August 2 , 2012
Fuzzy Wuzzy Plants
When it ’s hot enough to scald our eyeball walk across the street , garden fuzzie wuzzies tame our steaming soul . Does n’t this downy silk make you feel cooler already ?
As you could imagine , the aim behind this floss inner silkweed ( Asclepia ) is to disperse their seeds via wind . And get this : the dental floss is actually reap by some company for pillows and comfort . It ’s an splendid insulator !
Lamb ’s ears is beloved in children ’s garden , since it ’s as cuddly as a stuffed plaything .
Mine have late been plagued by sooty mold .
Above them is a crape Vinca minor , under attack by whitefly , release honeydew that is “ raining ” on everything . Fungi thrive on this sugary essence , creating jet mold on tree leaves and on understory industrial plant where honeydew has collected . I only get out off the damaged leaves , and newfangled ones are already emerging .
By the way , we ’ve given the tree some dim deep watering and gush the leaves with piss to get disembarrass of the whitefly . In just a few days , the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is flowering again and actually putting on raw leaves !
My late hazy plant has made it to my winner ’s set .
When I saw Cobweb dayflower ( Tradescantia sillamontana ) atPaul Lofton ’s garden , I fell for its downy foliage . He gave me a cutting , now thriving in a shady smear that gets hot afternoon sun . It ’s known for being a shade plant , but I interpret that Paul had some in sun . Seems to work but I think I ’ll move it to a tame expanse next year .
I have many spring - blooming spiderworts ( Tradescantia gigantea ): already emerging , if you may believe it . They make their tall statement in natural spring . Cobweb is a abject rider as a handy summertime familiar , since it will go underground in dusty winters while its show - off cousin takes over .
Another companion industrial plant that ’s made my take - home list is hardy white gloxinia ( Sinningia tubiflora ) .
This diminutive ground cover “ operate ” like fuzzy heart-leaf skullcap ( genus Scutellaria ovata ) but emerges in warmth , when Asarum virginicum is going underground until cooler atmospheric condition .
Another soft - touching is native woolly stemodia ( Stemodia lanata ) .
This one ’s raise in raging spots at Mueller . But I ’ve got a plan to include this Lord’s Day - loving , good - drain silver between gem to replace former grass .
Perennial , evergreenDicliptera suberecta(also promise hummingbird works ) attracts me with its velvety soft hoary leaf . I ’m a fan of its vivid flowers , as are the hummingbird and many insects .
It ’s tolerant of many post , but like great deal of plant , prefers a shade break , whether it ’s morn or good afternoon .
Semi - shade lover Mexican honeysuckle ( Justicia spicigera ) also invites a dab on the head . As with Dicliptera , hummingbirds and others have a more prosaic goal : food .
drear mist flowers ( many varieties ofConoclinium / Eupatorium ) are sincerely hazy little flowers . They go for the gold in fall when butterfly are all over them . In belated summer , they give a stoolie trailer .
Now , earth mallow does n’t have the fuzziest leave in town , but they ’re a easygoing break against smooth green ones .
Mexican Olea europaea ( Cordia boissieri ) is a bold bush / small tree with huge soft leaves .
Bonus betoken : even in blaze out high temperature , it keep cranking out flowers . Okay , I ’ve add it to my nerveless weather projects !
So , yes , cat deplete things . But a memory board I carry from childhood is stroking woolly bear caterpillars or other bristly ones . I still do it and do n’t kill a one . This one is the Salt Marsh .
They ’ll pupate into pollinating moths . Perhaps the baby are so fuzzy wuzzy because we wish to observe them and dab them , rather than squishing them ! Unless there ’s a serious invasion , works life will go on .
care you warm foggy wuzzies on a hot day , and thanks for checking in ! Linda
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