Looking to add a dramatic foliage statement to the garden, consider Alocasia sarawakensis ‘Yucatan Princess’. Alocasia are distinctly bold and exotic looking. Hailing from tropical and subtropical Asia to Eastern Australia, Alocasia are becoming increasingly popular as houseplants. They also make a dramatic addition to the warm season garden as container plants, or if space allows, plant in the ground. Alocasia planted in ground tend to grow larger than those in containers as their roots have greater access to space, moisture, and nutrients.

A mutation of the species Alocasia sarawakensis, ‘Yucatan Princess’ produces glossy, patent leather-like leaves held high on strong, sturdy, stems reaching 8’ tall and 5’ wide. While a “princess” in name, she doesn’t mind sharing the spotlight with others and mixes well with other annuals, perennials, and tropical plants.

A mutation of the species Alocasia sarawakensis, ‘Yucatan Princess’ produces glossy, patent leather-like leaves held high on strong, sturdy, stems reaching 8’ tall and 5’ wide. photo credit: R. Robert

Plant in full to part shade – a bit of afternoon shade is appreciated. Keep the soil moist. Periodic fertilizer applications throughout the growing season will keep ‘Yucatan Princess’ going strong. Plants can be overwintered and prefer a bright, well-lit location. Keep an eye out for spider mites when overwintering inside. Insecticidal soap will keep mites in check.

Whether mixing and mingling with other plants or commanding attention on her own in a container, Alocasia sarawakensis ‘Yucatan Princess’ is sure to add seasonal flair to the garden. You can get this great plant for your garden at the Scott Arboretum Selections: Spring Sale on Saturday, May 19.

The post <em>Alocasia sarawakensis</em> ‘Yucatan Princess’ appeared first on Scott Arboretum & Gardens.

Brugmansia flowers always make a statement in a container. photo credit: D. Mattis

Flowers are natural attention-grabbers—it’s literally the role they were born to play to attract pollinators, so it’s not surprising gardeners use flowering plants for an instant wow-factor. Yet, as charming as they are, flowers are also fleeting and if the weight of your design relies heavily on these transitory blooms, you’ll be left with a lackluster show once they’re spent.

To bolster the longevity and interest of your design, choose half your plants for either exciting foliage—think elephant ears (Colocasia sp.). photo credit: D. Mattis

To bolster the longevity and interest of your design, choose half your plants for either exciting foliage—think bromeliads or elephant ears (Colocasia sp.) —or quirky forms—like corkscrew rush (Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’). That way flowering plants can run the other half of the show.

Sweet potato vine’s (Ipomoea batatas) vigorous growth and intense color make it a favorite among spillers. photo credit: R. Robert

As you select your plants, visualize their roles as potential spillers, fillers, or thrillers. Spillers provide a base that gracefully cascades from the container, giving the composition a more vertical form. Sweet potato vine’s (Ipomoea batatas) vigorous growth and intense color make it a favorite among spillers.

Fillers weave throughout, for a happy medium that unifies the composition. photo credit: R. Robert

Fillers weave throughout, for a happy medium that unifies the composition. Coleus, Swedish ivy, (Plectranthus sp.) and begonias are excellent fillers with varieties of color and texture.

Thrillers, of course, are the stars of the show. Check out the color on this thriller. photo credit: D. Mattis

Thrillers, of course, are the stars of the show. Often dominating containers with intense form, color or size, thrillers demand attention and are typically the crown jewel of an eye-catching display. Cannas are often used as thrillers for their dramatic vertical form, saturated blooms and bold foliage. Bananas (Musa sp. and Ensete sp.) instantly add an exotic twist, and ornamental flax (Phormium sp.) offers a kaleidoscope of colored stripes to suit nearly any container design.

Explore a variety of plant combinations in unique containers. photo credit: R. Robert

Be Bold!

When it comes to container gardening with tropicals and annuals, don’t be afraid to experiment with a variety of plant combinations and design strategies. Like any art form, design guidelines can be tweaked, stretched or abandoned altogether to make way for something completely new and completely you! Your imagination is the only limit!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This complete article originally appeared in County Lines April 2015 issue.

The post Designing Your Containers With Plants appeared first on Scott Arboretum & Gardens.

