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Summer Colour In A Pot

January 30, 2024 2:15 pm Published by

Let’s take a look at this beautiful ‘summer colour in a pot’! The plants in this group all love the…

colourful coleus

Colourful Coleus

October 5, 2023 5:02 pm Published by

One of the most important elements of a garden is colour. Whether you’re looking for a rainbow across your backyard…

Encephalartos

Cycads

July 20, 2023 3:36 pm Published by

South Africa is a hotspot for cycad diversity with 38 indigenous species (over 10% of the world’s cycads). Thirty-seven species…

Cotyledon

Fuzzy Bear Paws

February 28, 2023 11:51 am Published by

Cotyledon is a small genus of about 12 species belonging to the Crassulaceae family. They are generally referred to as…

Growing Coprosma

Growing Coprosmas

February 28, 2023 11:30 am Published by

Wanted for small gardens: Plants with a manageable size, extreme good looks in all seasons, low maintenance needs, and not…

3 Happiness Flowers

3 Happiness Flowers

January 23, 2023 10:57 am Published by

Some of midsummer’s flowers are like garden Prozac. Being amongst them has the ability to turn anxiety and a ‘down’…

string of hearts

String of Hearts

November 25, 2022 9:35 am Published by

String of hearts (Ceropegia woodii) is an indigenous evergreen, trailing vine with opposite pairs of dainty heart-shaped dark-green leaves marbled…

homegrown flowers osteospermum

3 Flower Bombs

August 11, 2022 10:00 am Published by

August or early spring is the best time to flower bomb your garden and patio with three homegrown flowers! Cape…

Chamelaucium waxflowers

Chamelaucium Waxflowers

August 1, 2022 10:00 am Published by

Chamelaucium are tough shrubs that will produce billowing clouds of flowers from late winter to spring with such abundance that…

kangaroo paws

Kangaroo Paws

August 5, 2021 3:30 pm Published by

Fill up your low-water zones like the gravel garden, rock garden and sunny low maintenance areas with new and very…

Lysimachia nummularia edging plants

Border Charmers

December 17, 2020 4:40 pm Published by

Edging Plants to Complement Good edging plants that either calmly complement or create a bright colour contrast are just what…

Cymbidiums

July 3, 2020 12:20 pm Published by

There are few places in South Africa where cymbidiums won’t grow. They are tough and can handle fair amounts of…

Calatheas

May 5, 2020 3:57 pm Published by

Calatheas make for great indoor plants, and even garden plants providing you are in a sub-tropical area. These plants originate…

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Callistemon

December 2, 2019 11:52 am Published by

Citrinus Little John, Bottlebrush, Hot Pink, Endeavour A beginner gardener who cannot decide which flowering shrub to buy, won’t regret…

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Aloe Orange Delight

May 7, 2019 12:52 pm Published by

Aloe…is it me you’re looking for? This Aloe is a delightful, small to medium aloe that is similar to hedgehog…

Exciting Cyclamens

May 7, 2019 12:27 pm Published by

Add some colour to your garden this winter with cyclamens! Cyclamens are always a winter favourite due to their long…

carex everillo

Enduring Everillo

January 16, 2019 8:59 am Published by

Plant this colour-rich ornamental grass to lighten and brighten your surrounds. Everillo is a highly decorative grass-like ground-cover with narrow,…

Russelia equisetiformis

January 16, 2019 8:57 am Published by

‘Firecracker’ This vibrant plant, Russelia Equisetiformis, is made up of clusters of scarlet tubular flowers; resembling small firecrackers, that provide…

Sowing Clivia Seeds

December 18, 2018 12:38 pm Published by

Lees in Afrikaans If you have a shady garden with lots of Clivias that flowered well in spring, and you…

Bridelia Micrantha

November 27, 2018 12:13 pm Published by

Mitzeeri or Coastal Golden Leaf Bridelia Micrantha is a medium to large deciduous tree (can reach 20m, though normally 8…

Hanging with the Flock

January 22, 2018 11:32 am Published by

Wooden Bird-Feeder This is the tenth in our Working with Wood series presented by David van den Bergh. Throughout the…

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Vitis labrusca

January 15, 2018 8:12 am Published by

Catawba Grape, Fox Grape Grapes have been cultivated for thousands of years. Most fruiting vines are hybrids or cultivars of…

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Santolina chamaecyparissus

January 11, 2018 1:15 pm Published by

Cotton Lavender A compact-growing shrub with fine, feathery white or grey leaves of short and slender stature. Golden flower heads…

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Searsia crenata

January 11, 2018 1:11 pm Published by

Dune Crowberry The Searsia Crenata is a spreading and stocky coastal plant with a rounded shape. It survives against all…

