Tag Archives: Kew Gardens

Nymphaea ‘Mangkala Ubol’ is a hardy waterlily. It is a day-blooming waterlily. It belongs to the Nymphaeaceae family of plants. It has yellowish-peach flowers. The Flower size is large. It grows to 20cm or 8″ in diameter. Nymphaea ‘Mangkala Ubol’ has round, dark green leaves. The leaves have spots that are red and purple, and brown. Leaves can be as large as 25cm or 10in in diameter. This waterlily variety ...

Alisma plantago-aquatica is an aquatic rhizomatous perennial. It is also commonly known as Water Plantain, European Water Plantain, Common Water Plantain, Thumbwort, Devil’s Spoon, or Mad Dog Weed. It belongs to the Alismataceae family of plants. It is native to Southern Europe and Northern Africa. Alisma plantago-aquatica or Water Plantain at Waterlily House in Kew Garden I came across this plant at Kew Garden’s Waterlily House. Did you know Waterlily ...

Magnolia kobus ‘Borealis’ is a deciduous tree native to Japan and Korea. It is also known as Kobus Magnolia, Mokryeon, Kobushi Magnolia, Northern Japanese Magnolia, or Magnolia praecocissima. It belongs to the Magnoliaceae family of plants. It is a slow grower. Magnolia kobus ‘Borealis’ grows as tall as 80ft or 24m. The branches if crushed, are fragrant. It has fragrant, creamy-white-colored flowers. They are about 5in or 12.5cm wide. After flowering it produces fruits. ...

Scadoxus cinnabarinus, Cinnabar Scadoxus, or Forest Fireball Lily is native to the rainforests in Western and Central Africa but mainly in Cameroon. It is a tropical herbaceous perennial plant. It is closely related to Clivia. It grows from rhizomes and prefers humid growing conditions. It is senstitive to strong sun. It belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family of plants. Scadoxus cinnabarinus In 1857 by Joseph Decaisne first named it Haemanthus cinnabarinus. ...

Eucomis comosa ‘Sparkling Burgundy‘ is native to South Africa. They also call it Pineapple Lily ‘Sparkling Burgundy‘. It is a member of the Asparagaceae family of plants. It is a bulbous perennial. It grows to 2ft or 60cm. Eucomis comosa ‘Sparkling Burgundy‘ is very easy to grow. Eucomis comosa is deciduous. Eucomis comosa ‘Sparkling Burgundy‘ has reddish-purple leaves. They are strap-shaped. The rosette of leaves is similar to the pineapple ...

Zantedeschia aethopica, Calla Lily, or Arum Lily belongs to the Araceae family of plants. Zantedeschia aethopica is native to South Africa. it is a plant that can be grown in the garden as well as in containers. It can thrive in sun or partial shade. Plant it in moist, poorly drained soil. You can even plant it in a water garden in the shallow water of up to 30 cm ...

Nymphaea ‘Kew’s Stowaway Blues’ has very bright blue flowers that are very eye-catching. This hybrid water lily was accidentally created from Nymphaea powlathanga barre hellquist and Nymphaea carpentariae Andre Leu.  A species sample was sent by Andre Leu from Australia to Kew Gardens’ Carlos Magdalena. Upon growing from the tuber it was discovered the species was not what was intended to be sent. Nymphaea ‘Kew’s Stowaway Blues’ is a tropical ...

Pelargonium hortorum ‘Sunrise Salmon Purple Eye’ is another hybrid of Pelargonium or Geranium hortorum. It is part of the Geraniaceae family of plants. Plant in the sun or partial shade in fertile, moist well-drained soil. Deadhead flower for long flowering season and beautiful color in bedding or containers. Pelargonium ‘Sunrise Salmon Purple Eye’ Pelargonium ‘Sunrise Salmon Purple Eye’ at Kew Gardens

Aloe africana or African Aloe is an evergreen perennial. It is native to South Africa. Aloe africana is part of the Asphodelaceae family of plants. It is a slow grower and does not flower until it is 4 or 5 years old.  They also call it Uitenhage Aloe. Aloe africana flowers between July to September which in the southern hemisphere it is winter. It grows to 2m or 6ft. In ...

Crocus tommasinianus or also known as Early Crocus is from the Iridaceae family of plants. It is native to Southeast Europe. Crocus tommasinianus is a deciduous perennial that grows from corms. Crocus tommasinianus is an early bloomer it has long, tubed flowers with long pointy leaves. The flowers are usually purple, The ones photographed here are the ones I noticed on my early spring walk in Kew Gardens. Crocus tommasinianus ...