Is tweedia easy to grow?
Tweedia is native to South America, where it grows as a scrambling vine. As an annual it will average about 2 feet tall. Perennial zones 10-11, frost-tender annual in cooler zones. Easy to grow & fast blooming. Tweedia is a tropical plant best grown in full sun to partial shade, in average, dry to moist well-drained soil, where temperatures do not go below 37 degrees F. In cool climates, site in full sun, but in areas with hot summers, provide some afternoon shade. Wind and heavy rains can also be an issue.Grown as an annual, tweedia will tolerate a wide range of growing conditions, but prefers full sun and moist soils. It is also wise to plant this annual in a sheltered location away from heavy wind and rain to protect its delicate flowers.Tweedia (Oxypetalum coeruleum) needs to be watered regularly, but only when the soil feels dry. It prefers approximately 1 inch of water per week, which can be provided by rain or manual watering. Avoid leaving the roots of this species waterlogged, as this could cause root rot.
What does the flower tweedia symbolize?
The meaning of Tweedia flowers varies depending on the color. Blue tweedia symbolizes serenity, happiness, and good fortune, while white tweedia is associated with purity, innocence, and new beginnings. You can mix the two colors to create a bouquet that represents your love and all the wonderful things to come. Monarch butterflies are an iconic part of our natural heritage, heralding the changing seasons as they journey north in spring and south in fall. Monarchs’ reliance on milkweeds (Asclepias spp.Milkweed is a crucial plant for wildlife, ecology, and human use: Monarch host plant – Essential for monarch caterpillars to develop and grow. Pollinator nectar source – Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Erosion control – Deep roots stabilize soil and prevent erosion.It is recommended to prune the milkweed stalks to about 6 inches in height during the fall and winter months to discourage monarchs from establishing winter-breeding colonies. Cutting back the milkweed will also help to eliminate OE spores that may be present on the plant.Tweedia is lovely as a cut flower but is also a useful food plant for butterflies, so much so that we have included it in our new selection called Butterfly Beauties – a selection of varieties you can sow to attract butterflies to your garden.Plant milkweed in clumps so that monarch caterpillars can crawl between them to forage. Plant with an eye for multi-season blooms of native plants so that monarch butterflies have nectar sources throughout the growing season!
What is another name for tweedia?
Oxypetalum coeruleum is a species of flowering plant, native to South America from southern Brazil to Uruguay. The synonymous name Tweedia caerulea is also used. Growing to 100 cm (39 in) long, it is a straggling evergreen perennial with heart shaped, gray-green, downy leaves. Also known as ‘Tweedia caerulea’ or ‘star of Bethlehem’, this flower has a striking shape that will add to any bouquet. With its bright blue colour and unique shape, the Oxypetalum is a real eye-catcher. The Oxypetalum also smells wonderful. The lovely sweet fragrance is reminiscent of jasmine.
Is tweedia poisonous?
Tweedia caerulea is a member of the milkweed family and like all plants of the milkweed family is toxic to humans and pets when ingested, and when consumed in large quantities can cause cardiac arrest. Generally, gardeners don’t have problems with pets eating the plant as it has a strong taste that animals will avoid. All parts of the plant contain toxic cardiac glycosides, which can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and heart rhythm changes. Milkweed can also irritate the skin and eyes if touched.While horses and other equines are most at risk for milkweed poisoning, all animals including chickens, cattle, sheep, dogs, cats, and even humans, as well as some insects, are susceptible to milkweed toxins.Yes, milkweed contains cardiac glycosides, toxic compounds that can be harmful to humans, pets, and livestock if ingested in large quantities. These toxins affect the heart and can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and confusion. The plant’s milky sap can also cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.