Released Dec. 19, 2007
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Some houseplants flower on and off all year including winter, when colorful blossoms are most welcome around the house.
If you are looking for a special gift for someone who loves indoor plants, Ross Penhallegon, home horticulturist with the Oregon State University Extension Service, suggests the following houseplants as great gifts because of their proclivity for flowering during many parts of the year:
- "Shrimp plant" or Beloperone is an easy-to-grow shrubby plant that has salmon-colored, prawn-shaped flowers at the end of arching stems. Needs warm days, cool nights, and a sunny window.
- "Yesterday, today and tomorrow plant" or Brunfelsia is a slow-growing evergreen shrub (to two feet tall). Flower clusters start out purple, fade to pale violet, then to white. Like semi-shade in summer, well-lit spot in winter. Does not like sudden temperature changes.
- African violets will bloom on sunny windowsills with as little as two hours of sun per day.
- Wax Begonia needs only two hours of sun per day.
- Cape Primrose, if grown with supplemental light, will bloom virtually all year.
- Impatiens can be grown from cuttings of plants grown outside in the summer or purchased. Will bloom indoors under artificial light.
- Lantana blooms all year in a window with good sun exposure.
- Lobelia blooms all year in a window with good sun exposure.
- Firecracker vine blooms periodically through the year in a window with good sun exposure.
- Oxalis, Hoya and Peace lilies are all easy to care for plants that will reward your efforts with an occasional bloom.
"Also, for year-round color, don't ignore the flowering pot plants that have been forced into bud in the greenhouse and can be brought home to burst into color," said Penhallegon. "For example, you can get chrysanthemums anytime of the year. They sure cheer things up in January."
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http://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/story.php?S_No=1015&storyType=garden
Contact: Ross Penhallegon, (541) 682-4243
Carol Savonen, (541) 737-3380
