Dimorphotheca is a shrubby tender perennial that bears solitary, daisylike flowers carried atop leafless stems from midsummer to fall. Dimorphotheca is commonly known as African daisy or Cape marigold. It is closely related to Osteospermum, another genus of plants also known as the African daisy. Taxonomists once classified Osteospermum as Dimorphotheca. Dimorphotheca is free-flowering and […] More
The Amethyst flower, Browallia, is a shade-loving perennial usually grown as an annual. Browallia most often with sapphire-blue flowers. Combine browallia with other shade-loving border or woodland plants. In the winter bring browallia indoors as a houseplant. Browallia grows from 12 to 18 inches tall. It is used best in the blue section of the […] More
Schizanthus is a tender annual that bears clusters of tubular, two-lipped orchidlike flowers in colors of pink, purple, white, and yellow, with bright yellow contrasts. The flowers of Schizanthus are often compared to various butterflies and orchids—thus the common names “butterfly flower’ and “poor man’s orchid”. Schizanthus grows best where summers are cool, where night […] More
Gilia is a genus of about 25 annuals, biennials, and perennials. Gilia is native to western North America. Flowers can be tube, funnel, or bell-shaped borne singly or in loose clusters. Blooms are borne in shades of orange, red, and yellow, as well as cream and pink. Annual Gilia is most commonly planted in gardens. […] More
Datura–often called angel’s trumpet– is an annual or short-lived perennial that bears stiking trumpet-shaped flower. Flowers are commonly white and up to 8 inches (20cm) long and nearly just as wide. Flowers appear in mid to late summer; they are followed by large spiny fruits which are poisonous. Datura’s fragrant flowers appear on trailing stems […] More
Adonis–commonly called pheasant’s eye–is a genus of perennial and annual brightly colored flowers. Perennial Adonis species bear bright yellow flowers; annual species bear scarlet red flowers. Adonis blooms in late winter and early spring and then goes dormant in the summer. Adonis flowers are similar to daisies and anemones; their bowl-shaped flowers are composed of […] More
Convolvulus, commonly called morning glory, is a genus of mostly annuals and perennials that are trailing or somewhat trailing. Convolvulus bear wide, funnel-shaped flowers that are blue, white, or pink sometimes with white centers. Convolvulus can be grown in sunny herbaceous borders, on sunny banks, or in rock gardens. Convolvulus is a genus of about […] More
Bedding begonias–also called wax begonias, fibrous begonias, or annual begonias–are colorful tender perennials commonly grown as annuals. One-inch pink, white, red, or bi-color blooms are either single or double. Flowers appear from spring through fall. There are many strains or cultivars of bedding begonias. Foliage is nearly as colorful as the blooms in some cultivars. […] More
The Transvaal daisy, Gerbera, is a perennial often grown as an annual. It has lobed green leaves and tall stems of daisy-like, summer flowers in a broad range of colors–white, cream, yellow, orange, peach, pink, red, or white with yellow discs. Gerbera daisies are deeply rooted and withstand heat and pests. Flowers bloom for most […] More
Flowering cabbage—often called ornamental cabbage—is a showy accent to the fall and winter garden. The rosettes of glossy leaves have colorful marbled-patterns of white, cream, rose, and purple. Flowering cabbage is a biennial commonly grown as an annual. Ornamental kale is very similar to flowering cabbage, but its leaves are more frilly or finely cut. […] More
Callistephus–commonly called China asters–are big frilly flowers in shades of red, pink, white, lavender-blue, and purple. Low-growing asters can be used as edging, taller ones of cutting. China asters bloom from late summer to frost. China asters belong to one of two distinct genera of plants both of which are members of the daisy family. […] More
Vinca rosea (Catharanthus) is a colorful evergreen groundcover with colorful white and pink flowers. Vinca rosea is a perennial usually treated as an annual. It is sometimes called Madagascar periwinkle, but it should not be confused with the evergreen groundcover called vinca or periwinkle. Catharanthus is a good ground cover choice for summer an autumn […] More
Stephen Albert