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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年07月24日
Family - Fabaceae
Stems - Woody, multiple or sometimes single. A tree or shrub to 6m tall. Twigs glabrous, somewhat angled, often growing in a slight "zig-zag" fashion.
Leaves - Alternate, even bipinnately compound, to 40cm long. Pinnae opposite, +/-12 pairs per leaf. Leaflets to 1.5cm long, 20-30 pairs per pinna, glabrous, coming together at night.
Inflorescence - Axillary, pedunculate clusters of +/-20 flowers. Clusters subglobose. Flowers sessile.
Flowers - Corolla tubular, 5-lobed, creamy white to greenish, pubescent externally. Lobes to 2mm long, acute. Stamens many per flower, pinkish at tips becoming whitish at the base, to 2.5cm long, united at base into tube 3mm long, glabrous, filiform. Style 1, pink, +2cm long, filiform, glabrous. Ovary terete, green, 3mm long, .5mm broad. Calyx tube 3mm long, 5-lobed, appressed pubescent, pale green. Lobes minute. Flowers fragrant. Fruit a flattened pod to +20cm long, indehiscent, with +/-8 seeds.
Flowering - June - September.
Habitat - Cultivated but escaped to dry areas along roadsides, railroads, open woods, thickets, and fence rows.
Origin - Native to Asia.
Other info. - This species is widely cultivated in this state. It is also very common in the other habitats mentioned above. The flowers are very fragrant, especially at night, and are visited by hummingbird moths, Hemaris thysbe, on a regular basis.
Some authors like to split the beans into three separate families, in which case this plant would fall into the Mimosaceae.
Stems - Woody, multiple or sometimes single. A tree or shrub to 6m tall. Twigs glabrous, somewhat angled, often growing in a slight "zig-zag" fashion.
Leaves - Alternate, even bipinnately compound, to 40cm long. Pinnae opposite, +/-12 pairs per leaf. Leaflets to 1.5cm long, 20-30 pairs per pinna, glabrous, coming together at night.
Inflorescence - Axillary, pedunculate clusters of +/-20 flowers. Clusters subglobose. Flowers sessile.
Flowers - Corolla tubular, 5-lobed, creamy white to greenish, pubescent externally. Lobes to 2mm long, acute. Stamens many per flower, pinkish at tips becoming whitish at the base, to 2.5cm long, united at base into tube 3mm long, glabrous, filiform. Style 1, pink, +2cm long, filiform, glabrous. Ovary terete, green, 3mm long, .5mm broad. Calyx tube 3mm long, 5-lobed, appressed pubescent, pale green. Lobes minute. Flowers fragrant. Fruit a flattened pod to +20cm long, indehiscent, with +/-8 seeds.
Flowering - June - September.
Habitat - Cultivated but escaped to dry areas along roadsides, railroads, open woods, thickets, and fence rows.
Origin - Native to Asia.
Other info. - This species is widely cultivated in this state. It is also very common in the other habitats mentioned above. The flowers are very fragrant, especially at night, and are visited by hummingbird moths, Hemaris thysbe, on a regular basis.
Some authors like to split the beans into three separate families, in which case this plant would fall into the Mimosaceae.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年07月12日
Family - Caprifoliaceae
Stems - Woody, multiple or occasionally single. A shrub or small tree to 6m tall. Twigs dense with ferruginous or grayish stellate hairs.
Leaves - Opposite, petiolate, elliptic, somewhat cordate at base or not, to +15cm long, +7cm broad, upper surface glabrous or with some stellate pubescence, lower surface densely stellate pubescent, margins with minute prickles or protrusions. Petioles densely stellate pubescent.
Flowers - Corolla 5-lobed, to 8mm broad, whitish, glabrous. Lobes rounded, -2mm long and broad. Stamens 5, alternating with lobes, borne at base of corolla tube, erect and exserted well beyond corolla. Filaments to +4mm long, glabrous, whitish. Anthers yellow-brown, to 1.1mm long. Calyx tube to 1.5mm long, stellate pubescent. Lobes minute. Fruits to 8mm long, ovoid, single seeded(drupes), red at first, ripening to purplish-black.
