Arum italicum var. pictum, Italian Arum, Araceae

Genus and species: 
Arum italicum var. pictum
Common Name: Italium Arum
Family Name: Araceae

This plant is an interesting one. The foliage happens all winter, and flowers happen in the summer. It loves shade, and as a member of the Araceae family, the flowers are shaped like Jack and the pulpit.

Photos taken March 14, 2012 at Virginia Tech in the Hahn Horticulture Gardens.

Plant Walk 1

This is the start of plants learned from our first walk--no general category for these, so just keep up!

~Amaal Alsharkawi

Herbaceous II!

It's Spring and there's a new list of plants for this time of year. Here's to what's to come!

Cheers!
~Amaal Alsharkawi

Cyperis alternifolius, Umbrella Plant, Cyperaceae

Genus and species: Cyperis alternifolius
Common Name: Umbrella Plant
Family Name: Cyperaceae
Zone: 8-11

This aquatic plant has triangular stems terminating in lovely soft blooms. It also grows up to 5' tall! You can grow it in moist, regular garden soil, or in water 3" deep. It is tropical, however, not perennial.

Photos taken September 17, 2011 at Virginia Tech in the Hahn Horticulture Gardens.

Aquatic and Marginal Plants plus a few perennials

We will now delve into aquatic plants.

Cheers!
~Amaal Alsharkawi

Yucca filamentosa, Yucca or Adam's Needle, Agavaceae

Genus and species: Yucca filamentosa

Common Name: Yucca or Adam's Needle
Family Name: Agavaceae
Zone:4-9

This plant likes full sun but can tolerate part-shade. It likes well-drained soil. It grows to be about 2'-3' in height and width and is a clump full of glaucous evergreen foliage which threads at the edges. This plant also blooms white flowers on 3'-8' stems in July-August.

Photos taken September 17, 2011 at Virginia Tech in the Hahn Horticulture Gardens.

Sporobolus heterolepis, Prairie Dropseed, Poaceae

Genus and species: Sporobolus heterolepis
Common Name: Prairie Dropseed
Family Name: Poaceae
Zone: 2-9

This is a warm season grass that has fine, billowing foliage. It can be compared to beads on a wire. It grows 2'-3' tall and about 2' wide. It is very tough, drought-tolerant, and has great fall color!

Photo taken September 17, 2011 at Virginia Tech in the Hahn Horticulture Gardens.