Plants for a Plant Zoo: Bunny Tails Grass (Lagurus ovatus)
Karen The blooms of this perennial grass are just plain cute and are bound to attract children of all ages along with their parents. The plant grows 1-2′ tall and has…
Butterflies in the Garden and How to Attract Them: Alfalfa Butterfly (Colias eurythreme)garden
Alfalfa butterflies, also called orange sulphurs, are one of the most widespread butterflies in the US occurring coast to coast except in Florida. They can be found in a wide…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Gopher Apple (Licania michauxii aka Geobalanus oblongifolius)
If you live along the southeast coastline and want to attract the gopher tortoise, this wiry evergreen shrub provides a fruit that is favored by this very special reptile. Why…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata aka Cassia fasciculata aka Cassia chamaecrista)
Also known as prairie senna, golden cassia, large-flowered sensitive pea, sleeping plant, and locust weed, this herbaceous annual is native to eastern North America and provides cover and food for…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Rhinoceros Bush (Elytropappus rhinocerotis aka Dicerothamnus rhinocerotis)
Somebody thought this shrub or small tree had a connection with the ear of a rhinocerous, or so the common name and specific epithet suggest. The specific epithet, rhinocerotis, comes…
Butterflies in the Garden and How to Attract Them: Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
One of the most widespread and common butterflies, the small cabbage white was accidently introduced from Europe to North American via Quebec in 1860 and has spread all over the…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Buffalo-Bur (Solanum rostratum)
Buffalo-bur is one prickly hombre so if you what a plant that will provide challenges, it is perfect for a plant zoo. The stems are covered with long, sharp yellow…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Goat’s Foot (Ipomea pes caprae)
This evergreen, creeping, perennial vine is native to tropical and subtropical coastal areas around the world, especially on upper beaches and dunes. The plant grows 6-16″ high and has a…
Invasive Plants and Their Native Alternatives: English Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
English holly is a broadleaf evergreen tree or shrub growing 15-20’ tall. It has attractive glossy dark green leaves with sharp spines on the edges and red to yellow berries…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Pheasant’s Breast (Aloe variegata aka Gonialoe variegata)
This tender evergreen succulent is also known as tiger aloe so can join the cat or bird parts of a plant zoo. The stripes on the leaves beg for inclusion…