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| WILLOW STREET DATURAS LOADED WITH PURPLE TRUMPETS | |
| Published: October 07, 1997 | |
Small trees are homely, but their frilly flowers are fabulousQ:At Pride Plaza on Willow Street (at the corner of S. Pierce) are six to eight small trees that have been covered for several months with dark purple flowers that are white on the inside of the petals. The flowers are beautiful and unusual, and I would like identify the plants.A:Those small trees that are flowering so lavishly are dwarf angels trumpets (Datura metel Cornucopia), and are, in fact, the same variety that we photographed in June. Because daturas usually wilt and droop from lack of moisture, Im amazed that these are so healthy during a drought, and in the blazing sun of a parking lot with no irrigation system. There must be 15-20 flowers on several of the small trees.The flowers of this variety are especially unusual because they are double, with one "trumpet" appearing to be inside another. Also, the petals are frilly and the chalk white lining inside dark, dark purple petals is a lovely contrast. Autumn Joy sedum a four-season addition to the landscapeQ:Occasionally I see a plant called Autumn Joy in nurseries, and I have read about it in my gardening magazines. Can you tell me if it grows well in this area?A:Autumn Joy sedum is a relatively new, although highly promoted, perennial that is reported to thrive in the Gulf South. However, Ive seen it used very little, and Id love for our readers to grow it and report their experiences.Several years ago I planted a few plants and was surprised by how well they grew in my yard despite the fact that they are succulents requiring full sun, raised planting and dry conditions. My neighbors grew one plant in a large container this year. It has been a most attractive patio plant. The plants, which are 18-24 inches high, produce jade-green foliage in spring and large flat clusters of bright pink flowers in summer. In fall the flowers begin to turn a rosy pink, aging to rusty red as fall progresses. The foliage dies back in winter, but the dried stalks and flowers are reported to remain attractive throughout the winter, making these plants true four-season perennials. The stalks should be cut back when new foliage appears in spring. Propagation is by stem cuttings. 485 requests for seeds and still pouring inWhen Janelle Arceneaux offered free HBV seeds to persons who would send a SASE, she didnt expect the mailman to arrive with 200 letters, and that was just one days delivery. In less than a week she had received 485 letters. Janelle and helpers are shelling seeds as fast as they can, and send assurances that every request will be filled in time for planting next spring.Christmas vs spring blooming amaryllis bulbsQ:Regarding the column on getting amaryllis bulbs to rebloom. I always plant mine in the ground outside and they rebloom every year.A:Although I didnt make it very clear, the reader was asking how to force the bulbs to rebloom indoors at Christmas. The difference is that those outdoors will bloom in April, not at Christmas. |