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Sempervivum tectorum

January 11, 2018 1:05 pm Published by

Common Houseleek, Hen and Chickens, St Patrick’s Cabbage A low, mat forming succulent comprising many rosettes of attractive grey-green leaves…

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Streptocarpus

January 11, 2018 12:41 pm Published by

Cape Primrose This little, indigenous forest plant, Streptocarpus, was first discovered in Knysna in the 1800s and also occurs naturally in…

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Sutherlandia frutescens

January 11, 2018 12:36 pm Published by

Cancer Bush, Kankerbossie, Gansies Sutherlandia Frutescens, a small shrub, which can be upright or semi-decumbent (the stems grow parallel to…

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Phlox subulata

January 8, 2018 1:54 pm Published by

Candy Stripe, Alpine or Moss Phlox As its common names imply Phlox Subulata is a real little rock plant. It…

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Ornithogalum thyrsoides

January 8, 2018 12:46 pm Published by

Chincherinchee, Tjienk, Star of Bethlehem Chincherinchees or ‘tjienks’ belong to the genus Ornithogalum and are members of the Hyacinth family…

Mazus reptans

January 8, 2018 10:59 am Published by

Creeping Mazus Creeping Mazus is a mat-forming plant with lance-shaped, light green leaves. It produces small, lobelia-like flowers in either…

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Malus ­oribunda

January 8, 2018 10:31 am Published by

Japanese Crab Apple Malus Oribunda is a small, deciduous tree that is smothered in delicate blossoms during spring. The deep,…

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Lachenalia

January 8, 2018 9:17 am Published by

Cape Hyacinth In a country blessed with many horticultural treasures Lachenalia, the Cape Hyacinth, holds a place of its own.…

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Leptospermum scoparium

January 8, 2018 8:57 am Published by

‘Cherry Brandy’ Miniature Tea Bush Leptospermum scoparium, with their dark, plum-coloured leaves and dense foliage of the miniature tea bush…

Lysimachia nummularia

January 8, 2018 8:20 am Published by

Golden Creeping Jenny or Moneywort Lysimachia nummularia is a low ground hugging cover that has soft stems that root as…

Iberis sempervirens

December 21, 2017 1:22 pm Published by

Evergreen Candytuft or Perennial Candytuft Iberis sempervirens is a charming little plant for cold, frosty gardens. This Perennial Candy Tuft forms low…

hebenstretia

Hebenstretia dura

December 20, 2017 11:16 am Published by

Cat’s Tail Hebenstretia Dura (family: Scrophulariaceae) is found from the Eastern Cape to the Northern Province. It is a hardy…

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Geranium incanum

December 20, 2017 8:32 am Published by

Carpet Geraniums True Geraniums or Crane’s Bills – from the Greek word geranos, a crane, owing to its fruit which…

Grewia Occidentalis

December 20, 2017 8:15 am Published by

Cross-Berry The Cross Berry forms a shrub or small tree that grows up to 3 metres tall and 2 metres…

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Ficus sur

December 19, 2017 10:20 am Published by

Cape Fig This large, evergreen tree provides a haven for a wide diversity of animal life. The fig family Moraceae…

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Euphorbia trigona

December 19, 2017 9:18 am Published by

African Milk Tree, High Chaparall, Cathedral Cactus Euphorbia Trigona – a tall, slender and erect succulent from Namibia. The dark…

forest bushwillow

Combretum kraussii

December 15, 2017 2:12 pm Published by

Forest Bushwillow The Forest Bushwillow is an attractive, deciduous tree, no matter the season. It retains its rich autumn colour…

cannonball tree

Couroupita guianensis

December 15, 2017 1:39 pm Published by

Cannonball Tree or Ayahuma The words ‘striking’ and ‘strange’ are often used to describe Cannonball Tree, a large evergreen tree…

tree grapes

Cyphostemma juttae

December 15, 2017 1:36 pm Published by

Wild Grape, Tree Grape, Blue Cobas This most interesting succulent plant belongs to the grape family and grows naturally in…

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Cymbidium hybrids

December 15, 2017 1:16 pm Published by

Boat Orchid The genus Cymbidium in the Orchidaceae (Orchid) family consists of about 50 species, from which many thousands of…

sago palm

Cycas revoluta

December 15, 2017 1:12 pm Published by

Sago Palm The Sago Palm, native to Japan, is such a worthy specimen for pool plantings. It makes a bold…

