Carex testacea [KAR-eks, test-uh-SEE-uh] is a type of grass with coppery-brown leaves slowly turning orange during the colder seasons. It’s native to New Zealand and belongs to the Carex genus. The genus contains over 2000 species of grass-like plants. It’s also part of the Cyperaceae family, commonly called sedges. The plant has several common names … Read more
Melampodium [mel-am-POE-dee-um] is a genus of flowering plants from the Aster family Asteraceae and sub-family Asteroideae. The bushy plants are summer annuals and perennials, known for their daisy-like flowers. The plants are native to tropical and subtropical climates. They are found in Central America, the Caribbean, South America, and North America in Southwestern United States, California, and Florida. Some … Read more
Corydalis Lutea [kor-ID-ah-liss, LOO-tee-uh] is an easy plant to cultivate featuring a neat mound of ferny green foliage and delicate yellow flowers. This plant belongs to the Pseudofumaria genus and the Papaveraceae (poppy) family of plants. It’s native to the foothills of the Alps in Switzerland and Italy, but commonly grown around the world. The … Read more
Opuntia subulata [oh-PUN-tee-uh, sub-yoo-LAY-tuh], which is a member of the family Cactaceae, is also known by its alternate scientific name, which is Austrocylindropuntia subulata [oss-troh-sil-in-droh-PUN-tee-uh, sub-yoo-LAY-tuh]. This evergreen, perennial, succulent native of the Peruvian Andes also has several common English names, including: It also has several common Spanish names, including: In this article, we discuss … Read more
Nicotiana alata [nih-ko-she-AH-na, a-LAY-tuh] is a lovely annual summer flower with a long bloom and pleasant fragrance, making it a popular choice for garden beds and window boxes. It belongs to the Solanaceae family of flowering plants, commonly called the nightshade family. You may hear it by the following common names: It comes from South … Read more
Callistephus chinensis [kal-LISS-steff-us, chi-NEN-sis] is a species of annuals with bright showy flowers. Typically grown from seed, these plants may reach up to 2’ feet, producing thin stems topped with masses of flowers toward the end of summer. The plant is native to China and commonly called China aster or annual aster as it belongs … Read more
Although Gerbera [GER-ber-a] is a genus native to the tropical regions of Asia, South America, and Africa, these days Gerbera daisies are grown and used commercially all over the world. The plant was named after botanist Traugott Gerber. Interestingly enough, there seems to be no relation between Traugott Gerber and any of the regions to … Read more
Coming from the arid regions of Arizona and New Mexico, Agave Parryi [a-GAH-vee, PAIR-ree-eye] is a slow-growing succulent plant with a rosette of grey-green leaves. The plant may reach close to 3’ feet in diameter, but most household plants stay a bit smaller. It’s a compact succulent needing lots of sunshine. The plant has a … Read more
Godetia, pronounced [go-DEE-sha], is an annual with pale apricot flowers. It belongs to the Onagraceae family of flowering plants called the willow herb or evening primrose family. The scientific name is clarkia amoena, pronounced [KLAR-kee-uh, am-oh-EN-uh], but people typically call it “farewell to spring” or the godetia flower. Clarkia amoena is native to the western … Read more
The Ti plant, otherwise known as Cordyline fruticosa or Cordyline terminalis by its botanical name, is an evergreen flowering plant. It belongs to the Asparagus family and is native to Australia, Asia, Polynesia, and Papua New Guinea. Despite being a tropical plant, the origin of the name, Cordyline, comes from Greek. The word kordyle means … Read more