Tabernaemontana pandacaqui

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Close

Very cute low growing shrub native of the South Pacific, with Jasmine-like white pin-wheeled fragrant flowers, 5 petals with long tips fusing to form tube, regularly symmetrical.

The flowers are then followed by a pair of seeds that look like two bananas hanging in opposite directions, hence its common name. They start out red and then turn yellow when they ripen.

Variety Netty is a dwarf perennial shrub that grows only 3-4 ft tall. Its lush green foliage is a great backdrop for the abundant and continuous small white flowers that are pinwheel shaped.

Banana Bush works well as a mass planting, specimen shrub, or containerized accent piece. It is also drought tolerant once established and is a moderate grower. Ectra benefit is lack of pest problems associated with it. This plant is truly a winner.

In some sources Tabernaemontana pandacaqui is indicated as synonim of Tabernaemontana orientalis, however in our opinion they are different, with T. orientalis having pointed petals and T. pandacaqui rounded ones.

Tephrosia vogelii, Tephrosia vogellii

Tephrosia is a perennial leguminous shrub indigenous to Uganda; in Lusoga and Luganda, it is known as muluku. It slow-growing, herbaceous, with soft, hairy-velvet leaves, pleasant to touch. Young leaves are silvery. The flower is about an inch across, and purple with white markings or white. The flowers are borne on compact racemes that bloom over a 3-6 week period. The plant is considered to be self-pollinated. The plant tolerates poor soils and harsh sites, attracts bees and butterflies.

Tephrosia is capable of fixing nitrogen from the air for improvement of soil fertility. The shrubs may be periodically pruned, applying immature plant parts to improve the soil. Leaves and roots of Tephrosia contain rotenone, a compound that is toxic to the root rats as well as fish and some insects. One new promising technology to control root rats is to plant Tephrosia as scattered plants in a field or as a barrier around fields. Tephrosia leaves can be used in insect control. Scientists at Kawanda have found the dried and powdered leaves of Tephrosia to be effective in the control of storage pests; in southern Tanzania, crushed fresh leaves are used in control of maize stalk borer. Tephrosia is also known as 'fish bean'; it is often used to paralyze fish, causing them to float to the surface.

Thevetia ahouai, Ahouai nitida, Plumeriopsis ahouai

Thevetia ahouai is native to Central America and Mexico, but can be found in a variety of warm climates, such as the American south-west. It prefers full sun, though it can tolerate light shade in hotter regions. The plant should be watered regularly, but not to the point of saturation. In colder regions, Thevetia ahouai can be grown in containers. In this situation regular watering is still important, but it's important to avoid overwatering in the winter months when the plant is dormant as this can cause root rot.

Thevetia ahouai is a large shrub, usually growing to between five and ten feet tall, with yellow and orange flowers that are highly fragrant. They bloom in clusters in the late spring and early summer months. Thevetia ahouai is hardy in USDA zones 9-11, and is generally a low maintenance plant once established. Pruning can be done to keep the plant shaped and to enhance flowering, however it is not necessary. With proper care Thevetia ahouai will provide beautiful colour and fragrance in any garden.

Leaves and bark exude a milky white sap which can cause irritation when coming in contact with the skin. Its fruit are 1 inch long with bright red color. Special caution must be taken with children and pets as they're highly toxic.

Tradescantia albiflora, Tradescantia fluminensis

Tradescantia albiflora (Inch Plant) is a low-growing and evergreen vine or creeper that can easily reach 2 feet in length. This plant features beautiful ornamental foliage consisting of tiny, succulent oval leaves from 0.5 to 1 inch in length. Depending on the light condition, its leaves are mostly green or purple. In the full sun, its leaves become green-grayish in color. And in the shade, they will exhibit more purple hues. It produces small white or off-white flowers that makes it an attractive addition to any garden.

When growing Tradescantia albiflora, it needs regular water and an average amount of water during its growing season. It can also tolerate moderate water if irrigation is delayed. For colder regions, it's best to grow this plant in pots, as it is not cold tolerant. It is grown in the USDA Zone 9-11, but can survive with regular care.

Tradescantia albiflora is a salt tolerant plant and can be grown near the seaside. It is perfect for adding texture and dimension to garden beds and edges, as a low-growing ground cover or as a hanging basket plant. It can also be used as a filler between stepping stones and pathways. When handling this plant, be careful as it can cause irritation to the skin.

Tradescantia spathacea, Rhoeo spathacea, Tradescantia discolor

Herb with succulent stems; leaves crowded, flat, stiff, pointed, dark green above, purple to green below; flowers at base of leaves, small, white, 3-parted, held between 2 purple bracts; fruit a capsule. Can be used to make a dense groundcover, as houseplant or in interiorscape. Watery sap can cause contact dermatitis, avoid getting sap on skin.