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.