Identifying the appropriate scale to suit your space will help you plan the composition of your design as well as how much growing medium you’ll need to keep your plants happy and healthy. photo credit: R. Robert

Is your canvas a front stoop or an acre lot? A mature garden or a blank slate? Identifying the appropriate scale to suit your space will help you plan the composition of your design as well as how much growing medium you’ll need to keep your plants happy and healthy.

This large container is making a statement in the Isabelle Cosby Courtyard. photo credit: D. Mattis

Choosing the largest container for your space and budget is best, as larger amounts of growing media help hold moisture in the soil. And it provides a smaller margin of error.

If you’re parti¬al to smaller containers, create groupings in threes to experiment with design elements such as texture, repetition, and juxtaposition of unlikely neighboring plants. photo credit: R. Robert

If you’re parti­al to smaller containers, create groupings in threes to experiment with design elements such as texture, repetition, and juxtaposition of unlikely neighboring plants. Regardless of size, it’s better to use peat-free, compost-based, manufactured soils, since they’re more porous than garden soil and provide better drainage.

When it comes to the material of your container, consider alternatives to standard terra cotta or cast stone. photo credit: R.Robert

When it comes to the material of your container, consider alternatives to standard terra cotta or cast stone. In recent years, gardeners have become experimental, using everything from whiskey barrels to watering cans as new homes for their plants. But, if you plan to use your summer containers for winter interest, then consider concrete, metal, lead, plastic or fiberglass composite containers because they weather the elements well.

Fortunately, there are nearly as many variations in container styles as there are plants! Once you’ve decided on the scale and material, next consider the “theme” or “personality” of your composition. photo credit: R. Robert

Fortunately, there are nearly as many variations in container styles as there are plants! Once you’ve decided on the scale and material, next consider the “theme” or “personality” of your composition. If your plants will be wild and exciting, a modest container may work best. Or, if you want to feature muted plant personalities, a showier vessel will carry the weight of the design.

This complete article originally appeared in County Lines April 2015 issue.

The post Container Gardening Tips: Choosing Your Container appeared first on Scott Arboretum & Gardens.

One valuable lesson I’ve learned for having reliable color is to look not at flowers, but rather foliage. Here a sea of Coleus foliage adds amazing color. photo credit: J. Coceano

Color is a topic many gardeners have broached. From Gertrude Jekyll to Christopher Lloyd, all have shared thoughts, theories, and ideas. While there are tomes dedicated to color theory and planting, one valuable lesson I’ve learned for having reliable color is to look not at flowers, but rather foliage.  Leaves are vital to a plant’s overall functionality and are thus present throughout most of the growing season. Now imagine if these leaves were in shades of red, purple, yellow, and orange?

Annuals and tender perennials, often dubbed “tropicals” allow a gardener to experiment as seen in the summer container above. photo credit: J. Coeano

Annuals and tender perennials, often dubbed “tropicals” allow a gardener to experiment. Tropicals are relatively cheap investments that allow visual fluidity in the garden. One year’s orange color theme could give way to pastels the next. Such creativity and change is part of the fun in gardening!

Acalypha 'Giant Leaf' making a presense in the summer garden. photo credit: J. Coeano

Acalpypha is a member of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) that thrives in the hot, humid eastern Pennsylvania summers. Depending on the cultivar, leaves range in color from rusty orange to red, gold, and yellow. Plants perform well when planted in the ground or in containers as long as full sun is provided.

This Acalypha cultivar has striking red, purple, green foliage. photo credit: J. Coeano

Alternanthera provides similar coloration found in Acalypha but in a more finely textured, compact presentation. Alternanthera ‘Partytime’ with its green leaves awash with streaks of hot pink is a personal favorite. Alternanthera ficoidea ‘Red Thread’ sports deep burgundy leaves making it an ideal container or front-of-the-border addition.

Another great foliage color plant, Solenostemon 'Kong Jr. Scarlet'. photo credit: J. Coceano

Solenostemon, more commonly known as coleus, has come a long way in the past decade. Long gone are the mixed assortments of seedling-grown plants that quickly go to flower. Improved cultivars provide striking foliage, which often becomes more magnificent in size and coloration with age.  ‘Bryce Canyon’ has vibrant peachy-orange leaves. ‘Religious Radish’ bears pinkish-red foliage with dark purple markings down the mid-vein. A personal favorite, ‘Smallwood’s Driveway’ is a kaleidoscope of warm colors on unique whorled fan-shaped leaves.

Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’ is a cascading, ground covering powerhouse. photo credit: J. Coceano

Looking for gray foliage plants? Look no further than the genus Dichondra and Dicliptera.  Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’ is a cascading, ground covering powerhouse. Plant in a hanging basket or container and in no time the silver clad plant will be clambering to the ground. The creeping stems are covered in small, fuzzy, mouse ear-like leaves. Dicliptera suberecta bears felty blue-gray leaves. Orange tubular flowers are a guaranteed hummingbird magnet.

Cissus discolor bears elongated dark green heart-shaped leaves washed in iridescent metallic patterns. photo credit: J. Coceano

Cissus discolor is otherworldly. The rex begonia vine bears elongated dark green heart-shaped leaves washed in iridescent metallic patterns. Delicate tendrils help the vine climb up and over. Provide shade and give this plant some time – it can be slow to start. Once it gets a foothold, watch out and be prepared to marvel.

Oxalis spiralis ‘Plum Crazy’ is too charming. photo credit: J. Coceano

Oxalis spiralis ‘Plum Crazy’ is too charming. Dainty dark purple clover-like leaves are splashed with bright pink markings. Yellow flowers bloom throughout the year. This plant is ideal where it can be observed up close. Perhaps you only have room on the patio for one mixed container – Oxalis ‘Plum Crazy’ is a perfect plant for such a space. As an added bonus it makes a great, easy- to-care-for houseplant.

Colorful foliage adds interest to your garden when the flowers fade. photo credit: J. Coceano

Arboretum Volunteer Eve Thyrum has compiled an extensive and thoroughly researched sale catalog highlighting the offerings at the 2015 Unusual Tropicals and Annuals Sale. Feel free to download, browse the offerings, and use the manual as a point of reference. From Canna to Colocasia and begonias to bromeliads, there is bound to be bright foliage aplenty at the Unusual Tropicals and Annuals Sale on Saturday, May 16. Hope to see you there!

The post Color All Season appeared first on Scott Arboretum & Gardens.

This month the Community Arts Center has opened their Designer Show House in Swarthmore, PA. The Scott Arboretum, along with 18 other designers, were invited to transform spaces throughout the house to inspire visitors. Our horticulturist, Josh Coceano, used tropicals and cool season annuals to brighten a shaded front porch.

Using plants ranging from Philodendron to Oxalis, Josh created a tropical retreat. photo credit: R. Robert

You do not need a sun-soaked entrance to add colorful plants to your portico. Using plants ranging from Philodendron to Oxalis, Josh created a tropical retreat.

Our favorite container features Philodendron bipinnatifidum, tree philodendron, as the dramatic feature plant. While most people think of a vine when they hear philodendron, the tree philodendron has enormous, glossy leaves on single erect unbranched stems.  The leaves are deeply dissected into dramatic wavy-margined lobes pm long petioles. This stand-out creates delightful texture and interest on your porch.

Adding pops of color under the powerful green presence of the tree philodendron is Oxalis regnellii ‘Triangularis’ and Peperomia silver leaf form. photo credit: R. Robert

Adding pops of color under the powerful green presence of the tree philodendron is Oxalis regnellii ‘Triangularis’ and Peperomia silver leaf form. ‘Trianglularis’ is a clump-forming oxalis with dee, velvety purple leaves edged with a wide black border. This purple shamrock will make all your summer days lucky.

Peperomia silver leaf form is another common houseplant that does well in outdoor containers with low to medium light conditions. photo credit: R. Robert

Peperomia silver leaf form is another common houseplant that does well in outdoor containers with low to medium light conditions. The silver leaf form has a tear-drop shaped silver leaf with contrasting green veination.

Tradescania x zebrine, also known as wandering Jew, has a trailing stem with fleshy leaves. photo credit: R. Robert

To complete this colorful combination, Tradescania  x zebrina and Pilea glauca  ‘Aquamarine’ spill over the container sides. Tradescania x zebrine, also known as wandering Jew, has a trailing stem with fleshy leaves. The dramatic purple underside of the silver striped leaf creates a flashes of color when blowing in gentle breeze.

Pilea glauca ‘Aquamarine’ is a charming succulent with petite, round, silver-blue leaves. photo credit: R. Robert

Pilea glauca ‘Aquamarine’ is a charming succulent with petite, round, silver-blue leaves. The cascading pink stems accent the silver foliage well.

