Dypsis decaryi, Triangle palm

Botanical name is Dypsis decaryi, phonetics- (DIP-sis), (de-KAR-yee). It belongs to family of Arecaceae family (ar-ek-AY-see-ee). Common name is Triangle Palm. Other name is Neodypsis decaryi. Origin is from Madagascar. USA Hardiness Z – 9- 11. Needs average water and full sun. Drought tolerant besides sweltering heat. It can achieve a height up to 15-20 feet. Could be grown outdoors and in containers. Can grow in poor/ dry soils but well drained. Soil ph, neutral to mildly acidic.  germ 1- 2 months. 

The inflorescence emerges near the base of the lower leaves in the springtime and can grow up to 5 feet long. It's seeds/ parts are poisonous. 

Ornamental use is because of its uniquely arranged leaves base, that forms a triangle at the base. Used as accent plant in residential landscapes. Grown in beds, borders, patio, container. Propagation by seed. Resistant to pest. Fertilize twice a year. 

Grown for foliage, which is blue green in color.

Growth rate is considerably fast. 

It's maintenance is low. No pruning is required. 

The inflorescence emerges near the
base of the lower leaves

Each fruit is one inch long, egg shaped,
green when immature and yellowish-white when ripe.

Nightscape.

In the bays of car parking.

Growth rate is considerably fast. 

Please enjoy reading, viewing and decorate environment with this carefree palm. Good luck. 

Asclepias curassavica, Mexican Butterfly Weed,

Botanical name is Asclepias curassavica, phoenetics- (ass-KLE-pee-us) (ku-ra-SAV-ik-uh). Common names are Tropical Milkweed, Mexican Butterfly Weed, Scarlet Milkweed and Blood Flower. Belongs to family of Apocynaceae (a-pos-ih-NAY-see-ee). It is native to the American tropics. Hardiness USA Zone : 8- 11.Type is Tropicals and Tender Perennials.

Height-18-24 inches. Thrives well under full sun. Leaves are about 5 inch long, elliptic and pointed at both ends. Attracts, Hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. Grows best in light, rich, evenly moist, well-drained soil. Soil ph neutral or mildly acidic. Use gloves as sap is toxic to human skin. 

Propagation from seeds, by dividing rhizomes, including offsets. Properly cleaned seeds can be successfully stored. When it seems to have died... it always comes back. Used in beds, borders, cottage gardens, meadows, butterfly gardens and a good cut flower. 

Named after Greek god Asklepios the god of medicine.

An erect, evergreen perennial subshrub. 

Bloom is red-orange in color, blooms
continuously from spring until autumn.

Foliage is herbaceous and blue-green in color. 

No serious insect or disease problems. 

Average water needs. 

Low in maintenance. 

Poisonous to livestock.

Please enjoy reading, viewing and growing this blood flower.

Saccharum spontaneum, wild sugarcane

It's botanical name is Saccharum spontaneum.  Common name is Wild Sugarcane. Phonetics- (SACK-er-um , spon-TEH-nee-um). It belongs to Poaceae  (poh-AY-see-ee) - grass family. Native to South Asia. It has rhizomatous roots. 

Leaves are harsh and linear. Inflorescence are plumose panicles, white and erect. Flowers and fruits at the end of the rains, it helps in farming colony besides roots. Root-system is extremely extensive and used as a sand binder to reduce soil erosion. Helps in dune stabilization. Found near swamps, along canals, roads and railway tracks. 

Has several uses; reeds are made into mats, screens, and thatch roofs. Ash is used as salt substitute. 

It is a perennial grass with 2-4 meters in height.

A plant with white inflorescence.

Young inflorescences, can be taken raw,
steamed or roasted. 

Used for screening and hedging. 

Flowers from July- October

Animal fodder during scarcity.  

A good mulching material.

A source of sugar, peeled rhizomes
have a sweet flavour.  

Propagation is done vegetatively
or from seed. 

Habituates along water channels and swamps.

Please enjoy reading, viewing and cautiously adding into your landscape. 

Alstroemeria aurea, Peruvian lily

Alstroemeria aurea, commonly called Peruvian lily and Lily of the Incas. Phoenetics- (al-stre-MEE-ree-uh) (AW-re-uh). 

A tuberous perennial. Family Alstroemeriaceae. Origin, Argentina and Chile. USA Hardiness Zone: (7 to 10). Height 1 to 3 feet, spread, 1 to 2 feet. Water requirement and maintenance are medium. Disease free. 

