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Feb 8, 2010: Pandanus tectorius
Feb 8, 2008:
Sclerochiton odoratissimus
Feb 8, 2007:
Hakea epiglottis
Feb 8, 2006:
Eurya japonica
May 15, 2009 : Petunia patagonica
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Plant Family / Families: Solanaceae
Scientific Name and Author: Petunia patagonica (Speg.) Millán
Institution: E.H. Lohbrunner Alpine Garden (Trough Courtyard), UBC Botanical Garden
Accession Number: 036461-0167-2002
Name Location: Vancouver, BC Canada
Todays photos were taken by Randal Mindell, a botanist working on a special collections project at UBCBG. The text was written by Brent Hine, Curator, E.H. Lohbrunner Alpine Garden.
Patagonia is a large place, covering southernmost Chile and Argentina. To me it conjures images of big skies, steppe lands and dry air. As it really is, Patagonia is much more, including Andes mountains and temperate rainforest similar to our own. Petunias belong in the Solanaceae, which is well represented in South America. This diverse family includes useful, delicious (tomato, potato) and occasionally toxic plants.
Nothing at all like the overused, abused annual Petunia × hybrida of North American hanging baskets, this evergreen shrub has evolved to handle bright light and incessant wind, developing its mound form and tiny leaves. Petunia patagonica looks so right in its natural, spartan surroundings, seen in this photo from the Jardin botanique alpin du Lautaret's photostream on Flickr.
And just as easy as it is (and necessary) to constantly fertilize annual petunias, this one needs no coddling. Feeding it would be killing with kindess. It is encouraged here in the rainy northwest climate by growing it in a trough of gravelly soil, where excess water drains away readily. Flowering prolifically when well grown, our outdoor specimen now sports a dozen or so flowers, more curious than beautiful to behold. This display is quite an achievement in seven years of cultivation, though honestly it is much more a testament to the plant's powers of persistence than this gardener's skills!
Posted by Eric La Fountaine at May 15, 2009 1:12 PM
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Posted by: Deo at May 15, 2009 2:40 PM
What an interesting petunia. It reminded me of an old glaze-cracked tea pot I have. I don't use it, because the thing might break, but it is pretty with the cracks in the pottery work.
How wonderful for nature to follow art, for a change. Just kidding.
Posted by: Sue in Bremerton at May 15, 2009 3:51 PM
More great photos, and interesting text.
Posted by: Annie Morgan at May 15, 2009 4:35 PM
thank you
delightful write up tis winter
down south how does it winter over
Posted by: elizabeth a airhart at May 15, 2009 5:35 PM
Thanks for carrying on for us, Eric. It's a lovely thing to find in my mailbox.
Posted by: Jackie at May 15, 2009 5:36 PM
I never thought I'd meet a petunia I like, but that plant is beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Shelley at May 15, 2009 6:20 PM
I'm speechless and enchanted.
Posted by: Eric in SF at May 15, 2009 7:44 PM
Elizabeth, I'm quite sure it would have problems overwintering down south (eg. Florida). Hot days might not be too taxing (though humidity probably would) but warm winters almost certainly. Strong seasonal temperature variation in its natural habitat probably contribute to flowering.
Posted by: Brent at May 19, 2009 7:46 AM
Please share your comments about the photograph(s) and accompanying write-up. Telling a story about the subject of the photograph(s) is also much appreciated! If you have a gardening question, the best place to ask is on the UBC Botanical Garden Forums. Thank you!
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Botany Photo of the Day and associated images by UBC Botanical Garden staff are licensed under a Creative Commons License. Images and text by non-UBC contributors are copyright the respective photographers / authors (but often have Creative Commons licenses if contributed via Flickr).
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Botany Photo of the Day is a project of the UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research, located in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada. UBC BGCPR is a department of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems within The University of British Columbia.
My husband and I just visited your alpine garden last Friday and the sweet petunia wasn't blooming. However, we loved the alpine garden with all its wonderful and varied plant life.