Plant Profile: Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii)
Karen Native to hot desert areas of northwestern Mexico, California, Arizona, and Nevada, the teddy bear cholla is a shrub or small tree in the cactus family, Cactaceae, and closely related…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii)
With their soft fuzzy appearance and resemblance to teddy-bear’s arms these shrubs or small trees have a strong visual appeal that belies their danger to passers-by. They grow up to…
Plant Combination: Cranesbill (Geranium) ‘ Rozanne’ and Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) ‘Concorde’
Cranesbill ‘Rozanne’ and barberry ‘Concord’ are outstanding plants for the garden and when put together they make a fabulous combination that lasts for the whole growing season. In early spring…
Invasive Plants and Their Native Alternatives: Schinus terebinthifolius
This evergreen shrub or small tree is native to Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil but was introduced into Florida by the mid 1800s as an ornamental and has spread and is…
Plant Profile: Cranberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster apiculatus)
Native to the mountains of southwestern China, this deciduous to evergreen shrub grows 2-3’ tall with a spread of 3-6’. It is a member of the rose family, Roaseae, that…
Plant Profile: Virgina Sweetspire (Itea virginica)
Virginia sweetspire is a deciduous to semievergreen shrub native to eastern North America from New Jersey and Missouri south to Florida and Louisiana where it grows on stream and pond…
Botany for Gardeners: Desmanthus
Desmanthus Des MAN thus: from Greek desmos meaning a bundle and anthos meaning a flower Desmanthus is a genus in the bean family (Leuminosae/Fabaceae) and consists of twenty four species…
Pink Variegated Plants for the Garden
Variegated plants are always desirable in the garden for the long term color they provide. They draw the eye and can be used to move the eye around the garden,…
Plant Combination: Asiatic Lily (Lilium) ‘Chianti’ and Barberry (Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea) ‘Rose Glow’
Chuck ‘Rose Glow’ barberry starts early in the year with its flush of new grown that ranges from dark purple to rosy pink. In late spring or early summer the large…
Plant Profile: Sweet Acacia (Acacia farnesiana)
A native of Texas and Mexico, sweet acacia is also native to southern Asia and Australia and is an invasive species in Australia. It is grown in southern France for…