Calceolaria bears vividly colored and unusual pouched flowers that are reminiscent of old-fashioned pocketbooks—thus the common name pocketbook plant. Calceolaria is native to Central and South America and is commonly grown indoors as a houseplant except in warm-winter Zones 10 and 11 and warmer. The genus includes about 500 species of annuals and perennials that […] 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
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
Nepeta, also known as catnip or catmint, is a hardy perennial plant that is relatively easy to grow. Nepeta is a perennial herb that belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is a bushy plant with gray-green leaves that have a pungent aroma when crushed. Nepeta produces small, lavender-blue flowers that bloom in spikes during […] More
Cheiranthus, commonly known as wallflowers, are perennial plants that are relatively easy to grow. Cherianthus bears showy, terminal spikes of bright, sweet fragrant flowers adding a pop of color to the garden. Cherianthus is a great cut flower than can be enjoyed indoors. It also attracts butterflies and pollinators to the garden. Cherianthus are small […] More
Diascia–commonly called twinspur–produces spikes of pink to lilac flowers above heart-shaped tapering leaves from summer to fall. Twinspur is a great choice for growing in pots or the front of sunny beds or in containers. Diascia has erect or sprawling stems and racemes of tubular flowers with five lobes or ‘petals.’ The bottom lobe is […] More
Hedyotis is a large genus of mostly low-growing perennials and annuals. Hedyotis michauxii is a species often grown in gardens and as a houseplant. It is a low, creeping plant with sky-blue flowers — four, cross-shaped petals with a creamy yellow center. Other species of Hedyotis have white flowers. Hedyotis prefers warm soil and air […] More
Primrose is a large genus of popular garden plants. There are at least 425 species of hardy and tender perennials commonly called primroses or primulas. Primroses are usually semi-evergreen. They produce rosettes of narrow to broadly rounded leaves and clusters of tubular, bell-shaped, or funnel-shaped flowers. The name primrose is believed to come from the […] More
Veronica, best known as speedwell, is a vigorous, easy-to-grow plant with a rich palette of colors including true blue, violet-blue, pink, and white. Veronica is a group of long-blooming annuals and perennials. Speedwells grow 12 to 36 inches tall depending on the species. They bear colorful 6- to 8-inch spikes of tiny flowers mostly in […] More
Stephen Albert