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Cyathea australis

December 15, 2017 1:09 pm Published by

Rough Tree Fern The Cyathea Australis is such an elegant poolside plant, which is as graceful as our indigenous Cyathea…

cabbage tree

Cussonia Paniculata

December 15, 2017 1:07 pm Published by

Highveld Cabbage Tree or Kiepersol Cussonia Paniculata, the ‘Highveld Cabbage Tree’ or ‘Kiepersol’, is a small, decorative and evergreen tree,…

crinums

Crinum macowanii

December 15, 2017 12:56 pm Published by

Sabie Lily Crinums are members of the family Amaryllidaceae and have a very wide distribution in the tropics of Asia,…

crassula spathulata

Crassula spathulata

December 15, 2017 12:48 pm Published by

The Crassula Spathulata is a sprawling succulent with rounded and toothed leaves which have a red tinge to the margins.…

jade plant

Crassula ovata

December 15, 2017 12:45 pm Published by

Jade Plant The Crassula Ovata, or Jade Plant is an upright-growing, multiple-branched, shrubby succulent that can grow up to 2m…

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Clematis brachiata

December 15, 2017 12:42 pm Published by

Traveller’s Joy The Clematis Brachiata is a joy to gardeners as well, it bears masses of creamy white, fragrant flowers…

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Chondropetalum tectorum

December 15, 2017 12:18 pm Published by

Cape Thatching Reed Chondropetalum Tectorum, commonly known as Cape Thatching Reed, is an evergreen reed with long, tough, leafless stems.…

choisya ternata

Choisya ternata

December 15, 2017 12:16 pm Published by

Mexican Orange Blossom The Choisya Ternata is a compact, evergreen shrub with a neat and tidy growth habit attaining an…

chinese plumbago

Ceratostigma willmottianum

December 15, 2017 12:14 pm Published by

Chinese Plumbago Ceratostigma Willmottianum, or Chinese Plumbago, is a deciduous shrub originating from the western parts of China and has…

spanish chestnut

Castanea Sativa

December 15, 2017 12:12 pm Published by

Spanish Chestnut, Sweet Chestnut These are the spiny husks of the Spanish Chestnut that are produced on large deciduous trees…

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Cassia Fistula

December 15, 2017 12:11 pm Published by

Golden Shower Tree Flowering trees are amongst the most spectacular plants cultivated in gardens. Their sheer size and abundance of…

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Calpurnia aurea

December 15, 2017 12:07 pm Published by

Wild Laburnum The Calpurnia Aurea is one of our most rewarding small, semi-evergreen trees. It is fast growing and can…

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Calodendrum capense

December 15, 2017 12:06 pm Published by

Cape Chestnut Type: Large tree, 20m.Form: Single stemmed with rounded canopy. Bark grey, leaves light green and shiny.Flowers: Pink, large and scented, massed…

Calandiva

December 15, 2017 12:04 pm Published by

Double Kalanchoe Calandiva plants are ideal ‘no-brainers’, pleasing the intrepid indoor gardener with long-lasting displays of hundreds of double-petalled, brightly-coloured flowers…

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Cactus

December 15, 2017 12:01 pm Published by

The benefits of displaying indoor plants in our homes are huge. Plants are a décor tool, moisturiser, therapist, climate improver…

sour fig

Carpobrotus edulis

December 15, 2017 11:56 am Published by

Sour Fig (Suurvy) No garden should be without the Sour Fig, an extremely valuable indigenous medicinal plant which originally occurred…

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Betula Pendula

December 15, 2017 10:34 am Published by

Silver or Common Birch The Silver Birch is one of the best-known trees in cultivation today, especially in temperate regions,…

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Asystasia Gangetica

December 14, 2017 11:18 am Published by

Creeping Foxglove The Creeping Foxglove is an attractive but very vigorous ground cover that tolerates quite a sunny position but…

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Aponogeton Distachyos

December 13, 2017 3:05 pm Published by

Cape Pond Weed The decorative leaves of indigenous aquatics and the showy blooms in season always command attention. Cape Pond…

chervil

Anthriscus cerefolium

December 13, 2017 3:01 pm Published by

Chervil, French Parsley Anthriscus Cerefolium is a fairly low-growing plant, reaching a height of 30 cm and growing to about…

acalypha

Acalypha wilkesiana

December 13, 2017 2:32 pm Published by

Copperleaf or Calico bush The Acalypha is the mainstay of so many coastal and sub-tropical gardens in the country. Acalyphas…

Ochna serrulata

November 20, 2017 2:27 pm Published by

Carnival Bush, Mickey Mouse Bush The Mickey Mouse bush is a stunning garden subject that will eventually grow about 1.8…

klapperbos

Nymania capensis

November 20, 2017 2:11 pm Published by

Chinese Lantern or Klapperbos Perhaps best known by the Afrikaans common name, Klapperbos, Nymania Capensis is an upright shrub, or…

