LIST OF COMMON

ORNAMENTAL
PLANTS IN THE
PHILIPPINES
 LIST OF COMMON ORNAMENTAL PLANTS IN THE
PHILIPPINES
Aglaonema spp. Plants for partial shade. The simple rule to follow for these slow-growing
plants is this: the lighter the variegation, the more light it needs. They have large oval leaves on
short stems.

Do not expose the Aglaonema to direct sun. It should be planted in a humid area and watered
often. A slow-release fertilizer should be given regularly. Aglaonema can be divided during
repotting. Small shoots can be potted as individual plants.

Aglaonema plants are poisonous due to calcium oxalate crystals. If ingested they cause irritation
of the mucous membranes, and the juice can cause skin irritation and painful rash.

A. commutatum is native to the Philippines.

Aglaonema commutatum ‘Pink Petiole’

Plant for partial shade. This Aglaonema has pinkish leaf stems
(leaf stems). It has oblong-elliptical leaves and bears flowers
that resemble small greenish-white callas followed by yellow to
red berries. It is grown primarily for its foliage. Endemic to the
Philippines.

Aglaonema commutatum ‘Red Gold’

Plant for partial shade.

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 Aglaonema commutatum ‘Silver Queen’

Plant for partial shade.

Aglaonema ‘Snow White’

Plant for partial shade.

Aglaonema commutatum. Variety unknown

Plant for partial shade. The green of the leaves of this plant is
much darker than that of the other Aglaonema I have. The plant
itself is rounded in shape and is more compact than my other
Aglaonemas.

Adenium obesum.

Desert Rose. According to Warren, this succulent plant, a native of arid Arabia and East Africa,
grows to 1 meter. It has a swollen, pale grey trunk. Its leaves are glossy and club-shaped. It bears
trumpet-shaped flowers almost continuously. It has a highly toxic sap. As can be expected from
a native of dry Arabia, it does not like too much water and should not be grown in moist places.
It is often used as a decorative pot plant.

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 Adiantum raddianum.

Delta maidenhair. Origin: tropical and subtropical South

America. The maidenhair likes full shade in a humid area and
moist but well-drained soil. Despite its fragile looks, this is a
hardy plant under proper growing conditions. Dead and
damaged fronds should be removed to enable new ones to grow.

Aglaia odorata. Aglaia pinnata. Cinamomo, sinamomong

sunsong (Tagalog).

Chinese perfume plant. Mock lemon. Cultivated as an

ornamental tree or shrub and for its fragrant flowers. Introduced
to the Philippines from south-eastern Asia. If allowed to, it can
grow to a height of 6 meters. Its upright and bushy growth
makes it suitable for use as a hedging plant. It is easy to grow;
likes rich, well-drained moist soils, and warmth and humidity. It
is tolerant of partial shade but prefers the full sun. Propagated
from semi-ripe stem cuttings. Even with little maintenance, this
is the kind of plant that becomes an enduring friend. Very easy-
to-grow. Propagation is by cuttings or air layering.

It flowers several times during the year. The tiny yellow flower
balls are fragrant in the evening; dried, they are used to
perfume clothes and cigarettes, and to scent teas. In Asia,
Infusions of the roots and leaves are used to treat fever,
convulsive illnesses and menopausal problems.

The leaves last long in flower arrangements, though they are

perhaps better suited to looser, more ‘natural’ arrangements than
to the more formal ones sold by flower shops. (Photo source:
www.parks. gov.sg)

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 Allamanda violacea

Purple allamanda. Vine or climbing shrub with year-round 8

cm funnel-shaped flowers that are reddish-purple fading to
pink.
While it can cover a trellis or clamber over a wall, it can also be
pruned into a free-standing specimen. Regular pinching will
keep it in bounds, but too much pinching removes flower buds
which form on new growth. All parts of the plant are toxic.

The allamanda grows in full sun. It is propagated by woody

cuttings, but grows best when grafted on A. cathartica (Yellow
Allamanda). I have two varieties: one is more vigorous than the
other, has bigger flowers and is more floriferous (photo on top).

Althernanthera ficoidea

Cucharita (green and white). After nearly two years, my

cucharita grew leggy and was fading away under the shade of
the palmeras where they had been planted. My gardener took
some cuttings, put them aside overnight and stuck them in the
soil the next day. They have now taken root and were doing
well in mid-December 2004. They are still thriving.

Alpinia purpurata

Red ginger. According to Madulid, the red ginger, native to the

Pacific Islands, is a recent introduction to the Philippines. Its
bright red bracts cover small white flowers. It likes full sun or
partial shade, moist but well-drained soil and requires protection
from strong winds. Propagated by root division. By December
2004, my plant has disappeared completely: probably defeated
by the strongly-growing raphis among which it had been
planted

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 Alpinia vittata

Plant for moderate light conditions. A member of the ginger

family, A. vittata is native to the Bismarck Archipelago in the
Solomon Islands. It is a plant of the forest understory which is
hot and moist climate all year round. A clumping plant, it can
rise to 1.5 meters in height outdoors and has 20 cm long lance-
shaped leaves edged and banded from the centre to the margin
with cream or white stripes. It can bear pendulous pink flowers
but rarely does so in cultivation.

