Monday, July 14, 2014

PINEAPPLE LILY

Eucomis 'Sparkling Burgundy'
This summer blooming perennial in our Perennial Boarder has tiny, closely packed, star-shaped blossoms topped with leaflike bracts making it look like pineapples.  After the flowers fade, purplish seed capsules follow.  The leaves of 'Sparkling Burgundy' are a rich deep burgundy color when they emerge in the spring.  They fade to the color you see above during the summer.  When the flowers fade, a new crop of burgundy leaves appear.  The plant entirely disappears over the winter.  It is an easy plant to propagate from leaf cuttings. 

 Here is a simple tutorial on how to do this: How to propagate leaf cuttings


OTHER PLANTS OF INTEREST THIS WEEK:
In the Butterfly Garden
Hibiscus syriacus, 'Aphrodite', Rose of Sharon
Lonicera sempervirens, Trumpet Honeysuckle
Foeniculum vulgare, 'Purpurem', Bronze Fennel (Along with Swallowtail caterpillars)

In the Wildflower Garden
Panicum virgatum, 'Shenandoah', Switch grass, native
Gaillardia aristata, Blanket Flower, native, blooms all summer

 In the Perennial Garden
Eryngium planum, 'Blankappe', Sea Holly
Miscanthus sinensis, 'Strictus', Japanese Silver Grass, has sharp edges
Kalimeris pinnatifida, ' Hortensis', Japanese Aster
Sedum, 'Autumn Joy'

In the Wet Sites Garden
Tradescantia palida, 'Purple Queen'