Category: Plant Profiles

Houseplant Profile: Schefflera

Schefflera-Anne-of-Green-Gardens

Schefflera are tree-like houseplants with green or variegated green and off-white leaves. This cheerful houseplant can grow quickly in the right place, eventually reaching anywhere from four to eight feet tall. They are sometimes called umbrella plants. Schefflera Light & Temperature Needs Scheffleras need bright, indirect light. Otherwise the plant will become leggy. East and […]

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Plant Profile: Aloes

Aloe arborescens

Learn about the diverse family of Aloes.

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Plant Profile: Daphne odora

Daphne odora 'Alba'

Daphne is an evergreen shrub with deliciously scented flowers. The fragrance lingers in the air in the garden, inviting you to get closer. The fragrant flowers may be light pink or white. Flowers bloom in late winter to early spring, depending upon your region. Plant leaves are either leathery, dark green and shiny, and one […]

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Bottle Brush Tree or ShrubPlant Profile

Bottle brush flower. [H.Guenther]

Bottle brush is a striking evergreen shrub or tree. Once a commonly seen landscape plant, it has become less so and been replaced by more popular flowering trees such as crape myrtle and western redbud. Description of Plant This plant flowers heavily in spring, and continues to flower during warm weather. The flowers are spiky, […]

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Violets – Garden Violets or Sweet VioletsPlant Profile

violets

Violets (Viola odorata), also known as sweet violets,  garden violets and English violets. This plant is a tiny harbinger of spring, since it is often one of the very first flowering plants to bloom. Description of Violets Viola odorata is a lightly scented perennial plant that blooms in spring and summer and in mild climates may also […]

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Lilac Vine-HardenbergiaPlant Profiles

hardenbergia Anne of Green Gardens

Want to be the first front yard in your neighborhood with flowers every year? You can be if you plant a lilac vine (Hardenbergia species). The bright, cheery flowers of this climbing vine are a colorful reminder that spring is nearly here! Description of Hardenbergia Lilac vine (also called coral pea) is an evergreen vine with dark […]

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Pacific Coast IrisPlant Profiles

pacific-coast iris grissos fancy Anne-of-Green-Gardens

If you need a plant with show-stopping color for shade, Pacific Coast iris, also called Douglas iris, is your plant! It resembles bearded irises in leaf and flower appearance but is more diminutive. Bearded iris flowers tend to stand tall above their leaves, while Pacific Coast iris flowers are shorter. Pacific Coast iris grow from […]

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Buckwheat (Eriogonum)Plant Profiles

Eriogonum is a versatile plant that works really well in drought tolerant gardens. It’s a California native plant with lots of personality. Eriogonums, also known as buckwheat* feature plants of various heights and spreads that work well in most landscapes. The flowers are splashy and prolific and last for a long time. Description of Plant […]

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Christmas CactusPlant Profile

christmas-cactus-Anne-of-Green-Gardens

Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) as well as Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) are succulent, tropical plants available for purchase during fall and winter. Read Thanksgiving vs. Christmas below if you want to know the difference.  There is also an Easter cactus that blooms in spring, if I see one this year I’ll buy one and write about […]

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Sacred Hallucinogenic Plant: DaturaPlant Profiles

datura-Anne-of-Green-Gardens

Growing up, my “playground” was a huge yard with fruit trees, seasonal veggies and plenty of empty space. It also housed an abundance of weeds and wildflowers. Every summer, one flower in particular would catch my attention. It had large, fragrant white flowers and low growing light green foliage. This “moonflower” (as I called it) […]

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