Plants of the Bible: Palestinian Tumbleweed (Anastatica hierochuntica)
Karen Also known as rose of Jericho, Maryam’s flower, flower of St. Mary, St. Mary’s flower, Mary’s flower, and white mustard flower, this annual herb is native to the deserts of…
Perennials for Wall Gardens in Full Sun
The crevices in walls provide an opportunity to create a beautiful wall garden but also present challenges. They usually have very little soil and so can dry out or get…
Plant Profile: Sharon Tulip (Tulipa agenensis aka T. sharonensis)
The Sharon tulip is a perennial bulb and member of the Lily family, Liliaceae, that also includes dog’s tooth violet and fritillaria. It is native to the Middle East where…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Alligator Plant (Kalanchoe daigremontiana aka Bryophyllum daigremontianum)
The alligator plant deserves a place in a plant zoo on the basis of its name alone but another name, mother of thousands, gives a better idea of the uniqueness…
Plant Profile: Common Rush (Juncus effusus)
Also known as soft rush and mat rush, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the rush family, Juncaceae, that includes plants resembling sedges and grasses. Common rush is native…
Plants of the Bible: Blue Lotus (Nymphae caerulea)
A member of the water lily family, Nymphaeaceae, this tropical aquatic perennial goes by many names including Egyptian lotus, blue water lily, Cape water lily, frog’s pulpit, and sacred lily…
Genus: Arenaria for the Garden
Arenaria, often known as sandwort, is a genus of over 210 species of flowering plants in the carnation family, Caryophyllaceae, that also includes, pinks, baby’s breath, and chickweed. The genus…
Plant Profile: Canary Creeper (Tropaeolum peregrinum)
Also known as canarybird flower, canary bird vine, and canary nasturtium, this tender perennial vine is native to western South America, in Peru and possibly Ecuador. It belongs to the…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Wolfsbane (Aconitum napellus)
Wolfbane has a long a interesting history. According to legend aconite grew on the hill where Hercules fought Cerberus, the three headed dog that guarded the underworld. The dog’s spittle…
Plant Profile: Tatarian orachea (Atriplex tatarica)
Native to saline and alkaline deserts of Middle and western Central Asia, Asia Minor, North Africa, and Eastern Europe, this annual shrub is a member of the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae,…