Alpinia vittata thrives in medium light or filtered direct sunlight.

Keeping it in too dark a position will reduce variegation and
make the leaves greener. Prolonged direct sunlight can cause
foliage to scald, brown or bleach. High humidity is essential.
The plant should be watered regularly but should be allowed to
dry out between waterings. It is moderately drought tolerant
when established.

This Alpinia grows vigorously and where they outgrow their

allotted space, rhizomes should be dug up, split and replanted.
The tallest stalks can be trimmed off to keep this plant to a
lower size.

The rhizomes should be planted as soon as possible. It is

recommended to establish the plant in a pot before planting it in
garden. The rhizome should be planted with the top up, no more
than 3-4cm under the soil. Avoid planting them too deep to
prevent them from rotting. Also, freshly planted rhizomes need
oxygen to grow new roots and will die if the planting medium is
too dense or too wet.

Companion plants: Alpinia vittata makes a striking contrast

when planted in along with: Cordyline species, Schefflera
arboricola (Green Arboricola), Nephrolepis biserrata cv.’Macho
Fern’ (Macho Fern), Brugmansia species (Angel’s Trumpet),
Strelitzia nicolai (White Bird of Paradise), Tibouchina
heteromalla (Silverleafed Princess Flower) and Agapanthus
species. (Source: http://www.plantsrescue.com/alpinia-vittata/)

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 American rose

Plant vendors in the Philippines have no idea what the scientific

names of these roses are and sell them under the all-enveloping
term “American rose”

Antidesma bunius. Bignay

Have you got a bignay in your garden? Let us know what birds
come round to feed on it.

Description (Madulid; Fernando). This is a small to medium-

sized tree, growing to 10 m tall. Its glossy 20 cm long leaves are
oblong with an acuminate tip and a rounded base; their petioles
are stout, up to 1 cm long. The small flowers, in drooping
racemes about 10 cm long, are yellowish-white, male flowers
sessile, female flowers with a small stalk. The edible fruit, about
1 cm in diameter, is deep red to bluish-violet when ripe.

Seedlings are occasionally sold at garden centres and garden

shows; I have also seen them at a UPLB (University of the
Philippines Los Baños) nursery. Photo:
www.filipinoheritage.com

Attractive to many birds which eat the fruit and the insects
living off it. Among the birds that have been observed feeding
on the tree are: common garden birds like Pied Fantail (Maria
Capra), Yellow-vented Bulbul (Malipago), Black-Naped Oriole
(Kiyaw; Kilyawan); Red-keeled Flowerpecker; and forest birds
such as Philippine Bulbul, Yellow-Wattled Bulbul and the
spectacular Luzon Hornbill (Tarictic).

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 Aptenia cordifolia

Baby Sun Rose. A native of the coastal plains of South Africa,

this plant makes an excellent ground cover. It reaches a spread
of 2 feet or more and a height of 4 to 6 in. It blooms throughout
the year and its flowers are 1 in across, purplish red and
resemble daisies. Its leaves are small and thick.

Aptenia cordifolia needs full sun and well-drained soil. A

drought-tolerant (and salt-tolerant) plant, it should be
watered only when it is thoroughly dry. An internet source
does not recommend the use of fertilizer with this plant.
Stringy stems should be removed to promote growth.

In addition to its use as ground cover, it makes a good pot plant

and can be used at the foot of taller plants in pots and allowed to
climb over the pot rims. (Info sources: various interset sites)

Artabotrys hexapetalus (L.f.) Bhand

Climbing ylang-ylang. Described by internet sources as a

woody climber with a spiny trunk. Bears fragrant six-petal
fleshy flowers that are greeny yellow at first, turning yellow-
green as they age. The leaves, up to 15 cm in length, are dull
green. Also said to bear fleshy yellow berry-like fruit in clusters
of up to 25.

Synonym: Artabotrys odoratissimus.

Ylang-ylang climber; hara-champa. Described by the Web as a

2-3.5 metre woody climber which climbs with a curved hook
developed from flower stamens. Can be allowed to become a
dense evergreen shrub bearing fragrant light green flowers
which turn yellow with age. Main flowering season: summer
and the rains. Needs the full sun to flourish. Propagated by
seed or ripe cuttings.

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 Asplenium musifolium

Giant bird’s nest; dapong babae, pakpak lawin babae. Epiphytic

fern similar to A. nidus but with much longer and much wider
leaves. (My plant has leaves that are about 170 cm long and 23
cm at their widest point.) Will adjust to full sun but prefers light
shade. Tolerates a dry spell but does best with frequent
watering. Propagation is by spores, which often sprout in moist
areas around the parent plant.

