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GARDENER'S
READING ROOM
The Art of Gardening
House
Plants
The
Tropical Look - Outdoors or In
Mention
"the tropics" and exotic images come to mind
- soft and gentle breezes, warm rain, sun, and large, lush,
vibrantly
colored plants. To me, some plants just LOOK
tropical: palms, plants with large, boldly shaped and colored
leaves, evergreens with spectacular long-lasting flowers,
succulents, orchids….sounds like most of the Houseplant
Department, doesn't it?
Some
of the plants we sell as houseplants do well outdoors year
round with care and protection. Others need to stay indoors
for the winter. But all can go out once nighttime temperatures
stay above 55º F.
 The
Tropical Look is not for everyone. But picture a beautiful
container with a giant Bird of Paradise or Banana rising 7
or 8 feet above the rim. How about some luscious pots of antheriums,
bromeliads, gardenias, calatheas, or caladiums as alternatives
to your annual baskets?
Do
you have a shady nook where you want a spiky look, but
flax just wouldn't be happy?
Try aspidistra! Mine has been out for 6 years now - and
survived last winter with barely a scratch. Lipstick vines
make a gorgeous, exotic cascade of bloom. Natal plum and
citrus make beautiful, fragrant container plants - the
edible
fruit is a bonus.
With
few exceptions, tropical plants that have been indoors
should
be protected from direct afternoon sun when they first go
out. Start them in areas where they get dappled shade
or indirect
light, then slowly move them to brighter light. A plant that
tolerates low light indoors will want full shade (or maybe
a little morning light) outside. Even a cactus can get sunburned
if it goes straight from a sunny window to the sunny outside.
In early October, reverse the process - move the plants
gradually to lower and lower light until finally you move
them inside. Be patient and you'll reduce the stress
on the plant (which it usually shows by dropping its
leaves).
Important
note: when you move plants inside, insects will often
hitchhike.
Prevent this by adding a systemic when they first go out
(may need to be reapplied). Or you can spray the leaves
with a
repellent such as Hot Pepper Wax. READ
THE LABEL FOR DIRECTIONS AND TO ENSURE IT CAN BE USED ON
THAT
PLANT BEFORE USING ANY PESTICIDE - EVEN A NATURAL OR ORGANIC
ONE. NEVER SPRAY A PLANT WHEN THE SUN IS ON IT - IT
WILL BURN. Also, hose off the leaves to
remove
"hitchhikers" before bringing the pot in, and
check the soil and under the pot.
 Some
"house" plants are hardy to 20º F. While
you may think they'll be okay planted in your beds,
they actually do better in a pot. The drainage is better,
and you can move the pot to a protected spot should it get
too cold (like this last winter, when many of my plants
spent
a week in my garage waiting for the temperature to come to
its senses). Remember that water evaporates faster outside
- check
more frequently for water needs while your plants are out.
Sky's
houseplant department offers a diversity of color, texture,
shape, and size, as well as plants tolerating different light
and temperature levels. We will also special order plants
if we can get them from our growers. And we are always happy
to talk with you about houseplants - whether you're
using them outside or in!
By Mary Ann Greco
Skylights Spring/Summer 2004 Vol. 18, No. 2
Other
articles on the art of gardening
Other
articles on house plants
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