Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Plant Identification => Plant Identification Questions and Answers => Topic started by: shelagh on June 15, 2009, 07:15:41 PM

Title: More help needed
Post by: shelagh on June 15, 2009, 07:15:41 PM
On our last day in Malaga and surroundings we visited Jardin Botanico-Historico La Conception on the outskirts (it is just about to be swallowed by huge building developments) of the city.  Although lots of plants were labelled this amazing stretch was not.  I'm giving you 3 shots for maximum recognition chances. The whole bank, close up and close up of leaves.  I'm relying on you forumists you've never let me down yet. :)
Title: Re: More help needed
Post by: Calvin Becker on June 15, 2009, 08:55:38 PM
Plectranthus caninus?
Title: Re: More help needed
Post by: shelagh on June 17, 2009, 01:14:20 PM
Thanks Calvin, its new to me but en masse I thought it was terrific.
Title: Re: More help needed
Post by: Maggi Young on June 17, 2009, 02:36:32 PM
Thanks Calvin, its new to me but en masse I thought it was terrific.

You know, Shelagh, I think you have hit on a prime fact there: we are so accustomed to seeing plants in captivity in ones and twos, that it is a particular delight to see them growing en masse, whether by design or nature. Large patches of any flower are eyecatching and most attractive to my eye.....I can even appreciate roadsides full of dandelions, so hillsides full of orchids are just icing on our cake, so to speak!

I too find this swathe of Plectranthus caninus rather pretty.  :D

Title: Re: More help needed
Post by: derekb on June 17, 2009, 06:55:26 PM

Not sure if this is the right place but can anyone tell me if this is a dwarf Dierama it has apeared in one of my beds and I have never sown seeds or bought a plant.
Title: Re: More help needed
Post by: Maggi Young on June 17, 2009, 07:20:09 PM
I rather think it is a Dierama, Derek..... I'd hazard a suggestion of Dierama dracomontanum.
Title: Re: More help needed
Post by: Lvandelft on June 17, 2009, 09:51:27 PM
I rather think it is a Dierama, Derek..... I'd hazard a suggestion of Dierama dracomontanum.
I am thinking the same, it's just that my flowers are having not so nice color.
But the plant looks the same and I might have a not so nice clone here.
I show a picture from last year. My plant survived last winter outside and just show only a few flowers this year.

Dierama dracomontanum
Title: Re: More help needed
Post by: Maggi Young on June 17, 2009, 10:39:36 PM
Luit, do the little diamond shaped markings in the base of the petals go longways, like those in Derek's picture, or across the petal as in others I have seen? I agree that Derek's flowers are a good bright shade!
Title: Re: More help needed
Post by: fermi de Sousa on June 18, 2009, 01:55:51 AM
Thanks Calvin, its new to me but en masse I thought it was terrific.
Hi Shelagh,
that Plectranthus is grown here as a "dog deterrent" - not sure if it is effective - the foliage is powerfully pungent! You need several washings of your hands to get rid of the pong!
It  does look good on an embankment en masse.
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: More help needed
Post by: Lvandelft on June 18, 2009, 12:19:30 PM
Luit, do the little diamond shaped markings in the base of the petals go longways, like those in Derek's picture, or across the petal as in others I have seen? I agree that Derek's flowers are a good bright shade!
Derek and Maggi, I had a look at my plants in the garden and am sure it is not Dierama dracomontanum!
I found a plant of Dierama pauciflora which never flowered the last 5 years, but this year I saw two stems with 1 or 2 flowers each.
Not open enough to photograph, but I could look inside and this has the same markings as Derek's plant.
D. dracomontanum har no such markings.
Maybe I should make a fresh start and grow new plants from seed.

Derek's plant is Dierama pauciflora!
Title: Re: More help needed
Post by: Lvandelft on June 18, 2009, 12:28:28 PM
Thinking about what I wrote above, it's of course possible that the plants I have, are mixed up since I bought them.
But I could not find out with a short google because I did not find a picture of D. pauciflorum.
Title: Re: More help needed
Post by: Oron Peri on June 22, 2009, 07:33:17 AM
Shelagh,

Your plant is Plectranthus neochilus [ similar to P. caninus].
It is an excellent ground cover for hot dry areas also near the sea, fast growing with a long blooming season.
oron
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