Hydrangea macrophylla

Hydrangea macrophylla is a species of Hydrangea native to Japan. Common names include Bigleaf Hydrangea, French Hydrangea, Lacecap Hydrangea, Mophead Hydrangea, Penny Mac and Hortensia. It is widely cultivated in many parts of the world in many climates.

Description

This deciduous shrub usually grows up to 1-3 m tall. The leaves are opposite, simple ovoid-acute, 7-20 cm long, with a coarsely toothed margin. Its flowers can be white, or range from blue to purple to pink depending on soil pH; in more acidic soils the flowers will be blue, whereas alkaline soils yield a pinkish bloom. White flowered varieties do not change colour regardless of the soil pH.

Cultivation and uses

Hydrangea macrophylla has been cultivated for many years as an ornamental plant in Japan, and in the last 150 years, also extensively in other areas of the world with a temperate climate. Over 600 cultivars have been selected for garden use, varying in flower colour. Gardeners can often control the flower colour by adding lime or aluminium sulfate to alter the acidity level around the plant. These flowers can also be rainbow colored when Na2CO3 is carefully poured into the soil.

Hydrangeas like loose, rich, moist but well drained soil in partial shade to sun. Hardiness: USDA Zones 6-10. Propagation is by cuttings.

Lace-cap hydrangea

The flat-topped inflorescence of the lace-cap Hydrangea macrophylla is especially attractive. Hydrangeas make beautiful foliage in warm months. Flowering is best in areas with mild winters, since the plant blooms on previous year’s growth. The plant may be evergreen in very mild winter areas. In its northernmost range, hydrangea is a foliage shrub, since flower buds are killed in hard winters.

Landscaping

In climates where hydrangea flowers, place in a mixed shrub border or at the back of a flower bed. Its rich foliage and large size make it a wonderful background for white or light colored flowers, even tall growing perennials and annuals. In warm climates H. macrophylla is good for adding a splash of springtime color to shady areas and woodland gardens. Minimal pruning is recommended for most prolific flowering. Flowers are easily air dried and are long lasting.

Bud and leaves

Cultivars

Some popular Hydrangea cultivars include:

• 'Beaute Vendomoise' (giant lacecap)
• 'Big Smile' macrophylla x serrata hybrid (lacecap)
• 'Blue Bonnet'
• 'Blue Wave'
• 'Bluebird'
• 'Endless Summer' (perpetual bloomer)
• 'Forever Pink'
• 'Lilicana'
• 'Nikko Blue' (perpetual bloomer)
• 'Pia' (dwarf)
• 'Red Star' (very deep blue or red depending on ph)
• 'Sister Theresa'
• 'Taube' (highly prized Swiss bred lacecap)
• 'Veitchii'

Hydrangea tea, called ama-cha in Japan, is an infusion beverage made from tea leaves and hydrangea petals.

Geranium

Geranium is a genus of 422 species of flowering annual, biennial, and perennial plants that are commonly known as the cranesbills. It is found throughout the temperate regions of the world and the mountains of the tropics, but mostly in the eastern part of the Mediterranean region.

These attractive flowers will grow in any soil as long as it is not waterlogged. Propagation is by semi-ripe cuttings in summer, by seed or by division in autumn or spring.

The name "cranesbills" derives from the appearance of the seed-heads, which have the same shape as the bill of a crane. The genus name is derived from the Greek word geranos, meaning "crane". The long, palmately cleft leaves are broadly circular in form. Their rose, pink to blue or white flowers have 5 petals.

From: wikipedia

How to Grow Geraniums

Geraniums are easy to grow annuals that fit well in home gardens, container gardens, flowerbeds, and even as houseplants. We like them for their big, bright bloom, and because they are so easy to grow almost anywhere. Geraniums make great flowers for kids.

Home gardeners use Geranium plants in a wide variety of ways. They are well suited for container gardens by themselves or with other flowers. You can use them to make a potted gift for a friend for any occasion. They grow well in flower gardens along with your other favorites.

When the weather gets cold these hardy plants will withstand light frosts and patiently wait transplanting into containers to move them indoors. Smaller, dwarf varieties make the best houseplants. Geraniums like lots of sun. So, put them in a sunny window or room. They prefer temperatures below 70 degrees.

Outdoors:

Geraniums can be grown from seed or cuttings. But, most people buy small plants from garden stores at very low prices and plant them around the garden and in containers. Plant them in full or partial shade. While they will tolerate poor soil, add compost and a general purpose fertilizer to maximize growth and plant health.

By mid-summer, your geranium plant will be growing bright white, red or pink blooms. They will continuously bloom all the way to the first frost and beyond.

Tip: To promote continuous blooming, pinch or cut off the blooms after they die.

Indoors:

Geraniums live approximately 18 months. They will last over the winter as indoors houseplants. Getting them to bloom indoors is sometimes a little difficult. as they often go dormant, or grow slowly. After transplanting, place them in a cool, but sunny location. Cut them back by about 1/3. Don't over water. They prefer soil on the dry side. Fertilize once a month.

If you want to grow cuttings, snip off several new growths, about 3-4 inches in length. Then stick them in moist potting soil. Keep the soil moist and they will root. Comes spring they are just about the right size for planting in a container on the porch or directly in the garden.

Celosia

Celosia is a small genus of edible and ornamental plants, similar in appearance and uses to the amaranths. They are sometimes called cockscombs or woolflowers for their brightly colored, woolly flower heads which resemble cockscombs. The name "cockscomb" may be restricted to those whose flower heads are crested by fascination.

Celosia have been used for:

As a garden plant, seed production in these species can be very high, 200-700 kg per hectare. One ounce of seed may contain up to 43,000 seeds. One thousand seeds can weigh 1.0-1.5 grams. Depending upon the location and fertility of the soil, blossoms can last 8-10 weeks.
Celosia cristata is a common garden ornamental plant in China and other places.

celosia cristata, common name yellow toreador

Beside as a garden plant, Celosia has been used as a food. Celosia argentea var. argentea or Lagos spinach (a.k.a. quail grass, Soko, Celosia, feather cockscomb) is a broadleaf annual leaf vegetable belonging to the Amaranth family (Amaranthaceae).

red cockscombs

It grows widespread across northern South America, tropical Africa, the West Indies, South, East and Southeast Asia where it is grows as a native or naturalized wildflower, and is cultivated as a nutritious leafy green vegetable. It is traditional fare in countries of Central and West Africa, and is one of the leading leafy green vegetables in Nigeria, where it is known as ‘soko yokoto’, meaning ‘make husbands fat and happy.’

As a grain, Cockscomb is a pseudocereal, not a true cereal.

Gerbera

Gerbera L. is a genus of ornamental plants from the sunflower family (Asteraceae). It was named in honor of the German naturalist Traugott Gerber, a friend of Carolus Linnaeus.

It has more 40 species in the wild, extending to South America, Africa, Madagascar, and tropical Asia.

Gerbera species bear a large capitulum with striking, two-lipped ray florets in yellow, orange, white, pink or red colors. The capitulum, which has the appearance of a single flower, is actually composed of hundreds of individual flowers. The morphology of the flowers varies depending on their position in the capitulum.

Gerbera in variety color

Gerbera is very popular and widely used as a decorative garden plant or as cut flowers. They vary greatly in shape and size. Colors include white, yellow, orange, red, and pink. The center of the flower is sometimes black. Often the same flower can have petals of several different colors.

Gerbera is also important commercially. It is the fifth most used cut flower in the world (after rose, carnation, chrysanthemum, and tulip.It is also used as a model organism in studying flower formation. Gerbera contains naturally occurring coumarin derivatives.