Asplenium nidus L

Bird’s nest fern, dapong lalaki, pugad lawin. Epiphytic fern.

Requires abundant moisture and shade for optimum growth.
Propagated by spores. Garden centres say that they can get used
to the sun.

Atriplex halimus

Silver dust; Mediterranean saltbush. The variety that is known

as ‘Silver Dust’ in the Philippines has attractive silver-grey
leaves and small light purple flowers. It is drought resistant and
can be pruned quite closely.

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 Bauhinia blakeana. Hongkong Orchid Tree.

There is apparently strong circumstantial evidence suggesting

that all trees of this Bauhinia cultivated today originate from
a single ancestor grown in the Hong Kong Botanic Gardens.
It has large deep rose-red, orchid-shaped blooms with a touch
of white. The flowers can be cut and brought indoors. It is
exceptionally long-blooming. Some sources say it is semi-
evergreen, others state that it is evergreen .

Another feature of this tree are the twin-lobed leaves, which

are typical of the Bauhinia genus. It is a deep-rooted plant so
it does not like to be transplanted. It will tolerate hot,
exposed positions and dry soils. Some sources say it requires
full sun and regular watering. Others say that it is an
excellent choice for sites that have dry soil or require
drought tolerance. It also grows well in acidic soils.

My supplier told me that this would be a small tree, no more

than 5 feet high, but internet sources say it grows to a height
of 9 meters and a width of 4.5 meters. Certainly too big for
the space I had in mind. However,as the flowers are so
beguiling, I am keeping the two plants I bought. Perhaps in
the tropics it doesn’t grow quite as tall as in subtropics?
We’ll find out soon enough.

The Blakeana is completely sterile and thus requires artificial

propagation . It can be grown from softwood and semi-hard
cuttings, and by air-layering. It should be pruned regularly
when it is young to help create a stronger structure. The
branches can be brittle and may break off.

Bauhinia kockiana

Climbing Bauhinia. 1 at P 1,500 from Anihan. A native of

the Malaysian jungle, this vine produces a frequent display
of orange and red-orange flowers that can be up to 3.5 cm
across in long racemes of up to 40 cm. Flowers age to
orange-yellow or golden-yellow before they fade. Requires a
stout support on which to grow. Likes rich, well-drained
soil; prefers roots to be in the shade. Propagated by means of
woody cuttings or seeds.

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 Bougainvillea

Sources of plant: the national road that goes through Bae,

Laguna is lined with bougainvillea garden centres. They offer
young plants as well as old, shaped ones with trunks the size
of fists. Prices can drop to a third during the non-flowering
(rainy) season, and may begin at Pesos 25 for new plants. I
have seen a magnificent specimen selling for P10,000.

Beaumontia grandiflora

Easter lily vine, herald’s trumpet, Nepal trumpet flower.

Woody vine from the Himalayan tropics. Has large fragrant
white flowers resembling lilies. A strong growing climber, it
can reach 6 m in full sun. The flowers appear on mature
plants (about two years old) on year-old wood in trusses
particularly during the cool season. The large leaves are
glossy and dark green on the upper surface, pale and hairy
underneath. Requires copious watering and well-drained soil.
Propagation: take cuttings from firm new growth, apply
rooting hormone, stick in well-drained soil and mist. May
take 25-50 days to root.

Brugmansia versicolor ‘Peach’

1 at P150. In time, this can become a small tree. It has oblong

smooth-edged leaves and pendulous flowers which are
fragrant at night. The corollas are pale yellow at first, turning
white and then peach as the flowers age; the teeth are long,
flaring and recurved. Propagated from seed and by stem
cuttings (these root quite easily and will do so even in water).

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 Brugmansia x candida ‘Double White’, ‘Flore Pleno’

Double Angel’s Trumpet. From a small nursery in Barangay

Maharlika, Tagaytay. P15. A double-flowered brugmansia,
with large velvety leaves and pendant hose-in-hose white
ruffled flowers with a sweet musky scent. The foliage is
easily distinguished from those of the other varieties by its
soft grey hairs. Thought to be a hybrid between Brugmansia
aurea and B. versicolor. Attractive to bees, birds and
butterflies. It likes the sun, but will grow in partial shade. It
should be watered regularly but not over-watered. It can be
propagated from seeds and from stem cuttings; the latter will
also root in water.

Bromeliads

3 plants; tolerates the sun. I am told that bromeliads that do not flower will tolerate some sun and
that those that bear flowers have to be put in the shade. The ororojo does not flower.

Brunfelsia americana

Lady of the night. This native of the West Indies can develop
into a small tree, up to 5 metres tall, but is generally grown
as a shrub. It has upright, thin woody stems and dark green,
leathery leaves. It has solitary, creamy-white five-petal
flowers (which turn yellow as they age) with tubes up to 5
cm long. Flowers are borne on and off throughout the year.
Fragrant only after dark, they have a smell reminiscent of
jasmine with spicy undertones. The fruit is a marble-sized
capsule with 2-10 black seeds.

