Even with many of my plants looking parched, it's hard to choose a favorite during this time of year. Alstroemeria, Centranthus, Cotula lineariloba, Argyranthemum and Solanum are all in full bloom. My Arthropodium cirratum are getting ready to burst into flower and the Agapanthus scattered throughout the garden have produced buds. Still, what's grabbing my attention right now is the Hoya multiflora (syn. Centrostemma multiflora) sitting in my home office. I picked up this plant at a local cactus and succulent show and sale a couple of weeks ago.
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I'd been looking for this plant for some time. I had a smaller plant a couple of years ago but I gave it too much sun and too little water and it perished. I've been looking for another ever since. When I saw this one at the succulent sale, I snapped it up, practically under the nose of another shopper. (There were more hanging nearby.)
Also known as the shooting star hoya, it had a few buds but no blooms when I brought it home. It now has more buds and lots of blooms.
According to some on-line sources, this evergreen shrub can get 4 to 5 feet feet tall if provided the conditions it prefers, although sources vary significantly in describing those conditions. Some call for full to partial sun, while others refer to filtered light. Some say to keep the plant moist, while others warn against over-watering. All that appears clear is that it won't tolerate low temperatures, which isn't surprising as the plant's origins are in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Having given my other plant too much sun and too little water, I'm giving this one bright indoor light and allowing it to dry out during regular weekly waterings. It looks happy thus far.
Loree of danger garden is hosting her monthly wrap-up of favorite plants with her post today. Earlier this month, I featured Gazania rigens hybrids and, I'm happy to report that, just yesterday, I was finally able to locate more of my favorite G. 'Kiss Frosty White Flame', which I'll be adding to my front garden this weekend.
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Enjoy your weekend, however you plan to spend your time!
All material © 2012-2015 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
I'd been looking for this plant for some time. I had a smaller plant a couple of years ago but I gave it too much sun and too little water and it perished. I've been looking for another ever since. When I saw this one at the succulent sale, I snapped it up, practically under the nose of another shopper. (There were more hanging nearby.)
Also known as the shooting star hoya, it had a few buds but no blooms when I brought it home. It now has more buds and lots of blooms.
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| Close-up of the off-white buds |
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| Looking at the blooms, you can understand how it got its common name |
According to some on-line sources, this evergreen shrub can get 4 to 5 feet feet tall if provided the conditions it prefers, although sources vary significantly in describing those conditions. Some call for full to partial sun, while others refer to filtered light. Some say to keep the plant moist, while others warn against over-watering. All that appears clear is that it won't tolerate low temperatures, which isn't surprising as the plant's origins are in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Having given my other plant too much sun and too little water, I'm giving this one bright indoor light and allowing it to dry out during regular weekly waterings. It looks happy thus far.
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| The flowers produce a sticky dew, which has a sweet taste |
Loree of danger garden is hosting her monthly wrap-up of favorite plants with her post today. Earlier this month, I featured Gazania rigens hybrids and, I'm happy to report that, just yesterday, I was finally able to locate more of my favorite G. 'Kiss Frosty White Flame', which I'll be adding to my front garden this weekend.
Enjoy your weekend, however you plan to spend your time!
All material © 2012-2015 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party