Articles

Aztec Lily, Zephyranthes (= Sprekelia) formosissima

With bold red flowers, Aztec lily is a dramatic “summer bulb” to consider growing this year. This tender perennial can be grown as a houseplant or planted in the ground once the soil has warmed. To learn more about this Mexican native, read this article…

Arkansas or Thread-leaf Blue Star, Amsonia hubrichtii

Amsonia hubrichtii has been chosen by the Perennial Plant Association as their Plant of the Year 2011. With blue flowers in spring and bright foliage that really shines in the fall, this plant is a great addition to both formal and informal gardens. You can find out a lot more by reading this article…

Bleeding Heart, Lamprocapnos (Dicentra) spectabilis

Bleeding Hearts are an old-fashioned perennial suitable for light shade areas in Wisconsin gardens and landscapes. Learn more about growing this dependable early flowering perennial in this article.

Chenille Plant, Acalypha hispida

Chenille, the French word for caterpillar, refers to a type of yarn with a characteristic texture and appearance that is echoed in the pendulous blossoms of the tropical plant Acalypha hispida, leading to it’s common name of chenille plant. If you want to know more about this exotic species grown as a houseplant or seasonal annual in our part of the world, read this article…

Zinnias

Among the easiest flowers to grow, zinnias come in a wide range of colors, heights and flower types. It may be hard to choose from the hundreds of cultivars and hybrids. Learn about them in this article.

Horseradish, Armoracia rusticana

Every year the International Herb Association chooses one plant that is used as an herb to highlight. For 2011 this plant is horseradish, a plant long used as a condiment. To learn more about this tough herb, read this article…

Golden Trumpet, Allamanda cathartica

Looking for a flowering tropical plant to enliven a really bright corner of your house or sunroom? Allamanda cathartica is an attractive landscape ornamental in tropical locations, but can also be grown as a houseplant or seasonal outdoor plant in colder climates. To learn more about this “golden” plant, read this article…

Tradescantia zebrina, Zebra Plant

Tradescantia zebrina, or Zebra Plant, is a popular houseplant grown for its variegated foliage. This tender perennial can also be used as a seasonal groundcover or trailing accent in containers. Learn more about this tough plant in this article.

Golden Creeping Jenny, Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea'

There are plenty of green groundcovers, but not as many that offer the interesting contrast of golden foliage. The leaves of Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ vary from lime green to brassy gold, depending on light exposure. This vigorous, very low grower is useful in containers as a trailing plant or to fill in around larger perennials. Learn more about this cultivar by checking out this article…

Small Aloes – Interesting, Colorful, and Easy Succulents

Lots of people keep a plant of Aloe vera on hand, but did you know there are many other small species that make great houseplants? These compact succulents from Africa can have very ornamental foliage as well as pretty flowers. To learn more about these tender exotic plants, and how to grow them in a cold climate, read this article…

Storing Tender “Bulbs” for Winter

This time of year frost is bound to nip non-hardy plants still outdoors. If you have any of the tender “bulbs” (plants which grow from fleshy storage structures even if they aren’t technically true bulbs) you’ll need to get those into storage for the winter soon. Find out more about preparing these plants to save for the next growing season in this article…

Wild Cucumber, Echinocystis lobata

Have you noticed white-flowering vines engulfing trees or shrubs, particularly in more rural areas in late summer? Wild cucumber is a warm season annual that becomes quite conspicuous in late summer at the peak of its growth and bloom. Learn more about this native plant in this article.