Plants of the Bible: Flowering Rush (Butomus umbellatus)
Karen Also called grass rush, this aquatic perennial is native to in Eurasia and Africa where it grows in the margins of still and slowly moving water. It is a member…
Invasive Plants and Their native Alternatives: Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
Tree of heaven is a deciduous tree native to northern China, Taiwan, northern Korea, and Tibet. It was introduced to the US in 1784 as an ornamental and naturalized wherever…
Plant Profile: Greater Burdock (Arctium lappa)
Native to temperate regions of Europe and Asia, this herbaceous biennial is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow, and lettuce. The plants produce a…
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…
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…
Invasive Plants and Their Native Alternatives: Umbrella Tree (Schefflera actinophylla)
Also called octopus tree, Schefflera is an evergreen tree native to the rainforests in Australia, New Guinea, and Java where it grows up to 50’ tall. It was introduced into…
Plants of the Bible: White Egyptian Lotus (Nymphae lotus)
Also known as tiger lotus, Egyptian white water lily, and white lotus, this aquatic fresh water perennial is a member of the water lily family, Nymphaceae, a small family of…
Plants for a Plants for a Plant Zoo: Chameleon Plant ‘Chameleon’ aka Variegata, Tricolor, ‘Court Jester” (Houttuynia cordata)
Don’t bother with the species if you want a chameleon plant in your garden as it is dull by comparison to the variegated cultivar ‘Chameleon’ aka Variegata, Tricolor, or ‘Court…
Plants for a Plant Zoo : Foxtail Barley (Hordeum jubatum)
Fox, bobcat, or squirrel, you can choose any of these animals as a member of your plant zoo depending on how you see the showy, fluffy seedheads of this cool…
Plant Profile: Gopher Spurge (Euphorbia lathyris)
Also known as caper spurge, mole plant, paper spurge, and sassy Jack, this herbaceous annual or biennial is native to southern Europe, northwest Africa, and eastward through southwest Asia to…