Brunfelsia panciflora

Yesterday, today and tomorrow. Medium-sized shrub from

South America. Fragrant tubular flowers open a rich lavender
blue, and turn pale lavender and then white as they age.
Grows to 1 metre. Likes some shade, rich well-composted
soil and a warm, wind-sheltered position. Should be watered
regularly. It is propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings.
Flowers well in December and April-May.

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 Bucida spinosa, Bucida molinetii

Spiny black olive. Bought tree-sized specimen at P1,800. The

bucida can grow to 3 m. Its major appeal lies in the growth of
its leaves, which form in a horizontal zigzag pattern with
almost no bottom growth. Once the branches are formed, the
clip-and-grow method is all that it requires. Its leaves are tiny
and while it is a prolific bloomer, its flowers are so small as
to be insignificant. Its bark is rough and its trunk has a
twisting movement. Suitable for bonsai cultivation. It likes
the full sun and a moist soil.

Possible sources: Josie’s Gardens at RBR Laguna Gardens,

Bagong Kalsada, Calamba City, Laguna and the numerous
other garden centres that line the Calamba national road (and
side roads: Bacnotan Drive). Had tiny white flowers in April
2004.

Caladium humboldtii

Plant for the shade (but see also below). Graceful herb to 20
cm. tall. Leaves are heart-shaped, green with dominant white
patches. Native to Brazil.

A perennial that can be used as ground cover, it can grow in

partial to full shade as well as in the sun. Another one of
those rare plants that can grow anywhere. It should be
watered regularly but should not be overwatered. It is
propagated by dividing rhizones, tubers, corms or bulbs.

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 Calathea zebrina

Calathea Zebra Plant. Plant for the shade. The Calathea

zebrina’s bright green leaves grow on the tips of their stems,
are boldly striped in a striking feather-like pattern and are
red-purple underneath. They can reach a length of 2 feet. The
plant itself can grow to 1 meter. It bears insignificant flowers.

The plant should be kept moist, not wet, and it should be

fertilized occasionally with a half-strength solution of liquid
fertilizer. Too much and the plant will grow leggy. These
plants grow in the shaded understory of tropical forests of the
Americas and don’t need strong light. Good light is
nevertheless required for the leaves to attain their best
colour. The plant should be divided when there are several
rosettes at the base. A sharp blade should be used to separate
the rosettes which should then be planted each in its own
pot. (Info from several internet sources.)

Calotropis gigantea

Ivory plant, kapal-kapal, crown flower. Shrub, to 4 m tall,

with waxy stems which produce a milky sap when cut. The
leaves are obovate, are about 18 cm long and 12 cm wide;
they are grey-green above and have a whitish powder below.
The white flowers grow from the leaf axils, are star shaped,
and are surrounded by a crown of 5 flesh lobes.

Canarium ovatum Engl.

Pili. Marcotted. Obtained from Legazpi City. Indigenous to the Philippines. This tree grows to a
height of 35 m.

The leaves are usually three- to four-paired, ending in a terminal leaflet. The small flowers grow in
clusters and the fruit is ovoid, up to 5 cm long, and is smooth and black when ripe. The tree is
long-lived (the owners of one tree in the Bicol region claim it is 200 years old) and can bear up to
24,000 fruit at a time. When freshly picked, the ripe whole fruit can be boiled and the soft thick
pulp eaten as a vegetable or salad. The hard-shelled kernel is the well-known pili nut. The resin
extracted from the bark is an export product and has both pharmaceutical and industrial uses. It is
an ingredient in the manufacture of plasters, ointments, paints, varnish, sealants, lacquers, asphalt,
water and fire proofing, linoleum, plastics and printing inks. The oil from both kernel and pulp is

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considered equal to olive oil in quality and is suitable for culinary uses.

Catharanthus roseus, Vinca rosea, Madagascar periwinkle

Chichirica. I started out with 60 of these. Perennial shrub.

Height: 30-60 cm, tends to flop. Produces almost continuous
display of five-lobed flowers that are dark pink, pink, white
or white with red rings. Poisonous. Prefers a sunny, well-
drained location. Easily propagated from seeds; self-seeds
freely. Dislikes too much water. Attracts butterflies. The
vinca’s flowering life can be prolonged by pruning when the
stems grow too lanky and bear fewer flowers.

Cassia alata L.

Akapulco, bikas-bikas. Candle bush. This attractive but

short-lived shrub is named for its flower buds which grow in
a column and look like fat yellow candles each complete
with a flame. It was introduced to other tropical areas from
the Americas and is now widely considered a weed.