Flowering - May - June and sometimes again around November.
Habitat - Cultivated.
Origin - Native to Eurasia.
Other info. - This plant is very commonly cultivated in Missouri. The hairs of the plant cause irritation to some people, like myself. The fruits are interesting in that the entire cluster does not ripen at once so both red and black fruits are present at the same time giving the plant added color. The flowers of this plant are not as fragrant as other plants in this genus which bloom around the same time.
Stems - Woody, multiple or occasionally single. A shrub or small tree to 6m tall. Twigs dense with ferruginous or grayish stellate hairs.
Leaves - Opposite, petiolate, elliptic, somewhat cordate at base or not, to +15cm long, +7cm broad, upper surface glabrous or with some stellate pubescence, lower surface densely stellate pubescent, margins with minute prickles or protrusions. Petioles densely stellate pubescent.
Flowers - Corolla 5-lobed, to 8mm broad, whitish, glabrous. Lobes rounded, -2mm long and broad. Stamens 5, alternating with lobes, borne at base of corolla tube, erect and exserted well beyond corolla. Filaments to +4mm long, glabrous, whitish. Anthers yellow-brown, to 1.1mm long. Calyx tube to 1.5mm long, stellate pubescent. Lobes minute. Fruits to 8mm long, ovoid, single seeded(drupes), red at first, ripening to purplish-black.
Flowering - May - June and sometimes again around November.
Habitat - Cultivated.
Origin - Native to Eurasia.
Other info. - This plant is very commonly cultivated in Missouri. The hairs of the plant cause irritation to some people, like myself. The fruits are interesting in that the entire cluster does not ripen at once so both red and black fruits are present at the same time giving the plant added color. The flowers of this plant are not as fragrant as other plants in this genus which bloom around the same time.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年07月12日
Family - Caprifoliaceae
Stems - Woody, multiple. A shrub to 2m tall. Twigs glabrous.
Inflorescence - Terminal, dome-shaped cymes. Dense and appearing as a compound umbel, with copper-colored glands.
Flowers - Corolla whitish, 5-lobed(petals united), to 9mm broad. Lobes 3mm long and wide. Stamens 5, borne at base of corolla tube, well exserted, erect. Filaments to 4mm long, glabrous. Anthers yellow, to 1.2mm long. Style thick, .7mm long. Calyx tube to 2mm long, 1.2mm in diameter, glabrous, 5-lobed. Lobes to .8mm broad, .5mm long. Fruits purplish-black, ellipsoid to globose, to +1cm long, single-seeded (drupes).
Flowering - April - May.
Habitat - Low woods, moist soils, slopes, thickets. Also cultivated.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This species can be found throughout Missouri but is apparently absent from a few counties in the extreme northwest corner of the state. The plant can be identified by its opposite leaves (which resemble those of the genus Prunus or Pyrus), its tan, thin leaf buds, and its big clusters of white flowers.
The fruits of this species are edible. The plant has been cultivated for some time and would make a good garden specimen plant.
Stems - Woody, multiple. A shrub to 2m tall. Twigs glabrous.
Inflorescence - Terminal, dome-shaped cymes. Dense and appearing as a compound umbel, with copper-colored glands.
Flowers - Corolla whitish, 5-lobed(petals united), to 9mm broad. Lobes 3mm long and wide. Stamens 5, borne at base of corolla tube, well exserted, erect. Filaments to 4mm long, glabrous. Anthers yellow, to 1.2mm long. Style thick, .7mm long. Calyx tube to 2mm long, 1.2mm in diameter, glabrous, 5-lobed. Lobes to .8mm broad, .5mm long. Fruits purplish-black, ellipsoid to globose, to +1cm long, single-seeded (drupes).
