Plants of the Week – August 29

Hemigraphes alternata, seen here in a terracotta container outside the Wister Center, is also commonly known as the metal leaf plant for its metallic gray-green leaves. The frost-sensitive native of Malaysia is great as a tropical groundcover and in containers and hanging baskets. For best growth provide partial shade and consistently moist soils.   Photo credit: J. Coceano

Look for Polystichum polyblepharum at the 2011 Scott Associates’ Plant Sale. The Japanese tassel fern creates a stunning, low fountain-like effect. Mature fronds have an eye-catching luster and hold up well all season. P. polyblepharum can be seen partnering under the shade of a pair of Stewartia pseudocamellia in front of Parrish Hall. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Slender Silhouette’ is a 2011 recipient of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Gold Medal Plant Award. As seen in this photo, taken at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ, L. styraciflua ‘Slender Silhouette’ creates a powerful upright element in the landscape. The narrow deciduous tree attains heights of up to 50’ with a narrow spread of 4’. Look for this form of the American sweetgum at the 2011 Scott Associate’s Plant Sale. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Kalameris incisa ‘Blue Star’, found in the Harry Wood Garden and the Pollinator Garden, bears flowers in the faintest of blues. Numerous small, daisy-like flowers top compact mounds of crisp green foliage. K. incisa ‘Blue Star’ is great in mass plantings and holds up well in the hot, humid summers of the Delaware Valley. This herbaceous perennial will be offered at the 2011 Scott Associate Plant Sale. Photo credit: J. Coceano