Clitoria ternatea, Butterfly Pea- (Culinary and medicinal values)

It's botanical name is Clitoria ternatea.  Commonly known as Asian pigeonwings, Blue bell vine, Blue pea, Butterfly pea, Cordofan pea and Darwin pea. It belongs to Fabaceae, family. USA Hardiness Z- (11 to 12). Origin- tropical Asia.

Flowers resemble female genitalia in shape; hence, the botanical name- Clitoria. Spread is 3 to 6 feet. No serious insect or disease problems. Has a religious value in Hindu rituals. 

Butterfly Pea Tea has both medicinal and culinary properties. Roots are used for medicinal purposes. Petals are used as edible food dye, petals also garnish salads, ice cream and soups. Pea tea is consumed  hot or cold, has woody and earthy taste. 

Drink will change color depending on the ph of the ingredients. Deep midnight blue color changes, rich violet color by adding lemon, and to bright red by adding hibiscus flowers . People take it regularly. Has antidiabetic  sedative values. It's naturally caffeine-free, Provides energy and increases brain power. Consult your Doctor.

Propagation by seeds, first file the seeds, then soak in water overnight at room temperature before planting during warm spring. Germination -15 to 20 days.  

A climbing vine, needs trellis, can weave through a hedges.

Water requirement medium.

Maintenance - medium.

Bloom colors to include pink, white, dark blue and lilac.

Attains a height from 10 to 15 feet. 

Flowers have culinary uses and benefits.

Support required for climbing.

Propagation by seeds

May you enjoy reading, viewing and drinking tea from a self grown vine. 

Echinocactus grusonii - mother-in-law's cushion/ seat.

Echinocactus grusonii - Other names are; Golden Barrel Cactus, Golden ball or Mother-in-law's cushion/ seat. Phonetics- (ekin-oh-KAK-tus, groo-SON-ee-eye). It's type is Cactus and Succulents. Origin is from east-central Mexico. 

Belongs to family of Cacteaceae -(kak-TAY-see-ee). USA Hardiness Zone– (9- 11). Drought-tolerant. Can attain a height up to 2- 3 feet. Royal Horticulture Society has given it  Award of Garden Merit. 

Soil ph mildly acidic/ alkaline/ neutral. Caution- spines. Propagation- offsets or seeds. Produces offset clump. Do not wet the body. Water standing around root will cause root rot. Keep dry in winters.  Feed with high potassium fertilizers.

Great in decorative containers. It's almost disease free. Relatively slow growing. Approximately attains a diameter of 10 inches in 10 years. 

Only mature plants kept under full sun would bloom. 

Adds texture, color and shape to landscape.

Thrives in Full Sun,
may tolerate some shade. 

Bloom is pale yellow.

Bloom time- Mar to October/ November.

Thrives in Full Sun, may tolerate some shade. 

A part of Rocky and Cacti Gardens.

Stem is ribbed. 

Please enjoy reading, viewing and keeping this yellow diamond.

Capparis spinose, the caper bush.

Capparis spinose, other names are; the caper bush, Flinders rose. Locals at Rohtas Fort call it Akore. Family Capparaceae. USA Hardiness Zone- (8 to 10).

It is a perennial, spiny and scrambling bush. Flowers are showy and have purple stamens. Bloom time May to Oct. 

Thrives under sun full/ no shade. Water requirement dry to medium.  Fruit is eaten or consumed in pickled form. 

Buds are picked, washed and preserved in salt or pickled in vinegar to garnish foods, or culinary additives. Has medicinal value.

It can thrive in soils which are poor, dry, rocky or sandy 

Height up to 2.00 to 3.00 feet, Its spread is 3-6 feet. 

Flowers last for one day only.

It has broadleaf  which are round in shape.

Flowers are fragrant, white to pinkish-white in color.

Locals use it as a relief for joint pains. 

Fruit edible oblong, multi-seeded, known as caperberries.

 

May you enjoy reading, viewing and enjoy growing this culinary plant. 

All photos have been taken by me, while visiting Rohtas Fort near Jhelum.

Carissa macrocarpa, Natal Plum.

 Carissa macrocarpa, Natal Plum. An ornamental shrub which can grow up to a small tree. Origin Natal region of South Africa. Common name Natal Plum. Belongs to Apocynaceae family. Phonetics- (Kar iss uh - Makro kar pa). 

