A large group of plants which provide brilliant spring, summer and
fall color in our landscape is the Apocynaceae family, known more
commonly as dogwort or vinca.
By far the most popular plants in this family are the vinca-periwinkle
annuals, and the oleanders. Periwinkles are used a lot for plant color
in summer beds, and oleanders – which are mostly evergreen shrubs –
supply a great show of summer color and can lend a tropical feeling
to the landscape.
Below are a few ideas for some other plants in this family. Many per-
form well in our intense summer heat. However remember they’re
tropical and need protection in our winters.
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Plumeria
This is also known as frangipani. It’s most famous as the flower used
to make leis in Hawaii. They have leafless stems up to 2 inches thick
with long slender leaves mostly at the tips. In Australia they are called
dead man’s fingers because of their stems’ leafless appearance and
color.
Their flower color ranges from white to pink, yellow, and red. They
are most fragrant during the evening and night to lure insect pollin-
ators. And they are incredibly fragrant. I’ve kept a variety for years
that I call piña colada because of its heavy coconut scent.
For gardeners they are easy to propagate from sections of their stems.
Just take a section, and allow the ends to dry or form callouses be-
fore sticking them into good potting soil.
In the warm time of the year they will root in a few weeks and begin
to grow a new top. Protection in the winter can be minimal. Just keep
them above freezing. They can last through the winter in a garage or
a cold room. When they have gone leafless and dormant, remember
to keep them dry.
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Butterfly weed
This is one of the leading butterfly attractors in our central Texas
landscape. This perennial plant grows to 3 to 4 feet and has beau-
tiful orange and red flowers. They are an important source of nectar
for bees and butterflies, and a food source for the larvae of monarch
butterflies. Luckily for us gardeners, they bear their seed in pods
that can be easily saved. The seeds have silky filaments, which are
spread by the wind. This wonderful plant will begin showing up
everywhere in your garden.
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Mandevilla
This vine, in the periwinkle family, can develop spectacular flowers
in the heat of summer. Full sun is what they like best. One gardening
manual I came across said 110 degrees and full sun is okay. Mande-
villa is available in white, yellow, pink, and red. One of the largest
flower varieties is called Alice Dupont, a pink form. This pretty vine
is native to Central and South America. The genus was named after
Henry Mandeville (1773-1861), a British diplomat and gardener.
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Allamanda,
Also known as buttercup flower, this is a native of Central America.
This shiny green-leafed shrub will grow to 3 feet and adds a tropical
look to the landscape. Often it is used around swimming pools to add
a splash of color.
It can be found in white, purple, yellow, pink, and orange. This bush
needs protection in the winter. It can be easily grown as a pot or tub
plant and brought in when the temperature drops.
For those who like to collect unusual house plants, look for desert rose
(Adenium obesum) and Madagascar palm (Pachypodium lameri).
These unusual and exotic house plants, both within the dogwort family,
are easy to grow and make for showy, conversation pieces.
Happy Gardening Everyone!
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