ELM ALLEY

15/05/2026

'Russelia Equisetiformis' is usually called the coral plant, firecracker plant, or firecracker fern. It is a tropical, weeping shrub with arching stems and small red tubular flowers.

A branching, fountain-like shrub.
Thin green stems with small leaves that often drop early.
Bright red, tubular flowers that hang in sprays. 🎋

08/05/2026

'Cercis Siliquastrum' is the Judas tree or European redbud, a small deciduous tree in the pea family. It is native to Southern Europe and Western Asia and is valued for its deep pink flowers that appear in spring, often before the leaves.

Key traits:
Small tree, usually up to about 12 m tall.

Heart-shaped leaves.

Rosy-pink to purple pea-like flowers on older wood, even on the trunk.

Flat purple seed pods that remain decorative after flowering.

Growing conditions:
It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.

It can tolerate dry conditions and a range of soil pH, including mildly acidic to alkaline soils.

Extra note:
The flowers are described as edible in some references and are sometimes used in salads or as garnish.

03/05/2026

Isabella Plantation, Richmond Garden. London. 🌺🌸🌼

02/05/2026

Viola ‘Etain’ is a compact, evergreen perennial violet with large, softly scented flowers. The blooms are creamy yellow to pale lemon with a distinctive lavender-purple edge, and they appear in waves from spring into early autumn.

Plant form:
It forms neat clumps rather than spreading aggressively, usually reaching about 15–20 cm tall and spreading to around 15–25 cm wide. The foliage is oval, dark green, and helps create a low, elegant ground cover.

Flowers:
The flowers are large for a viola, about 4 cm across, and are valued for both their color contrast and fragrance. Flowering is heaviest in late spring and early summer, but the plant often repeats bloom through summer and into fall.

Growing conditions:
It grows best in moist, well-drained soil and can be used in sun, partial shade, or shade, depending on the climate. It works well in borders, containers, rock gardens, and as edging along paths.

30/04/2026

Delonix regia is the scientific name of The Royal Poinciana, also called the Flamboyant Tree. It is a tropical ornamental tree native to Madagascar, famous for its fern-like leaves and bright red-orange flowers. 🍂🪷🔥

28/04/2026

Sandersonia aurantiaca is a tuberous perennial plant native to South Africa and Eswatini, known for its orange-yellow, lantern-shaped flowers and common name Christmas bells or Chinese lantern lily.

Basic profile:
It belongs to the family Colchicaceae and is the only species in its genus. The plant has upright but somewhat delicate stems and is often grown as a container plant or cut flower.

Appearance:
The flowers are small, pendant, and lantern-like, usually in a golden-orange to yellow-orange tone. The foliage is narrow and lance-shaped, and the plant can reach about 30–100 cm in height depending on conditions.

Growing conditions:
It prefers well-drained sandy soil, full sun or bright light, and does best without excessive heat. In warm weather it needs regular watering, but during dormancy the tubers should be kept dry.

Caution:
The plant contains toxic alkaloids, including colchicine, so it should not be eaten and should be handled carefully around pets or children.

24/04/2026

Papaver ‘Swansdown White’ is a white-flowered poppy variety, usually referring to a form of Papaver somniferum with large, frilly, pure white blooms. It is a hardy annual that grows best in full sun and well-drained soil.

Plant traits:
The plant typically reaches about 60–90 cm tall and has sturdy stems with bluish-green, glaucous foliage. Its flowers are large, double or semi-double, and strongly ornamental, making it popular for cottage-style gardens and cut-flower displays.

Growing conditions:
It prefers deep, fertile, well-drained soil and regular moisture, but it does not like waterlogging. Sowing is usually done directly where it will grow, because poppies dislike transplanting and have sensitive roots.

Uses:
Gardeners grow it mainly for its decorative white flowers and, in some cases, for dried seed pods or pollinator value. It self-seeds readily in suitable conditions.

13/04/2026

Myrmecophila christinae is a species of orchid, commonly called Christina’s myrmecophila or Christina’s ant orchid. It belongs to the genus Myrmecophila in the orchid family Orchidaceae.

Description:
This orchid is a tropical epiphyte with long, hollow pseudobulbs and large green leaves. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with ants, which often nest in its hollow bulbs.

Distribution:
The species is reported from Yucatán and Belize, with the genus generally centered in Central America and nearby regions. Some online sources mention broader local records, but the most consistent distribution data point to the Yucatán–Belize area.

Flowering and form:
The flowers are showy and fragrant, usually pink to purple or similar tones, and the inflorescences can become quite tall. The plant can grow impressively large compared with many other orchids.

Growing conditions:
In cultivation, it prefers bright light, warm temperatures, good air movement, and a fast-draining mount or coarse medium. It should not stay constantly wet, but it also should not be kept completely dry for long periods.

10/04/2026

Burmese grape.

It is a slow-growing evergreen tropical tree in the family Phyllanthaceae. The fruit is small, round to oval, and usually yellow, pinkish, red, or purple when ripe.

The fruit is eaten fresh, sometimes stewed, and can also be made into wine. In traditional use, different parts of the plant have been used medicinally, but most health claims come from laboratory or preclinical studies rather than strong human clinical evidence. 🌱🌿🌍

06/04/2026