Hardy Kiwi (Actinidia kolomikta ‘Arctic Beauty’ ) 狗棗獼猴桃

Hardy Kiwi (Actinidia kolomikta ‘Arctic Beauty’ ) 狗棗獼猴桃

Hardy Kiwi has beautiful variegated foliage in green, white and pink. (Actinidia kolomikta ‘Arctic Beauty’ ) 狗棗獼猴桃的斑葉是綠,白,粉紅的葉色.

Hardy Kiwi male plant flowering. (Actinidia kolomikta ‘Arctic Beauty’ ) 狗棗獼猴桃開花中的雄株.

Nice dioecious woody vine.  Value for its colorful foliage.  Best in full sun to partial shade location.  Small almost creamy white flowers in spring and small edible fruit in summer.  USDA Zones:4-8.  Very hardy.  Strong support is required.  Mature size:15′-30′(H) X8′-10′(W).   For fruit, you will need 1 male plant to pollinate 3-4 female plants. Best foliage colour is in partial shade or light shade. Easy to grow and propagate by seeds or cuttings.

會落葉的木本藤蔓. 主要是它的斑葉有觀賞價值.  全日照到半日照處種植為佳.  春天開幾乎近白色的小花.  雌雄異株.  果實可食.  鳥類也很喜歡. 非常強健耐寒.  須有強度高的支撐物來讓它攀爬..  成熟株高15-30呎,寬幅8-10呎.  若種植是要令其結果,1株雄株可對3-4株雌株來授粉結果.  它在半日照處的葉色顯色為最佳. 容易栽種及繁殖.  繁殖可以經由種子或扦插枝條來進行.

Reference links: 參考網站連結:

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b150

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actinidia_kolomikta

Golden Chain Tree (Laburnum anagyroides) 毒豆

Golden Chain Tree (Laburnum anagyroides) 毒豆

Golden Chain Tree (Laburnum anagyroides) 毒豆

Golden Chain Tree (Laburnum anagyroides) 毒豆

Golden Chain Tree is rather popular in spring. (Laburnum anagyroides) 毒豆在春天時開花時蠻受歡迎的.

Golden Chain Tree is rather popular in spring. (Laburnum anagyroides) 毒豆在春天時開花時蠻受歡迎的.

Golden Chain Tree (Laburnum anagyroides) seeds. 毒豆的種子.

Beautiful small flowering tree!  Bean family, fragrant yellow flowers in clusters blooming in late spring to early summer.  Common seen in small garden or in group to form a flowering tunnel.  Easy to grow and propagate.  Best growing in full sun to partial shade location.  It is native in Central and Southern Europe.  USDA Zones:5-7. Mature size:15′-25′(H) x 10′-12′(W).  Propagate by seeds or soft wood cuttings.

豆科毒豆屬的小型庭園樹.  春末夏初時開黃色長花串,有香味.  多種於小型庭園或做成花隧道一樣的造景. 容易栽種及繁殖.  不耐熱.  成熟株高15-25呎高,寬幅10-12呎.    全日照到半日照.  繁殖以種子或新枝條扦插為主.

Reference links: 參考網站連結:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laburnum_anagyroides http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2194/

Wine Cup Flower (Geissorhiza radians) 酒杯花

Wine Cup Flower (Geissorhiza radians) 酒杯花

Flowers see image from Wikipedia:

Wine Cup Flower bulbs (Geissorhiza radians) 酒杯花的球根

Cute flower from Iris family with exotic flower colors!  Native in South Africa.  USDA Zones:9-11. Easy to grow and propagate by seeds or bulbs.  Best in full sun to partial shade location.  Mature size:8-16cm(H) X 10cm(W).

它是有著顯眼花色的小型開花球根,鳶尾科的多年生草花. 原生於南非. 容易栽種及繁殖. 多以種子或球根來繁殖.  春天開有著紫,紅,白的小花,喜歡全日照到半日照. 冬天休眠時土壤水份要減少. 喜熱,不耐寒. 成熟株高8-16公分,寬幅約10公分. 可以盆植或地植,以地植為佳.