Flowering - April - May.
Habitat - Low woods, moist soils, slopes, thickets. Also cultivated.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This species can be found throughout Missouri but is apparently absent from a few counties in the extreme northwest corner of the state. The plant can be identified by its opposite leaves (which resemble those of the genus Prunus or Pyrus), its tan, thin leaf buds, and its big clusters of white flowers.
The fruits of this species are edible. The plant has been cultivated for some time and would make a good garden specimen plant.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年07月12日
Family - Caprifoliaceae
Stems - Woody, multiple or sometimes a single trunk. A shrub or small tree to 4m tall. Twigs glabrous.
Leaves - Opposite, petiolate, 3-lobed, margins toothed or sometimes entire, glabrous above, sparsely pubescent below. Petiole glabrous, to 3cm long.
Inflorescence - Terminal, flat-topped cymes. Compound and resembling umbels, to +13cm broad. Stalks glabrous to very sparsely pubescent.
Flowers - Outer flowers sterile, white, to 2.5cm broad, slightly irregular, 5-lobed. Inner flowers fertile. Corolla to 5mm broad, white, 5-lobed, externally glabrous, internally sparsely pubescent. Lobes rounded, 2mm broad, 1mm long. Corolla tube campanulate, 3mm broad, 1.7mm long. Stamens 5, alternating with corolla lobes, erect, well exserted beyond corolla. Filaments to 5mm long, white, glabrous. Anthers tan, .7mm long.
Fruits - Red, globose to subglobose, single-seeded (drupes), to 12mm in diameter, 15mm long.
Flowering - June - July.
Habitat - Moist to wet soils of lake margins, slopes, or open woods. Also cultivated.
Origin - Native to U.S. and Europe.
Other info. - The variety americanus Ait. is commonly known as V. trilobum Marsh. - Rydberg.
This is the variety found growing wild here in the U.S. and pictured above. Other varieties from Europe are commonly cultivated here in the States. The next plant in this list, V. opulus var. roseum "Snowball", is just one of them.
Stems - Woody, multiple or sometimes a single trunk. A shrub or small tree to 4m tall. Twigs glabrous.
Leaves - Opposite, petiolate, 3-lobed, margins toothed or sometimes entire, glabrous above, sparsely pubescent below. Petiole glabrous, to 3cm long.
Inflorescence - Terminal, flat-topped cymes. Compound and resembling umbels, to +13cm broad. Stalks glabrous to very sparsely pubescent.
Flowers - Outer flowers sterile, white, to 2.5cm broad, slightly irregular, 5-lobed. Inner flowers fertile. Corolla to 5mm broad, white, 5-lobed, externally glabrous, internally sparsely pubescent. Lobes rounded, 2mm broad, 1mm long. Corolla tube campanulate, 3mm broad, 1.7mm long. Stamens 5, alternating with corolla lobes, erect, well exserted beyond corolla. Filaments to 5mm long, white, glabrous. Anthers tan, .7mm long.
Fruits - Red, globose to subglobose, single-seeded (drupes), to 12mm in diameter, 15mm long.
Flowering - June - July.
Habitat - Moist to wet soils of lake margins, slopes, or open woods. Also cultivated.
Origin - Native to U.S. and Europe.
Other info. - The variety americanus Ait. is commonly known as V. trilobum Marsh. - Rydberg.
This is the variety found growing wild here in the U.S. and pictured above. Other varieties from Europe are commonly cultivated here in the States. The next plant in this list, V. opulus var. roseum "Snowball", is just one of them.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年07月12日
Family - Caprifoliaceae
Stems - Woody, multiple. A shrub to 5m tall. Twigs appearing somewhat glaucous but actually glabrous. New seasons growth glabrous, 5(6)-angled, with longitudinal grooves.
