Pretty in Pink
Tuesday, September 03, 2013
Planting a shrub or two is not a difficult act. The shrubs that we grow add beauty to the garden and reward the gardener with their gorgeous leaves and flowers. One shrub that I have been growing for years now is this pink Aglaonema. It is one of the most beautiful foliage plant one can easily add to the garden!
.jpg)
The plant however is easily infested by mealybugs at the roots as well as the leaves. Whatever I did (apply pesticide etc.) the bug keeps coming back. Still the plant had never fail to flourish well. At certain point, what I usually do is that I will cut back the plant leaving just the stumps. New shoots will either grow out from the soil below or from the stumps. The pic above shows new leaves after a few months of cutting back and they are larger in size than those before cutting!
.jpg)
My Siam Tulip, I have always enjoyed its blossoming inflorescences. I think they look a little like lotus - very pretty! They add pops of bright pink to the garden. The bloom you see in the pic below unfortunately was short-lived as the heavy rain that has been pouring and pouring smashed it ;-(
.jpg)
The Azalea flower that graced my porch didn't get to open fully, just half opened till it spent. I am not sure why but I think it is due to the cloudy sky. Anyone has this experience before?
.jpg)
Unlike other pink plants, my Rain Lilies are always in the pink of health :-) When not in bloom, the shiny green leaves are amazing! Last week, the two flowers that blossomed bent down so low coz when they were opening the rain came. But don't they look cute together like this?
.jpg)
And I am so happy to have spotted a flower from my Aster. The plant has not been flowering for some time now. The sight of its flower stalk made me glad :-D
.jpg)
My little Swan River Daisy shrub gave me a surprise! The little bloom is lovely, don't you think so? It had brightened up a rather gloomy morning that day when it appeared. Thank goodness this particular plant didn't wilt like the rest.
Earlier, I added another carnivorous plant into the pot where I am growing my Sundew. While I am still waiting for the plant to blush, I am happy that it actually can withstand and tolerate heavy rain and sun well (like the Sundew!).
Besides the Venus Fly Trap, I have also transplanted a pitcher plant into the same pot. I hope they are not too crowded though and looking forward to see many blushing pitchers... more pink in store soon!
.jpg)
Last but not least, I hope your plants are all in the pink and giving you much joy and surprises!
Posts
15 comments
Steph, a few new ones on me - all lovely I should add.
ReplyDeleteMight your azalea benefit from a wee feed. Azaleas grow well here in Scotland in shade so I'm not sure lack of sun may be the problem.
Angie, yes it is really a highly adaptable plant when it comes to sunlight. Perhaps not fed enough. Thanks for pointing out :-D
DeletePretty in pink, indeed ! The Rain lilies are bursting with health and happiness !
ReplyDeleteYes they are! Their bright and cheery blooms are amazing :-D
DeleteMy azalea died from neglect, because it was placed in a nook and nobody noticed it. I've always been tempted to buy the red Aglaonema from the nursery but the thought of battling with mealy bugs deterred me.
ReplyDeleteGrowing plants best for you and your garden is a good practice ;-)
DeleteI've tried planting all sorts of plants, so what's left are the hardy ones. Primadonas are not my type :(
DeleteStilletto ElsieXie, aha... as we garden we will discover plants that we can grow well and those that we don't grow so well :-)
DeleteHi Stephany:) You probably know that Azalias like an acid soil! Might be worth checking this out if you didn't! Also Azalias like dappled shade not full shade,for flowers to bloom well.I agree with Angie about feeding.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful when we see the first flower apear! Hope you see many more Swan River Daisies:))
Good points! Thank you :-D It has been raining almost everyday here for past few days so there is really not much sun and the soil is wet. I am keeping my fingers crossed for the Swan River Daisy!
DeleteBtw, Breathtaking, I am able to grow this azalea in the sun here as well. Surprise right?
DeleteHi Stephanie; colourful leaves give always a buzz to the green plants. Aglaonema is a beauty. Azalea half open I have not seen, I mainly grow the evergreen Rhododendron/ Azalea X; they do very well here in the subtropics. A complicated Climate. Sometimes very wet and humid and sometimes dry as a bone! Hot summer and cool winter. Always love and grow the rain lilies, which do well here too. Are you growing the white one as well? The pink ones are actually also a Hippeastrum species. Sundew I grow and loose in the ponds, get overgrown, my fault! It is such an intriguing plant to show to children. You have got a native visitor from Western Australia, the swan river daisy is a pretty little thing, very vigorous too. The used to be sky blue now they are hybridised in different colours, but I find the original does still grow best and nearly for ever! Thank you for your visits, I always appreciate your comments. T.
ReplyDeleteNo, I am not growing the white one. Wish I could but no space for another rain lily for now. That Western Australia visitor is from the same pot of swan river daisy I asked you for the ID earlier. Now, as you can see, this is one of the few short ones left growing. Wish it is as vigorous as it is in its native land. Points on Hippeastrum species and hybrid... thanks for sharing :-) Btw, I love visiting your blog/garden! You have extraordinary plants!!
DeleteWhat's up with the NO COPy? I see nothing to be copy/paste...Do you?
ReplyDeleteThe warning is definitely not for someone nice like you, antigonum cajan :-)
Delete