Plectranthus variants - The Plant for the Future

P. barbatus

P. barbatus

Plectranthus neochilus and Plenctranthus barbatus

Family: Lamiaceae

Order: Lamiales

Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons

Ethnobotanical Properties: Treats digestion ailments, respiratory issues, dyspepsia, anti-tumoral —Isolated diterpenoids exhibit anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Succulent leaves are fuzzy, and obovate in shape.

Companion Plants: Aeonium, Kalanchoe, Lamium

Soil pH: 6.0-6.5

P. neochilus

One of the most cultivated specimen in our garden is the Plectranthus; an almost extraterrestrial being, whose medicinal properties are garnering more attention over the last twenty years.

The Plectranthus neochilus (Spurflower) of southern Africa stands tall; a herbaceous plant known for its rather pungent scent and bewitching blooms; a medicinal plant of the Lamiaceae family.

The neochilus is also, we’ve found, to be one of the easiest plants to propagate from cuttings.

We also recommend that you stop by Science Direct: A Plant for the Future to investigate in detail on the medicinal aspects of the prolific Plectranthus. You can download the pdf of this article for future reference.

Here is an intimate view at a Plectranthus neochilus petal under the microscope —what a mysterious tiny microcosm we’ve come to discover.

P. neochilus

P. neochilus

The mighty and mysterious Plectranthus is known to have been cultivated to further illustrate the diversity of indigenous wildflowers. There have been noted, thus far, 12 species which are highlighted for their use in treating various ailments, especially by indigenous cultures of Southern Africa. The Plectranthus plays a dominant role in the rise of traditional medicine, as well as horticulturally across the globe.

P. barbatus

P. neochilus

Viola x wittrockiana - Picotee Pansy

Viola x wittrockiana

Family: Violaceae

Order: Violales

Class: Magnoliopsida

Ethnobotanical Properties: Aids in the treatment of eczema, asthma, and epilepsy.

Companion Plants: Myosotis sylvatica, Iberis sempervirens, Erysimum ‘Apricot Twist’

Soil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

This delicate, yet hardy, ornamental species has also been referred to as the Viola Picotee Pansy, Lady's Delight,  or the Viola Cornet (XP YTT). The darker violet specimen is called The Horned Violet, whereas the lighter specimen is known as the XP White Jump Up.

The pansy offers ecological benefits for pollinating insects, herbivores, and are widely used for consumption by humans. There are reported to be over 250 cultivars of pansies, and by 1835 there were already 400 varieties (with up to 600 species in the family Violaceae). It was back in the early 1800's when Lord Gambier and his loyal gardener William Thompson began cross-breeding various Viola species. Pansy comes from the French pensée, which translates to “thought”.

The garden pansy will bloom up to four months, even longer depending on the climate. This majestic tiny beast is a large-flowered hybrid plant cultivated as a garden flower. It is derived by hybridization from several species in the section Melanium of the genus Viola, particularly Viola tricolor, a wildflower of Europe and western Asia known as heartsease. 

For centuries this specimen of medium-flowered Panola pansies have been known to sustain life and consistent blooms especially during the Winter months, even when they become slightly overwhelmed by snow or rainfall -as long as they are protected by a mulch covering. This low maintenance, and frost tolerant beauty will grow up to 9" tall. Muggy weather will result in rot -and this happens quickly. Flower production will come to a halt if the plant is exposed to afternoon sun. The pansy is known to suffer from stem rot (a soil-borne fungus), leaf spot (Ramularia deflectens -also a fungal infection), and the cucumber mosaic virus — transmitted by aphids. Spraying the plant with soapy water helps, but sometimes the aphids are rather relentless. Another enemy of the hardy pansy are slugs and snails -you may lay a gritty sand, or top-dress the soil with chipped bark. 

Solitary flowers of the pansy are produced on long, meaty stalks -containing one pair of bracteoles, as well as 5 sepals which remain persistent even after blooming (they may even become enlarged). Each bloom contains five free stamens, short filaments that are set against the ovary, with only the lower two stamens having nectary spurs which hide away on the lowest petal.

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Gaura Lindheimeri - Bee Blossom

Gaura Lindheimeri

Family: Onograceae

Order: Myrtales

Ethnobotanical Properties: None to report

Companion Plants: Perovskia atriplicifolia, Verbena bonariensis.

