Ruellia portellae

Ruellia portellae (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Light shade to indirect bright light

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 30cm

Eventual Spread: 1m

Hardiness: 10b, 11, 12

Family: Acanthaceae

Ruellia portellae is an evergreen tropical perennial with a spreading habit. Its dark green leaves have white veining, are red on their undersides, elliptic with entire margins, up to 10cm long and 4cm across. Its pale pink flowers are funnel shaped and appear singularly from the leaf axils.

Ruellia portellae Leaf (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Ruellia portellae, commonly known as Ruellia or Wild Petunias, is native to Brazil. In its native habitat it grows as a tropical woodland understory plant.

The etymological root of the binomial name Ruellia is named after Jean Ruel (1474 –  1537), a French botanist. Portellae is named for Francisco Portella (1833 – 1913), a Brazilian physician.

The landscape architect may find Ruellia portellae useful as an effective evergreen ground cover plant for atrium type planting schemes.

Ecologically, Ruellia portellae is of little value to UK wildlife.

Ruellia portellae Flower (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Ruellia portellae prefers moist, fertile, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

When maintaining  Ruellia portellae as a houseplant its soil should be watered regularly. Watering should be reduced during the winter months. Its preferred active growing temperature rages from between 18ºc to 22ºc, it will tolerate a winter temperature of 15ºc. Feeding with weak fertiliser solution should be carried out once a month during the growing season.



Landscape Architecture

Sanchezia nobilis

Sanchezia nobilis (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Spring and autumn

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 1.8m

Eventual Spread: 1.8m

Hardiness: 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11, 12, 13

Family: Acanthaceae

Sanchezia nobilis is an evergreen tropical shrub, although at the lower end of its hardiness it will lose its leaves during the winter months. Its mid green leaves have distinctive yellow veining, are ovate with entire margins, up to 40cm long and 15cm across. Its orange flowers are up to 5cm long and appear as long spikes with red bracts.

Sanchezia nobilis, commonly known as Sanchezia or Fire Fingers, is native to north South America.

The etymological root of the binomial name Sanchezia is named after Jose Sanchez , a 19th century Spanish botanist. Nobilis is from the Latin meaning ‘noble’.

The landscape architect may find Sanchezia nobilis useful as a specimen houseplant with attractive foliage, suitable for a bright location.

Sanchezia nobilis Leaf (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Sanchezia nobilis is of little value to UK wildlife.

Sanchezia nobilis prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

When maintaining  Sanchezia nobilis as a houseplant its soil should be watered regularly. Watering should be reduced during the winter months. Its preferred active growing temperature rages from between 16ºc to 24ºc, it will tolerate temperatures as low as 0ºc. Feeding with weak fertiliser solution should be carried out once a month during the growing season. Red Spider Mites and Scale Insects may attack this plant.



Landscape Architecture

Hemigraphis repanda

Hemigraphis repanda (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Indirect bright to medium light

Flowering period: Early spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 15cm

Eventual Spread: 50cm

Hardiness: 10b, 11, 12

Family: Acanthaceae

Hemigraphis repanda is a slow growing tropical evergreen perennial with a spreading, groundcover habit. Its dark purple/ black leaves are linear with irregular margins, up to 10cm long and 1cm across. Its leaf colour varies from dark purple to dark green depending on the light this plant receives. Its white flowers are small and appear terminally.

Hemigraphis repanda, commonly known as Dragon’s Tongue or Narrow Flame Leaf Ivy, is native to Malaysia. In its native habitat it grows as a tropical woodland understory plant.

The etymological root of the binomial name Hemigraphis is derived from the Greek hmi meaning ‘half’ and grafis menaing ‘stilus’. Repanda is derived from the Latin repandum menaing ‘spreading out’.

The landscape architect may find Hemigraphis repanda useful as a groundcover evergreen foliage plant suitable for internal planting schemes with bright to medium indirect light.

Ecologically, Hemigraphis repanda is attractive to some pollinating insects.

Hemigraphis repanda Leaf (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Hemigraphis repanda prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, although it prefers a slightly acidic pH.

When maintaining Hemigraphis repanda as a houseplant its soil should be watered regularly, but never wet. Watering should be reduced during the winter months. Its preferred active growing temperature rages from between 16ºc to 24ºc. Feeding with weak fertiliser solution should be carried out once a month during the growing season. This plant may be misted with water to improve its humidity.



Landscape Architecture