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Experienced gardeners are well aware of this reality and have even come to enjoy the ephemeral nature of their outdoor spaces.
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Streamside spider lilies are amazing plants that are very common in certain zones across the world. Strolling along the streams of northern Florida, you may have come across an unusual flower. Growing near water sources like lakes or streams, the Streamside Spider Lily is a native Florida gem. Its white showy flowers are sure to stop any passersby. If you’re lucky enough to find a field during the flowering season, the wispy blooms atop tall stems form an impressive display when grouped together. Unfortunately, this species of Spider Lily is also endangered, and anyone wanting to witness their beauty firsthand may struggle to find them in the years to come. Whether you’re looking to identify a Spider Lily you’ve come across on an afternoon walk, or simply want to appreciate the beauty of this mesmerizing species, you’re in the right place. Native Habitat Hence their name, Streamside Spider Lilies are often found near streams and bodies of water. Hymenocallis rotata is largely found in the northern parts of Florida, moving into lower Alabama, with some sightings reported along the east and south coast of the United States. In fact, 13 of the 16 native US Hymenocallis species are found in Florida. Due to its region of origin, it is also known as Hymenocallis floridana, or less often called Hymenocallis laciniata. A lover of water, the Spider Lily is almost always found in wetland areas. You will likely come across this plant in marshes or ditches, either sitting directly in or very close to water sources. The distribution is the densest near Tallahassee, found along spring runs and lakes in Wakulla County heading north toward the state capital. This plant is classified as a hydrophyte, meaning it will only grow in or very close to water. The bulb sits below the waterline, leaving the upright green leaves and flower stems to shoot above. In areas with shallow water cover, you’ll find many Streamside spider lilies grouped together, soaking up the moisture. Classification This perennial herb is related to other lilies and bulb flowers. Hymenocallis rotata falls under the superorder lilioid monocots, characterized by their large colored tepals (the outer part of the flower). This explains their common name ‘Spider Lily’, as they are related to the other Lily plants beloved by gardeners. The ‘Spider’ part of the name is thanks to the shape of the flowers, with six curved petals that look like large, delicate spiders’ legs. Part of the Amaryllidaceae family, the Spider Lily is a relative of many common garden plants, including Agapanthus, Alliums, and Daffodils. The genus Hymenocallis contains many rhizomatous bulbs with similarly shaped flowers, occasionally grown in gardens for their ornamental value. In gardening terms, it is considered a perennial herb, flowering in spring each year. Identification The spidery long petals distinguish this flower from others. This Hymenocallis gets its specific epithet name from the unique structure of the flower. The corona (part of the flower on the outer edge of the stamen) rotates, a trait unique to the genus. This corona is white with a yellow-green center. This is different from other spider lilies which can be red, or other colors. Each plant produces two to four white flowers per stem. These flowers start out cup-shaped but begin to flatten out as the flower opens further. Surrounding the flower are long, wispy tepals, also in white, that make this plant instantly recognizable. These flowers open around the same time and release a stunning fragrance. The deciduous leaves are either arched upward or almost completely erect, framing the flowers in the center. They remain a glossy green all season, similar to the leaves of its distant relative, the Clivia. Conservation Status These unique flowers are becoming rarer, making them more difficult to find. The Streamside Spider Lily has a Global Conservation Status rank of G2 – imperiled. Defined as “at high risk of extinction or collapse”, this classification is likely due to the small regional distribution of this relatively unknown species. It could also be a result of low or declining distribution, meaning finding this plant in the wild will become more difficult over time. This status does not take garden cultivation into account and may improve the chances of this wonderful species surviving. But these plants are not particularly easy to find, especially in local nurseries, and are most often appreciated when discovered out in the wild. Other Spider Lilies White Hymenocallis Littoralis Flowers The Hymenocallis littoralis is another spider lily that looks very much like Hymenocallis rotata. H. rotata is one of many Spider Lilies, mostly found in the same zones around Florida. H. godfreyi looks similar, but is slightly smaller than rotata. This is the only plant of the genus that forms rhizomes on the bottom of the bulb as opposed to the side. The leaves are much shorter too, growing just over 1 foot tall. Also in Wakulla County, H. godfreyi is found in a more limited area and is considered endangered. H. crassifolia is often mistaken for rotata. Found mostly in the northeast of Florida, the flowers bloom in late spring. These flowers stay funnel-shaped, as opposed to rotata flowers that flatten out over time. The leaves are almost always upright, while rotata leaves can be arched or upright. More commonly grown in gardens, H. occidentalis has an unusual habitat for the Hymenocallis genus. It is usually found in forests, often away from water sources, in the Florida Panhandle. It also blooms later than other species, producing showy flowers in early summer. In the wild, you may also find H. duvalensis or H. choctawensis. In gardens around the world, the most commonly cultivated species are: H. amancaes H. narcissiflora H. littoralis H. speciosa Final Thoughts The Streamside Spider Lily, although usually found in the wild, deserves appreciation from gardeners all over the globe. Keep a lookout for the spider-like white flowers in spring – you won’t be disappointed.
