From my list of 99 or so viable plants for this year’s exhibit, there are a few surprising standouts that I plan to use. They either have grown remarkably well or they have a real tropical flavor. Some of these plants (like the “polka-dot plant) are shunned by classy gardeners but if you look at them with a miniaturist eye, they seem just right. Here are some of the plant I am almost certain I will use.
Dwarf Golden Japanese Sweet Flag (ACORUS GRAMINEUS PUSILLUS ‘MINIMUS AUREUS’) ) This is growing well this year, as opposed to last year when I killed every one.
Begonia (BEGONIA ‘SPRINGFIELD QUEEN’) A baby Begonia is starting to peek through from under the leaf. I have cut so many leaves from my begonias because the rooting of them has been so successful.
Emerald Cushion, Astroturf (BOLAX GUMMIFER) By separating these from their original, dead-looking cluster, I have developed some nice-looking individual plants.
Weeping Brown Sedge (CAREX FLAGELLIFERA ‘TOFFEE TWIST’) I have these growing in several places under different conditions. They seem to thrive on neglect.
Spider Plant (CHLOROPHYTUM COMOSUM ‘VITTATUM’) Spider Plant babies grow too large if they are taken off the mother plant too soon. So I am waiting until the show is closer before snipping any more babies for rooting.
Oak-Leaf Fig (FICUS PUMILA ‘QUERCIFOLIA’) Growing nicely and starting to look like a real ivy plant.
Creeping Charlie (GLECHOMA HEDERACEA) Not surprisingly, the Creeping Charlie is going strong and has not gotten too large.
Polka-Dot Plant (HYPOESTES PHYLLOSTACHYA ‘PINK SPLASH SELECT’ and ‘WHITE SPLASH SELECT’) These Polka-Dot plants look very topical and the small leaves are ideal. I have them in three different colors.
Duckweed (LEMNA MINOR) My son was using this plant in a science experiment and when I saw it I just knew I had to use it.
Lemon Balm (MELISSA OFFICINALIS) The lemon balm seedlings unfortunately got too big to use in the show.
Catnip (NEPETA CATARIA) I never knew what catnip looked like. I found this plant in a pet shop. In case it gets too big, I have started some seed which hopefully will grow in time.
Blood Sorrel (RUMEX SANGUINEUS SANGUINEUS) Although many of the plants I grew from seed collected in my garden have since died, some are coming back strong from rogue seeds or re-sproutings.
African Violet (SAINTPAULIA ‘PRIVATE DANCER’) I love the little baby plants growing on the edge of this African Violet
Flower Show Miniature Settings 