Plants for a Plant Zoo: Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos spp)
Karen The small appealing flower buds of the kangaroo paw plant are a must for the plant zoo! The best part is that there are many different colors of “paws” and…
Plant Profile: Dwarf Chenille Plant (Acalypha pendula)
Also called kitten-tail, red hot cat’s tail, and strawberry firetail, this evergreen herbaceous perennial is native to Dominican Republic, Cuba and Haiti and is a member of the spurge family,…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Zebra Plant (Aphelandra squarrosa)
Native to the tropical forests of eastern Brazil, this tender evergreen shrub is best grown in an indoor plant zoo of houseplants. Although it has beautiful foliage and striking, long…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Gopher Spurge (Euphorbia lathyris)
With alternative common names like mole plant and sassy jack you can use this engaging annual/ biennial to fill several animal slots or as a rodent (but don’t get your…
Plant Profile: African Sheepbush (Pentzia incana aka Chrysanthemum incanum)
Native to South Africa and Namibia, this aromatic subshrub is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes sunflower, yarrow, and lettuce. The plants form dense bushy mounds…
Plant Profile: Tiger Claw (Erythrina variegata)
Also called Indian coral tree, this deciduous tree is native to warm coastal areas of tropical and subtropical India and Malaysia. It is a member of the bean family, Fabaceae,…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Zebra Grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’)
With long, arching leaves horozontally striped with wide bands of cream and green this warm weather perennial grass grows 4-6′ tall in tight rounded clumps. By mid September it reaches…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Parrot Feather ( Myriophyllum aquaticum)
The fluffy blue-green foliage of this emergent perennial aquatic plant resembles parrot feathers to some and miniature fir trees to others so whichever your fancy, this plant may delight. To…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana aka Cochlearia armoraci)
If you like the wild ponies of Assateague you will enjoy growing horseradish! It doesn’t know its place and insists on moving about expanding its territory year after year. The…
Plant Profile: Sheepbit (Jasione montana)
Native to thin, dry, sandy soils of central Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, this biennial or annual is a member of the bellflower family, Campanulaceae, that also includes balloon…