Being a Millenial we are a different kind of people. This means we like different, new, strange, out of the ordinary. This is for no other reason that having been on the precipice of a society that went from limited information to a flooding of access to information globally. On that note, I love exploring new and out of the ordinary plants that add a little extra pizzazz to the garden. Here is a nice little piece on the strange and lively plants I’ve discovered.
This is not so much a search to stand out but instead to appreciate the extraordinary in life and in my garden.
Rock Roses
A rock rose is a beautiful and very hardy succulent that can make do in arid areas with very little water. They also tend to, without any assistance, propagate and grow into full patches of this beautiful and strange succulent rose.
Bulbs (the Phoenix of the Plant World)
A bulb is an incredible plant that tends to wilt away in the off season and return again, brand new and reborn when it is back in season. The ball or pocket of plant that is called the bulb is a food storage for a type of hibernation the plant goes into until the fleshy leaves grow again to provide food for the bulb to grow. Bulbs tend to carry beautiful flowers and are also hardy if they are left to complete their own cycles, not disturbing them during their long sleep.
Corkscrew Grass
Corkscrew Grass is something that looks like it has popped right out of a fairytale or the sequel to “Ferngully”. This unique looking grass twirls like a cork screw and thrives in very wet areas, gracing us with a beautiful little flower during flowering season.
String of Pearls
The String of Pearls is a succulent that grows in long, beautiful vines. As all succulents are, this beauty is quite hardy and will easily propagate under the right circumstances (lots of sunlight). This plant does not need a ton of water as the fleshy ‘leaves’ store up as much water as they can and over watering can actually damage the plant.
Blue Night Sky Petunias
The blue night sky Petunia is a variety of Petunia that stands out to me. It looks like a little galaxy was painted on each petal and being the romanticist I am, this creates a little fairy story in my head every time I look at it.
A Petunia is a plant that carries the most beautiful flower and if allowed to grow enough, it will climb up a taller plant and weave these beautiful flowers throughout. It always makes me think of a flower crown or border that is decorating and punctuating your garden, so naturally, this beauty makes it onto my list.
Protea
A Protea is a very strange and alien looking beauty. It is the national plant of South Africa so naturally a warmer climate suits this flower best. The Protea looks like it has grown up among the dinosaurs and mimicked their spiky spines and tails for protection while adding just a touch of colour. There are many varieties of Proteas, all looking wildly different from each other, which is the reason for its name, after the Greek God Proteus, who could easily change his form.
Pansies
Pansies are not a rare plant, I think all of us know them, especially if you have ever watched the original Alice in Wonderland animation film by Disney. Pansies are, however, completely underestimated and undervalued. They are a truly delicate and beautiful flower that will liven up your garden and, you may not know this, it is one of the few garden flowers that is used for decoration in cooking. Don’t be surprised if you find one of these on your plate at a fancy restaurant, you can go ahead and try it, although, it is not a unique or spectacular taste.
Air Plants
This plant is super cool! It is called an air plant because it seeming grows and sustains itself out of thin air. The air plant can survive almost anything with very little water and does not even need to be planted in soil. I have often spotted them hanging from trees as if they floated down like a feather and found their home there. Air plants are however quite sought after and can be expensive, unless you have a natural source where they are fairly abundant. This plant has also become very popular as decor in winter weddings.
Orchids (Indoor Plant or Protected Outside)
There are 2 kinds of people in this world. One that keep an Orchid alive and one that cannot. I am unfortunately one of the people that cannot keep them alive. I think because I am a helicopter plant mommy and the Orchids are the introverted rebellious teenagers of the plant world. My aunt however has a collection that spans through her house and last we counted she had well over 90 Orchids in and around her home.
These were not all bought, she has managed to propagate them as they have thrived. Clearly, this beauty is on my list because I will still master the art of respecting the needs of an Orchid. They are so tranquil, elegant and … almost classy… I would recommend a beautiful Orchid for your home or garden at any time!
Hydrangeas
A Hydrangea can seem like quite a common plant to many people, for me on the other hand, I grew up playing in my gran’s garden among the bushes of Hydrangeas. They add an extraordinary explosion of colour that looks like it is part of a celebration. These flowers are delicate but the plant itself is a strong and hardy shrub or bush. The colours also vary in a palette of water colour looking shades that can also take your imagination on a journey.
Much Love, BohBli
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