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February 28, 2011

What's blooming at Baltimore's Rawlings Conservatory?

Photo credit: Michael Lemmon

Photo credit: Michael Lemmon

 

Megaskepasma erythrochlamys

Generally known as the Red Cloak, this gorgeous tropical produces large crimson and pink spikes with white flowers that last for months. The genus name means “large covering” and its dense, shiny green foliage grows upright and lush, making it ideal as an ornamental shrub or hedge.
 
Native to the woodlands of Venezuela, this plant will thrive in full to part sun and will grow to 8 to 12 feet. It requires little maintenance and can tolerate a light freeze but does best in zones 9-11.

Keep it moist in warmer months, less so when it’s cool and in a well-draining soil.

Posted by Susan Reimer at 12:33 PM |
Categories: Baltimore's Rawlings Conservatory
        
About Susan Reimer
Susan Reimer has spent 16 years writing about raising kids - among other topics - in her column for The Baltimore Sun. And every time son Joseph or daughter Jessie passed another milestone - driver's license, college, wedding or a move to a new military duty station - she has planted another garden. Now she will be writing about those gardens - and yours - here on Garden Variety.

Susan isn't an expert gardener, but she wasn't an expert mother, either. Both - the kids and the gardens - seem to be doing well in spite of her.

She lives in Annapolis with her husband, Gary Mihoces, who loves to cut his grass but has noticed that there seems to be less of it every time the kids pass another milestone.
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