Myrtus communis

November 20, 2017 2:06 pm Published by

Compacta, Dwarf Myrtle, Myrtle A well-known healing herb, Myrtus Communis, which is more often referred to simply as ‘Myrtle’, is…

Dymondia margaretae

November 15, 2017 2:03 pm Published by

Carpet Daisy, Silver Carpet Dymondia Margaretae, is a mat-forming ground cover with curly, greyish green leaves and yellow daisy-like flowers in…

tecoma capensis

Tecoma Capensis

January 18, 2016 6:23 am Published by

Expect a lively concert from the garden wildlife if, perchance, you end up alongside a Tecoma Capensis, or Cape Honeysuckle…

Success with Clematis

January 15, 2016 7:57 am Published by

When one browses through magazines and gardening books, especially those from the UK, the pictures of Clematis are always inspiring.…

strelitzias

Birds of Paradise

January 15, 2016 7:51 am Published by

Strelitzias… Mother Nature’s incredible sculptures! From autumn to spring, when beautiful boat-shaped spathes crested by bright orange sepals and deep-blue…

Selago corymbosa

January 14, 2016 11:57 am Published by

Plant: Selago Corymbosa Type: Dainty shrub, 60cm.Form: Upright growth with feathery foliage.Flowers: A fine mist of delicate lacy white flowers…

Sedum nussbaumerianum

January 14, 2016 11:28 am Published by

Coppertone Stonecrop Sedum Nussbaumerianum is an exotic species from Mexico, with unusual, copper-coloured rosettes on slender spreading stems. It is…

scabiosa

Scabiosa

January 14, 2016 10:49 am Published by

Our colleague, Gerald Schofield, once described the hybrids of Scabiosa as ‘totally loveable’ plants. Most gardeners agree with his description of this…

Ruschia lineolata

January 14, 2016 10:11 am Published by

Carpet of Stars The Ruschia lineolata is a tough succulent is a versatile ground cover which produces masses of pretty…

Rhus crenata

January 14, 2016 8:38 am Published by

Dune Crowberry The Rhus crenata resembles a bamboo with thick clumps with slender side branches and delicate rosettes of foliage…

Leucophyta brownii

August 17, 2015 10:53 am Published by

Cushion Bush Leucophyta brownii is an interesting groundcover for a sunny position. Its has an unusual leaf shape that forms…

Leucadendron sessile

August 17, 2015 8:54 am Published by

Sun Conebush Forming a neat rounded shrub that grows up to 1,5m high, this easily-grown species of Leucadendron sessile has…

Heliconia hybrids

July 28, 2015 6:42 am Published by

Lobster Claw, Caribbean Sunset, Heliconia Lobster Claws Heliconia Hybrids are a stunning group of plants from the tropical regions of Central and…

Erythrina lysistemon

June 8, 2015 10:30 am Published by

Common Coral Tree, Lucky Bean Tree Erythrina Lysistemon, the Common Coral Tree, is deciduous, but it has the delightful habit of…

Elegia tectorum

Elegia Tectorum

June 1, 2015 10:40 am Published by

Elegia tectorum is technically not an ‘ornamental grass’ but a reed-like plant, and is part of the indigenous Restionaceae family,…

Elegia capensis

June 1, 2015 10:37 am Published by

Elegia is one of many plant species belonging to the family Restionaceae, a group of rush-like plants found largely in…

holly fern

Cyrtomium falcatum

April 23, 2015 6:35 am Published by

 Holly-Fern, Japanese holly fern Handsome and single stemmed, this Holly Fern with robust, shiny foliage, is sometimes confused with cycads and…

global artichoke

Cynara scolymus

April 23, 2015 6:29 am Published by

Globe Artichoke The Globe Artichoke is perhaps more commonly associated with the vegetable garden because the flower buds are usually…

flamenco samba

Cuphea llavea

April 20, 2015 9:02 am Published by

Flamenco Samba The Flamenco Samba is a lovely compact shrub of around 40 x 60cm and flowers prolifically, bearing cherry…

cotyledon orbiculata

Cotyledon Orbiculata

March 27, 2015 10:50 am Published by

Pig’s Ear, Elk’s Horn, or Round-Leafed Navel-Wort Succulent plants are still extremely popular in the garden fashion stakes, especially during periods…

cosmos

Cosmos bipinnatus

March 27, 2015 10:47 am Published by

 Garden Cosmos or Mexican Aster From March through into April and always around the Easter holidays, fields of self-sown Cosmos spring…