Can grow under full sun to partial shade. Evergreen, with dark green glossy leaves. Can grow up to Ht 6-8 feet. USA Hardiness zone- (9- 11). All parts are poisonous, if ingested less ripened edible berries. Soil ph mildly alkaline/ acidic or neutral. plum-shaped fruit, jam. Good Perennial hedge- dense overlapping leaves make a good screen and spines make it a reasonable barrier. 

Growth rate is Moderate. Fruit in 2 years. Ripe fruit is slightly soft to the touch. These fruits ripen individually and not all at once. They persist on the plant after ripening. Heat drought tolerant. Propagation through Cutting, layering and seeds. Used as a low shrub or ground cover. 

Bloom is white/ near white. Sweetly fragrant. 

Has spines, adopt caution while working with plant.

Flowers are star like

Dense overlapping foliage.

Container plant.

Garden use of mix with "Variegata".

May you enjoy reading, viewing and growing this evergreen medium growth shrub. All photos have been taken by me, please. 

Senna alata, Golden Candelabra Bush

 

Senna alata.  Other names are Candle Bush, Candelabra Bush, Empress Candle Plant, Golden Candlestick. Phonetics - (SEN-nuh, a-LAY-tuh). Origin- Mexico to Tropical America. Naturalized in subcontinent. USA Hardiness Zone- (8- 11)

Type - Shrubs Trees. Evergreen. Drought-tolerant. Soil ph mildliy alkaline/ acidic/ neutral. Poisonous if ingested.

Effective fungicidal properties- treats wring worms and skin infections. Joint pains. Medication under expert supervision only. 

Candelabra blooms.

Bloom- Bright Yellow. 

Full sun. Grow outdoors.

Bloom time: Mid Summer- Mid Fall

Grows up to 6-8 feet

Leaves close in the dark.

Propagation by division of root ball, 
cuttings from semi hardwood or seeds. 

Has medicinal value.

BBB- Attractive to Butterflies, bees, and birds. 

Please enjoy reading and viewing and growing bright yellow candelabras. All pictures are taken by me at Lahore. 

Solanum crispum ‘Glasnevin’- Chilean potato vine.

Solanum crispum ‘Glasnevin'. AGM.

It is a species of flowering plant. Belongs to the family of Solanaceae. Native to Chile (Che le) and Peru. Common names are Chilean potato vine, Chilean nightshade, Chilean potato tree and potato vine. S

olamen (Latin) meaning comfort, solace.

RHS Has awarded the prestigious Award of  Garden Merit – AGM. USA Hardiness Zone - (9- 11). Has 5 inch long, ovate dark green leaves. 

Growing to 6 m tall, spread 2 M approx.   

Moist but well-drained soil. Take cuttings from summer to early autumn,  From seeds. Has certain medicinal uses. 

It can be toxic to a pet (cat n dog). 

It is a semi-evergreen, woody-stemmed climbing plant.

Bloom is fragrant and purple in color
(shape and color like potato flower).

Bloom time mid summer to mid autumn Jul to Nov. 

Wiry stems need support in shape of 

trellises, arbors, wall, poles or fences. 

Flowers Looking Pink in color,
due to bright afternoon sun and
chocolate color of gate at the back.

Grows under full sun to partial shade. 

Please enjoy reading, viewing and cultivating this solace, please.

Hedychium coronarium - Butterfly Ginger Lily

 Hedychium coronarium - Other names are; Butterfly Ginger Lily, white garland-lily,  White Ginger Lily. Upright herbaceous perennial. Belongs to Zingiberaceae family. USA hardiness Zone- (8 – 10). RHS has awarded it Award of Garden Merit.

It can height from 3- 6 feet. Width is 2 to 3 ft.   Water need is medium. Maintenance requirement is medium.  

Its origin is from eastern Himalayas- India/ Nepal/Java. Has naturalized in other areas as well. Likes hot and humid summers and moist soil. No serious insect or disease problems. 

Containers may be sunk into ground water garden or pond. Stream and cottage gardens. Has many medicinal uses. 

Bloom is white, showy and fragrant.

Individual flower resemble butterfly. 

 

Lance-shaped, medium green leaves

Growth through rhizome in spring. 

Home landscape/ containers.

Bloom time is late summer to early fall. 

Well drained moist soil. 

Full sun to partial shade.

Plant along water channel.

May you enjoy reading, viewing and planting this butterfly ginger lily.