Sinningia cardinalis

A beautiful, caudex forming member of the Gesneriaceae, these plants are easy to grow. They go dormant during the winter but at about this time every spring, they put out new leaves and bright red flowers. During the summer, they appreciate adequate water and bright filtered sun or light shade.

Matelea cyclophylla

 

Also grown and sold under the name Gonolobus cyclophyllus, this is a fascinating addition to any caudex collection. When introduced by the ISI in 2002 the flowers were described as "bizarre and beautiful, typical of the Asclepiadaceae."

Avonia quinaria var. alstonii

These wonderful small succulents are impressive, even at a young age, but as they get older, they produce a caudex which makes the plants even more impressive. For small plants, they surely can steal the show. Check out these additional photos from our nursery list.

Enjoy your plants!

Fockea edulis

Nicely grown specimens of caudex forming plants can be very impressive. For perspective, this is an 8 inch diameter pot and the caudex is 4 inches (10.16 cm.) in diameter. And the great thing about the Fockea is that they're very easy to grow!

Uncarina roeoesliana and Uncarina peltata

A little change of pace today. The flowers in the first photo are on Uncarina roeoesliana. The second photo includes both U. roeoesliana (in the front row) and U. peltata (in the back row), showing the difference in the caudex. The U. peltata flowers have a purple throat. They're from the island nation of Madagascar.

These flowers are pollinated by beetles and the usual method of hand pollinating the flowers doesn't work. They like a fair amount of water, with - of course - adequate drainage.

The following picture isn't from our plants. It shows the seedpod on a plant in Madagascar.

Image via Wikipedia

Enjoy your plants.

Seyrigia humbertii

Another wonderfully weird plant is this one from Madagascar. It develops a small caudex and creates a hanging basket conversation starter. Nice, fuzzy stems!

Sinningia leucotricha

Another beauty at this time of year is Sinningia (syn. Reichsteineria) leucotricha. Also know as "Brazilian Edelweiss", this display is as consistent and dependable as you get in the plant kingdom. First the flowers and then the leaves, which keep getting larger and more impressive throughout the Summer. Plus, they have interesting tubers which can be raised above the ground for added interest. Who can resist?

Succulents as a Simple Accent

Maureen Gilmer, writing in the Lancaster New Leader says

The coolest new trend that has evolved out of the mid-mod movement is succulents. They bear distinct forms that are bold and graphic, standing out against the walls and surfaces of these simplified homes. Even in colder climates, succulents are a great choice, because the plants can come indoors for the winter, thriving in the bright light of these open homes.

She then adds:

Potted-succulent artists have evolved distinctly different approaches well-suited to modern homes.

The first style is modern minimal and quite masculine in look and feel. Forms are rectilinear, using square or rectangular pots to create bold geometry...

The second approach is far more free-form and really sexy. It depends on the plants themselves to create a bold form. Upright cacti and other succulents can produce some truly spectacular poles, rosettes or balls that are geometric in their own right. The trick is to combine them with an interesting pot, then to select a stone or glass mulch to create a beautiful surface within the pot.

A third style has its roots in Japan, where many elements of modern design were born. Some succulents — which have fleshy leaves to retain water, plus a thickened stem called a "caudex" — are outstanding bonsai specimens. When planted in bonsai-style pots, they make a superior focal point for any room, whether indoors or out. Creative shaping of the plants, plus the use of naturalistic stones, makes them fabulous for a mid-mod apartment patio or in a winter kitchen.

Aren't you glad you've been discovered?
Seriously, it's a nice article. Check it out.