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What Is This Beautiful Pink Flower

Ask the Expert: What is the name of this flower?

I’m trying to figure out what the name is of this beautiful pink flower. Katie

Plant Expert Reply:

Katie,

The flower is from the family of Malvaceae sometimes commonly known as the Mallow family. This family includes many genuses such as Alcea (hollyhock), Gossypium (cotton), Hibiscus, Malva (musk mallow), Lavatera trimestris (rose mallow), Callirhoe (poppy mallow) to name a few. In this case, I am not exactly sure which genus it belongs to. At first, based on the leaf I thought it was a type of Malva, but the bloom it looks more like a Callirhoe. So I did a little research and I think it is a type of rose mallow (Lavatera trimestris).

Hopefully one of the blog readers will have a better identification for us.

What are these plants from the Vizcaya Gardens in Miami?

Ask the Expert: What are these plants?

I’m unsure as to what these plants are, one I believe is a sedum/sempervivum. They are both from Vizcaya Gardens in Miami. Also are the two plants which looking very similar the same? One was in the shade and one in the sun which could explain the difference in colour on the edges of the leaves. Emma

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What Is This Uniquely-colored Houseplant?

Ask The Plant Expert:

Can you tell me the name of this plant, and the care required? Thanks, Nanci

Calathea Roseopicta aka Prayer plant Calathea Roseopicta aka Prayer plant

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Help! What Is This Red Fruit Vine From Fort Worth?

Ask the Expert: What is this vine?

I live in the Fort Worth TX area in the country. For the past 3 summers this vine has been growing along the fence near my entrance gate. It has been so dry here this year the leaves are yellow and turning brown instead of green as in previous years. But you can easily see the shape in these pics. And the fruit of course. It withers and dies before August. Each “fruit” contains many I-2mm seeds. Any idea what this is? –Ginny

Lindheimer's globeberry, Balsam gourd, Globe berry, Snake apple

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Help! What Is This Strange Flower?

Ask The Plant Expert:

These plants cropped up suddenly this spring in Franklin, MA in  several locations near hemlock trees. Never had them before. What are they? Looks like an orchid family plant to me.

This plant – actually there are several clusters of two each, in and area around the circumference of several hemlock trees – emerged in May and sent up a spikes of dozens of fuzzy flower buds in the days that followed. The flowers have only just now opened. The area is actually fairly dry. The hemlocks survive only because of a sprinkler system nearby. They provide shade to these plants part of the day. The area is a border and is heavily mulched. As I said, they weren’t planted and weren’t there last year —  they just appeared suddenly this year. Soil is poorly drained, heavy clay, acidic. – Michael

Epipactis Helleborine

Epipactis Helleborine Epipactis Helleborine

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Help! Why Is My Peace Lily Green, Not White?

Ask The Plant Expert:

Peace Lily CareMy Peace plant flower is green, it should be white. What does it need?

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

Could be a variety of things. What most people call the the bloom is actually called a spathe. This is sort of like a leaf and surrounds the spadix, which supports the actual flowers of the plant. The Spathes can range in color from a pure white to a pale whitish green.

Factors you can work with to achieve better blooms: humidity, water light and fertilizer. Giving the plant the proper humidity and water will help make the formation of leaves, spathes and flowers stronger. The right fertilizer and light will help with strength the color and structure of the plant. So, follow the care instructions for Peace Lilies (at the bottom). Hopefully this will change future spathes from green to white.

Hope this is helpful!


Help! What Is This Flowering Ground Cover?

Ask The Plant Expert:

What plant is this? Evergreen plant – ground cover? Yellow flowers – photo taken in mid winter. – Loan

Yellow Ground Cover

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Help! In What Hardiness Zone Can I Plant My Peace Lily Safely?

Ask The Plant Expert:

Can a Peace Lilly plant be planted outdoors? I received a peace lilly plant for Mothers Day. Would I be able to plant it outdoors in my flower bed, or is it strictly a house plant? – Mary

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Help! What Kind of Plant Is This?

Ask The Plant Expert:

“I got this plant from my grandpas funeral and I’m not sure what kind it is but I’d like to know so I can use proper care for it.” – Taylor

Plant Identification

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Help! Why Won’t My Christmas Cactus Bloom?

Ask The Expert:

“I have had this Christmas cactus for 15 years, it’s bloomed once. What am I doing wrong?” – Elizabeth

Christmas CactusFlower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

Elizabeth,

While you may think that temperature is a factor in blooming, daylight length is actually the key. Christmas cacti are triggered to bloom during short days. This can be achieved by placing the plant in a dark bedroom or by covering the plant for 15 or more hours a day. It may take up to a month to trigger the plant to produce bloom buds, but once the buds appear the plant can be returned to its usual viewing location. Remember to avoid extreme temperatures that would hinder bud release.

Click for more information on the Christmas Cactus.