The difference between beautiful cherry and five-color plum
In the selection of garden flowers, beauty cherry and five-color plum are often confused as the same species. Although these two flowering shrubs belong to the Verbenaceae family, they have significant differences in many botanical characteristics. Understanding their differences can not only help horticulturists make accurate purchases, but also provide scientific basis for landscape matching. Comparison of flower characteristics: Differences in shape and flowering period Inflorescence structure and color changes. Beautiful cherry blossoms present typical spikes, each cluster consists of 20-50 funnel-shaped flowers, with bracts arranged closely in a lanceolate shape. Its unique feature is that a single plant can simultaneously present a gradient of pink, purple and white, and the surface of the petals often has a velvet texture.
Five-colored plum is famous for its hemispherical flower heads, with a single flower only about 5 mm in diameter. The most recognizable thing is the gradual change of color: lemon yellow at the beginning, turning to orange red after 48 hours, and finally freezing to deep red, forming a spectacle of "one flower and three colors." Flowering time and duration Beauty cherry blossoms begin to bloom in early May and can last until the early frost period, with a single flowering period of about 7 days; five-color plum blossoms in June and can bloom all year round in tropical areas, with a single flower life of as long as 10-12 days. Differences in leaf shapes: Touch and growth patterns The leaves of the beautiful cherry are ovoid, the leaf margins are serrated and round like waves, and the new leaves have a purple-red halo, and have a velvety soft texture to the touch.
The difference between beautiful cherry and five-color plum
The surface of the leaves of five-colored plum is covered with uneven patterns, and the back is densely covered with fluff. Rubbing will give off a special smell. This physical defense mechanism can effectively drive off pests. Differences in plant type growth: Space application techniques The plant height of beauty cherry is strictly controlled at 30-50cm, and the branches show creeping growth characteristics. It is especially suitable for use as ground cover plants or hanging potted plants.
Five-colored plum has the dual characteristics of shrubs and vines. Its upright plant type can reach 2 meters and can extend more than 4 meters under climbing state. It is a high-quality material for making hedge walls.
After mastering these identification points, you can quickly distinguish them through three steps: look at the shape of the inflorescences, touch the texture of the leaves, and measure the height of the plants. Correctly identifying the two plants can not only optimize the landscape hierarchy, but also scientifically maintain them according to their growth characteristics. It is recommended to arrange beautiful cherry blossoms on the edge of flower beds, and five-color plum blossoms are suitable as background shrubs. The combination of the two can form a colorful flower belt that lasts for half a year.