Ask The Expert: This flower "popped" up this year and was not here last year. Any help identifying it?? It looks like it could be in the poppy family but we just don't know. Beautiful bright orange flower with brown poppy-like center and green jagged leaves with a fuzzy appearance.

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: Yes, what you have is a poppy. I believe you have a type of Papaver orientale (Oriental poppy). As for which variety, I am unable to make an exact identification. This species of poppy is a clump-forming type with large cupped shaped flowers and hairy, toothed, lance-shaped leaves. They grow in moist but well drained soil in full sun and can tolerate some shade. These perennials grow best in zones 3 thru 8, where they can be left in the ground year-round. The plant is propagated by seed, root cutting or division.

In the US this species can be found Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin either naturally or in great numbers. In Canada, you can find it in Ontario.

Since I don't know where you found the plant, I suspect that the wind or birds dropped the seed in your garden and the conditions were just right for germination.

Hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can do assist with anything else.

Ask the Plant Expert: What kind of flower is this? We've had this flower for 8 years, and it has only bloomed twice. What is it's name?

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: I really think this is an amaryllis. My only hesitation is that usually you see the top of the amaryllis bulb and the bloom are usually on a thick stock, also the blooms are usually much larger. This may be a case of plant abnormalities or genetic defects. We will continue to ask around to see if anyone else has any suggestions, but that's our best guess! Thank you for your submission!

[edit - it's a CLIVA] Upon further research, actually thanks to our florists on Facebook, we think this plant is actually a Cliva. This plant is very difficult to get to bloom, and can take 6 years or more to bloom for the first time. It requires a cold period to initiate blooming and regular watering during the summer months. However, don't over water the plant this will cause root rot and the plant will decline instead of flourish. Here is an article from the Chicago Botanical Society on Cliva care.

Ask The Plant Expert: In the People's Garden at Riverside Park NYC, I found an odd little bunch of flowers in bloom that were almost hidden from view in our very lush garden. I haven't the foggiest idea what it is, and I have been learning flowers hard for two years now. It's quite unusual to me in shape, like a bell with four hornlike extensions beneath the petals. Help! Am attaching a really pretty picture of our little flower garden. I picked the hardest place to get interested in flowers–am crazy about Wave Hill Gardens up in the Bronx, but many of them are rare varieties excepting the wild flower garden. It has really been hard to ID plants there. I hate to bother busy experts, but you can be sure I have spent three hours at least trying on my own between my books and the internet.

-Tess

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: I contacted the New York Botanical Garden to see if they could help identify the plant.  I received an answer from them this morning

It appears to be one of the epimediums.

Plants Delights nursery online may have it…Hope this helps.

Ask the Plant Expert: What's the name of this plant? Can it be fed to animals? What's the nutrient content of this plant?

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: Kester, this question was a bit tricky, so a friend of mine, Rick Pudwell at the Memphis Botanical Garden was able to help me identify the plant. Here is his reply:

The plant is Pachystachys coccinea, Cardinal guard. A native of the West Indies and Northern South America. It is a small shrub, probably 5 to 6 feet in the Acanthaceae family which makes it a relative of Shrimp plant, Thunbergia, Ruellia, Stobilanthes and similar plants which are often cultivated as ornamental tropical plants in the United States. I would not think it to be toxic to animals, but can find no literature that would give nutritional value as it is not considered of as a food plant.

We hope this helps, Kester!

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Ask The Expert: Somebody gave me this plant around 4 or five years ago. I planted it getting sun from the East. This spring for the first time I noticed this beautiful flower (photo attached) and now I would love to know what is it; an Iris, Lily? If so what is the name? Thanks for your help!

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: What you have there is a Dietes iridioides, often called fortnight lily, African iris, or Morea iris. Although it's called lily, it actually is in the Iridaceae or iris family. The flowers this plant produces are absolutely stunning, however, they usually only last one day. The fortnight lily will produce many flowers from spring to late summer, in groups with a fortnight (two weeks) between the next flowering. Fortnight lilies seem to do best in the light dappled shade of tall, open trees. The flowering stems of fortnight lily are perennial, so don't cut them back after flowering as you might for most other iris like plants.

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Ask The Plant Expert: I have three pictures of a plant I bought at our local grocery store. I just says a tropical plant. Can you tell me what it is and how to care for it. Thanks, Carol.

