What's blooming now?

Brugmansia sp. I got this plant as a cutting when I visited San Francisco in January. It has surprised me by flowering so soon after growing roots. Brugmansia is a tree from South America in the Datura family. A full tree might have 50 - 100 of these blooms hanging down at one time. You cannot let the roots freeze, but they do go dormant in cool weather and can be stored in a an unheated basement. I put mine in the greenhouse and water very little during the winter.

Another small tree from the greenhouse is Feijoa or the pineapple guava (Acca sellowiana.) Native to so the southern Brazil mountains, this fruit is starting to be grown in the San Diego region for market. Occasionally you can find the fruits at a specialty grocer. Feijoa usually ripens around November/December in warm areas. This is the first time mine have flowered, so we will see what happens this fall.

Distantly related to the pineapple guava is the strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum) also from Brazil. I have has this bush for two years and this is the first flowering.

Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) These can be tough to grow in the Twin Cities because of our soil conditions and harsh winters. Check the U of M extension site for species that do best here. Before planting, add a soil acidifier and mix well. It will be tough to add this later because blueberry roots are very shallow and you wil disturb them if you break up the ground.

Blue flowered ornamental onion (Allium azureum) with yellow lilies behind.

Beautiful! Love the web site.

Hey Preston - these are beautiful! I'm filled with green garden envy. I'd love to see some pictures of your greenhouse, and how the tropical plants are doing in there. Any bananas?

Two Gardening Thumbs Up!

Marianne Combs
MPR Arts Reporter and Books Forum Host