The leaves and sap contain a fungicide (an acid) which is

effective against fungal infections such as ringworm, and is
useful in soaps, shampoos and lotions. The plant’s other
chemical contents enable it to act as a laxative and to expel
intestinal parasites. In Africa, the boiled leaves are used to
treat high-blood pressure. In South America, the cassia is
utilized to treat a wide range of ailments from stomach
problems, fever, asthma to snake bite and venereal diseases.
It is the food plant of some butterfly caterpillars. The plant
recruits bodyguards against these caterpillars in the form of
ants, which are attracted to the nectar produced by the
“extrafloral nectarines” found near the base of the leaves. As
a short-lived plant which grows commonly in damp
wastelands, it helps to colonize these areas and pave the way
for the regeneration of growth. All in all, an extremely
valuable plant.

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 Cestrum nocturnum

Dama de noche; Queen of the Night. This not very pretty

shrub grows quite quickly. It should not be planted near
drains or filters as these can get blocked by the slender
flowers which fall profusely. It blooms several times a year.
In my garden it has flowered in January, March, May, June.
The small greenish flowers have a powerful fragrance which
is released at night, hence the plant’s name.

Pruning to keep its size within bounds seems to encourage it

to flower again. Propagation is by cuttings.

Chamaedorea seifrizii

Seifrizii. Reed palm. I started with nine of these in pots. An

elegant clump-forming palm with cane-like stems, this is an
ideal pot plant and houseplant. It has been said to grow
quickly to a mature height of 2 m and to seed early. It likes
shade and can be easily propagated by division. The black
seeds on dark orange stems make a striking contrast. The
books say that it should be grown in a shaded, sheltered
courtyard or border.

Chrysalidocarpus lutescens

Palmera. I started with 6 of these planted along the garden

wall.

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 Citrus aurantiifolia

Dayap; lime: variegated cultivar. From India to the Malay

Peninsula to the Philippines. Propagated from seeds or from
cuttings. It is known as a host plant for several species of
butterflies: its leaves provide food for caterpillars.

Citrus maxima

Lukban, pomelo, suha. My suha is still only about 50 cm tall and has not fruited, but it already
plays host to the lime butterfly.

Citrus microcarpa

Kalamansi. In mid-January 2005, this was populated by about 15 caterpillars. It sprung a full coat
of leaves in April-May.

Citrus microcarpa

Kalamansi, variegated form. It fruited fairly well for some

months since then; by December 2004 there were only a few
tiny fruit. The fruit is larger than the common kalamansi and,
like the leaves, it is variegated. This plant always keeps its
full complement of leaves and is obviously not a favourite of
caterpillars. Flowering timidly by mid-January 2005, the
plant was fruiting quite well by April-May.

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 Clerodendrum macrosiphon

Do-re-mi plant; musical note shrub. I started with 6 of these.

Shrub to 2-3 feet. Indigenous to New Guinea and the
Philippines. Grows in primary forests at low and medium
altitudes. The short-lived (they fall in two to three days)
white flowers resemble musical notes in the bud and open to
small flowers with red stamens. The plant blooms
intermittently throughout the year, though January-February
seems to be a dormant period. Slowly coming into flower in
early March 2004.

Clerodendrum philippinum, C. chinense

Shrub, 1.2-2.4 metres tall, with dense terminal heads of

fragrant (often sterile) white-pink-mauve flowers which look
like tight nosegays. The leaves are large (6-10 cm long),
opposite and simple with variable margins. Thrives in moist
and fertile soil. While it tolerates shade, it prefers sunny
locations. It can be invasive and is considered a potential
environmental weed in some countries. Propagated by root
suckers.

Clerodendrum quadriloculare

Bagawak. I started with 2 of these. This tall shrub or small

tree, growing to a height of 5 m, is a Philippine native. The
large paired oval leaves are dark green above, reddish purple
underneath. The flowers are produced in large showy clusters
around 25 cm in diameter, each with a narrow pink tube
about 7 cm long, ending in five white spreading petal lobes.
Nectar-bearing, they are attractive to butterflies. The plant
produces numerous seeds and suckers profusely from the
roots. The fruit is ellipsoid and is up to 1.5 cm in length.
Considered an invasive weed in some countries.

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 Clerodendrum thomsonae

Known as Bleeding Heart in the Philippines. Glorybower. A

native of West Africa, this slender woody vine is one of the
few flowering vines for the shade. It has clusters of brilliant
red flowers surrounded by white inflated calyxes, which are
its most distinctive ornamental feature. The flowers are
nectar-bearing and are attractive to butterlifes. It has dark
green ovate leaves 7-10 cm long and soft, slightly wooden
stems. It likes somewhat dry conditions and at least partial
shade. The flowers should be picked off when faded, and the
vine should be pruned as needed. It is propagated from
suckers or green wood cuttings.

Clerodendrum ugandense

Blue butterfly. This scandent shrub with pale and dark blue
flowers grows tall quite rapidly. It is propagated by air-
layering or from woody cuttings. It blooms on and off
throughout the year. It was not too floriferous in the rainy
month of July 2003, but came into its own in the drier month
of November.

Clitoria ternatea L.