Reference links: 參考網站:

http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantefg/geissorhizaradians.htm

http://www.strangewonderfulthings.com/145.htm

Parrot Tulips ‘Texas Flame’ (Tulipa) 鸚鵡鬱金香’德州火燄’

Parrot Tulips ‘Texas Flame’ (Tulipa) 鸚鵡鬱金香’德州火燄’

Parrot Tulips ‘Texas Flame’ (Tulipa) 鸚鵡鬱金香’德州火燄’

Parrot Tulips ‘Texas Flame’ (Tulipa) 鸚鵡鬱金香’德州火燄’ Flower size measured 8″ in diameter. 丈量花徑有8吋 (=20.32cm).

They are right in front of my arbour. 坐在涼棚下眼前就近就是它們.

They are nice and not small!   Flower size is 8″ in diameter. I like they bloom late so that can stretch the tulip blooming season for me.

坐在涼棚下眼前就近就是它們. 花徑不小有8吋的直徑. 其實每天好像都還會增大一些.  晚開的種類有好處是可以延長賞花的花期.

Creeping Raspberry (Rubus calycinoides) 高山懸鉤子/玉山懸鉤子

Creeping Raspberry (Rubus  calycinoides) 高山懸鉤子/玉山懸鉤子

Creeping Raspberry plants are easy to propagate by cuttings. (Rubus calycinoides) 高山懸鉤子/玉山懸鉤子植株.

Creeping Raspberry plants are easy to propagate by cuttings.  (Rubus  calycinoides) 高山懸鉤子/玉山懸鉤子植株. Normally its height is really short, creeping on the surface of the ground.  In the most of zones it stays evergreen, not pricky, fast growing and good for soil erosion control.  Easy to grow and best growing in full sun to partial shade location.  Small white flowers in late spring to early summer and follow with small edible berries which are ripe in fall and from red turn orange yellow salmon colour, that is why also are called salmon berries.   There are several different plants are share with the same common name.  USDA Zones:6-10.   Mature size:1″-2″(H) x 5′(W).  Propagate by seeds or stem cuttings.

由於它無刺,常綠,生長快速,土壤不拘,且成熟的橘黃色果實可食用且有利於控制土壤流失,常用於斜坡保土的種植.  容易栽種在全日照到半日照處.  春末夏初開白色的小花.  繁殖以種子或扦插. 耐寒性可,但似乎不耐熱.  多在中高海拔可見.   成熟株高1-2吋,寬幅5呎.

Reference links: 參考資料連結:

http://www.northcreeknurseries.com/plantName/Rubus-calycinoides-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubus_hayata-koidzumii

Mexican Shell Flower (Tigridia pavonia) 虎皮花

Mexican Shell Flower (Tigridia pavonia) 虎皮花

Mexican Shell Flower bulb. (Tigridia pavonia) 虎皮花球根.

Mexican Shell Flower. One bulb is growing. (Tigridia pavonia) 虎皮花有一球先開始活躍了.

Mexican Shell Flowers are growing leaves. (Tigridia pavonia) 虎皮花長葉了.

Mexican Shell Flower is foaming flower stem. (Tigridia pavonia) 虎皮花花梗抽出.

Mexican Shell Flower (Tigridia pavonia) 虎皮花

Mexican Shell Flower (Tigridia pavonia) 虎皮花

Mexican Shell Flower (Tigridia pavonia) 虎皮花

Mexican Shell Flower is unique but flower doesn’t last long. (Tigridia pavonia) 虎皮花花雖獨特不過花期也太短了.

Perennial bulbous flowers, Iris family.  Easy to grow in full sun location, in pots or in the ground.  USDA Zones:7-10.  Native in South America.  Roots are edible.  Mature size:1.5′-2′(H) x 5″.  Propagate by seeds, bulbs or offsets.  They come with different flower colors, blooming in late spring to early summer.