Leaves - Opposite, petiolate, typically rounded but sometimes slightly cordate at base, toothed, orbicular to broadly-ovate, to 7.5cm long, lower surface dull green with tufts of hairs mostly in vein axils or on veins, upper surface shiny deeper green, glabrous.
Inflorescence - Terminal, compound cymes (resembling compound umbels), to +13cm broad. Pedicles glabrous or with ferruginous stalked and sessile glands. Small scarious bracts present at base of each division of inflorescence.
Flowers - Corolla white, 4-5mm broad, 5-lobed, glabrous internally or with very few sparse hairs, glabrous externally, tube to 1.2mm long, 2-3mm broad, campanulate. Stamens 5, well exserted, alternating with corolla lobes. Filaments to 4mm long, white, glabrous, borne at base of corolla tube. Anthers yellow, .6mm long. Calyx tube to 2mm long, 1mm broad, cylindric, glabrous, 5-lobed. Lobes greenish-white, very small, tuberculate.
Flowering - May - June.
Habitat - Low alluvial woods on terraces and wooded slopes. Widely cultivated.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This plant is just one of the many species in this genus cultivated in Missouri. The plant can be identified by its suborbicular, dentate leaves (which have deeply impressed lateral veins).
Natives used the wood from the tree to make arrows for hunting. They also used the inner bark as a tobacco substitute.
Stems - Woody, multiple. A shrub to 5m tall. Twigs appearing somewhat glaucous but actually glabrous. New seasons growth glabrous, 5(6)-angled, with longitudinal grooves.
Leaves - Opposite, petiolate, typically rounded but sometimes slightly cordate at base, toothed, orbicular to broadly-ovate, to 7.5cm long, lower surface dull green with tufts of hairs mostly in vein axils or on veins, upper surface shiny deeper green, glabrous.
Inflorescence - Terminal, compound cymes (resembling compound umbels), to +13cm broad. Pedicles glabrous or with ferruginous stalked and sessile glands. Small scarious bracts present at base of each division of inflorescence.
Flowers - Corolla white, 4-5mm broad, 5-lobed, glabrous internally or with very few sparse hairs, glabrous externally, tube to 1.2mm long, 2-3mm broad, campanulate. Stamens 5, well exserted, alternating with corolla lobes. Filaments to 4mm long, white, glabrous, borne at base of corolla tube. Anthers yellow, .6mm long. Calyx tube to 2mm long, 1mm broad, cylindric, glabrous, 5-lobed. Lobes greenish-white, very small, tuberculate.
Flowering - May - June.
Habitat - Low alluvial woods on terraces and wooded slopes. Widely cultivated.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This plant is just one of the many species in this genus cultivated in Missouri. The plant can be identified by its suborbicular, dentate leaves (which have deeply impressed lateral veins).
Natives used the wood from the tree to make arrows for hunting. They also used the inner bark as a tobacco substitute.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年07月12日
Family - Staphyleaceae
Stems - Woody, multiple. A shrub to 11m tall. Freely suckering.
Leaves - Opposite, trifoliate. Leaflets elliptic, ovate or obovate, to 10cm long, 5cm broad, serrate, glabrous to sparsely pubescent above, pubescent below. Middle leaflet on long petiolule, lateral leaflets sessile or on short petiolules.
Inflorescence - Drooping, axillary or terminal racemose clusters.
Flowers - Corolla white, campanulate. Petals 5, to 1cm long, spatulate, 3-4mm broad at apex, glabrous, free. Stamens 5, slightly protruding past corolla, alternating with petals. Filaments 8mm long, pilose at base. Anthers yellow-orange, 1.2mm long. Ovary superior, pilose. Styles 4, 5mm long, glabrous. Calyx 5-lobed, campanulate. Lobes to 7mm long, 4mm broad, pale green to semi-transparent, erect, equaling or slightly shorter than petals. Fruits inflated, 3-sided, whitish, becoming brown when drying. Seeds 1-4.
Flowering - April - May. Fruits persistent into winter.
