John&Jacq~s Garden

Posted by Jacqueline on April 1st, 2013

Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’ (Sprengeri/Sprenger’s Asparagus Fern, Asparagus/Emerald Fern, Basket Asparagus) Though commonly known as a ‘fern’ because of its delicate fern-like leaves, this beautiful ornamental asparagus is not in any way related to it. Instead, Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’ belongs to the Lily family, and is much easier to grow than ferns that are fragile and quite [...]

Posted by Jacqueline on May 29th, 2012

Agave desmettiana ‘Variegata’ (Dwarf Variegated Agave, Variegated Smooth Agave, Variegated Smooth Century Plant) This variegated form of Agave desmettiana is obviously more charming than the typical non-variegated species. An elegant medium-sized succulent shrub, Agave desmettiana ‘Variegata’ showcases bright green to blueish-green leaves with creamy to golden-yellow variegation along the margins. Simply enchanting! We were excited [...]

Posted by Jacqueline on November 8th, 2011

Clitoria ternatea (Butterfly Pea, Blue Pea Vine, Asian Pigeonwings) Clitoria ternatea is another of the many captivating twining climbers that are popularly used for covering the fence or train on a trellis, arbor or archway. A perennial vine that is free flowering all year round, with an abundance of attractive deep blue blossoms dotting its [...]

Posted by Jacqueline on October 30th, 2011

Costus woodsonii (Red Button Ginger, Scarlet Spiral Flag, Red Cane, Panamanian Candle Ginger, Dwarf French Kiss) This stunning and colourful plant that displays exotic and vibrant red torpedo-shaped inflorescences, rising above a sea of lush green foliage as if ready to be launched into space, is definitely an attention grabber and demands notice. No wonder [...]

Posted by Jacqueline on October 25th, 2011

Calathea lutea (Cigar Calathea, Cuban/Havana Cigar, Pampano) Weren’t you surprised that these majestically tall plants, up to 3 meters in height, with green and unpatterned foliage bears the name, Calathea lutea? We definitely were as most calatheas not only have beautifully patterned and variegated leaves but are rather dwarfish (about 60 cm) in stature, unlike [...]

Posted by Jacqueline on October 14th, 2011

Cheilocostus speciosus; syn: Costus speciosus (Spiral Ginger, Crepe Ginger, White costus, Cane Reed) Free-flowering Cheilocostus speciosus (its current accepted name) is one of the most attractive and well-known cultivated species of the genus Cheilocostus. A lovely clustering plant with tall reed-like stems that are topped with large snowy-white and crepe-textured flowers on terminal cones. These [...]

Posted by Jacqueline on August 30th, 2011

Hemigraphis alternata (Red Flame Ivy, Red Ivy, Cemetary Plant, Metal-leaf) An attractive and colourful low-creeping herb that’s sure to draw one’s attention, especially mine! I do admit to being a sucker for just about any plant with variegated leaves! We were somewhat mesmerized when we first sighted those lovely ground-cover plants, less than two years [...]

Posted by Jacqueline on June 28th, 2011

Alternanthera ficoidea (Joseph’s Coat, Parrot Leaf, Calico Plant, Sanguinarea) Simply gorgeous! A non-stop riot of fall colours greeting us each day ever since we planted these dazzling Alternanthera ficoidea plants as ground covers in our garden beds last March! Being in tropical Malaysia, we do not have the joy of watching the autumnal turning of [...]