Garden Photo of the Day

Two mystery plants at Longwood Gardens

Michelle Gervais, Associate Editor

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Michelle Gervais

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Michelle Gervais

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Michelle Gervais

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Photo: Michelle Gervais

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I fell in love with two plants I'd never seen before when I was at Longwood Gardens last week. Unfortunately, neither was labeled. Sure, I could email Longwood to beg for IDs, but I thought I'd ask our loyal GPOD readers first! After all, those Longwood gardeners are super busy watering at the moment. It's hot down there!

The first is an intriguingly architectural succulent in the student exhibition gardens. The second, in a container in the idea garden, looks vaguely like an oxalis, but I don't think that's quite it. Whatever it is, it's a stripey masterpiece!

Whadya say? Got any clue? If you ID them, I'll find mail-order sources for them...

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Comments (11)

ZeroTalent writes: I've seen both of these plants at Longwood, too! Not sure about the 1st one, but the 2nd one looks like a variety of purple oxalis (sp.?) - maybe variegated oxalis? I wish they had name tags on EVERYTHING - a huge job, but then I could easily buy one of everything :-) Posted: 4:14 pm on August 11th

tomsculpture writes: I see it was ID'ed but I thought it was a type of protea.
those are available in Valley Center in San Diego County, Ca
check out these water thrifty plants at:
www.californiaproteamgmt.com
Posted: 10:45 pm on August 10th

Happily_Gardening writes: Hi All,

It appears plant can be bought online, please see first link below...

http://www.provenwinners.com/plants/portulaca/maraca-portulaca-molokiniensis

Here's quick detail on Portulaca molokiniensis 'Ihi - Succulent shrub 1' tall & wide w/upright stems of rounded lvs & yellow flwrs. Sun/light shade. Well drained soil. Occasioanl summer H20. Hardy to 25F.

Below links offer info/details about plant...

http://www.thelittlegrassshack.com/Molokini_Ihi.htm


http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=3684

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=POMO15

Posted: 8:28 pm on August 10th

mgervais writes: Happily_Gardening, I think you've got it! Portulaca molokiniensis seems like a good match. But WOW, I cannot find a source for it online... I'm rarely stumped for a source, darnit!

Butterfly leaf plant is giving me just as much trouble... I think I've lost my plant sourcing mojo! :-( Posted: 3:06 pm on August 10th

sheilaschultz writes: Butterfly Leaf Plant... what a perfect name for a very cool plant, and I'm crazy about the succulent. Once I get a source, I can definitely see these plants in my containers! Posted: 1:18 pm on August 10th

Happily_Gardening writes: Is the first plant a Portulaca Molokiniensis or perhaps a relative of?
Gosh it sure is unique and beautiful...would love to add that to my succulent garden.
Posted: 11:50 am on August 10th

pattyspencer writes: I love those! Too bad I'll never find them in my local nursery! Thanks for sharing!! Posted: 7:17 am on August 10th

JulieBW writes: I found a story about this plant at this link: http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/life/comments/butterfly-leaf-plant-the-story-plus-happy-photo-intermissions

Botanical name is Christia obcordata. It is an annual for most of us, but a perennial in its native Philippines. Posted: 6:35 am on August 10th

Deanneart writes: Wonderful and different plants. Sorry but I can't help with the ID on the succulent. What a beauty!
Posted: 6:12 am on August 10th

erasmuse writes: Not sure what the first one is but the second is Christia Obcordata or Butterfly Leaf Plant. Very aptly named and beautiful! Posted: 5:09 am on August 10th

flutersmom writes: They are simply stunning! I really hope you can ID/source them - I would definitely love to add them to my garden! Posted: 3:12 am on August 10th

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