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
The Dragon tree (Dracaena draco) is a slow-growing monocot belonging to the asparagus family. It starts out with a single stem which takes 10 to 15 years to stop growing and make the first flower. The Dragon Tree is a subtropical plant. [1] It is a tree-like species that grows in Madeira, Cape Verde, Morocco, … Read more
The Sago palm is a gymnosperm from the Cycadaceae family. It’s native to Japan and the Ryukyu Islands. Although widely used as an ornamental plant, the Sago palm’s main use is in the production of sago, a staple of traditional cooking in New Guinea, Brunei, Malaysia, and more. Its botanical name, Cycas revoluta stems from … Read more
The Desert Rose plant, or botanically Adenium obesum, is a species of flowering plant that belongs to the Apocynum or dogbane family. The Adenium genus contains six subspecies after the latest reclassifications in the 20th century. Although at one point the genus Adenium was attributed to 12 species, many of them have since been regarded … Read more
Angel trumpet or angel’s trumpet is the popular nickname for Brugmansia. This is a genus of flowering plants from the Solanaceae family. Oftentimes these common names are also used for species in the Datura genus because of some obvious visual similarities. [1] Between 1753 and 1805, all Brugmansia species were considered members of the Datura … Read more
Oleander is a legendary plant and was already widely cultivated when it appears in the writings of the ancient Greeks and Romans. This hardy shrub with sweet-smelling flowers is also one of the most toxic garden plants [1], and should be handled with care. What Is The Oleander Plant’s Origin? Oleander originated in North Africa, … Read more