Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Laurustinus (Viburnum tinus)
Karen Laurustinus is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to shrubland and wooded rocky slopes of the Mediterranean area of Europe and northern Africa. It is a very attractive plant…
Plant Profile: Night Gladiolus (Gladiolus tristis)
Also known as sad-flowered sword lily, marsh Afrikaner, ever-flowering gladiolus and evening flower, this tender perennial is native to southern Africa and is a member of the iris family, Iridaceae,…
Plant Profile: Dragon Fruit (Selenicereus undatus aka Hylocereus undatus)
Also known as pitaya, Belle-Of-The -Night, Cinderella Plant, Honolulu Queen, and Jesus in the Cradle (to mention just a few names), this lithophytic or hemiepiphytic perennial vine is a cactus…
Plant Profile: Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana alata)
Also called jasmine tobacco, sweet tobacco, winged tobacco, tanbaku, and Persian tobacco, this annual or tender herbaceous perennial is native from southern Brazil to northeastern Argentina and is a member…
Plant Profile: Night Scented Stock (Matthiola longipetala aka Cheiranthus longipetalus)
Native to Eurasia, this cool weather annual is a member of the mustard family, Brassicaceae, that also includes cabbage, broccoli, and Alyssum. It may be upright or sprawling, and has…
Plant Profile: Mock Orange (Philadelphus coronarius)
Also known ans English dogwood, this deciduous shrub is native to southern Europe and Asia Minor, and is a member of the hydrangea family, Hydrangeaceae, that also includes tree anemone,…
Plant Profile: Tuberose (Polianthus tuberosa aka Agave amica)
Native to Mexico, this tender perennial is in the asparagus family, Asparagaceaea, that also includes bluebell, yucca, and hosta. With a tuberous rhizome, the plant grows 2-3′ tall and forms…
Plant Profile: Four-O’Clock (Mirabilis jalapa)
Native to the dry tropical regions of North, Central, and South America, this herbaceous perennial, also known as marvel of Peru, is a member of the family Nyctaginaceae that also…
Book Review: The Twilight Garden
Karen Meyers The evening can be on of the most wonderful times to enjoy a garden and author, Lia Leendertz, explores the joys of a garden that can be appreciated as much…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Snail Vine ( Cochliasanthus caracalla aka Vigna caracalla)
Beautiful and exotic, the snail like flowers of this tropical vine are sure to attract attention and squeals of delight. They appear in 12″ long clusters from summer to early…