Showing posts with label Exotic Flower. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exotic Flower. Show all posts

Monday

Puya alpestris Turquoise Metallic Flowers

Wow!  The plant kingdom at its flamboyant best. 

The highly ornamental Sapphire Tower is a hardy bromeliad relative native to regions of Argentina and Southern Chile along the slopes of the Andes Mountain Range.
It grows in areas with relatively dry and well drained soils with plenty of sunlight and does not require a lot of water.


It produces 2-3 foot wide rosettes of marginal-spined leaves that are silver-gray and striped beneath. 

When mature, the 4-5 foot tall, thick branching spikes produce long-blooming flowers that are neither sapphire blue nor sapphire green; they are an intense combination of the two colors. Bright orange stamens provide a lively contrast. A truly unique and incredible flower color. Blooms faster than the related Puya berteroniana.
In South America, the fleshy hearts of Puya flowers are frequently shredded, similar to cabbage in coleslaw and eaten in salads.
This plant makes a good specimen accent in a dry garden. It also works well in containers. Zones 8-11. 


Seeds found here:  Puya 30 Seeds for sale

Plants found here:  Puya Plants for sale

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Tuesday

Sturts Desert Pea Swainsona formosa

Another unusual, it never ends!!!

Clianthus formosus or Swainsona formosa Native Australian wildflower.
Incredibly beautiful plant with scarlet and black flowers reminiscent of exotic birds. Does best in dry conditions.


With dazzling crimson and black flowers having the ' appearance of a lobster claw, Clianthus will happily create a dense carpet of glaucous, ferny foliage from which these exciting flowers will appear. Easily grown, and surviving the poorest of soils and the sunniest of positions, just like in its homeland of Australia.


Seeds available here

Optimum Germination Temperature: 65-70F. Sowing Depth: ¼in. Sowing Time: April to May. Best sown where it is to flower, it prefers a warm, sunny, sheltered spot and very deeply dug, dry, sandy soil. Before sowing, soak the seed for 24 hours, then sow ¼in deep and protect from excess wet by placing a cloche or sheet of glass on 4 bricks over the area.
Sow in place, resents transplanting. Excellent specimens can be grown as conservatory plants. Half-hardy annual, 6-12" tall.

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