I know it's the holidays and people are busy---but boy is this forum slow!!!! How about this: everyone list a hoya (or hoyas) that they think is under-appreciated or under-grown, and tell why....I'll start...
I have a great fondness for hoya cv. Minibelle...It doesn't seem to be very popular, and I think the "species purist" people don't like it much, but I thoroughly enjoy mine and here's why: it's a relatively small, easily controlled plant, it has clusters of beautiful mauve-pink velvety star flowers almost year round, the scent is intense but not overpowering; less sweet, more spicy than regular carnosa, and it couldn't possibly be easier to care for---it's a tough plant that seems happy no matter what conditions are offered....
Okay--that's mine, what's yours?
SR
most under-appreciated hoyas
I'm gonna go with good 'ol H. compacta. No variegation, just dark green curls that grow.. and grow.. and grow.. and then produce huge numbers of nice, pretty pink stars for flowers. No real scent that I can detect, but then my smeller is old. The dark green of the leaves contrasts so nicely with the surroundings and the umbels of flowers look like decorations.
Try it... you'll like it!! ;)
Barb
H. carnosa...and all her family!! Not demanding, will take the coldest and darkest spot in the living room (or yard) and be happy and doesn't even care if she is watered or not. I remember, one winter in Taos, NM, visiting a possible office space with a friend and there, in this empty house (unheated I might add) was a gorgeous H. carnosa bigger than big bread box!!! Yes...it needed water....probably had been watered a month or two earlier. She still has it...decades later!
I'm with Carol on the carnosas. Everyone labels them as ordinary or common. When they bloom there is nothing ordinary or common about them. Their fragrance fills the room The leaves on the varigated ones are georgeous. Every leaf has different markings. They also seem to be less fussy with water and light.
Even the H. diversifolia...it is often poopooed as being so 'common' but if you have ever seen one in a big pot in full bloom, with those gorgeous leaves...YUM!
Eileen: That's so pretty! Love your little fairy sitting there too!
I have Krimson Queen and Krimson Princess carnosa's and have never detected fragrance on either of them, day or night. But, I like the looks of the foliage and flowers even without fragrance.
Gotta go look up diversifolia - not one I'm familiar with.
The angel planter was a condolence gift from a co-worker a few years ago.
We had a beautiful granddaughter, Christine, who was born with a leukodystrophy disorder. She is now in Heaven with Jesus, passing into his hands when she was three years old. When I look at that angel planter, it reminds me so much of her. She was a beautiful child. The little fairy was also from the same person. She put it in the hoya plant.
This is my daughter Dolores with daughter Kimberly and Christine.
Eileen, what a great photo of your daughter and granddaughters! My condolences to you and your family on the loss your little Christine. I have never been blessed with children but know that losing a child has to be the hardest thing to endure. I truly believe there is a reason why things happen as they do, even though we can't understand that reason. Heaven now has a beautiful little Angel named Christine and I truly believe you will all see each other again some day.