Habitat - Rich woods, thickets, shaded slopes, along streams.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This is a common shrub which blooms quickly. The flowers don't last long but the fruits persist for some time.
This is an easy species to identify becasue of its opposite, trifoliate leaves, and inflated fruits. The plant can be found throughout Missouri but may be absent from the extreme southeast corner of the state.
Stems - Woody, multiple. A shrub to 11m tall. Freely suckering.
Leaves - Opposite, trifoliate. Leaflets elliptic, ovate or obovate, to 10cm long, 5cm broad, serrate, glabrous to sparsely pubescent above, pubescent below. Middle leaflet on long petiolule, lateral leaflets sessile or on short petiolules.
Inflorescence - Drooping, axillary or terminal racemose clusters.
Flowers - Corolla white, campanulate. Petals 5, to 1cm long, spatulate, 3-4mm broad at apex, glabrous, free. Stamens 5, slightly protruding past corolla, alternating with petals. Filaments 8mm long, pilose at base. Anthers yellow-orange, 1.2mm long. Ovary superior, pilose. Styles 4, 5mm long, glabrous. Calyx 5-lobed, campanulate. Lobes to 7mm long, 4mm broad, pale green to semi-transparent, erect, equaling or slightly shorter than petals. Fruits inflated, 3-sided, whitish, becoming brown when drying. Seeds 1-4.
Flowering - April - May. Fruits persistent into winter.
Habitat - Rich woods, thickets, shaded slopes, along streams.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This is a common shrub which blooms quickly. The flowers don't last long but the fruits persist for some time.
This is an easy species to identify becasue of its opposite, trifoliate leaves, and inflated fruits. The plant can be found throughout Missouri but may be absent from the extreme southeast corner of the state.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年07月12日
Family - Caprifoliaceae
Stems - Woody, multiple from base. A shrub to +5m tall, erect. New seasons growth tomentose. Twigs tomentose, typically hollow.
Leaves - Opposite, petiolate, simple. Petioles to +/-6mm long, tomentose. Blades ovate-lanceolate, acute to acuminate, entire, to +/-9cm long, +/-4cm broad, typically glabrous adaxially but sometimes with pubescence on midrib, pubescent abaxially especially on veins. Margins ciliolate.
Inflorescence - Axillary pedunculate paired flowers. Peduncles +/-3mm long, pubescent, with a pair of small bracts at the joint in the peduncle. Bracts to 3mm long, linear, ciliate. Pair of bracts subtending the calyx and ovary to 1.7mm long, rounded, ciliate-margined, green, pubescent.
Flowers - Corolla white when fresh, fading to a yellowish-white when older, often with some pinkish tinge at base of tube. Corolla tube to 9mm long, 2-3mm in diameter, tomentose externally, pubescent internally. Corolla bilabiate. Lower lip single-lobed. Lobe to +1.5cm long, 4mm broad, rounded at apex, glabrous internally, tomentose externally. Upper lip 4-lobed. Lobes to +1.5cm long, rounded at apex, pubescent externally, glabrous internally. Stamens 5, exserted, alternating with the corolla lobes, adnate at apex of corolla tube. Filaments to 1.1cm long, pubescent at base, glabrous near apex, white. Anthers yellow, to 6mm long, 1.2mm broad. Style white, 1.6cm long, pubescent, exserted. Stigma green, capitate. Ovary inferior, green, 3-locular, 1.5mm in diameter, sub-globose. Placentation axile. Calyx tube +/-1.5mm long, 5-lobed, pubescent, green. Lobes unequal, shallow, +/-1mm long, acute, greenish-white. Fruits red, 2-4mm in diameter, glabrous, fleshy.
Flowering - April - June.
Habitat - Disturbed sites, thickets, roadsides, railroads, woodland borders.
Origin - Native to Asia.