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When you choose your raspberry plants from our Nursery, don't be surprised to see plants that look too small to bear a bountiful harvest. Take our word that with the right environment and care, you'll have plenty of sweet treats. There are two types of raspberries to consider: everbearing will usually give you a crop mid-summer and in early fall, while summer-bearing varieties will give you one big harvest in late summer. Planting Raspberries Choose a location that receives full sun to part-sun and has well-draining soil. Consider your space and plant supports before putting your cane fruit in the ground. Raspberries benefit from having a support system. The traditional method of trellising cane fruit (raspberries, blackberries, etc.) is to create two rows of posts and tying up wires, although stakes and twine also work. Raspberries also have roots that travel and will sprout new canes. Be mindful of where you're planting; it's a great idea to give them their very own garden bed. If you can provide a raised bed, that's all the better. Raspberry Care Raspberry plants have relatively shallow root systems, so keeping a weed-free bed will minimize root competition. A layer of compost mulch helps a lot. As previously mentioned, suckers grow from travelling root systems. Keep an eye on canes that will pop up around your garden and prune them out if they're in inappropriate areas. As with most fruiting plants, take care not to allow your plants to dry out during the summer, especially as they're bearing fruit. For more information about growing and pruning, see our caning berries care sheet.
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The silvery-leafed eucalyptus is one of the most-loved foliage choices for florist arrangements. Bouquets often skip the blooms and just go for eucalyptus as a bold, wonderful-smelling statement. While most of us don’t have the space for full-sized eucalyptus trees, you can still grow this beautiful plant. Let's explore the mighty world of eucalyptus and how to get one in your home or landscape. Travel just a little bit of Australia, and you will see just how many varieties of the iconic Eucalyptus trees there are. They have names that show off their features, like the ghost gum with its pure white bark, the squiggly gum, with patterns covering the bark like a child passed by with a crayon, or the rainbow gum, with its stripy bark in all the colors of the Australian landscape. These giant trees are also the main habitat for Australian wildlife and the only diet of the koala. The leaves of eucalyptus are extremely toxic to most animals, but koalas can eat up to 2 pounds when they are not sleeping for 18 hours a day. Funnily, they are picky eaters, choosing only 50 types of the 800 eucalyptus varieties available to them. Because of bushfires and human intervention, koalas are losing their habitat rapidly. Eucalyptus in Australia even has its own national day. March 23rd is National Eucalyptus Day, to raise awareness of the importance of these trees in Australian culture. In the US, eucalyptus varieties are prized for floral arranging, offering crisp scents and beautiful gray-blue shades that offer a perfect foil for colorful flowers. This article will give you an outline of how to grow eucalyptus at home, with some fascinating characteristics and features along the way. The more than 800 varieties of Eucalyptus belong to the Myrtle family. These can vary in size from small shrubs of a few feet. Medium trees can grow to 33 feet in height, and giant trees may reach more than 300 feet. The majority of the varieties of eucalypt in Australia grow in massive native forests, with others cultivated for gardens and as indoor plants. A few others grow in Malaysia and the Philippines. In many other countries, it is an introduced species – particularly the blue gum tree Eucalyptus globulus – for its ability to grow fast and produce excellent wood as a timber crop. One of the downfalls of using gum trees as a crop is the staggering amount of water they need each day. One tree can use up to 200 gallons of water a day. They also produce compounds called allelopathic chemicals, much like black walnut trees, that leach into the soil and inhibit the growth of any other plants nearby. You will often see monocultures of eucalypts because of this factor. It’s not surprising, then, that many countries have declared them alien invasive plants. The bark of eucalyptus trees varies greatly between varieties. Some are smooth, Some rough, some mottled, some stripy in many variations of color. The bark peels back each season to reveal what’s underneath. These look like the squiggles of a moth making its way up the trunk, turning to a lighter green, bright yellow, or orange tinge that transforms its look. This peeling bark is one of the characteristics of the species. Some bark will peel back in long strands, giving it an iconic look. The leaves are the main source of essential oil and emit the famous fragrance when you crush them. The leaves of younger trees are round with no stalks. They mostly range from blue-green to blue-grey to silver in color. Before planting any eucalyptus tree in the garden, consider the following: Some varieties have been declared invasive in states like California and Hawaii, with other states doing investigations into the species. In other parts of the world, they are also a problem plant and, in some countries, they have been banned. Their allelopathic tendencies may be harmful to plants in the vicinity of the tree, which may leave some bare, unproductive patches in your garden. Most varieties grow big, so you will need enough space for them to grow. Finally, certain varieties use up a lot of water and nutrients from the soil. If you are willing to look past all that, let’s look at how to grow them outdoors. Alternatively, skip to the part where you can grow them in containers indoors.
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If you’re seeking a hardy and cheerful bloom to add color and texture to your garden, gomphrena is a top pick. Flower farmer Briana Yablonski shares how to grow and care for this unique annual.One of my favorite aspects of flowers is the wide variety of shapes and colors they come in. Round flowers like daisies and coneflowers have a classic shape, and spikes like snapdragons and delphinium add height to the garden and bouquets. And gomphrena’s spherical blooms add a unique element to gardens and bouquets. Also known as globe amaranth, gomphrena produces many small, round flowers that are beautiful when fresh and dried. They come in a wide range of colors, so you can likely find one you’ll love. These annuals can also tolerate high temperatures, making them great flowers for the summer garden. Whether you’re looking for an easy-to-care-for flower for your garden or a long-lasting bloom for arrangements, gomphrena is a great choice. Gomphrena is a member of the amaranth family that produces spherical flowers. It’s a warm-season annual that thrives from late spring to early fall in most locations. Like many types of amaranth, it can tolerate heat and drought better than many flowers. The plants are often grown for cutting flowers since they hold up well when fresh and dried. Gardeners also plant them for their long bloom time and ability to attract pollinators.Gomphrena produces stiff stems that grow in a branching pattern. The stems are covered with oblong leaves covered with short, fuzzy hairs. A small, spherical flower appears at the top of each stem. The round flowers are made up of stiff, papery bracts that retain their shape and texture over time. The blooms come in many colors, including pink, lilac, orange, white, and red.
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