Plant Highlights
March
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Blechnum appendiculatum
hammock fern, palm fern
Highlight Month:
March
Nativity:
SE United States and American West Indies
Growth Habit:
This clumping fern spreads underground via rhizomes and forms a dense groundcover up to 2 feet tall. It displays striking pink new fronds in the spring.
Growing Requirements:
Blechnum appendiculatum grows best in partial sun to full shade, in moist soil. It makes an excellent ground cover.
Features:
This fern has long been misidentified as Blechnum occidentale in cultivation and the correct identification for this species is B. appendiculatum due to the presence of hairs on the rachis underside. Species in the genus Blechnum can easily be recognized by the presence of bar-like sori that run parallel to the costae (midvein) of each individual pinna (leaflet).
Where at Lotusland:
Blechnum appendiculatum is planted throughout the Fern Garden and in the Lower Bromeliad Garden.
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Euphorbia lambii
tree euphorbia
Highlight Month:
March
Nativity:
Euphorbia lambii is a semi-succulent species native to the island of La Gomera in the Canary Islands.
Growth Habit:
Initially growing as a single trunk, it quickly branches to form a shrub/small tree reaching 6-10’ tall with attractive “pom-pom” clusters of blue-green leaves. In early spring, small lime green cupped bracts develop and bear multiple small flowers in a unique structure called a cyathium. This plant will likely spread in the garden unless the seeds are removed before fully developing.
Growing Requirements:
This species grows best in full sun to part-shade with some supplemental water during the active growing season. It tolerates a wide range of soil types and light frost.
Features:
Recent genetic analysis has revealed E. lambii (sometimes called Euphorbia lambiorum) to be synonymous with E. bourgaeana, a smaller growing species native to Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands.
Where at Lotusland:
Euphorbia lambii can be found along the Euphorbia side of the Main Drive near the entrance to the Palmetum.