Other info. - This nasty and aggressive species was brought to North America in 1855 as an ornamental. It has since spread rapidly and is found over much of the eastern half of the U.S. from Kansas east. The berries are eaten by birds which helps the plant spread rapidly. There are other species of bush honeysuckles in Missouri but this is the most aggressive and common.
Stems - Woody, multiple from base. A shrub to +5m tall, erect. New seasons growth tomentose. Twigs tomentose, typically hollow.
Leaves - Opposite, petiolate, simple. Petioles to +/-6mm long, tomentose. Blades ovate-lanceolate, acute to acuminate, entire, to +/-9cm long, +/-4cm broad, typically glabrous adaxially but sometimes with pubescence on midrib, pubescent abaxially especially on veins. Margins ciliolate.
Inflorescence - Axillary pedunculate paired flowers. Peduncles +/-3mm long, pubescent, with a pair of small bracts at the joint in the peduncle. Bracts to 3mm long, linear, ciliate. Pair of bracts subtending the calyx and ovary to 1.7mm long, rounded, ciliate-margined, green, pubescent.
Flowers - Corolla white when fresh, fading to a yellowish-white when older, often with some pinkish tinge at base of tube. Corolla tube to 9mm long, 2-3mm in diameter, tomentose externally, pubescent internally. Corolla bilabiate. Lower lip single-lobed. Lobe to +1.5cm long, 4mm broad, rounded at apex, glabrous internally, tomentose externally. Upper lip 4-lobed. Lobes to +1.5cm long, rounded at apex, pubescent externally, glabrous internally. Stamens 5, exserted, alternating with the corolla lobes, adnate at apex of corolla tube. Filaments to 1.1cm long, pubescent at base, glabrous near apex, white. Anthers yellow, to 6mm long, 1.2mm broad. Style white, 1.6cm long, pubescent, exserted. Stigma green, capitate. Ovary inferior, green, 3-locular, 1.5mm in diameter, sub-globose. Placentation axile. Calyx tube +/-1.5mm long, 5-lobed, pubescent, green. Lobes unequal, shallow, +/-1mm long, acute, greenish-white. Fruits red, 2-4mm in diameter, glabrous, fleshy.
Flowering - April - June.
Habitat - Disturbed sites, thickets, roadsides, railroads, woodland borders.
Origin - Native to Asia.
Other info. - This nasty and aggressive species was brought to North America in 1855 as an ornamental. It has since spread rapidly and is found over much of the eastern half of the U.S. from Kansas east. The berries are eaten by birds which helps the plant spread rapidly. There are other species of bush honeysuckles in Missouri but this is the most aggressive and common.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年07月11日
Family - Cornaceae
Stems - Woody, multiple. A shrub to 3m tall. Young twigs densely pubescent (tomentose) with mostly grayish hairs, terete.
Leaves - Opposite, petiolate. Petioles to +/-1.5cm long, terete, tomentose, green. Blades elliptic, short-acuminate to acute, entire, to +/-10cm long, +/-3.5cm broad, dull dark green adaxially with a moderate number of malpighian hairs (appearing glabrous), bright whitish below with malpighian hairs on the leaf tissue and tomentose hairs on the veins. Veins expressed below.
Inflorescence - Terminal cymes, typically flat, definitely broader than tall.
Flowers - Petals 4, white, +/- 3mm long. Stamens 4.
Fruits - Typically globose drupe to 8mm in diameter, bluish-black.
Flowering - May - July.
Habitat - Rocky stream banks, wet ground.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - Sorry I don't have a picture of the flowers here. Another species, Cornus racemosa, has similar flowers but remember the inflorescence of C. obliqua is flattish.
This species has the most narrow leaves of any Cornus in this state. The picture doesn't do the fruits justice, they are brilliant blue.
Stems - Woody, multiple. A shrub to 3m tall. Young twigs densely pubescent (tomentose) with mostly grayish hairs, terete.