Convolvulus cneorum

March 27, 2015 10:06 am Published by

 Silver Bush Silver Bush is a low-growing, compact shrub with silky, silver leaves that have an iridescent sheen. White, tubular,…

red bushwillow

Combretum

March 27, 2015 8:51 am Published by

Red Bushwillow Gardeners sometimes complain that deciduous trees, like the Red Bushwillow, are messy, with the falling leaves requiring constant…

coleonema

Coleonema Species

March 26, 2015 12:57 pm Published by

There are two species of Coleonema that feature prominently in most South African gardens. Coleonema Pulchellum, or the white confetti…

natal lily

Clivia miniata

March 26, 2015 11:21 am Published by

Natal Lily, Bush Lily The Natal Lily are lovely shade loving plants that will produce an absolute spectacle in spring with…

Clerodendrum thomsoniae

March 26, 2015 11:06 am Published by

Bleeding Heart The genus Clerodendrum consists of numerous trees, shrubs and climbers, including the Bleeding Heart, that originate largely in…

Clerodendrum nutans

March 26, 2015 10:46 am Published by

 Nodding Clerodendrum, Bridal Veil There is no need to mourn the end of summer when splendid autumn flowerers like Clerodendrum Nutans…

Clausena anisata

March 26, 2015 10:40 am Published by

Horsewood Type:Medium Shrub, 3 to 5m.Form: Multi-stemmed and slender, with fine glossy foliage.Flowers: Bunches of small creamy-yellow ‘stars’ with pronounced…

Chlorophytum saundersiae

March 26, 2015 10:32 am Published by

Weeping Anthericum Type: Groundcover, 50cm.Form: Like tufts of wispy grass.Flowers: Little white ‘stars’ arranged along erect stalks, from September to…

Cerastium tomentosum

March 25, 2015 10:43 am Published by

Snow-in-Summer This plant is covered in masses of white, star-shaped flowers in late spring and early summer, hence its common…

carex

Carex Varieties

March 25, 2015 7:53 am Published by

Bronze Form, Bronze New Zealand Hair Sedge, Bronze Perfection There are many varieties to choose from in the genus Carex. Some are stately ornamental grasses…

Captivating Cannas

March 25, 2015 7:44 am Published by

Although deemed by many to be of a bygone era, Cannas still remain spectacular garden plants when used in the…

camellia

Camellia

March 25, 2015 7:34 am Published by

Japonica, Common Camellia or Japanese Camellia, Sasanqua, Camellia Japonica has dark green, lustrous, leathery leaves and its size varies according to…

Calibrachoa

March 25, 2015 7:15 am Published by

Seaside Petunia Calibrachoa are charming little plants and are relatives of the petunia, producing masses of small, bell-shaped flowers on…

cupressus macrocarpa

Cupressus Macrocarpa

August 22, 2014 6:24 am Published by

‘Gold Crest’, ‘Golden Monterey Cypress’, ‘Swane’s Gold’, ‘Pencil Pine’ Golden Monterey Cypress Conifers truly come into their own in winter.…

Libidibia ferrea

August 21, 2014 6:02 pm Published by

Leopard Tree Libidibia ferrea or the leopard tree, formerly known as Caesalpinia ferrea, is a slender tree hailing from subtropical…

Aristida Junciformis

August 18, 2014 11:56 am Published by

Heigras, Congoni Grass, Gongoni Three-Awn, Ngongoni Bristle Grass, Wire Grass Heigras, while not a favourite grass with farmers because it…

argyranthemum

Argyranthemum frutescens

August 18, 2014 11:21 am Published by

Crazy Daisy, Bush Daisy, Marguerite Daisy, Starlight Red, Summersong White For quick colour, few plants beat the old-fashioned daisy bush,…

Anigozanthus hybrids

August 18, 2014 6:55 am Published by

Cat’s Paw or Kangaroo Paw The cat’s paw, a plant of Australian origin, is a perennial that is available in…

Aloe polyphylla

August 14, 2014 10:52 am Published by

Spiral aloe Aloe polyphylla is a stemless aloe with short, thorny, grey-green, upright leaves arranged in a perfect spiral. The leaf…

Aloe plicatilis

August 14, 2014 10:48 am Published by

Fan Aloe Aloe plicatilis (fan aloe) is always pretty, whether it is in the form of a hundred-year-old giant or…

Aloe peglerae

August 14, 2014 10:44 am Published by

Fez aloe Type: Small shrub-like aloe, 40cm.Form: Succulent with inwardly curving leaves that assume a ‘soccer ball’ shape.Flowers: Red-orange tubular…

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