Calling all botanists, gardeners, and other plant lovers, can you please help us identify the flowers below? We could really use your assistance for this homeschool science project.
My son has started a unit on plant biology where his first assignment was to collect flowers in our garden so that he could compare how they differed from the book diagram of a typical flower. Out of this collection, he selected three to sketch, describe, and identify.
Pure Gold
The first flower that he chose was easy to identify as a Stella De Oro Daylily since it’s one of the most commonly found daylilies at area nurseries, or at least it was when I was still into gardening. When we moved into our home, few flowers marred the undulating expanse of lawn. These golden powerhouses put up a good fight to add color and life to the landscape, and they survived no matter how little love they received. Since then, they’ve been divided, shared, and replanted throughout the yard. And as they bloom continuously, spring through fall, it’s no wonder that one ended up in the collection.
An Odd Survivor
The second flower he chose came from a shrub that has seen better days. Originally, this Rose of Sharon was one of the foundation plantings that had to go when we pulled out the concrete walk and replaced it with a flagstone path. The shrub was taller than me and the root ball almost didn’t fit into the wheel barrow. I think we even hacked at the root ball to knock off some of the heavy dirt. The plant has been in its new location for several years, but it’s only just beginning to produce flowers.
At the time of the move, I confirmed that it was a Rose of Sharon because it still had the tag, but I don’t remember the specific cultivar. My son went through a list describing various cultivars, but he couldn’t place it. With it’s multiple petals, it’s not your run of the mill Rose of Sharon. If you know it’s specific name, please share!
Mystery Plant
The third plant that he chose appeared in our garden without an invitation. It might be a weed, or not. The flower is a bright shade of orange in an odd cornucopia-like shape that probably could be better described by someone who knows a lot more about flowers than I do. I have a sneaking suspicion that I’ve asked for an identification before, and might even have received it. If she told me already (you know who you are), I’m sorry, but I just can’t remember. What is this?
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
#2 looks like the flowers on the shrubs we have across the back of our small garden, does well in sun but will survive in heavy shade. The nursery I got them from called them Double Altheas and I was told they were “a cousin” to Rose of Sharon. I have no idea if that’s really accurate, of course, but that’s what we call ours.
Thank you, Sarah! When you gave me the name, I was able to confirm it online:
Hibiscus syriacus ‘Amplissimus’
ALTHEA ‘AMPLISSIMUS RED DOUBLE
http://www.soonerplantfarm.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=plants.plantDetail&plant_id=1239
Your yellow-orange plant has the common name “jewel weed” I believe. If it is, then the seed pods have the really cool property of bursting when you touch them. I just checked and it sure looks like Impatiens capensis to me. Grows in wet areas.
Good luck with the project.
Roberta´s last [type] ..Bug of the Week- California Sister Butterfly
I looked up Impatiens Capensis, and I believe that you’re right. It makes sense too because it’s growing in a wet area. Thank you, Roberta!
Just learned about a very useful property of Jewel Weed:
It’s “well loved for it’s ability to wipe away poison ivy toxins prior to reaction. If someone has been subbing in poison ivy and realizes it they can split the stem of the jewel weed and rub the fluid on their skin reducing the possibility of reacting to the poison ivy considerably! Since Jewel weed is always associated with moisture I think you could just as easily wash off!”