Category Archives: Vegetation

Tulip

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Tulip

“Tip-toe through the tulips!”

  • Tulips are eye-catching plants, 1o to 71 centimetres (4 to 28 inches) in height, and are grown from bulbs.
  • Tulips are often thought to be endemic to the Netherlands, however they were introduced there and are actually native to parts of the Middle East and Central Asia, most notably Turkey.
  • The scientific name for tulips is tulipa, and they come from the family liliaceae, which is the family of lilies.
  • There are 150 species of tulip and 3000 varieties, and they generally have two to six green leaves but can have up to 12 leaves.
  • The Netherlands produces 3 billion bulbs every year, more than any other country, and is the main exporter of commercial tulips.

Tulip, Pink, Red, Vase, Green, Tall, six, Australia, Ten Random Facts

  • Variegated patterns on tulips were originally caused by a mosaic virus known as ‘tulip breaking virus’ spread by the flower pest, aphids, however the patterns on modern varieties are usually a result of special breeding.
  • The largest collection of growing tulips can be found in the Netherlands garden, Keukenhof.
  • Tulip flowers bloom in spring, and can be red, yellow, orange, blue, purple, pink and white in colour.
  • Tulips are one of the most popular flowers in the world, but they do not like warm climates and grow well in cold temperatures.
  • Allergen chemicals can be found in tulips, as well as the chemical ‘tulipanin’ that is poisonous to dogs and cats.
Bibliography:
Facts about Tulips, n.d, Lifestyle Lounge, <http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/facts-about-tulips-5119.html>
Tulip, 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip>

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Azalea

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Azalea

Pretty, showy azaleas.

  • ‘Azaleas’ are also known as the ‘Royalty of the Garden’, and are shrubs that bloom in from autumn to spring, depending on the variety.
  • Azaleas are either deciduous or evergreen, depending on the species, and generally like to grow under the shade of trees.
  • Azaleas are from the family ‘Ericaceae’, which is the family of heaths or heathers, and belong to the genus ‘Rhododendron’, which are a group of woody plants.
  • Azaleas grow up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) tall, although some only grow to half that height.
  • Azalea nectar and leaves are highly poisonous, and in the past, have been seen as a death threat if the flowers have been given in a black vase.White, Azalea, Group, Flower, Pretty, Ten Random Facts, Australia
  • Places in Japan, Korea and the United States have festivals to celebrate azaleas.
  • Azaleas are mostly native to North America, and eastern parts of Asia, and the American species are generally deciduous, while the Asian species are generally evergreen.
  • Azalea flowers come in white, pink, mauve, purple, red, orange and yellow in colour, and the single varieties generally have 5 petals, but doubles can have up to 30.
  • Azaleas are popular garden plants, although many people do not know how to grow them properly, as they require specific growing conditions, which include the need for acidic soil.
  • Over 10,000 different cultivars of azaleas have been recorded and the plant and flowers are very similar to rhododendrons in appearance, so it is often difficult to tell them apart.
Bibliography:
Azalea, 2007, Azalea Society of America, <http://azaleas.org/azaleas.html>
Azalea, 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azalea>

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Freesia

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Freesia

Fragrant freesia flowers.

  • Freesias are a small flowering corm that have long, thin leaves up to 30 cm (12 inches) long that branch out from the base, and the flowers grow on a thin, green stem up to 40 cm (15.7 inches) in height.
  • Freesias are native to Africa, mainly to South Africa, although a few species belong to areas further north.
  • There are between 16 and 20 species of freesia, with more than 300 hybrids.
  • Freesias are from the family Iridaceae, which is the family of irises.
  • Freesias are named after the German physician, Friedrick Heinrich Theodor Freese from the 1800s.

Freesia, Lavender, Purple, Colour, Mauve, Many, Four, Bud, Plant, Hedge, Stem, Ten Random Facts, Australia

  • Freesia flowers have a strong soapy-scented perfume, and the scent is often mimicked in lotions, soap or other scented products.
  • Freesia flowers typically have 5 to 10 funnel like flowers, although some species have flat flowers, and some have double petals.
  • Freesia flowers can be white, gold, yellow, orange, red, pink, mauve, purple and lavender in colour and can also be two toned.
  • Freesias bloom in spring and the plant usually dies back after flowering and setting seed.
  • Freesias are a popular cut flower, and easy to grow, although some species have become a weed in some parts of Australia, due to the numerous seeds and corms they produce.
Bibliography:
Freesia, 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freesia>
Freesia Flowers, 2013, The Flower Expert, <http://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/mostpopularflowers/morepopularflowers/freesia>

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Greater Periwinkle

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Greater Periwinkle

Greater periwinkles are greater than lesser periwinkles.

