Angelonia

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IT may look delicate but the pretty Angelonia is a hardy plant well-suited to our hot, humid climate.

The Angelonia is an attractive plant that is very easy and rewarding to grow and flowers all year round.

This native of tropical America adapts well to the heat and humidity of our climate. It blooms abundantly all year round.  The plant looks delicate but don’t be fooled by this. It is actually quite hardy and drought tolerant.

The flowers can be used as cut flowers. With a name that sounds like Angelina Jolie, the gorgeous blossoms are just as graceful and elegant, with sexy pouting lips and angelic faces. There are a few colours to choose from, such as lavender blue, purple, pink and white. The natural shades remind me of ice cream and dessert.

The best part is that, despite the abundance of flowers, there is no need for dead-heading as the spent flowers seem to dry up and disappear. It is a low maintenance plant.

Angelonia is quite new on the gardening scene. It first appeared in the late 1990s. Whether you are a novice or an experienced gardener, you will love the angelonia. If you are looking for something new for your storybook or English cottage-style garden, this plant is for you.

Plant profile
Scientific name: Angelonia biflora
Family: Scrophulariaceae (figwort family)
Origin: Mexico and West Indies
Category: Perennial herbaceous shrub
Common names: Summer Snapdragon, Angel Flower, Summer Orchid. In Malaysia, we call it Satay Flowers.
The genus name Angelonia is derived from Angelon, the South American name for this plant.

THE PLANT

Angelonias are dwarf shrubs with erect stems, narrow leaves and small flowers. They are compact bushes that grow to a height of about 600cm tall and 30cm wide.

The stems are slender and smooth while the leaves are mid-green in colour with a sticky, hairy touch. They look like willow leaves and exude a mild, sometimes hardly noticeable apple fragrance.

The flowers look like snapdragons. They appear in erect racemes from the axil of upper leaves and once they appear, are produced continuously. They attract butterflies and bees.

The cultivars available here are Alba (white), Rose Pink and Purple & White. Newly patented cultivars like AngelMist and AngelFace are more hardy, vigorous growing and heavier in blooms.

HOW TO GROW

Angelonias can be planted:
1. As a landscape border or bedding plant for mass effect. Plant about 20-30cm apart.
2. As a bush or edging plant in front of perennial beds and borders.
3. As a potted plant in planter boxes, fanciful baskets and mixed plantings for the porch, patio, pool deck or verandah.

GROWING STEPS

1.     Propagation: By herbaceous stem tip cuttings. You can start with a young plant purchased from the local nursery.
2.     Sunlight: Grow under full sun with at least 6-8 hours of direct daily sunlight where it will flower best.
3.     Soil: Use a standard potting mix. The medium should be light and well-drained.
4.     Water: Water regularly but do not over-water as this may lead to root rot. Allow the soil to dry out between watering. Established plants are quite drought tolerant.
5.     Fertilise: Apply a well-balanced fertiliser monthly.
6.     Pruning: Cut off old stems to shape the plant and to encourage growth and more blooms.
7.     Pest and diseases: It is generally disease and pest free.

TIPS

• After some time, the flower spikes tend to lean and topple over, making the plant look scraggly. Cut back old stalks to rejuvenate the plant. It can withstand hard pruning.
• Use cuttings to grow new plants.
• Shelter the newly planted cuttings from direct sunlight for a week or so.