Yellow Jacobinia

Yellow Jacobinia
Justicia aurea
(jus-TEE-see-ah) (AW-re-uh)

As seen on the big Island of Hawaii last February.

Tropical Combination

Persian Shield
Strobilanthes dyerianus

Fancy-leafed Caladium
Caladium bicolor 'Carolyn Wharton'
(ka-LAY-dee-um)
Synonyms: Angel Wings, Heart of Jesus

Brazilian Plume
Justicia carnea
(jus-TEE-see-ah)
Synonyms: Flamingo Flower, Jacobinia, Pine-Bur Begonia

I have been working on taking group photos of plants a little bit this summer. The way plants combine in plantings has been a subject of fascination to me. Taking pictures of those combinations of not just flowers but foliage and textures has become a challenge. This was one of the results. It is a lot different than taking a macro shot and trying to isolate the subject. This group was in the Main Greenhouse at Planting Fields Arboretum and it really worked when viewed in person. It was difficult to compose this with none of the plant identification signs in view but I finally figured it out.

This one is from Planting Fields, too. It has a different Caladium and Zebra Plant (Aphelandra squarrosa. I think).

The ‘Puppy Express’ trip to North Carolina went well. We brought back two pups and the people are coming to pick up their dog from Massachusetts today. It will be a shame to break the two of them up since they are just crazy about playing with each other. More on the new dog later this week.

Pink Justicia

Pink Justicia
Dianthera nodosa
(dy-ANTH-er-uh) (nod-OH-suh)

This tropical plant was blooming at Wave Hill yesterday. It is a relative of the Shrimp plant and hails from Eastern Brazil. From all accounts it is easy to grow and very free flowering. I liked the way it was blooming all the way down the stem.

This was a tiny leaved plant that was growing in pot with a Taro (which is where the shadows came from). Not sure what it was but it looked very nice.


Tune in tomorrow fro a couple of pictures of the new pup. We pick her up two weeks from last Friday.