Hemerocallis

Hemerocallis (daylilies) produce elegant, usually trumpet-like blooms in summer and are easy to grow in many gardens. Individual flowers are short-lived but each plant produces many flowers, so displays will last for weeks.

Quick Facts

Common name Daylily
Botanical name Hemerocallis
Group Perennial
Flowering time Early to late summer (late May to August)
Planting time Spring or autumn (April, late September and October)
Height and spread Up to 1.5m (5ft) by 90cm (3ft)
Aspect Sun or partial shade
Hardiness Fully hardy
Difficulty Easy

Cultivation notes
Daylilies thrive in well-drained, fertile soil, but tolerate poorer soils and heavy clay. Avoid planting in heavy shade and borders that dry out in summer.

Planting and care
Before planting container-grown daylilies, improve the soil structure and moisture-retention by digging in well-rotted organic matter, such as garden compost or manure. The same materials can also be used as a mulch around existing plants in spring to help conserve moisture.

Where growth is unsatisfactory, apply a general-purpose fertiliser, such as Growmore, in spring at 50-70g per square metre (1½-2oz per square yard).

Daylilies bought in packets
Bare-root daylilies are often sold in packets at garden centres. These can produce good plants, but need more care initially. Check the plants in the packet are firm and you can see buds or small shoots. Avoid those with long pale shoots.

Pot them up, rather than planting directly in the ground, using a peat-free multi-purpose compost and water well. Place pots in a cold frame or cold greenhouse and keep the compost moist.

Once they are growing strongly, plant out, ideally, in spring or autumn.

Pruning and training
Daylilies do not require training or staking and there is no particular need to deadhead after flowering, but this will improve their appearance, and can help reduce infestations of hemerocallis gall midge (see problems below).

Propagation
Large clumps can be divided in spring or autumn, replanting 10-15cm (4-6in) wide sections 30cm (1ft) apart.

Cycas circinalis

Description

Like other cycads, the queen sago resembles a palm tree with its featherlike leaves arranged in a rosette that crowns a single trunk. It is a larger and more graceful version of its more commonly encountered cousin, the Japanese or king sago (Cycas revoluta). The queen sago's solitary trunk can grow to 20 ft (6.1 m) in height, more than twice that of the Japanese sago. In older specimens some branching may occur, producing very handsome plants with multiple crowns.

The dark green pinnate leaves grow to 8 ft (2.4 m) in length with narrow 12 in (30.5 cm) leaflets that curve gracefully downward. New leaves are light green and contrast dramatically with the older foliage. This species is dieocious, with male and female reproductive parts on separate plants. In late winter the male and female "cones" emerge from the centers of the plants. Pollen from the male cones fertilizes the female cones. A colorful show results later in the season when female plants produce large orange seeds in a conelike structure located in the center of the rosette of leaves.

Location

Queen sago (Cycas circinalis) is native to equatorial Africa. It is now a popular landscape item in frost free areas everywhere.

CultureQueen sago is tolerant of most soils, but prefers loose sandy soils with some organic matter and light bark or leaf mulch.

Light: Bright conditions are best. Queen sago can take full sun and moderate shade as well.

Moisture: Queen sago needs adequate moisture but will tolerate occasional short-lived droughts. Make sure the soil is well drained or roots will rot.

Propagation: The sagos are propagated by seed. Press seeds to half their depth in moist sand. Kept moist and in a warm environment, the seeds will usually germinate in 8 to 12 weeks.

UsageThis beautiful cycad looks great almost anywhere! Queen sago is great for entryways or by the patio. It is especially effective when used as a focal point on a large expanse of lawn. Pop one in a mixed shrub border to add contrasting texture.

Features

This is a great plant that is relatively easy to grow and that lends a real sense of the tropics to any environment. Queen sago is readily available for a reasonable price from garden centers and nurseries in frostfree areas of the country.

A flour is obtained from the seeds. This must be thoroughly washed and processed to remove toxins. There is evidence that long term use of such flour, even if properly prepared, may still result in paralysis and other neurological disorders over time.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia

Zamioculcas zamiifolia Plant has become increasingly popular in recent years and I believe it deserves all the attention it’s been getting.

The Aroid family has given us more dependable house plants than any other group and Zamioculcas zamiifolia is no exception. This is a worthwhile house plant to add to your collection.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia makes a great room accent and practically thrives on neglect. This easy-going house plant is forgiving if you forget to water, tolerates low light, and rarely needs fertilized. Want more? It also seems to shrug off pests.

Growing from rhizomes, it has thick, upright stems bearing narrow, dark-green glossy leaves. Keep the leaves clean by gently wiping them with a damp cloth. Don’t use leaf shine products, which can damage the plant.

Small, insignificant flowers — consisting of a spadix surrounded by a spathe — may appear at the base of plants in summer, although Zamioculcas zamiifolia s rarely flower indoors.

A slow-grower indoors, Zamioculcas zamiifolia plant rarely needs repotted. Keep it in a small pot (no more than 2 in (5 cm) wider than the old pot) with drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Overwatering Zamioculcas zamiifolia is a sure-fire way to kill it. To avoid soggy soil, use a fast-draining mix. You can add sand or perlite to a potting mix or use a cactus mix.

Watering Tip: Despite being drought-tolerant, your Zamioculcas zamiifolia  will be healthiest with regular watering. Water thoroughly then allow it to dry out a bit before watering again.

CAUTION: All parts of this plant are poisonous. Keep it away from children and pets who may play with or ingest this plant.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia Care Tips

Origin: East Africa

Height: Slow-growing, but can reach up to 3 ft (90 cm) indoors. It grows much taller in its native habitat.

Light: Bright to low light. Keep it out of direct sunlight which can scorch its leaves.

Water: Water thoroughly and allow the top 2 in (5 cm) of soil to dry out between waterings. Soggy soil will cause the rhizomes to rot.

Humidity: Average indoor humidity.

Temperature: Average room temperatures 60-75°F/16-24°C

Soil: Fast-draining medium works best to avoid root rot. Mix 1 part good-quality all-purpose potting mix and 1 part sharp sand or perlite. Cactus mix works well, too.

Fertilizer: Feed 4 times a year with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half.

Propagation: Division of rhizomes. Leaf cuttings can be propagated. Just pull a leaf off the stem and stick the cut end in moist potting medium. Don’t bury the leaf too deep or it will rot. Be patient — the cuttings can take several months to grow.