BC Living
How to Support BC Wineries Now
Embark on Culinary Adventures: 5 Must-Try Solo Dining Experiences Around BC
You Gotta Try this in April 2024
4 Tips on Balancing a Nutritious Diet with a Side of Indulgence
Choosing Connection: A BC Family Day Pledge to Prioritize Presence Over Plans
Embracing Plant-Based Living this Veganuary and Beyond
Inviting the Steller’s Jay to Your Garden
6 Budget-friendly Holiday Decor Pieces
Dream Home: $8 Million for a Modern Surprise
Travel Light, Travel Right: Minimalist Packing Tips for Solo Explorers
A Solo Traveller’s Guide to Cozy Accommodations
Local Getaway: Relax at a Hidden Cabin along Jordan River
Films and TV Series that Inspire Solo Travel
B.C. Adventures: Our picks for April
Cooking Classes
8 Gadgets and Gear for Your Solo Adventures
A Solo Traveller’s Guide to Souvenir Hunting in BC
Sḵwálwen Botanicals – Changing the Face of Skincare
The vibrant colours of Cordia sebestena and Tradescantia pallida 'Purpurea'
Last month I was in Merida on the Yucatan Peninsula taking a Spanish language course. On the weekends, in between school, I took the opportunity to visit some of the amazing ancient Mayan sites that dot the area.
One of them is Tulum (pictured left), which is located in a spectacular location on the coast in the State of Quintana Roo. It dates back to the period of 1250–1550 AD. And while the historical facts of the site are amazing I always find the plants growing on site fascinating.
Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’
The first small tree growing near the castle is Cordia sebestena, which often goes under the common name of Geiger Tree. It is native to the Caribbean region and wildly used as an ornamental street tree throughout the islands. Its manageable overall height of six to eight metres makes it a perfect candidate for such plantings.
As you can see, the flowers are a spectacular orange-red, followed by large white, waxy fruits. It would not be hardy in BC but possibly could be grown in a large greenhouse, however it would require much sun to encourage flowers.
The second plants growing on the ruins will be more familiar to you either as a houseplant or one of those dramatic feature plants you can have outside in summer, either as a hanging basket or patio feature. It is Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’ and it is native to eastern tropical Mexico.
The rich violet purple foliage is eye-catching; the colour intensifies in bright sunlight and if the plant has it roots restricted (as verified in this picture). Also in summer it has tiny bright pink flowers in terminal cymes.
During the winter months up north, it makes a most attractive houseplant for a sunny window ledge and roots easily from cuttings in spring.