Stop by the Designer Show House until June 1 to garner ideas for your front porch, bedroom, or kitchen. To create your own colorful, tropical porch escape, stop by the Unusual Tropicals and Annuals Sale on Saturday, May 17.

The post Front Porch Fabulous appeared first on Scott Arboretum & Gardens.

Our volunteer photographer Diane Mattis has tried to capture the essence of our upcoming Unusual Tropicals and Annuals Sale with her latest scan. All of the following plants can be purchased at the sale and would be perfect together in a sunny location to add a tropical feel to a perhaps mundane garden or outdoor space.

1. Duranta erecta ‘Cuban Gold’- This low-growing (8”-12”) small shrub from Jamaica provides beautiful contrast to dark colors with its yellow to chartreuse leaves.
2. Solenostemon ‘Dipt in Wine’- A Proven Winners® selection, this coleus would be perfect for the “thriller” role in a container because of its upright growth habit and uniquely colored leaves.
3. Setcreasea pallida– An excellent choice for an annual groundcover or “spiller” for a container or hanging basket, this plant has the best purple coloration with higher levels of sunlight.
4. Setcreasea pallida ‘Variegata’- Variegated form of the previous plant.
5. Salvia splendens ‘Van Houttei’- The magenta-purple flowers and bracts are the most eye-appealing part of this 3’-4’ salvia.
6. Strobilanthes dyerianus– Persian Shield is the common name of this plant, and the silvery sheen gives a shield-like quality to the leaves. This plant should be grown in partial sun for best leaf color.
7. Ipomoea batatas ‘Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Light Green’- An excellent trailing plant, sweet potato vine thrives in the summer sun and humidity. It does well in containers, hanging baskets, or as an annual groundcover.
8. Passiflora ‘Amethyst’- Passion flower is a vine, and the tendril you see in this image gives a hint of the beauty of the plant and its flowers.

The post Fast Forward to Summer appeared first on Scott Arboretum & Gardens.

Cold. Snow. Brrr.  As a gardener, by February you itch for Spring — for that first hint of color and fragrance that heralds the next green season.  You keep the songbirds fed; stay close to the heated indoors; and look out on a largely monochrome landscape whose biggest punch of color may be holly or winter berries.  The angle of the sun in the garden provides the greatest drama this season of the year.

Use multiple containers of different sizes and group them together for greater visual impact. photo credit: J. Coceano

Another way to liven up your landscape is to add winter containers. These beauties add can add texture and interest during a rather dull season. Check out three tips to creating great winter containers.

1. Use multiple containers of different sizes and group them together for greater visual impact.
2. Plant the pots very densely to create a fuller look since the cooler season means less room needed for root growth and foliage expansion.
3. Watering is important, especially if the containers are sheltered under an overhang or somewhere where natural precipitation can’t reach.  Roots do still take up water and strong winter winds can dry out the soil rather quickly.

Plant the pots very densely to create a fuller look since the cooler season means less room needed for root growth and foliage expansion. photo credit: J. Coceano

Open up that horizon next winter.  It’s not finished with Fall!  Our biennial Plant Sale at the Scott Arboretum in September 2013 will feature over 70 plant varieties that add interest and punch to winter container gardens and landscapes.  Treat yourself to an already planted container, or choose some unique perennial and woody combinations to take home and arrange in your own beds and pots.  Liven up that September to March landscape!

Another way to liven up your landscape is to add winter containers. photo credit:J. Coceano

Look for the Plant Sale Handbook online in July to explore all the great plant varieties from which to craft a new winter garden.  Check back periodically for blog updates and features regarding the Sale over the next 6 months, and mark your calendar now for the weekend of September 21^st to shop the Sale.

Our guest author, Cindy Kerr, is an avid container gardener and the chair of the 2013 Scott Associates Plant Sale.

The post Three Winter Container Tips appeared first on Scott Arboretum & Gardens.

Pereskia aculeata 'Godseffiana' adds a pop of color to this summer container around the Cunningham House. photo credit: L. Stiebitz

One of my personal favorites is the Pereskia aculeata ‘Godseffiana,’ which provides a golden yellow-green accent to the color palette around the Cunningham house.

Impatiens repens fills out this container with Colocasia 'Blackwater'. photo credit: L. Stiebitz

In the Terry Shane teaching garden, the Impatiens repens is also filling out beautifully, providing a dense, low layer of trailing texture to this container’s focal point: Colocasia ‘Blackwater’.