鳶尾科虎皮花屬的球根花卉. 多年生不甚耐寒.  根部可以食用.  成熟株高1.5-2呎, 寬幅僅5吋左右.  繁殖方式以種子,球根或側球子球等方式.  花色不少,春末到夏初開花.

Reference links:  參考資料網站:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigridia

https://www.veseys.com/ca/en/learn/guide/bulbinfo/mexicanshell

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum）葫蘆巴

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum）葫蘆巴

Fenugreek seeds.(Trigonella foenum-graecum）葫蘆巴種子.

Fenugreek seeds germination.(Trigonella foenum-graecum）葫蘆巴種子發芽了.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum）葫蘆巴

Annual herb/leafy vegetable/medicine.  Useful plant, easy to grow from seeds.  Best to grow in full sun in well drained soil.  Small white flowers in spring, aged to yellow flowers and follow the bean pods. Whole plant is aromatic.  It is very famous and used worldwide.

Seeds can be used for herbal tea or spice.  The sprouts and the whole plants are used for salad, vegetable or herb.  Medicinal.  Mature size:1′-2′(H) x 1′-1.5′(W). Best growing in full sun location.   Propagate by seeds.  Very easy to grow.

它是一年生草本的香菜/葉菜/藥材,比較有名的是它被主要用來做為寷胸的功效.  對哺乳期缺乏乳汁的婦女也有刺激增加乳汁的效果. 更有其它常用的保健功效.

Reference links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fenugreek

http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-tw/%E8%83%A1%E8%8A%A6%E5%B7%B4

Telegraph Plant/Dancing Plant (Desmodium gyrans) 跳舞草

Telegraph Plant/Dancing Plant (Desmodium gyrans) 跳舞草

Telegraph Plant/Dancing Plant seed packet and seeds. (Desmodium gyrans) 跳舞草種子包及種子.

Telegraph Plant/Dancing Plant seeds germination in 2 weeks. (Desmodium gyrans) 跳舞草種子2週就發芽.

Telegraph Plant/Dancing Plant (Desmodium gyrans) seed germination. 跳舞草的發芽種子.

Telegraph Plant/Dancing Plant (Desmodium gyrans) young seedling has not forming leaflets yet. 這階段的跳舞草小苗還未長出會動的小葉.

Telegraph Plant/Dancing Plant (Desmodium gyrans) young seedling start forming leaflets! 這階段的跳舞草小苗已經長出會動的小葉!

Finally a plant can be like a pet to interact with!  It is one of two plants move the most so far as known, the other one is sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica).  Easy to grow!   Telegraph plant is a very interesting plant, it is a pea family tropical shrub.  “The small lateral leaflets will rotate on their axis, moving in jerky motions under the slightest influence of touch, sunshine, warmth or small vibrations. At night they droop downwards. " — quote from: http://www.seedaholic.com/desmodium-gyrans-telegraph-plant.html    All this it can do to make it a “pet plant"!   I guess it is great house plant to have, look at it moves when you listen to music or enjoy the warm partial shade sunlight shines through windows…

Telegraph plant is best to be grown in partial shade, warm and moist location.  Mature size: 2′-4′(H) /(W).  USDA Zones:10-11. Pink pea flowers in late fall / early winter.  Propagate from seeds or cuttings.

豆科舞草屬的灌木,原生亞洲各國.  喜溫暖濕潤但排水良好的環境.  喜半日照或散光,容易栽種作為室內植物或戶外種植但冬天需防寒害. 秋冬開粉紅色豆科花朵.  以種子或扦插來繁殖. 成熟株高及寬幅2-4呎.  植株的小葉對於觸摸,光線,溫度或聲音有明顯的反應動作. 很適合給小朋友種植或當作"寵物植物"來養.

