While I was strolling thru the garden, two summer flowering dazzlers put me in mind of the old nursery rhyme, “make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other is gold.” I would like to share these two remarkable plants with you.
First up, Passiflora x ‘Incense,’ my golden oldie. About fifteen years ago, I was obsessed with the unique beauty and intoxicating perfume of Passionflower vines and planted a half dozen. With the first frost they all died, never to be seen again — all except P. x ‘Incense’, which died back in winter but returned the following summer and for every summer since. This by itself is pretty amazing for a tropical vine in zone seven, but as a special bonus Incense produces passion fruit. The plant is a doer!
And a spreader. Many baby vines pop up in the garden, traveling underground from the mother plant. Perhaps a problem for some, but not for me. I either stick a support next to them (they can grow to eight feet and bloom the first season) or I just yank them out. One other thing: Incense requires adequate water, doesn’t like it dry. Otherwise, it’s easy care and problem free.
P. x ‘Incense’, beloved by bees , butterflies, hummingbirds, (and me), proves its worth year after year. A hardy Passionflower. Who would have thought?
copyright 2012 – Lois Sheinfeld
copyright 2012 – Lois Sheinfeld
copyright 2012 – Lois Sheinfeld
New to my garden this year, Hibiscus ‘Jazzberry Jam’ (Rose Mallow) had me spellbound as soon as I saw the first flower. ZOWIE! Ten inches of ruffled, screaming pink! And the plant is multi-flowered, blooms for months, and is three feet tall. I love a bit of razzle-dazzle, don’t you? Jazzberry is touted as a perennial. I hope that’s so. But with all its bells and whistles, even one season would suffice.
copyright 2012 – Lois Sheinfeld
Gold and silver. Old and new garden treasure.