If you are enthusiastic about plants, agriculture and horticulture then there are a lot of things that you will want to know about. Learning about many different kinds of plants is fun but it can be difficult to know where to start.
One way to tackle it is to categorise plants into alphabetical order. We have put together some information about 15 different plants beginning with the letter ‘F’, so keep reading to find out about Fuschia, Ferns, Fennel and more!
Fabiana
Fabiana, also known as ‘false heath’, is an evergreen shrub found in South America. It is usually found in temperate regions on dry, upland slopes.
They have dense leaves that look like needles and the flowers are a tubular shape and violet in colour. Fabiana needs well-drained, dry soil which is between neutral and acidic and is moderately fertile. It thrives best in full sunlight, sheltered from cold winds.
Forsythia
Forsythia is a fast, easy growing shrub found mostly in Eastern Asia with one variety also found in Southeast Europe. Some varieties of forsythia are deciduous whereas others are semi-evergreen. They tend to grow in open woodland areas.
Most varieties of forsythia have flowers with a vibrant yellow colour. Birds are particularly attracted to the buds of the flowers. Forsythia is susceptible to issues with honey fungus and forsythia gall.
To keep this plant healthy, it needs to be in moist, well-drained soil that is very fertile. The ideal position for this plant is in full sun, but it can handle a little bit of shade.
Fuchsia
The Fuchsia plant is also known as ‘lady’s eardrops’. This is because most varieties of fuchsia have a tubular flower that hangs like a pendant from the leaf axils. The petals form a bell shape and the leaves tend to be oval. This plant also produces edible fruit.
There are about 100 different species of fuschia and over 8000 hybrid species, ranging from trees to shrubs, from deciduous to evergreen. Fuchsias originate in Central and South America as well as New Zealand. They grow best in full sun or partial shade in fertile soil that is moist but well-drained.
Alkaline or chalk-loving soil is ideal. Whilst fuchsia plants are mostly resistant to honey fungus, they are vulnerable to pests such as whitelfies, capsid bugs, aphids, vine weevils, and red spider mites. They are also susceptible to grey mould and rust.
Freylinia
Freylinia is an evergreen shrub with leaves that resemble a weeping willow. They originate in South Africa but can grow in a range of different habitats. The most well known species of freylinia is the lanceolata variety, whose drooping stems produce an abundance of creamy white flowers with a fragrant scent.
Whilst freylinia can handle a bit of frost and some cold temperatures, they grow best in a position of full sunlight with some shelter from the wind. The soil should be fertile, moist and well-drained. If you want a bee-friendly garden then freylinia lanceolata is an ideal plant to choose.
They only need to be pruned once a year after the plant has flowered, but require regular deadheading to keep the plant healthy. Be sure to watch out for signs of aphids and red spider mites as these plants are at risk of developing issues with those pests.
Fritillaria Imperialis
Fritillaria Imperialis is a perennial plant also known as ‘Crown Imperial’ or ‘Aurora’. The bell shaped flowers are red and orange in colour and are usually produced in clusters of 3 to 6. This pendant of flowers is topped with upright leafy bracts.
The bulbs do not smell sweet or appealing- they have a foxy odour which is often described as unpleasant. This makes them ideal for repelling rabbits, but they do attract pests like slugs and lily beetles.
These plants are quite hardy and can withstand very cold temperatures and are found in countries from Turkey to Kashmir. They grow best in moist, fertile soil that is well-drained and prefer to be positioned in full sunlight.
Fremontodendron
The Fremontodendron is more commonly known as ‘Fremontia’ or ‘Flannel Bush’. There are two species of Fremontodendron, one evergreen and and one semi-evergreen. They are both found in the dry woodlands, mountain slopes and canyons of Northern Mexico and the United States.
These plants produce attractive yellow flowers and you might be tempted to touch them or pick them. This is a bad idea, as coming into contact with these plants can cause irritations to the skin and eyes including burning or a rash.
