Watering: Regular - Plant Encyclopedia Results (Page 282)

African shrub or small multi-stemmed tree growing in the sandveld and widely distributed throughout the eastern parts of Southern Africa. Flowers are white with a dense central cluster of yellow anthers and resembling a small white rose. The pulp around the seeds is relished by birds.

Zantedeschia aethiopica (Calla lily) is a herbaceous perennial plant that is evergreen in regions with adequate rainfall and temperatures, and deciduous where there is a dry season. It is commonly known as Calla lilies, but is not a true lily, belonging instead to the arum (Jack-in-the-pulpit) family. These stemless plants have flowers and leaves that rise directly from rhizomes. They typically grow in clumps up to 24-36" tall, and feature large arrowhead-shaped leaves and extremely showy flowers consisting of a yellow finger-like spadix surrounded by a bright white spathe, borne atop a leafless stalk. The plant is commercially grown as a very popular cut flower.

The calla lily is winter-hardy in USDA Zone 8-10. The plant thrives in moist soils and full sun to part shade. In colder regions, containers may be overwintered outdoors in a sheltered location, sometimes with some protection, and brought back indoors before first frost. When grown year-round in containers, the plant must be brought indoors in winter before the first frost. Overwintering containers placed near a window with bright indirect light can make attractive houseplants.

For best performance, calla lilies require moist soil and bright light. Fertilization should be done regularly, monthly during the growing season. Propagation may be accomplished by division of rhizomes in early spring or by seed. The plant reseeds freely, often with variable results, and may self-seed and become weedy in some areas. It is important to exercise caution as all parts of the plant are poisonous and may cause skin irritation. Calla lilies may also be planted in mud at the edge of ponds or water gardens.

Zanthoxylum beecheyanum, commonly known as Chinese Pepper Tree, is a deciduous plant native to Eastern Asia. It is most often grown as a small shrub, typically reaching 2-5 feet in height. This plant prefers full sun, although it also accepts semi-shade. It is hardy in USDA Zones 9-11.

In the spring, this plant blooms red, crimson, or vinous flowers. These flowers are highly fragrant, and appear in clusters. Once these flowers have bloomed, green fruits appear and ripen in fall, just as the leaves begin to change colors. The fruits of Chinese Pepper Tree are bush-like, resembling small peppercorns.

These plants are relatively easy to care for. They prefer regular water, especially during the hot and dry periods of summer and the cooler months of winter. Alternatively, they can be grown in pots and moved around to locations that suit the climate, making them useful in areas where winters can be too severe. Be sure to plant them in soil that drains well, as these plants are not tolerant to soggy roots. In areas with cooler winters, these plants can be grown both indoors and outdoors, and will produce beautiful foliage indoors in the colder months of winter.

Overall, Chinese Pepper Tree is an easy to maintain, bold shrub with a unique aroma and an air of oriental flair that brings a unique personality to your garden. With the right balance of sun, water, and nutrients, you can enjoy beautiful flowers and fruits from this spectacular and understated specimen.

Colima is a rounded shrub bearing recurved thorns and red shiny fruit that contrasts well with its bright green leaflets in mid, to late summer. An important wildlife plant, colima is a food source for white tailed deer, many birds, butterfly larvae and butterflies, who sip the nectar from its inconspicuous flowers. Its bark and bitter-tasting aromatic leaves are powdered and used as a condiment, while its wood produces a yellow dye. The flowers, leaves and fruit have an aroma of citrus.

Various members of the genus may bloom spring only or repeat and continue into autumn, often a few days after rainstorms thus one of the common names, Rain Lily. Most are spring or summer flowering.

Cultivation from seed is easy in this group. Seeds are papery and can be floated but they sprout very easily sown under just a thin covering of sowing medium. Sow the seeds in a well-drained mix and keep in a warm place. The seedlings will grow well in warm weather and respond well to fertilizer. As with any papery seeded amaryllids, these have a relatively short viability period.

Zephyranthes pulchella - Showy Zephyrlily - is found in the coastal prairies and wet roadsides of eastern Texas and Gulf Coast Louisiana. The leaves grow through the winter and spring and die off in summer; flowering occurs in autumn. Leaves are linear and sedge-like and flowers are golden yellow. Pulchella means "pretty". These spectacular rain lilies growing in the highway medians near Refugio, Texas, on the east coast of that state. The glossy green leaves serve as a nice foil to the bright yellow flowers that are held just atop the foliage. The vigorously multiplying clumps flower for us from late summer into fall.

Zephyranthes flowers are very similar to Habranthus flowers and both are called rain lilies. Habranthus flowers point upward BUT at an angle and have unequal stamens, and Zephyranthes flowers point straight up and have equal stamens. Zephyranthes flowers tend to be star shaped and Habranthus have somewhat irregular flowers. Additionally, the seeds of Habranthus are slightly winged (and thicker).

See Article about Zephyranthes.

Z. strateumatica, has become naturalized in southern Florida after being introduced into the area as an adventive with Centipede Grass from China (this is where the Florida nickname "Centipede Grass Orchid" came from for this species.) Looks too nice to be just a weed! It emerges in winter, blooming in late December and January; within a few weeks, the plants vanish. The following year, they may return, and from the same root a new plant will grow next to the previous one.