The vibrant color of Canna Tropicanna. photo credit: L. Stiebitz

In the Cosby Courtyard, the Canna Tropicanna® has large unfolding leaves of vibrant color that stands out even from a distance.

Alternanthera 'Red Carpet' displays an eye-catching array of colors. photo credit: L. Stiebitz

The Alternanthera ‘Red Carpet’ is another eye-catching combination of reds, purples, yellows and greens a fantastic display of deep, royal colors in these containers.

Available at the Scott offices and for download are free copies of a brochure listing all of the plants in each of the containers around campus.  This is a comprehensive guide and helpful resource for arboretum visitors and home gardeners.

The post Flourishing Summer Containers appeared first on Scott Arboretum & Gardens.

Tillandsia xerographica, Aechmea 'Patricia'

A vast selection of unusual, vibrant tropical plants will overflow from the Wister Center May 21-22 as the Arboretum hosts its first Unusual Annuals and Tropicals sale.  An array of bromeliads, elephant ears, succulents, ferns, vines, begonias, and cannas are just a few of the plants that will be available, providing a prime opportunity to add outstanding colors and textures to your home garden and summer containers.

One of the highlights of the sale is the selection of bromeliads, including Aechmea blanchetiana ‘Orangeade’, Aechmea lueddenmanniana ‘Mend’, and Aechmea penduliflora.  Aechmea blanchetiana grows in the wild in Brazil’s Atlantic forest ecosystem and prefers full sun and regular watering.  With potential to reach 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide, this showy tropical also attracts bees, butterflies, and birds.

Aechmea lueddenmanniana has gorgeous arching foliage with a stripe of pinkish-orange along the center of each leaf.  It produces a tall spike of lavender flowers which develop into white berries that can last through the summer season and gradually turn purple. This plant is hardy and also freely produces pups after flowering.

The sale will also feature more than a dozen species of Tillandsia, commonly known as air plants.  If you are seeking ideas for unique digressions from traditional summer planters, consider creating a grouping of epiphytic Tillandsia.  They can be mounted on wood, bark, cork, porous rock, in loose sand, or on any surface that retains moisture.  The long, slender foliage bursting from the center of these plants provides eye-catching forms.  They do well with moderate shade and are slow-growing which makes them easy to manage.

Tillandsia capitata

These hard-to-find tropicals create instant impact in containers and landscapes, adding exotic accent to your outdoor designs.  For a look at examples of how the Scott Arboretum uses tropicals in container arranging, check out the “Burle baskets” hanging in the Terry Shane Teaching Garden.  These large baskets contain a bountiful assortment of tropicals that flow 360 degrees around the basket.

The sale will be on Saturday, May 21 from 10:00-12:00 (Members only) and general admission from 12:00-3:00.  On Sunday we will be open from 10:00-2:00.  New members who join the Arboretum will be eligible for early shopping on Saturday and will receive a $10 voucher that can be used to purchase plants.

Neoregelia 'Fireball'

The post Tropical Sale Preview appeared first on Scott Arboretum & Gardens.

Looking for new ideas for summer containers?  In mid-May, the Arboretum will be putting out lush hanging baskets of tropicals.   Named “Burle basket” after the renowned Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, these baskets are a creative way to make an impressive, three-dimensional impact with tropical plants.

The base of the structure is a wire frame, in either a half sphere or conical shape.  The frame is then filled with sphagnum moss, which effectively retains the moisture for the plants.  Next, a good quality, moisture retaining soil is added.    When placing the plants, it is best to start at the bottom of the basket and work your way up towards the top.

There are limitless possibilities for arrangements.  We used different types of Begonias, Xanthosoma (elephant ears), Peperomia, ferns such as Nephrolepis exaltata and various kinds of bromeliads, which add accent color.  To maximize the beautiful cascading qualities of these tropical baskets, we recommend using trailing plants such as Cissus or Tradescantia.  One of my favorite ornamental plants, Cyperus alternifolia, is also great for adding height and texture.

The Unusual Tropicals plant sale May 21-22 will feature an array of bromeliads, elephant ears, succulents, ferns, vines, begonias, cannas, and other rare finds — an inspiring selection for creating your own bountiful Burle Basket.

The post Making Burle Baskets appeared first on Scott Arboretum & Gardens.