Plants for a Plant Zoo: Buffalo-Bur (Solanum rostratum)
Karen 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…
Invasive Plants and Their Native Alternatives: Beach Naupaka (Scaevola sericea var. taccada)
Also known as beach cabbage and sea lettuce, beach naupaka is a dense, spreading evergreen shrub growing 3-10’ tall. The medium green leaves are elliptical, waxy, fleshy, smooth and 1.5…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
The dramatic foliage of this evergreen fern will attract the eye and beg for a closer look to see the unique nest formed in the center of the plant. The…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Gooseneck Loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides)
As the gooseneck-shaped spikes of tiny white flowers emerge in late spring and fill the garden bed, the playful, rambuctious, whimsical behavior of the plant bursts forth. Like a naughty…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Goat’s Beard (Aruncus dioicus)
With its feathery plumes of tiny cream colored flowers moving gracefully over dark green leaves this shrub-like herbaceous perennial makes a beautiful presence in a woodland setting, beside a stream…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Toad Flax (Linaria vulgaris)
Toad flax might not be the star of the show in any garden but it adds a lot of charm even growing in lean dry soil. True, it is a…
Butterflies for the Garden and How to Attract Them: Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
The great spangled fritillary inhabits moist meadows , pastures, prairies, and woodlands all over the US except Florida. The common name fritillary comes from the Latin word fritillus meaning chess…