Alternanthera
This colorful, little Alternanthera is a lovely flower with narrow lanceolate leaves.
It makes a very effective edging plant. Its leaves, variegated with crimson, pink, green, brown, orange, and carmine, in some respects, resemble our brilliant Autumn leaves.
Perhaps it is often seen as an edging or ribbon border or for carpet bedding in public parks, cemeteries, and private gardens.
Though it has tiny white blossoms, I have never seen a seed pod, nor do I find it listed in the catalogs, but I have never visited a nursery that did not carry the plants in the springtime.
It is easily propagated by cuttings that root in water or sand.
If one starts with small cuttings in the autumn, they will not take up too much valuable space in the window garden during the winter, yet the brilliant coloring will add immeasurably to the plant arrangement.
Alternanthera Requirements
Full sunshine and plenty of moisture, with a weekly drink of liquid fertilizer, seem to meet the requirements for the months spent in the house.
Then in the spring, the plants are turned out of their pots and put in a sunny border where they grow, and their colors reach their height of perfection in brilliance.
As a plant grown in the house, in the garden, or for cutting purposes, it is a colorful, dependable MUST for any gardener.
Pilea Microphylla
This old-time favorite of our grandmothers’ day has the interesting common name of artillery plant because the pollen is forcibly discharged if the foliage is sprayed when the pollen is ripe.
Species Of Microphylla And Muscosa
There seems to be some question as to whether the species microphylla and muscosa are the same. L. H. Bailey, in his Cyclopedia, makes them synonymous and lists serpyllifolia as a lighter green, more vigorous, and more upright species.
I have grown both and find they are not particular regarding soil or location on the window sill. However, they do require an abundance of water.
Various Microphylla and Muscosa Uses
They are half succulent herbs with lacy, fern-like foliage and are used as a pot plant alone.
They also make a dainty addition to the window garden of coarser plants.
Florists use them in combination with other plants as gift items.
During the summer, the pots can be placed on a porch or sunk to the pot’s rim in a partially shaded location where they will be assured of a generous supply of moisture.
As these plants grow fairly rapidly, one has a supply of cuttings for admirers. They root easily in water.
Ceropegia Species
The name Ceropegia is from the Greek meaning wax and fountain. The native home of these succulent vines is Africa.
There are many species, but few are known here in the United States. I have had experience with but five, which are:
- Afra
- Barklyi
- Caffrorum
- Debilis
- Woodii
All these are interesting house plants of trailing habits and strange, rather colorless blossoms, one almost misses, and long, very round seed pods.
Ceropegia Woodii
Perhaps woodii is best known as it is sometimes called “hearts on strings” or “heart vine” because of the shape of the beautiful silver-marked leaves.
It is also known as the “rosary vine” because of the little bulblets that form at the joints of the stems.
It’s also called the “umbrella vine” because of the blossom’s shape.
Ceropegia Barklyi
Ceropegia barklyi is much like woodii, but the leaves are more pointed and larger. The silver markings are just as effective.
Ceropegia Debilis
The word debilis means weak, which is just the stem of that variety. It is very thin, and the leaves are almost cylindrical.
According to the catalog, these leaves should have a silver mid-rib, but mine have stayed plain green.
It is also supposed to be a rapid grower, although mine has grown very slowly.
Ceropegia Caffrorum
Ceropegia caffrorum is quite robust in growth and has heart-shaped leaves of deep green color.
Ceropegia Afra
Bulblets do not form on this variety. Ceropegia “afra” is much like caffrorum, but the leaves are more pointed. It, too, grows rapidly but so far has not produced bulb-lets.
Propagation Of Ceropegias
The Ceropegias can be propagated by cuttings rooted in water or sand or by the bulblets, and for a potting mixture, use peat, sand, and loam.
When the plants grow, they want plenty of water, but they should be allowed to rest in winter.
Instead, give just enough moisture to keep the soil from becoming bone dry.
Stenotaphrum Secundatum Variegatum
When I received a gift plant of this ribbon-like grass, it really was not as large as its name, Stenotaphrum secundatum Variegatum or St. Augustine grass.
Noteworthy Characteristics
The leaves or blades are green and white, striped with white down the center and white on edge, but the arrangement of the narrower stripes is different on different blades.
Also, the ends are rounded instead of the pointed end one expects of grass.
The section of the blade toward the stem is flat and folded about the stem.
That section is 1” to 2” inches long, and the full width of the blade opens at a slight angle, giving a well-balanced effect. At each joint, two new leaves unfold.
If the branches get too long, they can be cut back and the ends thrust in the soil around the edge of the pot.
This helps keep new growth low and fuller, better-looking plant results. Or it can grow the full length and be used in a hanging basket or suspended pot.
Plenty of Water Is A Must
It is not particular to the soil but likes plenty of water and will grow in the sun or a north window.
In fact, I often use it in places where nothing else fits the space at hand, and it seems equally happy in all locations.
Pellionia
This family of tender creeping foliage plants is suitable for suspended pots or hanging baskets, and while they prefer warm, humid air, they do well wherever African violets thrive.
The same potting mixture used for violets is to their liking; a mixture of equal parts of sand, peat, and leaf mold or good loam.
They like enough water, rainwater preferred, to keep the soil always moist.
In the winter, they like plenty of light, but in the summer, they rest in a shaded corner of an east porch.
Pellionia Daveauana And Pellionia Pulchra
Pellionia daveauana has a pointed leaf of gray-green, with outer bands of a purplish brown.
The contrast is striking.
Pellionia pulchra has a smaller, blunt, rounded leaf with a network of dark veins on the green, with as many dark veins as the green.
On the undersides, the coloring is silvery, with purple veins.
Because the leaves of the two plants are so different in texture and markings, they make an interesting combination when planted together.
It can easily be done as they require the same treatment.
44659 by Ferne S. Kellenberger