My goal is to post lots of information here about the plants growing in our yard. I hope to include notes about watering and feeding schedules, pictures of the plant(s) throughout the year, and links to other online resources.
Acer palmatum (Japanese maple)
Agapanthus
We have two varieties of Agapanthus in our yard: A.
'Peter Pan' and A. africanus. We have 3 of the former
(which are much smaller) in the backyard, and lots of the latter
in the front. Both varieties bloom in the spring and summer with
pretty purple flowers on tall stalks.
This picture of A. 'Peter Pan'
was taken on March 10, 2002
Asparagus meyeri (foxtail fern)
These get red berries.
(March 10, 2002)
Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri'
(Sprenger asparagus)
These are related to Asparagus meyeri, and also have red
berries (I notice them in the winter.)
(March 16, 2002)
Buxus microphylla japonica (Japanese boxwood)
Callistemon lanceolatus
(Bottlebrush)
(March
10, 2002)
(March
16, 2002)
Camellia japonica
(March
16, 2002)
Cedrus atlantica (Blue Atlas Cedar)
Needs lots of sun and little water (once established.)
Coleonema pulchrum
(March
16, 2002)
Colocasia esculenta (Elephant
ears)
Elephant ears die back in the winter.
(March 10, 2002)
Flowers
All sorts of flowers grow in our yard. These pictures of freesias
were taken March 10, 2002. They had started blooming about a week
prior to that. I've seen them in pink, purple, and yellow in our
garden.
Fraxinus oxycarpa (Raywood ash)
Fraxinus uhdei
We have two ash trees in our backyard, both of the variety 'Majestic
Beauty'. They drop leaves constantly throughout the winter (these
go into the composter), and provide lots of shade in the yard.
Hedera helix (English Ivy)
This plant grows all over our yard (sides and back) and is a major
nuisance. I try to pull up some every week, and ideally would
get rid of it all.
Jasminum polyanthum
(Jasmine)
(March
16, 2002)
Lavender Trumpet (flowering vine)
Lemon
Our tree is of the 'Eureka' variety, and isn't very healthy right
now.
(March 10, 2002)
Leptospermum scoparium (New Zealand
tea tree)
We have two of these, one pink, the other white.
(March 16, 2002)
Lily
None of the flowers looked good when I took this picture.
(March 10 2002)
Loropetalum chinense
We have two of the 'Razzleberri' variety. Their bloom is a nice
way to start off spring. (Bloomed prior to March 1)
(March 10, 2002)
Lycianthes rantonnei (Paraguay nightshade)
Nandina domestica
I tentatively identified this as Gulf Stream Nandina.
(March 10, 2002)
Nerium oleander
There are 3 oleander plants in the back, all of which are under
the ash trees. Oleanders need a lot of sunlight to do well, so
ours are a little on the wimpy side. We had a fourth, but we had
to take it down because of disease (bacterial gall.) All parts
of the oleander are poisonous, so any leaves, flowers, or twigs
go directly to the yard waste bin, and not the compost heap.
Notes from the former owners say we have 'Hardy red' and 'Ruby
lace' varieties.
(March 10, 2002)
Phormium tenax (New
Zealand flax)
Other than the trees, this is the largest plant in our yard. The
flower reaches up about 10 feet! It is not picky about water (can
take a lot or a little) and likes a decent amount of sun.
(March 16, 2002)
Rhaphiolepis indica
(Indian hawthorn)
There are 3 with pink flowers in the front yard (they start blooming
in the winter)
Strelitzia
reginae (Bird of Paradise)
Ours is not particularly happy with the climate because we have
a few days every winter when it gets cold. But, we usually see
several flowers a year, and it hasn't died yet, so we are letting
it be.
(March 16, 2002)
(March
16, 2002) The label has washed away. I think it may be a Camellia
japonica.
(March 16, 2002)
I think this plant may be diseased; the old leaves are silver,
the new ones are green
(March 16, 2002)
Tentatively identified as Clivia miniata.
(March 16, 2002)
Tentatively identified as Gelsemium sempervirens (Carolina
jasmine)
(March 16, 2002)
(March 16, 2002)
(March 16, 2002)
(March 16, 2002)
(March 16, 2002)
(March
16, 2002)