Reference links:  資料參考連結:

http://www.spain-info.co.uk/gardening/dance-plant.htm

http://www.seedaholic.com/desmodium-gyrans-telegraph-plant.html

https://austinbotany.wordpress.com/2014/03/29/codariocalyx-motorius-dancing-plant-telegraph-plant-formerly-desmodium-gyrans/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codariocalyx_motorius

This is the fun plant to have!  Watch it moves.  🙂   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta4I5Uwv9m0

Drumstick Tree (Moringa oleifera) 辣木

Drumstick Tree (Moringa oleifera) 辣木

Drumstick Tree seeds.(Moringa oleifera) 辣木種子.

Drumstick Tree seeds germination. (Moringa oleifera) 辣木種子發芽.

Drumstick Tree seeling showing the leaves.(Moringa oleifera) 辣木實生苗出葉了.

Drumstick Tree 1yr old seeling showing the shoots after long stay indoor over winter finally got spring sunshine! (Moringa oleifera) 一歲大的辣木實生苗經過長時間室內過冬,才享受了春陽高照便出很多葉芽了.

Drumstick Tree (Moringa oleifera) flower buds are forming! 辣木的花苞形成了!

Drumstick Tree (Moringa oleifera) is flowering! 辣木開花了!

A good food source in hot and dry area.  Very easy to grow from seeds!  Leaves can be harvested and cook as spinach for food, highly nutritious!  Hardy and drought tolerant.  USDA Zones: 9-11.  Mature size:30′-40′(H) and (W).  Fast growing, some grower said 10′ a year.  Very productive edible tree!  You can get its edible seed pods in some supermarkets, too!   It also has been used in medicine, fuel and much more!

由於葉片所含的營養很高它的生長速度很快又容易種植於熱旱的地區,越來越多的國家已經投入研究及種植.  它不耐寒.  成熟株高30-40呎高及寬幅.  生長之快速每年可達10呎之高.  產量非常高的可食性植物!  超市有見到嫩種莢在蔬菜區販賣. 它還有藥用,燃料及其他的實用價值!

辣木種子碾碎丟進髒水後過濾成為清水的縮時影片

See Moringa seeds can filter water – (Time Lapse)

Reference links:  參考資料網站:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moringa_oleifera http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-tw/%E8%BE%A3%E6%9C%A8                                                                                             http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-tw/%E8%BE%A3%E6%9C%A8%E7%A7%91

Oca (Oxalis tuberosa) 奇優果

Oca (Oxalis tuberosa) 奇優果

Oca (Oxalis tuberosa) seed potatoes. 奇優果的種子球.

Oca (Oxalis tuberosa) seed potatoes start to grow leaves. 奇優果的種子球開始長出葉子了.

Oca (Oxalis tuberosa) seed potatoes grow leaves. 奇優果的種子球開始長葉.

Oca (Oxalis tuberosa) plants grow potatoes in late fall when temperature is cold. In blue circles are some small bulbs. 奇優果秋末變冷時開始結球根. 藍色圈圈是小球.

It is one of the root vegetables.  Usually grow from seed potatoes like these in the image.  Very low maintenance.  The produce potatoes like tubers, starchy after cooked.  Best to grow these in full sun to partial shade location.  USDA Zones:9-11.   Mature size: 1.5′-2′(H) X 6″-1′(W).  Suppose the small yellow flowers in late fall but not often set seeds — I guess because by then the weather gets too cold and too wet for pollination.

It will be a very interesting experiment this year for sure!  🙂

中文叫做奇優果,它就是專門種來吃地下的根莖的酢醬草種類.  還不少品種,有的白,有的紅,有的粉紅,黃或紫黑… 它是低維護的根莖類蔬菜之一.  煮法跟馬鈴薯一樣.  含澱粉高,口味微酸.  種植以全日照或半日照環境最佳.  不耐寒.  成熟株高1.5-2呎高,6吋到1呎寬幅.   小黃花通常在秋末左右開,能結子但不容易結子–大概是天氣轉冷並潮濕影響結子的闗係.

收到種子球有點脫水,已經放到澆溼盆土的小盆中先養著好恢復.  這是今年的實驗之一,應該會很有意思.

More info see links below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxalis_tuberosa

http://www.thompson-morgan.com/how-to-grow-oca-new-zealand-yam