  • Greater periwinkles are also known as ‘big leaf periwinkles’, ‘large periwinkles’, ‘blue periwinkles’ and ‘blue buttons’.
  • The scientific name of greater periwinkles is ‘Vinca major’ and is from a family of six species of Vinca.
  • Greater periwinkles are native to Europe and North Africa and are from the family ‘Apocynaceae’, which is typically known as the dogbone family.
  • Greater periwinkles grow up to 50-70 cm (1.6 – 2 .3 feet) in height and spread 2-5 metres (6.6 – 16.4 feet) wide.
  • Greater periwinkles are ground vines with dark green coloured leaves that are glossy and sit in pairs opposite each other, with flowers that can bloom all year round, but generally in spring and summer.

Greater Periwinkle, Purple Flower, Multiple, Two, Bush, Violet, Lavendar, Colour, Austalia, Flower, Vegetation, Ten Random Facts

  • The flowers of greater periwinkles can be white or blue in colour but are typically coloured in purple shades and are 3-5 cm(1.2 – 2 inches) in diameter.
  • Greater periwinkles are an invasive weed in parts of Australia, New Zealand and United States, due to the ease of propagation from waste plant material.
  • Greater periwinkles are often mistaken for lesser periwinkles (Vinca minor) due to their similarities, although the flower and leaf sizes are larger in the greater, which also has tiny hairs on the leaves, that the lesser doesn’t.
  • The stems of greater periwinkles can be used for basket weaving and the plant is also used medicinally, although it is poisonous if large portions are consumed.
  • Greater periwinkles are happy to grow in shady areas and send down roots from their runners, making them easy to grow from cuttings.
Bibliography:
Vinca Major, 2013, Plants for a Future, <http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Vinca+major>
Vinca Major, 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinca_major>

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Diosma

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Diosma

Teensy little diosma flowers.

  • Diosma is a woody shrub that is used to decorate gardens and can be also used as lovely filler in flower arrangements.
  • The scientific name of diosma is ‘Coleonema pulchellum’, which comes from the Greek words ‘koleos’ and ‘nema’ meaning ‘sheath’ and ‘thread’ respectively and the Latin word ‘pulchellum’ means ‘pretty’.
  • Diosma is also known as ‘confetti bush’, ‘breath of heaven’ and ‘buchu’ and was once named ‘Coleonema pulchrum’.
  • Diosma blooms in late autumn to spring, with small flowers 7-8 mm (0.275 – 0.3 inch) that have five petals, and are pink, white, mauve and red in colour.
  • Diosma is native to South Africa and likes to grow in warm areas.

Diosma, Focus, Pink, Windy, flower, Vegetation, Ten Random Facts, Australia

  • Once a diosma bush has finished flowering, they develop small capsules that contain, small black seeds.
  • Diosma is from the family Rutaceae, which is the family of rue and citrus.
  • Diosma grow from 0.5 to 2 meters (2 to 6.5 feet) in height.
  • Diosma has small, needle shaped leaves that are typically green in colour.
  • Insects including butterflies and bees come for the nectar of diosma, while ants transport the black seeds which can grow into new plants.
Bibliography:
Diosma, 2013, Burke’s Backyard, <http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/factsheets/Flowering-Plants-and-Shrubs/Diosma/1682>
Coleonema Pulchellum, 2004, Plantz Africa, <http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/coleonpulchell.htm>

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Rosemary

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Rosemary

Smell the strong smelling rosemary.

  • The scientific name of rosemary is Rosmarinus officinalis, ‘rosmarinus’ being Latin for ‘dew of the sea’, which is said to be a reference to its little need for water which can be derived from the moisture in the sea air.
  • Rosemary is an evergreen, woody herb with spiky looking green leaves and mauve, purple, blue, white or pink coloured flowers.
  • Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean area and is from the Lamiaceae family, which is the family of mint.
  • Rosemary is also known as ‘anthos’, the Greek word for ‘flower’, and the ‘Rose of Mary’, due to the suggestion that Virgin Mary laid her cloak on the herb.
  • Rosemary leaves are often used as a seasoning for stuffings and meat such as roast lamb, chicken, pork, turkey and in Mediterranean dishes, and the flowers can also be used, sometimes featuring in salads.

 Rosemary, Flower, Purple, Ten Random Facts< Australia, Plant, Herb,

  • Rosemary is quite drought tolerant, can be grown as a hedge plant, and ranges in height from 30 cm – 1.5 meters (1-5 feet) depending on the species.
  • In 2013, it was officially proven that rosemary helps the brain with remembering and clarity due to the smell of the essential oil that is contained in the plant, although the Ancient Greeks and Shakespeare both discovered these memory properties long ago.
  • Rosemary contains vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate, iron, calcium and manganese, and because it contains rosmarinic acid which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it is often used for medicinal purposes, including the treatment of hair for dandruff and baldness.
  • Rosemary was worn by both the bride and the groom in weddings in the Middle Ages, and a piece was then planted in the hope of good luck for the couple’s marriage.
  • Rosemary is often worn at Australia’s ANZAC Day ceremonies due to the abundance of the herb at the Gallipoli war grounds and its association with remembrance.
Bibliography:
Campbell C, Rosemary, 2011, Gardening Australia, < http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s2046448.htm>
Rosemary, 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosemary>

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