Blue pea vine, pukinggan. I bought 2 plants for P40 from one
of the nurseries in Barangay Maharlika, Tagaytay. The
leaves consist of five leaflets with short petioles. The flowers
are described as solitary bright blue flowers with yellow
markings on white centres. They are borne in great numbers
throughout the year. The pod is flat, linear, green and up to
10 cm long.

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 Cordyline fruticosa; Cordyline terminalis

It has a single, unbranched stem, with the leaves crowded at

the end of stem. It bears flowers in panicles from the leaf
cluster, which are followed by berry-like fruit. Several
cultivars of varied leaf sizes, shapes and colours have
recently been introduced to the Philippines. Most need the
sun to develop their full leaf colours, though some prefer the
shade. The colours become more intense during the drier,
cooler months that follow the rainy season.

Crossandra infundibuliformis

Common crossandra. Shrub to 90 cm tall. Native to India,

tropical Africa and Madagascar. Recently introduced to the
Philippines. The yellow-orange flowers are nectar-bearing
and are attractive to butterflies. Propagated by stem cuttings.

Cymbidium Enzan Delight 'Fluorish'

Tentative ID: Cymbidium Enzan Delight 'Fluorish'. A hybrid

orchid with all-yellow flowers patented in Korea. I was
encouraged to buy several pots of this Cymbidium by an
enthusiast who said it blooms frequently, multiplies rapidly
and is very easy to care for. I was looking for flowering
plants to brighten up my garden and what she said sounded
good to me. Five months after purchase, my plants continue
to look healthy, though they haven’t quite lived up to the
promise of frequent blooms. The one in the photograph was
the most mature of the lot when I bought them and had the
biggest clump. Perhaps this is the reason why it has bloomed
at least 3 times since its purchase, and this month’s flowers
are particularly large. I have them planted in a border under
direct sun and they are fertilized either with urea (to
encourage leaf growth) and Osmocote or Complete (to
encourage flowering).

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 Cymbopogon citratus

Lemon grass, tanglad. I have both the Philippine and the Thai
varieties. To me the Thai variety has the more delicate scent
and flavour. Madulid and internet sources give both varieties
the same scientific name. Both are clump-forming grasses
that grow to 1.8 m. Their flowers are large, compound
panicles with loose slender branches. They are propagated by
division and are said to be native to Sri Lanka and southern
India.

Cyrtostachy renda

Red palm; sealing wax palm. This is a medium-sized tufted

palm, which means that it produces offshoots and grows as a
clump of slender trunks, each with its own crown of leaves.
It has bright red leaf sheaths, which appear down nearly the
full length of the trunks as well as along the leaf stalk. The
leaves are stiff and feather-shaped, and a fully grown clump
is not too large for a small garden. Rises to about 6 m. The
red palm is said to be easy to grow provided it gets a lot of
water and the full sun. Propagation by offshoots. (Idea for
planting: combine with bromeliads with a touch of red in
their leaves)

Danella tasmanica ‘Variegata’

Variegated Flax Lily. Tentative ID. This is a variegated

evergreen with strappy leaves that are yellow-edged with
green central panels. It bears small blue flowers which give
rise to blue berries. It grows from 1 to 3 feet tall with equal
spread.

Although it grows well when planted in shady locations, it

does best when it receives full or partial sun for most of the
day. It is drought-tolerant but it needs consistently moist soil
during its first growing season. This helps it establish the
strong, deep root system that allows it to tolerate drought
conditions later in its life. In its second and subsequent
seasons, water it only during periods of extreme drought. Too
much water will make it susceptible to scale and other pests.
If other plants in the garden are experiencing drought stress,
the flax lily probably is as well, so water it slowly to a depth
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 of 10 inches.

It should be fertilized montly during the growing season. It

is propagated by dividing up established plants. It should be
dug up, and a shovel driven through its root ball.

The plant is native to Tasmania, Australia. (Info from various

internet sources.)

Dendrobium

According to the American Orchid Society (AOS), these are

the most common orchids in the retail trade. They are
epiphytes or air plants with well-developed water-storage
organs (pseudobulbs), often referred to as canes because
they are upright and leafy. AOS says they should be potted
in porus, free-draining media. There are many types of
denrobiums, but Dendrobium phalaenopsis varieties are the
most frequently encountered. The flowers of these varieties
resemble those of the Phalaenopsis or moth orchids.

Canarium ovatum Engl.

Pili. Marcotted. Obtained from Legazpi City. Indigenous to the Philippines. This tree grows to a
height of 35 m.

The leaves are usually three- to four-paired, ending in a terminal leaflet. The small flowers grow
in clusters and the fruit is ovoid, up to 5 cm long, and is smooth and black when ripe. The tree is
long-lived (the owners of one tree in the Bicol region claim it is 200 years old) and can bear up
to 24,000 fruit at a time. When freshly picked, the ripe whole fruit can be boiled and the soft
thick pulp eaten as a vegetable or salad. The hard-shelled kernel is the well-known pili nut. The
resin extracted from the bark is an export product and has both pharmaceutical and industrial
uses. It is an ingredient in the manufacture of plasters, ointments, paints, varnish, sealants,
lacquers, asphalt, water and fire proofing, linoleum, plastics and printing inks. The oil from both
kernel and pulp is considered equal to olive oil in quality and is suitable for culinary uses.

