Botany Photo of the Day Submissions Thu, 12 Mar 2026 22:10:14 +0000 Thu, 12 Mar 2026 22:10:14 +0000 UBC Botanical Garden Forums https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/botany-photo-of-the-day-submissions.190/ Mon, 29 Jan 2024 03:08:40 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/myrciaria-cauliflora-jaboticaba-or-brazilian-grape-tree.96388/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/myrciaria-cauliflora-jaboticaba-or-brazilian-grape-tree.96388/ invalid@example.com (pmurphy) pmurphy An interesting fact about this tree is that it produces edible fruit on the trunk and must shred the bark before it can do so (the tree in the photo is about 4 ft tall and starting to shed)

View attachment 168761]]> 11 Sat, 24 Apr 2021 00:10:08 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/akebia-quinata-chocolate-vine.96405/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/akebia-quinata-chocolate-vine.96405/ invalid@example.com (pmurphy) pmurphy View attachment 168791

The chocolate vine is a vigorous zone 5a perennial vine that does well in full sun to part shade. It produces large edible fruit that will split open in late summer/early fall when ripe, revealing what has been described by people as a "seedy slug". As weird as it may appear the flavor is mild and tastes similar to tapioca.

This will give you an idea as to how large the fruit actually is.....
View attachment 168792]]> 8 Thu, 19 Nov 2020 05:35:24 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/digitalis-purpurea.98122/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/digitalis-purpurea.98122/ invalid@example.com (Nik) Nik Some are Digitalis purpurea f. albiflora.
Flowers are produced in the second year. In the first year only a basal rosette of leaves develops, and they overwinter as evergreen.]]> 8 Sun, 13 Sep 2020 13:07:28 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/lobelia-cardinalis.98956/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/lobelia-cardinalis.98956/ invalid@example.com (Nik) Nik 15 Sat, 29 Aug 2020 03:14:50 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/kirengeshoma-palmata-yellow-wax-bells.96080/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/kirengeshoma-palmata-yellow-wax-bells.96080/ invalid@example.com (pmurphy) pmurphy View attachment 168048

This 24-36" zone 5b perennial plant prefers partial to full shade.]]> 4 Thu, 18 Jun 2020 15:25:58 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/rhododendron.98128/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/rhododendron.98128/ invalid@example.com (Nik) Nik Individual flowers are approximately 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. I have to trim it every year after flowering, because my husband always complains that it is getting too big. It was there when we bought the house, and I don’t have the willpower to get rid of it. It always puts on a show for a couple of weeks in late spring.]]> 2 Sat, 13 Jun 2020 17:11:07 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/kalmia-latifolia.98126/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/kalmia-latifolia.98126/ invalid@example.com (Nik) Nik Evergreen shrub or a small tree, with branch structure that resembles old specimens of the dissectum forms of Japanese maples. This is the wild type form, but there are numerous hybrids.]]> 2 Thu, 30 Apr 2020 14:27:20 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/rhododendron-neriiflorum-var-neriiflorum-%E2%80%98rosevallon%E2%80%99.97679/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/rhododendron-neriiflorum-var-neriiflorum-%E2%80%98rosevallon%E2%80%99.97679/ invalid@example.com (bigmig) bigmig Fri, 29 Nov 2019 04:02:16 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/banksia-serrata.96839/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/banksia-serrata.96839/ invalid@example.com (Puddleton) Puddleton Grows to 4ish metres.
Sydney, Australia]]> Wed, 11 Sep 2019 16:28:07 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/clerodendrum-trichotomum-%E2%80%98golden-glory%E2%80%99-golden-glory-bower.96303/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/clerodendrum-trichotomum-%E2%80%98golden-glory%E2%80%99-golden-glory-bower.96303/ invalid@example.com (pmurphy) pmurphy This particular specimen was special ordered from Cistus Nursery in Oregon back in 2013 and then shipped here through Phoenix Perennials.

View attachment 168534]]> 12 Sat, 17 Aug 2019 21:18:31 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/hibiscus-mosheutos-%E2%80%98luna-pink-swirl%E2%80%99-swamp-rose-mallow-aka-hardy-hibiscus.96203/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/hibiscus-mosheutos-%E2%80%98luna-pink-swirl%E2%80%99-swamp-rose-mallow-aka-hardy-hibiscus.96203/ invalid@example.com (pmurphy) pmurphy View attachment 168348

A zone 5a wetland perennial that prefers full sun. This plant will grow up to 3 ft tall in the Vancouver area, where it will die back to the roots each year before reappearing in early to mid-summer. The saucer size flowers are great for attracting butterflies and bees.....as well as giving a great tropical look to any garden.]]> 3 Sat, 10 Aug 2019 19:00:04 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/sarracenia-flava-yellow-pitcher-plant.96150/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/sarracenia-flava-yellow-pitcher-plant.96150/ invalid@example.com (pmurphy) pmurphy View attachment 168214 View attachment 168215

A zone 5a perennial bog plant native to the south-eastern US . It grows best in full sun and will reach heights of up to 36". The pitchers themselves are unusual but when they flower you wonder if they belong to the same plant.]]> Fri, 09 Aug 2019 23:07:42 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/chelone-lyonii-hot-lips-pink-turtlehead.96147/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/chelone-lyonii-hot-lips-pink-turtlehead.96147/ invalid@example.com (pmurphy) pmurphy View attachment 168212

A 24 - 36"tall zone 3a perennial plant that prefers light shade to partial shade.]]> Thu, 08 Aug 2019 21:28:36 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/callianthe-megapotamica-trailing-abutilon.96145/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/callianthe-megapotamica-trailing-abutilon.96145/ invalid@example.com (pmurphy) pmurphy View attachment 168202