Soil pH: 6.5 to 7.5 (slightly acid to slightly alkaline)

There are various plant species to be discovered upon your research; some remain a mystery until one arrives back home, scouring through those tattered plant guides until one's eyes lose focus- such as the playful Gaura Lindheimeri. This ethereal evergreen produces delicate five petaled flowers with long prominent anthers, and short flower stems -making its compact growth ideal for gardens and containers alike.

Well akin to catching ones attention, the elegant Gaura lindheimeri is tolerant of heat and drought, as well as humidity; once its (rhizome) roots are well established -which requires the occasional deep watering during extended periods of heat.

It is best grown in loamy soil, with ample drainage being an essential element to its survival. After its flowers are spent, carefully remove the spikes in order to prolong the blooming period. This sumptuous, tender perennial is easy to grow from seed, and will self sow.

Named after the German immigrant botanist Ferdinand Jacob Lindheiemer (1801-1879); a Philologist and Dressier refugee, Ferdinand was considered a medicine man by Comanche Chief Santana, for his laborious collecting of plants. This friendship was what had allowed him to travel to regions untouched by other botanists. Do you have a story to tell about the Gauras which you manage and maintain? Send us your photos here, and tell us a little about your tale of dedication, and what issues you may have run into with this specimen.

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Corethrogyne filaginifolia - California Aster

Corethrogyne filaginifolia

Order: Asterales

Ethnobotanical Elements: Leaves and stems are used to treat colds.

Leaf Shape: Linear, Oblanceolate.

Companion Plants: Buckwheat (Eriogonum species), Bushmallow (Malacothamnus species), Sticky Monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus). 

A robust perennial with a simple multi-branched stem which approaches a meter in length and height. Each wooly leaf is several centimeters long, lobed low on the stem and even smaller farther up the stem. Each bloom cluster consists of a single flower head. Inside each tiny pod reside numerous lavender, pink, purple, or white ray florets; center has up to 120 tubular yellow disc florets.

The fruit of the Corethrogyne is an achene with a pappus of reddish bristles on top. Tiny in its composure, you may have passed by the scrubby gem while hiking in Baja, California, the Angeles National Forest, the Coconino National Forest in Yavapai County, Arizona, as well as the southwestern corner of Oregon —where it remains a common inhabitant of woodlands, forests, chaparrals, and within the serpentine soils of other native flora and fauna. Partial shade to full sun. Hardiness Zone: 7-9, 14-24. Native to: North America (Louisiana and Texas).

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Alcea rosea - Hollyhock

Alcea rosea 

Family: Malvaceae - Mallows, mauves

Order: Malvales

Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons

Ethnobotanical Properties: Ethnobotanical Properties: Roots can be used as an astringent, and to treat loss of appetite. Petals are useful for the treatment of constipation, respiratory issues, and improve blood circulation. Each can also be used to treat inflammation of the kidneys, and the womb/vaginal cavity. 

Companion Plants: Rudbeckia maxima (large Coneflower), Leucanthemum x superbum (Shasta Daisy), Monardra didyma (Bee Balm), Hydrangea aborescens.

Soil pH: 6.0 - 8.0

Originating from the eastern Mediterranean, and of the Mallow family,  arrives the Alcea rosea or the common Hollyhock. As a dual-sexed perennial it is said that the petals, as well as the roots, can be dried and used as a tea. 

The Hollyhock will grow as tall as eight feet, in flower beds that are typically 8 to 10 feet wide. They will tenaciously self-seed; this leads to the opportunity for the plant to become slightly invasive, depending on where it has been planted. You may find these sprouting up just about everywhere you hike if you are in the mountains, or in a more desert climate. They even tend to pop-up between the barging bristles of certain cacti -as legend has it, these perennials prefer dry soil. Although, we always tend to have a difficult time cultivating them from seed, once they do begin to sprout they will last a long while, especially if you make sure to plant them alongside other companion plants (as stated above) -the zinnia or marigold make an admirable match for the Hollyhock environment.

These specimens are host plants to the luxurious Painted Lady Larvae (caterpillar) -which makes for a perfect shelter as these creatures lay their eggs onto the the leaves. The egg is mint green in color -the barrel-shaped eggs are laid singly onto the leaves and will hatch within in 3-5 days. The caterpillar larva has five instars over a 12-18 day period. The Pupa: Each chrysalis stage lasts about 10 days. Overall the lifespan of the painted lady is 12 months. But beware, as they are very territorial of their habitat, especially toward other types of caterpillars. If you're interested in learning more about the Hollyhocks loyal companion, the Painted Lady can be studied (and purchased) at Carolina.com -a database for the care of many different living organisms.

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