Our Spring Plant ID class is quickly coming to an end as we hit week 15.  This week seemed to fall into the category of…those plants you see all the time, but never took the time to figure out exactly what they are.  Here are our faves.

We ventured one last time to the City College Campus to see the Princess Flower (Tibouchina urvilleana).  Native to rain forest areas, this plant likes cool feet and warm temps for its foliage.  Speaking of foliage, the leaves have a velvet like texture to them which glisten in the sunlight.  Gardening Gone Wild has a great pick of their Princes Flower they grow in Illinois as an annual.  Cool!

Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis) is one of those flowering perennials from the ASTERACEAE family.  Not only do they have bright orange color, they are used for a variety of herbal remedies.  Life on the Balcony has a recipe for a garden box design…just what the doctor ordered.  BTW, that bluish flower complimenting the Pot Marigold is a species of Borage.

If you ever visit San Francisco (or move here permanently as we did), you will find that few deciduous plants/trees are grown.  However, here is one California Native that you will see…the Western Spice Bush (Calycanthus occidentalis).  Go ahead, take some time to smell these flowers and tell me what you think.  Some say they smell like the bottom of a wine barrel, weird huh?

– Far Out Flora