyeriana

Spectacular plant with unique foliage with 6" ovate leaves variegated with iridescent shades of blue, purple and silver. 1" violet flowers in terminal spikes. Height to 3'. Grows best in partial sun to shade, great for containers or the garden for tropical effect! Needs to be pruned (otherwise becomes leggy).

Strobilanthes flaccidifolius, Strobilanthes cusia

Impressively statured herbaceous shrub with thickened veins and bright pink flowers. Very showy and useful plant. The leaves contain 0.4 - 1.3% indican, which can be hydrolyzed and oxidized to produce the classic Blue Indigo Dye. A dark Blue dye is obtained from the twigs. It is combined with Turmeric (Curcuma longa) to make Green, and with Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) to make Purple. The source of famous dye Assam Indigo, it was formerly cultivated on quite a large scale as a dye plant in China and India. Fresh juice from the leaves is used on Okinawa Island, Japan as a popular remedy for athlete's foot.

See Article about this plant: Strobilanthes, Chinese Rain Bell - a source of Blue, Green, and Purple.