Brunsvigia josephinae--Josephine's Lily

This weird, lilyish-looking plant is now blooming at the UC Botanical Garden. Part of its weirdness is the lack of leaves; like the naked lady, it has no leaves when it is in bloom. It flowers in late summer when rains won't dilute the nectar. Then the leaves and seeds grow when the rains come in the fall. Another part of its weirdness is the interesting curves in the stems that support the flowers. Seems like all these characteristics that make it look strange to us make it very attractive to the sugarbirds which pollinate it. The sugarbirds of South Africa don't hover like hummingbirds. They need a landing platform, which the Josephine's Lily has conveniently provided just below the flower. Cool, huh?

physalis alkekengi var Frachetti--Chinese Lanterns OOPS!!

This is Salvia koyamae, not Chinese Lanterns!


Have you seen those bright orange Chinese Lanterns for sale in florists' shops this time of year? I have seen them and purchased them, but I had no idea that they started out as little yellow flowers. I love the mosaic of the leaves with the flowers held high. It is native to not only Japan, but also southern Asia and Europe. The orange lanterns are formed with the calyx matures into a papery seed cover. This plant is easy to grow and can even be invasive.

Aster pekinensis

This aster has many pale pink to white flowers on a low-growing plant. Blooming now at the UC Botanical Garden.

Ageratina ligustrina--Eupatorium-Asteraceae

Several honey bees were enjoying the flowers of this plant while I was snapping pictures at the UC Botanical Garden. Butterflies also like the white bunches of flowers. This shrub grows about 6-8' tall and flowers in late summer.

Dianthus chinensis--Chinese Pink

This widely cultivated ornamental is in bloom now at the UC Botanical Garden. It has a long bloom season (spring into fall) and is available in several colors (white, pink, red).

Hymenolepis parviflora--Golden Coulter Bush

Blooming now at the UC Botanical Garden and available from Annie's Annuals. In her words,

"From South Africa comes this rare, base-branching shrub with soft, textural, green-green, needle-like foliage topped by umbels of densely held, golden-yellow flowers. EASY & FAST, it likes average to rich, well-drained soil. It’s a big girl - 4’ tall and 3’ wide. Perfect on dry hillsides, Mediterranean gardens & mixed plantings."
I am impressed by how well behaved this aster-family plant is. Nice structure, healthy looking foliage, bright beautiful flowers.

Sedum rotundifolium

Lovely rich pink flowers and cute scalloped leaves. I could no information about this plant which is blooming now at the UC Botanical Garden.