Soil should be organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained in sunny locations. Plant naturalizes through creeping roots and form colonies. Used as commercial cut flowers. Border or accent and for mass display.  Large container plant. Poisonous when ingested, or allergic to skin. 

Propagation from seed; stratify if sowing indoors. By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets). 

Photos have been taken by me from Lahore. 

Showy flowers. Bloom time: March to June.

Bloom colors are many,
with spotting and streaking. 

Reliable and easy to grow. 

Pull stem from the base for more blooms
and don’t cut.

Attracted to bees, butterflies and birds.

Deadhead the spent flowers. 

Narrow, twisted, lance-shaped leaves up to 4" long.  

Please enjoy reading, viewing and planting these easy colors to your gardens. 

Plumeria pudica- Bridal Bouquet

Plumeria pudica- (ploo-MEER-ee-a) (pud-EE-kuh). Other names are; Bridal Bouquet, Fiddle Leaf, White Frangipani and Wild Plumeria. Belongs to Apocynaceae, family. Native to Panama, Colombia. USA hardiness zone- 9- 11.

Perennials, shrubs or small Trees. Tropical, tender perennials. Height-  6- 8 feet, spread 4-6 feet. Mildly fragrant, appears as white bouquet. Used as cut flower cuttings, Deciduous. 

Easy to grow. Water summers 10 to 15 day, winters 4 weeks. Fertlize during warmer months. Soil ph neutral/ slightly acidic. 

Leaves are dark green. Unique fiddle/ spoon-shaped, beauty in both leaves/ flower. Propagation- cuttings, let thee get callous, seeds –store not well. Tie bags to tree for seed.  

All photographs are taken by me from Lahore. 

Mildly fragrant, appears as white bouquet.

No serious pest/ disease issues.

Bloom time, late spring to early winters.

Bloom color is white/ near white,
with yellow center.

 

Grows under sun to partial/ light shade. 

Somewhat drought tolerant. Needs well drained soil.

Unique shape of leaves, like a spoon/ fiddle.

Please enjoy reading, viewing and adopting this lovely white bouquet with spoon leaves.

Oxalis triangularis, Love Plant

Oxalis triangularis. Commonly called false shamrock, purple shamrock or Love Plant. It belongs to Oxalidaceae family. USA Hardiness zone-  (8a–11). Height - 6 to 12 inches. Photophilic- close flowers and leaves with light.  

Adapt well to indoor conditions and thrive year round. Incredibly long lived, "heirloom plants“ change hands with generation. Natural toxicity, keep away pets and small animals. Deep pots are better, no other plant be co- located in same pot.

Growth from bulbs/ corm and root division. Light water is needed, once after 2 weeks, even less during winters. Indoor sunny spot. More water takes to dormancy. Dry the dormant plant, when first leaf appear restart watering. 

Requires bright to medium  indirect light,
(east window best).

Three-piece purple/ burgundy leaves.
Too much sun can burn the leaves. 

Low-maintenance houseplants.

Super simple to plant and grow.

Deep pots are better.

 Flowers are white in color.  

Delightful addition to indoors. 

Please enjoy reading, viewing and rearing the plant for next generation as a treasure. All photos have been taken by me. 

Cordyline fruticosa 'Firebrand‘

Botanical name is Cordyline fruticosa 'Firebrand'. Belongs to family of Asparagaceae. About origin they say it is from Eastern Asia. USA Hardiness Zone - (10 to 12). It can grow up to a height of 9 to15 feet. Part shade to full shade.

Needs well-drained, moist soils and humidity- spray leaves, place pots on troughs of wet pebbles or grow in bathrooms.  Easy to grow indoors, needs bright indirect light. Used in gardens for ornamental foliage. Leaves appear as pinkish red, but mature to deep green, in color. 

Fragrant, white to pale lavender flowers appear in panicles (10 to 12” long) in summer and are followed by red berries. Panicle - branched inflorescence ( group/ clusters of flowers). 

No serious insect or disease issues. Water requirement is moderate. 

A beautiful, colorful, broadleaf and evergreen shrub.

Leaves are red, pink and green.

Name Cordyline derived from
Greek word -  "kordyle" meaning club/ stick 

Fragrant, white to pale lavender flowers

Flowers in panicles - branched inflorescence

Another view of flowers.

Propagation is through
stem sections/ cuttings. 

A panicle means - branched inflorescence. 
Inflorescence means group/ cluster of flowers

Please enjoy reading, colorfully reviewing and adopting this cordyline/ club. All photographs have been taken by me at Lahore.