Every year, during the Foundation Day of our city, my wife hunts for new plants to add to her collection. This year is no different. Her choice is usually based not only on the aesthetic beauty of the plant but also on the level of care and maintenance the plants will need. In short, the more difficult it is to grow, the less she is prone to buy it. Of course the budget is also another factor to consider so bargain prices are also part of the hunt.
Here's the first one considered for acquisition:
This is a flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae, commonly called the pink family or carnation family. It is a short-lived plant growing to about a foot or two tall, with flowers of up to 30 at the top of the stems. Each flower is 2–3 cm diameter with five petals displaying serrated edges. This specie is also known as Dianthus barbatus or the Sweet William. It has become a popular ornamental garden plant. Price is 200 Philippine pesos a pot.
Second one for consideration:
This is a Flowering Maple or Chinese Lantern plant of the Abutilon genus. They can grow from 2 to 6 feet tall and the bell shaped flower has a red calyx and yellow petals shaped like a Chinese Lantern. Price: 100 Philippine Pesos per seedling.
Third possibility:
Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are shrubs or small trees, which can grow upto 10 ft. The showy colored parts of Poinsettias that most people think of as the flowers are actually colored bracts (modified leaves). The yellow flowers, or cyathia, are in the center of the colorful bracts. The plant drops its bracts and leaves soon after those flowers shed their pollen. Price: 250 Philippine Pesos a pot.
Fourth one for investigation:
Succulent plants. Crassula Ovata succulent has fleshy leaves, which may look either glossy or matte and has a rosette shape. These ones are flowering and costs 200 Philippine Pesos per Piece.
Fifth one to decide on:
Exotic orchids. The specie escapes me but at 2,000 pesos each, this is way out of the budget.
Sixth in line:
Table Anthurium or mini-sized anthurium good for table settings. Again price is a bit steep at 1,500 Philippine Pesos.
Seventh one to think about:
The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is considered the easiest to grow among houseplants. This plant can grow in a wide range of conditions and suffers from few problems, other than brown tips. The Spider plant is also known as airplane plant, St. Bernard's lily, spider ivy, and ribbon plant. It is a perennial flowering plant. Price is 75 Philippine pesos apiece.
Eighth item eyed at:
Yew tree of the genus Yews is a medium-sized bushy evergreen tree with narrow, leathery, very dark green leaves. It's flowers are bright red berries. Price is 100 Pilippine Pesos.
Ninth to be examined;
This plant looks similar to the Saw Palmetto but it is not the same. The vendor didn't know what it is except the local vernacular for it. It is very popular as an ornamental plant. Price is 50 pesos per piece.
Decision Time.
My wife finally decided on:
(1) the Flowering Maple or Chinese Lantern
(2) the Spider plant (she bought two)
(3) the Yew tree
and (4) the Saw Palmetto look alike (she bought 6)
New additions to the garden. New beginnings. New challenges. They say life is like a garden. Now I know why.
Thanks for visiting. I hope you enjoyed your time here. Until next time. Keep on Steeming friends.
(All photos are mine.)