pls help to finish it off

16 years ago

I planted hibiscus two months ago along the fence to accentuate our trellis, it started to bloom actually, but i dont stop pulling weeds, what can I plant under the hibiscus to reduce weeds and fill up the space?

i have a lot of these through the yard, they look nice under the plants but they are very invasive, i keep pulling them out so not these.

planted this in July (from seed/pods) not bad !

thse sprouted under the palms what is it?

and this?

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Comments (8)

SusieQsie_Fla
16 years ago
Hi Manila
I just learned about a ground cover called Dwarf Chenille; maybe someone can verify if it will crowd out the weeds for you under your hibiscus.
The plant that sprouted under your palm is some kind of Elephant Ear...I have some, too, some of it gets really gigantic!
The last photo is of a Draceana reflexa "Song of India". I've always wanted one and last year got one from Ricky. It's just beautiful now and I've been able to get a few cuttings to root and make new plants.

Susie
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manila
Original Author
16 years ago
thanks susie..i googled Dwarf Chenille.. its so pretty...but i havent seen them here. I live in the caribbean.. Oh so now i have Elephant Ears in my garden. I just started gardening last July 07 after my accident. and so far its getting to be addictive, esp. this forum.
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cindeea
16 years ago
Hey manila, nice to see you again. That yellow one , well is hard to tell. May be a cassia or yellow dwarf poinciana. I am leaning more to the Dwarf-also known as Pride of Barbados. It's the feathery tendrills pushing me in that direction. Does it have thorns?
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annafl
16 years ago
Hi Manila!

Your hibiscus are looking nice and healthy. Personally, I would consider not using a ground cover there that would compete with nutrients and water. I would just put thick layers of wet newspaper over the weeds (being careful not to disturb the soil at all, since that will just create more weeds), and cover with a good, thick layer of mulch. If you definitely want a ground cover, you might look around for dwarf chenille (altho it also has red flowers), blue daze, perennial peanut, and iresine or alternanthera. I think these all are compatible with the needs of the hibiscus (lots of sun and water).

The invasive plants you showed are oyster plants. The dwarf, variegated ones are not invasive, if you like the look.

I agree with Cindee that the yellow flowered plant is dwarf poinciana. Very pretty and will get big.

The elephant ear by the bamboo is called alocasia plumbea nigra, and yours is a very pretty specimen. The nearby potted plants are terrestial orchids called epidendrum radicans. They do best in full sun and will reward you with lots of color starting in winter. You can even plant them in the ground.

Your song of india, as susie said, is gorgeous. Have fun!

Anna
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manila
Original Author
16 years ago
Hi Cindee
the locals called my yellow flowered plant as peacock plant, they dont grow too big, we have them all over the island, ponciana is "flamboyant tree" right? which grows very big (its St. Maarten's national tree) we have them in orange, yellow and red. i have a lot (about 2ft now) but i dont know what to do with them since i dont have the space

FLAMBOYANT TREE

Thanks Anna, i love the hibiscus i planted them 2mos ago, but the blooms just last a day ? i will try the newspaper thing. SO i can plant these orchids on the ground? Thank you for telling me, my mom in law sent them to me from California and i did use some coconut husks to plant but i didnt continue.

and I just love this forum, i am learning a lot,few weeks ago i'd been pulling out these" elephant ears" not knowing whare are they.
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early_bird_2007
16 years ago
O my God! This orchids in coconuts are so cute! What did you put inside them? Did you make holes in the bottom?
Anna, why newspaper and not weedblock? I love it, works for years.
Maria
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annafl
16 years ago
Manila, I may be wrong about the orchids. On looking at them again, I think they could be small dendrobiums. If they are, they cannot be planted in the ground. The way you have them in coconuts is adorable and probably a better idea. I'd have to see them in person to know what type they are. Do you know anything about the blooms?

Maria, I use newspaper because I find it attracts earthworms, and just contributes to the soil when it decomposes. I've not had good experiences with weedblock type of fabrics, but I know others who have. The important thing is to disturb the soil as little as possible, and just place the wet newspaper over the weeds, mulch on top of that.

Anna
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vaodiva
16 years ago
Oh Manila, the coconut idea is wonderful! And I agree with Annafl, they do look like dendrobiums from this pic. They like sun and to dry out between waterings. Check the AOS website for a care sheet.

As for the ground cover, I think newspaper/mulch should look really nice, esp some red stuff to accent the flowers. I've used weed cloth with good results. However, I have oak babies popping u everywhere so newspaper's not heavy enough.
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pls help to finish it off

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SusieQsie_Fla

manila
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annafl

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pls help to finish it off

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SusieQsie_Fla

manilaOriginal Author

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cindeea

annafl

manilaOriginal Author

early_bird_2007

annafl

vaodiva

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