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: It appears what you have here is in the Commelinaceae family. It is some type of Callisia, possibly Callisia elegans Striata, (also known as Setcresea striata). But Callisia is a common name for these houseplants. They are native to Central and South America. This plant prefers light to partial shade, warm temperatures (at least 59°F) and humidity. Water generously and spray it often with a spritzer. Feed a balanced fertilizer and trim any long shoots.

Ask The Expert: When I was a child my grandma had a flowerbed that had these flowers that had football shaped seed pods.  When the seed pods were touched they would pop open flinging the little black seeds out. As best as I can remember, the plants were about two feet tall, light green in color and I think that the flowers were white.  These flowers were growing in a shady area along with an old-fashioned bleeding heart.  I'm now in my 40's and I haven't seen them since.  I was wondering if you could help me.

Flower Shop Network's Plant Expert Reply:

I believe the plant you are asking about is a touch-me-not or Impatiens balsamina. Here is an example of the seed pods and flower:

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Ask The Plant Expert: First plant to identify is the dark green "elephant eared" typed plant. I have had it inside the house for a while now. It reminds me of a philodendron, but has "wavy" edges ans no holes. The second plant is the Peace Lily. I'm not used to seeing the peace lily having reddish stripes in the flowers. Therefore, Is it really a "peace" lily? – Mikel

Flower Shop Network's Plant Expert Reply: There are some Philodendrons that do look like elephant ears , but I think the first plant is a type of Colocasia or Alocasia commonly known as Taro or Elephant Ear. If I had to base it strictly on the leaf, I would say Alocasia sanderiana.  To really idenitify it I would need a better look at the plant structure – stems, etc.

Bloom structure is like a peace lily, but the leaf structure is completely different than a peace lily. Based on the leaf and bloom together, I would say the second is an Anthurium, most likely an Anthurium andraeanum (Flamingo lily).

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Ask the Expert: Can you identify this wildflower?

Picture taken at the end of September in Massachusetts. Plant less than a foot tall. In rich soil – not wet. Rays generally only 3. Looks like wingstem but there are no wings on the stem. Thanks! John Kimball

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

What you have is a type of Solidago commonly known as Goldenrod. The genus Solidago consists of over a hundred species of woody-based perennials. In Massachusetts, you will find the following Solidago are native:

• Solidago caesia (blue-stemmed goldenrod, wreath goldenrod)
• Solidago canadensis (meadow goldenrod)
• Solidago juncea (early goldenrod, plume goldenrod)
• Solidago nemoralis (gray goldenrod, old-field goldenrod)
• Solidago rugosa (rough-leaved goldenrod)
• Solidago ulmifolia (elm-leaved goldenrod)

I'm not sure which of these species is the one in the photo.

A Few Solidago Facts:

• All Solidago flowers are always yellow.
• There are over 100 species of this woody perennial.
• Solidago plant prefer full sun
• Solidago is considered a wild flower in many places.
• Solidago can be invasive.
• Solidago spp is used in fresh flower arrangements as a filler.
• Solidago can be dried and used in permanent arrangements.
• Solidago has no fragrance.

Hope this information has been helpful.

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Ask the Expert: What type of Rose is this?
We found this rose on our travels through Italy. See the pictures attached. It looks like a Grandiflora, with a yellow bud. The bud turns into pink and rose.

What type of rose is it and will it survive in Zone 5 or 6 (Southern Ontario)?

And even better, where can I get one?

Sonja

Flower Shop Network's Plant Expert Replay: Grandiflora roses are a cross between a hybrid tea and a floribunda. Their flowers grow in clusters and the plant is usually tall. Both of these qualification seem to be present in the rose in question. Since I am not an expert  rosarian, I can not say with certainty which grandiflora it is.

However, I can tell you that there are many rose varietiesthat start out in one color in bud form and mature to another color. A few of those varieities are Dream Come True, Heart o' Gold, Rio Samba and Joesph's Coat. If you want a rose that closley resembles the one in the picture I would choose Dream Come True. It is a grandiflora rose that is hardy to zone 5. The best place to get one is at your local garden center & nursery. These professionals will not only have the roses, but will explain what is needed to make them grow successfully in your area.