This plant thrives in neutral or alkaline soil which is dry, well-drained and moderately fertile. They prefer to be positioned in full sunlight with shelter from the wind. These plants are resistant to honey fungus but may develop issues with phytophthora root.
Fern
Ferns are a herbaceous plant that can withstand very cold temperatures. In order to keep them healthy during the winter, gardeners will need to cut the fronds back quite closely to the crown of the plant and be sure to remove any weeds.
There are different kinds of ferns such as adiantum, asplenium, blechnum, dryopteris, and osmunda. The green foliage and intricate shape of ferns makes them instantly recognizable.
If you want to add some colour, ferns grow very well alongside ‘Queen Charlotte’, a Japanese windflower that also goes by the name of anemone hupehensis.
Fallopia
Fallopia is a rhizomatous perennial plant which is part of the knotweed family. It is also known as ‘mile-a-minute’ vine or russian vine. Some variations of this plant are climbers and require wire or trellis, whilst others support themselves with aerial roots.
This plant is found in the Northern Hemisphere and grows best in either full sun or partial shade. In order to flourish, Fallopia requires well drained, dry soil with moderate fertilisation.
Whilst these plants are mostly resistant to honey fungus, they tend to be susceptible to pests like leaf miners. If you are looking for a great planting combination, Fallopia grows very well alongside ferns.
False Indigo
False indigo is a herbaceous perennial plant also known as baptisia australis. The foliage on the plant is gre-green in colour and the erect lupin-like flowers are violet blue with dark grey pods. The leaves are three-parted, and this shrub is classed as deciduous.
This plant requires well drained soil with either a neutral or acidic composition. They can survive droughts and flourish in full sun. False indigo will grow well in a south facing, east facing or west facing position.
Fairy Duster
The fairy duster plant has a very striking appearance. The scientific name for this plant is calliandra eriophylla. Fairy duster is an evergreen shrub that grows best in full sunlight. The soil needs to be dry to medium in terms of moisture, which means that this plant is capable of surviving a drought.
The acidity of the soil should be 6.1 to 7.8. The fairy duster flowers are pink and purple with a spray of long, thin spindles which look unusual but beautiful. These flowers attract a lot of wildlife which helps to pollinate these plants.
Fennel
Fennel is also known by its scientific name, ‘foeniculum vulgare’. It is an annual plant that is very fragrant and attracts wildlife like birds and butterflies. It is also used in cooking to flavour meat and vegetable dishes. They require moderate levels of moisture with an acidity level of 7.0 to 8.0.
The flowers on fennel plants are yellow which contrasts well with the green leaves. This plant will grow best in full sunlight. Fennel falls under the subtype of a groundcover plant.
Fig
The fig plant, or ficus carica, is a deciduous tree or shrub with green foliage. They grow best in a sheltered and sunny spot, preferably in a south facing position. Growing them against the wall can help the plant to remain sturdy.
The soil should be well fertilise with manure or garden compost. It needs to be moist but well-drained with an acidity of 6.0 to 6.5. Be careful of the sap on these plants as it can irritate the skin.
French Lace
French lace is a very beautiful perennial plant with the scientific name ‘lavandula multifida’. It is classed as a herb and flourishes in either full sun or partial shade. They require dry to medium moisture conditions with a soil acidity of 6.6 to 7.8.
The purple flowers on these plants are a show of beauty that attract both birds and insects, and they have a distinctive fragrant smell.
Flowering Tobacco
Flowering tobacco is also called Nicotiana and is an annual ground cover plant. It requires partial shade rather than full sunlight in order to grow well.
The ideal growing conditions for this plant include medium moisture levels and soil acidity of 5.0 to 5.5. The flowers on flowering tobacco are either a yellow green colour, or pink and red. They have a sweet smell which draws in birds, butterflies and other wildlife.
Plants have always been a big interest of mine, and I’ve always wanted to learn more about the different types of species. I have gained a vast knowledge of the subject over the years, and I have decided to share this information with others.
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