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 Dianthera candicans

Pink candy justicia. This native of Mexico is a climbing

shrub with lanceolate, dark green leaves. Its bilabiate flowers
are pale red to crimson, with the lower lip divided into three
segments. Propagated from cuttings. I have lost this plant.

Dipladenia sanderi; Mandevilla sanderi. Dipladenia

(Mandevilla) splendens, M. boliviensis

Family: Apocynaceae. Origin: south-eastern Brazil. A tender

woody vine which provides a non-stop bounty of huge white
(also pink) trumpet-shaped flowers in clusters. The flowers
have gold throats and are up to 10 cm across. Blooms
heaviest in the hottest months and sporadically throughout
the rest of the year. Fuzzy young stems twine around
supports eventually scrambling to heights up to 3.5 meters.
The handsome leathery leaves are dark green, up to 20 cm
long and 7 to 10 cm wide. Given adequate care, the
Dipladenia is pest free (except for aphids, which can
multiply to alarming proportions if left unchecked) and fast
growing. Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested.

Dischorisandra thrysiflora

Blue ginger. According to Warren, this is not a ginger but a

spiderwort. It has cane-like, jointed stalks rising to about 1.5
metres from underground stems. Its leaves are dark green,
lightly banded with silver and with a purplish-blue wash
underneath. Its large terminal clusters of flowers are dark
blue-mauve with white and yellow centres. It likes filtered
light and moist-well drained soil. It is propagated from tip
cuttings or by root division. Origin: tropical America.

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 Dracaena australis. Cordyline australis

Yucca. False yucca. 1 at P2,000. Palm-like tree to 8 m, unlike

palms, however, it has many branches high up on the trunk.
The leaves are sword-shaped, leathery, up to 90 cm long and
5 cm wide, and are borne in tufts at the ends of branches. It
bears numerous panicles of small white fragrant flowers,
which are followed by berries. This native of New Zealand
was given the name “cabbage tree” by early settlers who used
its inner leaves and stems as a cooked or raw vegetable.
Propagated from stem cuttings or from seeds.

Dracaena reflexa ‘Song of India´

1 at P700. This is a multi-trunk or clumping shrub. It has

narrow dark green leaves with bright yellow margins. Can
become a small tree, although its stems are weak and may
require support to keep the plant from sprawling. The
Reflexa bears white flowers once annually. It prefers lightly
shady to shady conditions. Needs to be watered regularly as
the soil must be kept moist. Propagated from stem cuttings
and by division.

Dracaena reflexa Lam. ‘Song of Thailand’

Similar to Song of India, but the leaves have light cream to white stripes. A recent introduction
to the Philippines. 7 given by Belle.

Dracaena marginata ‘Tricolor’

6 at P100. Native to Madagascar. Recently introduced to the Philippines. Unbranched or rarely

branched plant, with a slender trunk and 60 cm long narrow leaves which taper to a point. Its
predominantly green leaves have a red-purple stripe running along the outer edges, hence its
name. The ‘Tricolor’ has in addition white or yellowish stripes along the green centre, giving
the plant an overall greenish-gold colour. Thrives in sunlight and well-drained soil. Slow
growing.
Propagated from stem cuttings.

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 Duranta repens

Golden dewdrop (the name comes from the bright orange-

yellow berries that follow the flowers); Sky flowers; Pigeon
berry. The duranta can be grown as a shrub which can arch
to 25 feet; it can also be grown as a tree. Either way, it
requires frequent pruning to keep in shape. It likes the full
sun and frequent deep watering. It is easy to root from
cuttings, and can be propagated from seeds. It flowers
continuously throughout the year. Nectar-filled, the flowers
are attractive to butterflies.

Dypsis madagascariensis lucubensis. Chrysalidocarpus

madagascariensis

Becc. Madagascar palm. 1 at P200. A handsome, medium-

sized solitary palm (there is also a clumping form), to about
15m, with a thick, closely ringed grey trunk. It has a
tristichous leaf arrangement, long thin leaflets, and slightly
plumose leaves. Needs full sun and regular watering.

Ervatamia divaricata; Tabernaemontana divaricata

Pandacaqui (in the Philippines). Pinwheel flower. Crape

jasmine. Native to India. 10 at P75. Beautifully shaped shrub
which forms mounds that can be 2 m high. The branches
tend to grow almost parallel to the ground, giving the shrub
an attractive horizontal aspect. Its large shiny leaves are deep
green and are 15 cm or more in length and about 5 cm wide.
The waxy blossoms are white five-petal pinwheels which are
borne profusely throughout the year. They have a gentle
perfume which is best enjoyed in the evening – the heat
vaporizes the scent during the day. Not particular about soil,
the crape jasmine nevertheless responds well to the
application of fertilizer. It should be pruned lightly to
maintain its form. It grows in sun or partial shade and tends
to be more compact in the sun. It should be watered during
dry periods and requires good drainage. Propagated from
seeds and cuttings. Once started, it grows fairly rapidly.

