Growing St. Patrick's Day green
The color green is associated with the first day of spring, as well as St. Patrick's Day. Green signifies the emergence of crocus leaves and deciduous shrubs in preparation for imminent blooming.
Annual and perennial plants sport green, too, which brighten up indoor windowsills and planters. Oxalis, ivy and gerberas are available now for purchase and with proper care, can transition from indoor living to outdoor containers in the coming months.
Shamrock plant
The shamrock plant (Oxalis) is an easy-to-grow indoor or outdoor plant that appears in retail stores around St. Patrick's Day. There are over 500 species of annual and perennial oxalis, which are native to Africa and South America.
Oxalis bulbs produce clover-shaped leaves in shades of purple, burgundy, pink, green, and silvery gray color. Its delicate tubular flowers bloom in pink and white, while other species feature yellow and orange blossoms. Sunshine opens the flowers into their blooming state.
Oxalis mature into a height and width of 6-to-12-inches. Purchase oxalis plants that are evenly shaped. Place oxalis in bright, filtered light and keep the soil moist.
Remove decorative wrapping from plant's container and place the container on a dish to assure drainage.
Move oxalis outdoors in warmer weather. Oxalis can be planted directly into the garden with soil that is moist and humus-rich.
Some species prefer full sun, while others prefer shade or part shade. Oxalis like to spread, and some species can become invasive.
Use oxalis in containers as fillers and in rock or shade gardens where they add a hint of whimsy to the design.
Read more about Oxalis at Penn State Extension https://extension.psu.edu/shamrocks-as-houseplants.
Easy ivyIvy (Hedera helix), or English ivy, is a hardy indoor plant that brightens up a room. There are many varieties of ivy, whose leaves come in shades of green or variegated in shades of white or yellow.Ivy is easy to grow and train as a trellis or topiary. When growing ivy indoors, place the plant in filtered light; keep the soil moist and well drained, and use a light fertilizer as needed.Ivy vines and spreads, making it attractive as both a filler and spiller in container gardens.Ivy can become aggressive in containers; to keep ivy from spreading, keep the ivy roots in its pot, then plant the pot into the container. The ivy will continue to vine and not take over the container soil.As a ground cover, English ivy grows quickly and can become invasive. Penn State Extension offers suggestions on how to eradicate and control English ivy https://extension.psu.edu/english-ivy-in-the-landscape.Alternatively, choose plants other than English ivy, such as pachysandra, as a groundcover.
Gerbera daisiesGerbera daisies (Gerbera jamesonii) invoke happiness with their cheerful blooms and serrated leaves.Their brightly-colored blooms come in a variety of colors, such as red, white, yellow, salmon, pink and orange. Native to South America, gerberas are annuals in our USDA zone.Purchase gerbera daisies that are blooming with buds emerging from the plant. Leaves and stems should be firm and evenly shaped.Gerberas can suffer from crown rot if they are overwatered and not drained. The crown should be right at or above the soil; allow the soil to dry out before watering.If the blooms and leaves are droopy, water thoroughly and let the water drain from the container.Gerberas are susceptible to numerous diseases; visit https://extension.psu.edu/gerbera-diseases to learn more about how to recognize these diseases.Gerberas tend to be re-bloomers, so offer a light fertilizer and keep the plant in bright light. Use gerberas as thrillers in container gardens.If you have questions about annuals, perennials and house plants, call the Master Gardener Garden Hotline at 724-287-4761, Ext. 7, or email butlermg@psu.edu.Lisa Marie Bernardo, PhD, RN, is a Penn State Master Gardener of Butler County.
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