Leaves - Opposite, petiolate. Petioles to +/-1.5cm long, terete, tomentose, green. Blades elliptic, short-acuminate to acute, entire, to +/-10cm long, +/-3.5cm broad, dull dark green adaxially with a moderate number of malpighian hairs (appearing glabrous), bright whitish below with malpighian hairs on the leaf tissue and tomentose hairs on the veins. Veins expressed below.
Inflorescence - Terminal cymes, typically flat, definitely broader than tall.
Flowers - Petals 4, white, +/- 3mm long. Stamens 4.
Fruits - Typically globose drupe to 8mm in diameter, bluish-black.
Flowering - May - July.
Habitat - Rocky stream banks, wet ground.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - Sorry I don't have a picture of the flowers here. Another species, Cornus racemosa, has similar flowers but remember the inflorescence of C. obliqua is flattish.
This species has the most narrow leaves of any Cornus in this state. The picture doesn't do the fruits justice, they are brilliant blue.
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Abigal
2017年05月22日
Learn how to grow gaura in your garden. Gaura plant care and growing is easy. This drought tolerant shrub thrives in well-drained soil and loves to bath in the day long sun.
The gaura is a beautiful perennial plant that is easy to grow and with minimal care, it offers a long blooming period and colorful flowers that attract butterflies.
Gaura Plant Care
USDA Zones— 5 – 10
Difficulty— Easy
Other Names— Wandflower, Butterfly gaura, Whirling butterfly, Siskiyou pink
The genus “Gaura” consists of about 20 species of plants. It is native to North America. Its fine erected foliage and irregularly shaped flowers make it attractive. You can vary the uses according to the species, low growing varieties (not more than 24 inches) are placed in borders or in rock gardens while the large shrub-like varieties are perfect for growing in the cluster behind low growing plants in flower beds.
Two Popular VarietiesGaura Biennis (Biennial Gaura): A tall variety that can grow 3-6 feet high. The foliage is red when matured, it has hairy flowering stems and light pink or white colored flowers that turn into coral red in late summer and fall.Gaura Lindheimeri (White Gaura): A Texas native, tolerant to drought. It grows up to 5 feet tall, flowers appears from summer to fall.How to Grow GauraPropagation
Gaura can be propagated from seeds.The seeds are available in local garden shops or can be bought online. Propagation by cuttings should be done in spring and late summer or by division in the fall.
Planting Gaura
Prepare the planting site by performing a deep plowing. Remove stones, debris, and weeds. This plant doesn’t transplant well, that’s why it is better to sow the seeds directly at the planting site, once all the dangers of frost are eliminated and the weather warms up.
If you are planting a potted gaura plant, make sure to make a planting hole in soil– twice wide and of the same depth as it was planted in the previous pot. Place the plant in the hole and fill that with well-drained soil. If the soil is very heavy or poor prepare it by adding compost or well-rotted manure and coarse sand in smaller proportion.
How to Grow Gaura in Pots
Growing gaura in pots is possible. Choose the pot that is 12 inches deep and 10 inches wide to provide a sufficient space to the plant. Keep the pot in sunny spot and water it only when the top surface of soil dries out.
Requirements for Growing Gaura
Position
Planting position must be sunny, for prolific blooms exposure to at least 6 hours of sunlight is ideal. If the location is windy provide support to plants.
Soil
Gaura grows well in light and sandy soil. Due to its taproot, the soil must be deep and also little fertile. Water logging soil that is clay rich and cloaks the drainage hinders the development and must be avoided.
Watering
Growing gaura is easy. As it adapts well to the drought-like conditions due to the long taproot it has, infrequent and economical watering is recommended. Water it deeply but only when the top two inch of soil seems dry.
Spacing
The planting distance for low growing varieties is around 12 inches. For more shrub like large varieties, space the plants 15 inches apart from each other.
Gaura Plant CareFertilizer
Gaura doesn’t require additional fertilizer to bloom. It thrives in poor soil. Application of manure or compost during planting is sufficient. Even adding too much natural fertilizer can cause the plant to grow limply.
