Plants

Snow-gum trees are usually found in Eastern Australia and Tasmania. This plant species is known for its ability to survive under extremely harsh weather conditions. Snow gums belong to the Myrtaceae plant family. Scientifically, this plant is known as the Eucalyptus Pauciflora. Although it is native to Australia, the plant is highly adaptable and has been introduced in many other parts of the world.

The word Eucalyptus comes from Greek and means “Well Covered” while Paucifloras has Latin origins and means “Few Flowered”.

Snow-gums were first described in 1823, by Czech botanist Franz Wilhelm Sieber while on a visit to New South Wales, Australia.

They are also known by other names such as Cabbage Gum, Weeping Gum, Ghost Gum, White Sallee, Flooded Gum, Peppermint, Swamp Gum or Alpine Snow Gum.

Snow-gums prefer moist, slightly acidic and well drained soils. They aren’t comfortable with chalky and clay soils. These trees easily grow anywhere and don’t require a mineral rich soil. However, they do prefer sunny conditions and grow well in direct sunlight.

These trees can grow at lowlands and also at high altitudes. Snow-gum trees have been found at altitudes of 2000m. Snow-gums growing at higher altitudes are shorter than those growing at lower altitudes, because of variations in soil and climate.

They are quite hardy and can survive under moderate drought conditions.

Considered small or medium sized in height, on average, these trees grow about 4-8m tall. Though sometimes they can rise up to 20m or even more, in height. It typically takes about 50 years for the tree to reach its maximum height.

It’s estimated that the tree has a lifespan of about 50-150 years.

Eucalyptus paucifloras(Snow-gums) are adapted to survive in very hot or very cold conditions. They can endure temperatures as low as -23°C. The Leaves and branches are specifically adapted to snowy conditions and can shed snow from the trees during winter.

Snow-gums give off a slightly minty aroma.

Leaves are evergreen and have a shiny and glossy appearance because they contain Citronellal, a compound which is commonly found in Eucalyptus plants. It’s however, potentially poisonous. Each leave usually measures about 2.7-6.3 inches in length.

Cup-shaped white Flowers, in clusters of 11-15, bloom on the tree during spring and summer. Bees, butterflies and other insects and birds are attracted to the flowers.

Fruits also grow on the tree, that are usually consumed by wildlife including animals and small birds.

The bark is usually cream-white in color. Sometimes the bark is made up of patches of white-green/grey or white-red colors. The tree has the ability to shed its bark and the different colored patches are a result of this characteristic. This habit of the snow gum allows it to recover from any damage caused by cold weather, snow or fires.

Citronella oil, found in the leaves has been used traditionally as an antiseptic by the Aboriginal population of Australia. It’s also used to treat sore throat, coughs, indigestion and infections. However large doses can be fatal, hence proper guidelines must be followed when using herbal products containing Citronella Oil.

Snow-gum trees are also used as a fuel source. The Wood is sometimes burned to provide fire for cooking and heating purposes.

Other uses of the tree include providing shade and shelter outdoors, especially in parks and public places.

White Field Roses are a species of Rose shrub mainly found in England and other European countries. It’s most commonly found in hedgerows,along road sides and railway tracks in southern England. Field Roses grow in the wild and are known for their rambling nature, which means they tend to climb or grow over walls, arches and trees. White colored flowers bloom on the plant in late spring and summers until autumn when fruits called Rosehips on the plant become ripe.

The Scientific name for Field Roses is Rosa Arvensis belonging to the genus Rosa. It was first described in 1762 by William Hudson, a British botanist.

Although, more commonly known as the Field Rose, the plant is also known by other names such as the Musk Rose, Kriech-Rose or as the Rosier des Champs in French. In the Netherlands it’s also known as the Bosroos.

Field roses grow up to 3-4 meters in height producing bright creamy-white colored flowers with yellow centers.

These mildly scented flowers are about 4-5 cm in diameter. Each field rose flower has about 5-8 petals.

Field Roses can be grown in almost any type of moderately fertile soil but they prefer less acidic conditions.

Each branch on the stem has about 5-7 leaves. The leaves are oval shaped with zig-zag and pointy edges.

Every leaf on the plant has an approximate length of 1-3.5cm.

The stems and branches are covered in curvy shaped thorns that act as a natural defense mechanism for the plant against predators.

The plant also acts as a food source for some small insects, birds and mammals.

Butterflies, caterpillars, moths and bees feed on the leaves and nectar of the flowers.

The rosehips are consumed by birds and some mammals.

During autumn, the rosehips (fruit of rose plants) become fully ripe. The hips are bright red and sometimes deep purple in color.

Rosehips are round shaped and contain seeds and small hairs that can be very itchy, but they are also edible.

The hips are rich in Vitamin C and as such are used to make Jams, Soups, Rosehip syrup, Rosehip tea and also in the preparation of some medicines.

Giant Himalayan Lily is a species of flowering plants belonging to the Lily plant family. Scientifically known as the Cardiocrinum giganteum, the plant is mainly found in the Himalayas and parts of China, Pakistan, India, Bhutan, Myanmar and Nepal.

The name Cardiocrinum is derived from Greek which means ‘Heart Lily’. It was named as such due to the plant having heart shaped leaves.

Giant Himalayan Lily is often nicknamed ‘Queen’ or ‘King’ of the garden because of its tall height and relatively big flowers and leaves.

The plant was first scientifically described in 1824 by Nathaniel Wallich, a Danish botanist.

It takes about 5-7 years for the plant to fully blossom after the seeds sprout.

The flowers of Giant Lily are usually white with red colored centers.

Some of these plants produce greenish flowers with purple colored centers.

These plants can reach up to to 3m in height.

Giant Lilies are usually grown on high altitudes, but many gardeners have successfully grown them at lower altitudes.

Each Giant Lily plant can grow up to 20 flowers.

Leaves of the plant can grow up to 30 cm in length.

It’s flowers are about 15-20 cm long.

As it’s native to the Himalayas, the plant can survive temperatures as low as -10°C.

The plant is used in some herbal pastes to cool and relieve pain caused by skin burns and other wounds.

Although as the name implies, the Giant Himalayan Lily is more suitable to grow in conditions like the Himalayas. But if provided with proper care and the required environmental conditions they can grow almost anywhere.