Watering: Regular - Plant Encyclopedia Results (Page 278)

This shrub is native to Tropical Africa and Asia, where it can be found in open areas, thickets, roadsides, fields and along riverbanks. Vitex negundo is a deciduous shrub or a small tree that typically grows 5-10 ft tall and spreads in an irregular and rounded shape. The leaves are opposite, 3-5 inches long, with 5-7 leaflets that are deeply divided, dark green and hairy on the underside.

The flowers are small, axillary clusters of sessile flowers and bloom in late spring or early summer months. This shrub is known for its gorgeous display of blue, lavender, or purple flowers. Depending upon the cultivar, some flowers are a dark purplish hue, while others are a light bluish-violet.

Vitex negundo is perfect for adding an ornamental look to any garden with its beautiful display of blossoms and lush foliage. This species is best grown in full sun or semi-shade and prefers medium to wet soil. This plant needs regular water and is quite tolerant to fluctuating weather conditions. It can tolerate temperatures down to USDA Zone 9-11.

Growers can plant Vitex negundo in a wide range of containers and soil types. To ensure successfully growing, one should amend the soil with compost, soil conditioner and mulch when planted in containers. Water regularly during the growing season, but allow the soil to dry between waterings. Container-grown plants should receive extra protection from extreme cold in winter.

Vitex negundo is used for its ethnomedical properties by many cultures. The leaves, flowers and seeds are used to treat a variety of ailments from headache, digestive issues and skin diseases to malaria, liver diseases, bronchitis and asthma. The leaves, bark, and roots of Vitex negundo have been used for centuries for culinary uses, for religious offerings, for medicinal remedies and for garden ornamentals.

The Vitis rotundifolia, or Muscadine Grape is a deciduous plant native to North America, ranging from Delaware south to Florida, west to Kansas and Mexico. Muscadines are a sturdy vine or creeper with deeply dented evergreen leaves, producing small clusters of small, firm, juicy and sweet fruits that can range in color from bronze to dark purple to black when ripe. They have a skin sufficiently tough that biting a small hole in the skin to suck out the pulp inside is often necessary in order to eat the raw fruit.

The uses of the muscadine grape are diverse and delightful. Fresh muscadines can be eaten as is, or used to make jelly, jams, pies and other treats. They can also be juiced and made into wine. Furthermore, consuming muscadine grapes has many health benefits, as they are high in vitamins and minerals, including vitamins C and E and manganese. Muscadine wines and juices also boast other benefits such as relief from colds and flu.

For those looking to grow their own muscadine grapes, they need plenty of sun with good air drainage. Plant will grow in USDA Zone 5-9. When grown in northern climates, muscadines make great plants for container gardening, as long as they are provided with regular water.

Muscadine grapes are a delicious, healthy and versatile North American native. Not only can these grapes be eaten fresh, they can also be used to make juices, jellies and wines that are great for everything from a sweet wine to a health tonic. With some regular watering and plenty of sun, these hardy vines will bear a bounty of delicious grapes.

Vitis vinifera (Wine grape) is a gorgeous vine that flourishes in full sun, making it an excellent addition to any sunny spot in your garden. This plant is deciduous and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. It requires regular watering once a week during warmer months, but only needs moderate watering in cooler weather. The plant is mature and cold hardy in USDA Zone: 6-10.

The fruit is small, round, with thin skin and juicy flesh. It comes in a range of colors from green and yellow to dark-red, and is popular for producing delicious wines, jams/jellies, juice, and soda. The fruit is also packed with health benefits, containing vitamins A, B, and C as well as magnesium, calcium, and iron. It is renowned for being rich in antioxidants and for its ability to strengthen the immune system.

There are currently more than 5000 varieties of Vitis vinifera grapes, though only a few are of commercial significance for wine and table grape production.

Voacanga africana is a tropical evergreen tree with glossy foliage. Its fragrant flowers feature a pale green, creamy or white corolla. It has numerous local medicinal uses in Africa.

Vriesea is a genus of bromeliads native primarily to Central and South America, prized for its decorative foliage, long-lasting colorful inflorescences, and ease of cultivation. Most species grow as epiphytes on tree branches, although some occur terrestrially in tropical and subtropical forests.

Plants form elegant rosettes of smooth, spineless leaves that may be plain green or attractively banded, striped, or mottled. Depending on the species, they range from miniature forms only a few inches across to impressive specimens more than 6 feet in diameter. Some species are grown primarily for their striking foliage, while others are valued for their colorful inflorescences. The brightly colored bracts, often arranged in flattened sword-like spikes, may remain attractive for months, far outlasting the small flowers.

Unlike many bromeliads, most Vriesea species lack sharp leaf margins, making them especially suitable for indoor cultivation. Popular species include Vriesea splendens, known for its boldly banded foliage and red sword-like inflorescence, along with numerous hybrids selected for compact growth and enhanced coloration.

Vriesea thrives in bright filtered light, warm temperatures, and high humidity. Plants prefer a loose, well-drained bromeliad mix and regular watering without prolonged root saturation. Most species are suitable for USDA Zones 10-12 and are commonly grown as container plants elsewhere. After flowering, the parent rosette gradually declines while producing offsets that can be separated and grown into new plants.