Deadheading and Pruning
Remove spent flower spikes as soon as they fade, cut the entire stalk to promote more blooms. Once the blooming period ends in late summer, trim the shrub slightly (3″) to refresh it. The plant will start to flower again in fall with more vigor.
Overwintering
Gaura plant care is if you live in the warmer region. During the winter, let the faded stems on site, they provide protection against the cold. It is also recommended to mulch around the roots to insulate them, especially if you live below USDA Zone 8.
Diseases and Pests
The gaura is a beautiful perennial plant that is easy to grow and with minimal care, it offers a long blooming period and colorful flowers that attract butterflies.
Gaura Plant Care
USDA Zones— 5 – 10
Difficulty— Easy
Other Names— Wandflower, Butterfly gaura, Whirling butterfly, Siskiyou pink
The genus “Gaura” consists of about 20 species of plants. It is native to North America. Its fine erected foliage and irregularly shaped flowers make it attractive. You can vary the uses according to the species, low growing varieties (not more than 24 inches) are placed in borders or in rock gardens while the large shrub-like varieties are perfect for growing in the cluster behind low growing plants in flower beds.
Two Popular VarietiesGaura Biennis (Biennial Gaura): A tall variety that can grow 3-6 feet high. The foliage is red when matured, it has hairy flowering stems and light pink or white colored flowers that turn into coral red in late summer and fall.Gaura Lindheimeri (White Gaura): A Texas native, tolerant to drought. It grows up to 5 feet tall, flowers appears from summer to fall.How to Grow GauraPropagation
Gaura can be propagated from seeds.The seeds are available in local garden shops or can be bought online. Propagation by cuttings should be done in spring and late summer or by division in the fall.
Planting Gaura
Prepare the planting site by performing a deep plowing. Remove stones, debris, and weeds. This plant doesn’t transplant well, that’s why it is better to sow the seeds directly at the planting site, once all the dangers of frost are eliminated and the weather warms up.
If you are planting a potted gaura plant, make sure to make a planting hole in soil– twice wide and of the same depth as it was planted in the previous pot. Place the plant in the hole and fill that with well-drained soil. If the soil is very heavy or poor prepare it by adding compost or well-rotted manure and coarse sand in smaller proportion.
How to Grow Gaura in Pots
Growing gaura in pots is possible. Choose the pot that is 12 inches deep and 10 inches wide to provide a sufficient space to the plant. Keep the pot in sunny spot and water it only when the top surface of soil dries out.
Requirements for Growing Gaura
Position
Planting position must be sunny, for prolific blooms exposure to at least 6 hours of sunlight is ideal. If the location is windy provide support to plants.
Soil
Gaura grows well in light and sandy soil. Due to its taproot, the soil must be deep and also little fertile. Water logging soil that is clay rich and cloaks the drainage hinders the development and must be avoided.
Watering
Growing gaura is easy. As it adapts well to the drought-like conditions due to the long taproot it has, infrequent and economical watering is recommended. Water it deeply but only when the top two inch of soil seems dry.
Spacing
The planting distance for low growing varieties is around 12 inches. For more shrub like large varieties, space the plants 15 inches apart from each other.
Gaura Plant CareFertilizer
Gaura doesn’t require additional fertilizer to bloom. It thrives in poor soil. Application of manure or compost during planting is sufficient. Even adding too much natural fertilizer can cause the plant to grow limply.
Deadheading and Pruning
Remove spent flower spikes as soon as they fade, cut the entire stalk to promote more blooms. Once the blooming period ends in late summer, trim the shrub slightly (3″) to refresh it. The plant will start to flower again in fall with more vigor.
Overwintering
Gaura plant care is if you live in the warmer region. During the winter, let the faded stems on site, they provide protection against the cold. It is also recommended to mulch around the roots to insulate them, especially if you live below USDA Zone 8.
Diseases and Pests
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