Aesculus x carnea
The showy red horsechestnut Aesculus x carnea is a natural hybrid between horsechestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) and red bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus pavia) that was discovered in Germany in the 1800's. It was a very lucky accident! The tree blooms a this time of year and and makes a memorable sight if you're lucky enough to see one in bloom. Read more about the red chestnut, a slow-growing ornamental shade tree that grows in USDA Zones4-8.

'Twist and Shout' Hydrangea
This lacecap type bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla.) is a member of the 'Everlasting Summer' collection. The hydrangeas will be blooming soon here in Kentucky. The nice thing about the 'Everlasting' varieties is that they continue to have bursts of bloom throughout the season rather than just in spring. Download large versions of this and other images from the Bigleaf Hydrangea Wallpaper Gallery

Visit the Wallpaper Browser page to see more than 1,400 larger format (800x600px) plant images. Links to these images are also present in the title area of each Plant Profile.

Part 65
This is the final posting of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii series. We thank Bruce for allowing Floridata to publish this extensive survey of flowering plant species found in the Hawaiian Islands. Bruce will be be updating this series periodically and the pages will be enhanced and re-formatted when we launch Floridata v.3 (sometime in May I hope!). Click to read Part 65 or here for the menu and series introduction.

Butterfly Gallery

Visit Floridata's Resource and Articles page.

Pawpaw Blossom
There is a pawpaw (Asimina triloba) tree growing at the edge of a pond on the path where I walk my dog every day. It's in full bloom now and covered with small bell-shaped flowers that hang straight down from the branches.

Pawpaw Blossom
I took this "ant's eye" view of one of the blossoms. They are small and leathery and kind of weird but very beautiful and very interesting. The ones that manage to mature into fruit will be very delicious. Visit the Pawpaw Wallpaper Gallery to download these and other images in large format (800x600px) and read the Pawpaw Profile here.

Bignonia capreolata
Hummingbirds are fast and furious adding action and drama to the garden. They are my favorite birds and are hugely entertaining when observed from the comfort of a lawn chair with a cool refreshment in hand. The trumpet creeper is one of the best plants for attracting hummers. It is a large aggressive vine and not recommended for small spaces but the hummingbirds love it because it blooms throughout the summer.

More species to help transform your garden into a home for hummers:
beebalm (Monarda didyma)
calliopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria)
chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus)
coralbean (Erythrina herbacea)
larkspur (Consolida ajacis)
lion's ear (Leonotus leonurus)
nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
pineapple sage (Salvia elegans)
sundrops (Oenothera fruticosa)
Texas red sage (Salvia coccinea)
wishbone flower (Torenia fournieri)
Mexican zinnia (Zinnia haageana) zinnia (Zinnia elegans)

See more species in the Plants that Attract Hummingbirds list.

Lemon Balm
This herb has been grown for centuries and used by herbalist to cure ills and heal wounds. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is also reported to "renew youth, strengthen the brain, relieve languishing nature and prevent baldness". I'm going to plant some because I feel a need to languish less.

More herbs that may not renew youth but they do taste good:
basil (Ocimum basilicum)
chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)
dill (Anethum graveolens)
Florence fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
oregano (Origanum vulgare)
parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
peppermint (Mentha X piperita)
rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis)
sage (Salvia officinalis)
sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana)
stevia (Stevia rebaudiana)

Grow Shiitakes!