Perennials for Wall Gardens in Full Sun
Karen 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…
Plants of the Bible: Sage-leaved Rockrose (Cistus salviifolius)
Also known as salvia cistus and Gallipoli rose, this bushy evergreen shrub is native to the Mediterranean region, including southern Europe, parts of Western Asia and North Africa. It is…
Plants of the Bible: Cretan Rock Rose (Cistus creticus)
Also known as hoary rock rose and pink rock rose, this evergreen flowering shrub is a member of the Cistaceae family, a small group of shrubs and semi shrubs that…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
The unique orange and blue flowers of bird of paradise never fail to catch the eye and add a touch of the exotic to the surroundings. From spring to fall…
Plant Profile: Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
Indigenous to South Africa, this tender evergreen herbaceous perennial is a member of the Strelitziaceae, a small family closely related to bananas. The plant grows from a rhizome and forms…
Plant Profile: Alligator Plant (Kalanchoe daigremontiana aka Bryophyllum daigremontianum)
Also known as mother of thousands, devil’s backbone, and Mexican hat plant, this short-lived, succulent perennial is native to Madagascar and a member of the stonecrop family, Crassulaceae, that also…
Plant Profile: Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens)
Blue oat grass is a clumping, cool season, evergreen ornamental grass, native to Eurasia where it grows in meadows and on dry hillsides. It is a member of the grass…
Plant Profile: Silk Tree (Grevillea robusta)
Native to the eastern coast of Australia, this fast growing evergreen tree is also called southern silky oak, silver oak, and Australian silver oak. It is a member of the…
Plant Profile: White Rock Rose (Cistus x hybridus aka C. corbariensis)
White rock rose is a dense evergreen shrub native to southern Europe resulting from a natural cross between C. salviifolius and C. populifolius. It is a member of the Cistaceae,…
Book Review: Sun Drenched Gardens
The interest in the mediterranean style of gardening has been growing as water shortages have increased and made xeriscaping desirable or necessary. Mediterranean gardens have many appealing features and Jan…