Also accepted as Abutilon Megapotamicum, this unique zone 8b flowering shrub will grow up to 8ft and will accept full sun to part shade.
In Vancouver it is considered tender (if it can be found) but it can overwinter outside if kept dry and frost-free. It will die back but then re-grow from the roots in late spring before flowering around mid-August.]]> Mon, 05 Aug 2019 17:48:03 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/abutilon-x-hybridum-%E2%80%98roseus%E2%80%99-flowering-maple.96107/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/abutilon-x-hybridum-%E2%80%98roseus%E2%80%99-flowering-maple.96107/ invalid@example.com (pmurphy) pmurphy View attachment 168096
A zone 9a shrub growing up to 4 ft and preferring full sun to part shade.
Although usually grown and sold as an annual or houseplant in Vancouver it can survive the winter outside if kept dry and frost-free; it will die back before regrowing in late spring.]]> Sun, 04 Aug 2019 20:16:34 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/hedychium-densiflorum-hardy-ginger-lily.96104/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/hedychium-densiflorum-hardy-ginger-lily.96104/ invalid@example.com (pmurphy) pmurphy View attachment 168088

Growing up to 36" this plant prefers light shade. And although listed as a zone 8b tender perennial it has continued to re-appear and spread in my garden every year, since it was planted in 2011, without any winter protection.
I suspect the cultivar to be 'Assam Orange' but have been unable to confirm.]]> Sat, 03 Aug 2019 19:34:25 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/cornus-mas-cornelian-cherry.96099/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/cornus-mas-cornelian-cherry.96099/ invalid@example.com (pmurphy) pmurphy View attachment 168080
A zone 4a deciduous tree that prefers full sun, it will reach heights of up to 25 ft. In March it produces yellow flowers followed by tasty, sweet red fruits by mid to late summer. They are also known as 'edible dogwood'.]]> Fri, 02 Aug 2019 22:03:36 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/billardiera-longiflora-climbing-blueberry-aka-purple-appleberry.96093/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/billardiera-longiflora-climbing-blueberry-aka-purple-appleberry.96093/ invalid@example.com (pmurphy) pmurphy View attachment 168065

A zone 7a perennial vine that will grow up to 8ft and prefers full sun to part shade. It produces small pale yellow-green flowers but I believe it is the fruit that will get your attention and makes it worth planting.
Whether the fruit is edible is debatable but I find them very pithy and bland.]]> Wed, 31 Jul 2019 21:46:52 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/albizia-julibrissin-persian-silk-tree-aka-mimosa-tree.96072/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/albizia-julibrissin-persian-silk-tree-aka-mimosa-tree.96072/ invalid@example.com (pmurphy) pmurphy View attachment 168012
A 30-40 ft deciduous tree hardy to zone 6a.

The tag on this one was listed as 'summer chocolate' when I bought it but, except for a few leaves that take on a darker tone during the summer, the leaves maintain their green color so I think it was mislabeled.]]> Wed, 31 Jul 2019 02:11:42 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/hibiscus-syriacus-marina-rose-of-sharon.96060/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/hibiscus-syriacus-marina-rose-of-sharon.96060/ invalid@example.com (pmurphy) pmurphy View attachment 167958

Also known as 'blue satin', this zone 5a deciduous shrub will grow up to 10ft and will easily self-seed in the right conditions.]]> 1 Sun, 28 Jul 2019 17:43:06 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/hippophae-rhamnoides-sea-buckthorn-aka-sea-berry.96043/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/hippophae-rhamnoides-sea-buckthorn-aka-sea-berry.96043/ invalid@example.com (pmurphy) pmurphy View attachment 167901

An 8 - 10 ft zone 3a deciduous shrub that produces edible berries rich in vitamins A, C and E (among other things). This plant freely suckers so be sure to contain it, and it also has long lance like thorns so care must be taken when working around it]]> 2 Tue, 23 Jul 2019 21:57:34 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/eucomis-bicolor-variegated-pineapple-lily.96009/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/eucomis-bicolor-variegated-pineapple-lily.96009/ invalid@example.com (pmurphy) pmurphy View attachment 167812

A zone 8a perennial bulb that prefers full sun and will grow 18 - 24" tall.]]> Mon, 22 Jul 2019 17:28:13 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/acanthocalycium-spiniflorus-violaceum.95988/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/acanthocalycium-spiniflorus-violaceum.95988/ invalid@example.com (pmurphy) pmurphy View attachment 167760

This zone 9b cactus will grow to 24" tall; it will grow here in Vancouver but must be kept dry (not necessarily warm) during the winters.]]> Sun, 21 Jul 2019 22:30:23 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/hesperantha-coccinea-kaffir-lily-aka-scarlet-river-lily.95984/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/hesperantha-coccinea-kaffir-lily-aka-scarlet-river-lily.95984/ invalid@example.com (pmurphy) pmurphy View attachment 167744

Growing up to 24" tall this zone 7a perennial requires full sun to light shade and consistently moist soil so it'll do great in ponds or water gardens.

* Hesperantha coccinea was previously, and sometimes still is, referred to as Schizostylis coccinea]]> Sat, 20 Jul 2019 05:53:38 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/syneilesis-aconitifolia-shredded-umbrella-plant.95955/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/syneilesis-aconitifolia-shredded-umbrella-plant.95955/ invalid@example.com (pmurphy) pmurphy View attachment 167684

An interesting zone 5a perennial that prefers full to part shade. The leaves of this plant will grow to 18 - 24" but in June or July it will send up a 36" tall flower stalk full of pinkish-white florets.]]> 3