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 Ervatamia divaricata ‘Flore Pleno’

Butterfly gardenia. 1 large at P600; 3 small at P80. This

cultivar has white, double flowers. It blooms frequently but
not as profusely as the crape jasmine. The ‘Flore Pleno’ has
the same cultural requirements as the crape jasmine. Both can
be grown as potted plants as they respond well to pruning.

Erythrina crista-galli

Cockspur coral tree. My plant cost P1,000. A medium-sized

tree (to 4 m) native to Brazil, the Erythrina has long drooping
sprays of coral red flowers at branch ends, and trifoliate
leaves with backward-pointing prickles along the stem. It
bears flowers in waves throughout the year, and it is said to
bloom best after a period of drought. All plant parts are
poisonous. It likes the full sun and rich, well-drained soil. It
should be pruned hard immediately after flowering to
produce flowering stems for the following season. In some
countries it develops galls, but these do not seem to harm the
tree. More troublesome is a boring insect which enters at
branch tips; the branch should be cut below the borer as soon
as an infestation becomes visible. The Erythrina will
eventually develop a gnarled trunk. It self-seeds freely, and
is propagated easily from seeds, semi-hard wood cuttings
and by marcotting.

Etlingera elatior

Torch ginger. Belonging to family of the Zingeberaceae and

a native of tropical Asia, E. elatior is one of the most
beautiful of flowering tropical plants. Growing from
underground rhizomes, its tall leafstalks can reach a height of
4-5 m. The flower torches, rising to about 1 m, also emerge
from the ground on long stalks. The most common form has
bright red flowers; there is a form with pink flowers. The
flower heads are eaten raw in Malaysia, before the bracts
begin to open, as are the young shoots and fruits. The torch
ginger likes full sun or light shade and rich, well drained soil,
with plenty of water and protection from strong winds. It

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 produces high yields of shoots with low levels of fertilizer.
The Etlingera is a perennial and can be harvested
continuously with low labour input.

Euphorbia milii

Euphorbia milii and hybrids. Euphorbia milii is a slow-

growing evergreen succulent shrub which can attain a height
of two feet. It has green leaves and either yellow, red or pink
flowers. Various hybrids of the plant have been produced
offering larger, different color bracts, whether yellow or
pink. Brightly coloured bracts (modified leaves) resemble
petals and give the crown of thorns its colourful appeal,
while the true flowers of the plant are small and unobtrusive.

The plant has a high drought tolerance. It is also salt-tolerant.

It can be propagated by cuttings. Some advise that the cutting
should be allowed to dry for three to four days until the cut
end has callused over. A dip in rooting compound containing
a fungicide is also recommended before placing the cutting in
a slightly moist, very well draining potting mix. I have not
followed this advice where I live and manage to grow new
plants from cuttings nonetheless.

The sap of this plant can be a skin irritant. The plant has
thorns.

The Chinese grow E. millii as a plant of fortune. It is said

that they believe that when the plant produces 8 flowers in an
inflorescence, they will be lucky. The hybridization of E.
millii started in Thailand and China around 1990. (Info
obtained from internet sources.)

Evolvulus glomeratus ‘Blue Daze’

The ‘Blue Daze’ belongs to the morning glory family

(Convolvulaceae). It is a ground cover with clear blue
flowers on the tips of trailing stems, and attractive soft grey-
green leaves. Flowering is usually prolific and showy, with
the individual flowers lasting only one day and closing in the
early evening hours as well as on overcast days. The ‘Blue
Daze’ persists for many years in sunny locations, but it will
also grow in light shade. Although it needs moist soil for
best growth, over-watering can cause fungal problems. It is

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 deep-

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 rooted and, once established, it will tend to be somewhat
drought tolerant, but it will die if it is kept too dry. As it is
tolerant of salt, it can grow well in coastal gardens. The ‘Blue
Daze’ is a moderate to heavy feeder. It is propagated from
softwood stem cuttings or from seeds. Its stems take root
where they touch the ground, and rooted stems can be
separated from the main plant.

Excoecaria cochinchinensis

Chinese croton. Called Picara in the Philippines. I started out

with 6 of these. According to Madulid, this is a native of
China and Japan. It is a low-growing shrub (to 1 m) with
arching stems. My plants have leaves that are variegated pale
green and off-white on top and bright lacquer red
underneath. Like other members of the Euphorbia family, the
sap of the Chinese croton is poisonous. It prefers open, sunny
places and rich soil, and requires constant watering. It is
propagated from stem cuttings.

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