Calceolaria or Slipper Flower

Calceolaria are a genus flowering plant from the family, Calceolariaceae. Commonly called the Slipper Flower, Lady’s Purse and Slipperwort, due to unusual flowers that resemble slippers or purses and calceolaria being from the Latin for shoe. Currently, there are only 3 genera in its family, although others may soon follow as modern dna analysis is re-classifying plants into their families. There are over 388 species of Calceolaria and that covers a wide range of different plants

Natively, these plants are found mainly in the Andes Mountains but also anywhere from Southern Patagonia to Central Mexico. Many modern hybrids can be found to brighten up garden pots and hanging baskets.

Calceolaria Slipper flower acid yellow close up 1

Rank

Genus

Names
Scientific name:	Calceolaria
Common Names:	Slipper Flower, Lady’s Purse, Slipperwort
Genus:	Calceolaria
Family:	Calceolariaceae
Related Plants:	Porodittia, Jovellana

Growing Conditions
Position:	full sun, partial shade, sheltered
Soil Type:	sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH:	acid, neutral
Moisture:	moist

Calceolaria-Slipper-flower-acid-yellow-in-basket-planter.jpg

Gazania or African Daisy – Vibrant Hot Colours

Gazania or African Daisies are bold, bright flowers with hot colours that are suited to sunny, dry climates. Although being in the same family, they are a different genus to Osteospermum plants that are also commonly referred to as African Daisies. These plants are drought tolerant and like to have full sun to be at their best. Being in the shade will make the flowers close and may then grow thin taller stems unable to support the large flower head.

Rank

Genus

Names
Scientific name:	Gazania
Common Names:	African Daisy, Treasure Flower
Genus:	Gazania
Family:	Asteraceae
Related Plants:	Aster, Daisy, Sunflower

Growing Conditions
Position:	full sun
Soil Type:	sandy, loamy
Soil pH:	weak-acid, neutral, weak-alkaline
Moisture:	dry, well drained

Convolvulus arvensis – A Pain In The Grass

Convolvulus arvensis, commonly known as field bindweed, makes a pretty show in the local wildlife meadow. However, if it’s allowed the space to prosper, it can be a real pain to subdue. If it invades farm crops then it can be hard to eradicate and cause loss of production.

It is one of many species in the family Convolvulaceae or bindweed family. In the garden we mainly see its bigger brother, the giant bindweed (Calystegia silvatica), that grows higher and further than the field variety.

Field bindweed has smaller pink and white flowers, less trumpet like, and smaller arrow-shaped leaves. It grows close to the ground and in a meadow situation has many more vigorous plants to compete against. Still, makes an attractive plant in the right situation.

Rank

Species

Names
Scientific name:	Convolvulus arvensis
Common Names:	Field Bindweed
Genus:	Convolvulus
Family:	Convolvulaceae
Related Plants:	Calystegia, Morning Glory, Moonflower

Growing Conditions
Position:	full sun, partial shade
Soil Type:	chalky, clay, sandy, loamy
Soil pH:	weak-acid, neutral, alkaline
Moisture:	moist, well drained

Saxifraga cotyledon

Saxifraga cotyledon is a beautiful arctic-alpine flowering plant that grows in Iceland, Scandinavia the Alps and Pyrenees. The flowering stem comes from a rosette of furry succulent leaves in May or June, whilst other side rosettes await their turn. The red accented, white petals give a striking display in a sunny, well drained rocky environment.

Rank

Species

Names
Scientific name:	Saxifraga cotyledon
Common Names:	Saxifraga ‘Southside Seedling’
Genus:	Saxifraga
Family:	Saxifragaceae
Related Plants:	Astilbe

Growing Conditions
Position:	full sun, partial shade
Soil Type:	sandy, loamy, chalky
Soil pH:	neutral, alkaline
Moisture:	well drained

Armeria maritima – Sea Thrift

Armeria maritima is a hardy perennial plant that grows in clumps and flowers from spring to summer with shades of pink that are best seen en masse.

Plant Family – Part of the Plumbaginaceae family or leadwort family.
Native to – These flowering plants are native to the coastal regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Common Names – It is often called Sea Thrift or Sea Pink. The word thrift evidently comes from an Old Norse word meaning to thrive. Very apt for this plant as it makes the very best of rather poor ground to produce a display that will lift the spirits.
Flowers – The flower heads are formed in a round cluster on top of a thin but sturdy stem. The small flowers are various shades of pink. They remain upright on the thin stems to maintain a fine display.
Foliage – The dark green, glossy needle-like leaves form a clump or carpet from which the flower stalks grow to form a canopy.
Height and Spread – These are a low growing, ground cover plant that grow to a height of up to 18 inches, mostly shorter than that. They tend to spread over time into a cluster and form a carpet that accentuates their beauty.
Position – These plants thrive in full sun location with a well drained soil, from acidic to alkaline. This makes them ideal for a rock garden, coastal gardens, but can also fit into any well-drained border or even a living roof.

Overall, a plant that will cope with poor conditions to produce a flowering display and survive year on year with little maintenance.

Rank

Species

Names
Scientific name:	Armeria maritima
Common Names:	Sea Thrift, Sea Pink
Genus:	Armeria
Family:	Plumbaginaceae
Related Plants:	Plumbago, Leadworts

Growing Conditions
Position:	full sun
Soil Type:	sandy, loamy, chalky, clay
Soil pH:	acid, neutral, alkaline
Moisture:	well drained

Aeonium Arboreum – Tree Houseleek – Succulent Plant with Large Colourful Rosettes

Aeonium arboreum or Tree Houseleek is a subtropical succulent plant native of the Canary Islands and Madeira but has spread to the Iberian Peninsula and North African coast. They make good houseplants and can be grown in patio pots in a sunny position. They should be covered or brought indoors when temperatures fall.

Rank

Species

Names
Scientific name:	Aeonium Arboreum
Common Names:	Tree Houseleek
Genus:	Aeonium
Family:	Crassulaceae
Related Plants:	Sedum

Growing Conditions
Position:	full sun
Soil Type:	sandy, loamy
Soil pH:	acid, neutral, alkaline
Moisture:	well drained, semi-arid

Pieris Japonica – Andromeda

Pieris japonica is a hardy evergreen flowering shrub that has distinctive new red leaves early in the season. These new red leaves turn yellow then green as they mature. Certain cultivars can have very dark red leaves.

Plant Family – Part of the Ericaceae family or heath family, same as rhododendron, heathers, cranberry and blueberry, and my favourite bilberries.
Native to – These flowering plants are native to China, Taiwan and Japan, especially in the mountainous regions.
Common Names – It is often called the Andromeda.
Flowers – The flowers are small and bell shaped, similar to lily-of-the-valley. Colours ranging from reddish pink to white.
Foliage – The leaves usually start red when they first emerge, fading to yellow, light green and through to dark green as they mature. Being evergreen the leaves are glossy and leathery in form.
Height and Spread – Typically a slow growing shrub that can stay within 3 to 6 feet tall and wide, although they can develop into a more straggly, woody tree up to about 12 feet.
Position – These plants thrive in a shaded or partially shaded location with a well drained soil, acidic side. This makes them ideal in a woodland garden, or any moist, shaded and cool position. Too much sun or frost can scorch the leaves and turn them brown. They need regular water in dry conditions but don’t like soggy wet conditions.

Overall, in the right position they can be a trouble free, easy to maintain plant that gives a splendid splash of colour in the spring and maintain its foliage all year round. Just remember it is an acid loving plant and if you have neutral or alkaline soil it will require specific acidic feed to keep it going.