Viper's bugloss, Echium vulgare

Viper's bugloss, scientifically known as Echium vulgare, is a striking wildflower native to Europe but has been introduced to other parts of the world, including North America. It belongs to the Boraginaceae family, which includes many other well-known plants such as borage and forget-me-nots.

This biennial or perennial herb is known for its tall, erect stems adorned with clusters of bright blue to purple flowers. Each flower has a tubular shape and five petals, which give it a distinctive look. Viper's bugloss typically blooms from late spring to early summer and is a favorite among pollinators, especially bees, due to its copious nectar production.

Aside from its ornamental value, Viper's bugloss has a history of medicinal and culinary uses. However, caution should be exercised as some parts of the plant contain toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be harmful if ingested in large quantities.

In terms of habitat, Viper's bugloss thrives in dry, sunny locations, often found in grasslands, meadows, roadsides, and disturbed areas. Its ability to colonize disturbed habitats has led to its classification as an invasive species in some regions.

Despite its potentially weedy nature, many gardeners appreciate Viper's bugloss for its vibrant blooms and its ability to attract pollinators to the garden. Additionally, it serves as a valuable component of natural habitats, contributing to biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Golden marguerite, Cota tinctoria

The golden marguerite (Cota tinctoria), also known as dyer's chamomile, yellow chamomile, or oxeye chamomile, is a perennial flowering plant in the sunflower family. It is native to Europe, the Mediterranean, and Western Asia, and has been naturalized in scattered locations in North America.

The golden marguerite is a bushy, clump-forming perennial that typically grows 2-3 feet tall and wide. It has attractive, daisy-like flowers with bright yellow petals and yellow button centers. The flowers bloom in profusion during the summer months. The leaves of the golden marguerite are finely divided and feathery, and they are a bright green color.

The golden marguerite is a low-maintenance plant that is easy to grow. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established, but it will benefit from occasional watering during dry periods. The golden marguerite is relatively pest- and disease-resistant.

The golden marguerite is a versatile plant that can be used in a variety of garden settings. It is a great choice for perennial borders, rock gardens, and cottage gardens. It also makes an excellent cut flower. The bright yellow flowers of the golden marguerite are a magnet for pollinators, such as bees and butterflies.

Gloxinias, Sinningia speciosa

Gloxinias are beautiful flowering plants that are native to South America. They are related to African violets and have similar velvety leaves and vibrant blooms. Gloxinias come in a wide variety of colors, including red, purple, white, and pink. They are typically grown as houseplants, but they can also be grown outdoors in warm climates.

Here are some tips for growing gloxinia plants:

Light: Gloxinias need bright, indirect light. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight, as this can scorch the leaves.
Water: Gloxinia plants should be watered regularly, but be careful not to overwater them. The soil should be moist to the touch, but not soggy.
Soil: Gloxinias prefer a well-draining potting mix. You can use a commercial African violet potting mix, or you can make your own mix by combining potting soil, perlite, and vermiculite.

Fertilizer: Gloxinias can be fertilized with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season.
Dormancy: After gloxinias finish blooming, they will enter a period of dormancy. The leaves will start to wilt and die back. At this point, you can reduce watering and stop fertilizing. You can either store the tubers in a cool, dark place over the winter, or you can repot them in fresh potting mix and start the growing season over again.

With proper care, gloxinia plants can bloom for many months. They are a beautiful addition to any home.

Cypress vine, Ipomoea quamoclit

Here are some facts about Cypress vine, Ipomoea quamoclit:

Fast-growing vine: They can grow up to 10 feet long in a single season, making them a great choice for covering fences, trellises, or other structures quickly.
Delicate star-shaped flowers: They come in red (most common), pink, and white and bloom profusely throughout the summer and fall, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.
Feathery green leaves: These complement the vibrant flowers and add a light, airy feel to the vine.
Warm weather annual: This means they will die with frost and need to be replanted each year.

Easy to grow: They thrive in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. They are moderately drought tolerant but prefer consistent moisture.
Self-seeding: The cypress vine can readily reseed itself in your garden if you allow the flowers to dry and turn to seed pods.
Deer resistant: This is a plus for gardeners who have problems with deer in their area.
Toxic: Be aware that all parts of the cypress vine are toxic and can cause stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested. Keep them out of reach of children and pets.

Here are some additional details to consider:

USDA Hardiness Zones: 11-12
Native range: Tropical regions of the Americas
Common names: Cypress vine, cypress vine morning glory, cardinal creeper, cardinal vine, star glory, star of Bethlehem, hummingbird vine
Family: Convolvulaceae

Calla Lily, Zantedeschia aethiopica

The Calla Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) is a flowering plant native to southern Africa. It is a rhizomatous perennial that can grow in a variety of habitats, including coastal marshes, grasslands, and old homesteads. Mature clumps can reach 2-3 feet tall and 1.5-2 feet wide.

The calla lily has large flowers, with a spathe (modified leaf) up to 10 inches long and a yellow spadix (flower spike) in the center. The spathe is often white, but it can also be yellow, pink, or purple. The leaves of the calla lily are arrow-shaped and green.

Calla lilies are popular cut flowers and can also be grown in pots or in the garden. They prefer full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Calla lilies are not winter hardy in cold climates and should be dug up and stored indoors over the winter. They are also mildly toxic, so be sure to keep them out of reach of children and pets.

Brazilian plume, Justicia carnea

The Brazilian plume, known scientifically as Justicia carnea, is a beautiful flowering plant native to the Atlantic Forest biomes in eastern Brazil. It's popular in tropical and subtropical gardens around the world due to its vibrant and lush appearance. The plant typically grows as a bushy shrub reaching up to 1.5 meters in height and features dense, soft green leaves.

The most striking feature of the Brazilian plume is its flowers. These are rich, plume-like blooms composed of numerous small, tubular flowers that range in color from deep pink to light pink, and sometimes white. They are grouped in erect, spike-like clusters that emerge above the foliage, blooming primarily during the summer and autumn months. This plant thrives in moist, well-drained soil and prefers partial shade, making it ideal for under-canopy conditions in gardens. It's also relatively easy to care for, requiring regular watering and occasional pruning to maintain its shape and promote flowering.

Unusal facts about Brazilian plume, Justicia carnea
The Brazilian plume, Justicia carnea, holds several fascinating and somewhat unusual attributes that contribute to its charm and appeal.

Hummingbird Attraction: Despite its origins in Brazil, where hummingbirds are abundant, the Brazilian plume is particularly adept at attracting these birds wherever it is grown. Its tubular flowers are perfectly shaped to accommodate the feeding habits of hummingbirds, making it a fantastic plant for bird enthusiasts wanting to attract these creatures to their gardens.
Shade Tolerance: Unlike many flowering plants that require full sun to thrive and bloom profusely, the Brazilian plume can bloom abundantly even in shaded areas. This makes it exceptionally valuable for gardeners who have limited light due to tree cover or other structures.

Medicinal Uses: In some traditional practices, parts of the Justicia carnea plant are used for medicinal purposes. The leaves have been used in folk medicine to treat conditions like headaches and fever, although there is limited scientific research to support these uses.
Survival Strategy: The plant’s ability to thrive in under-canopy conditions with high humidity and lower light levels is a survival strategy that stems from its natural habitat in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. This adaptation allows it to compete successfully in a crowded ecological niche.
Propagation Peculiarity: The Brazilian plume is relatively easy to propagate from cuttings, which can be a fun fact for gardeners interested in expanding their plant collections without buying new plants. The ease of propagation also means it can quickly spread in garden settings if not managed properly.

These characteristics make Justicia carnea not only a visually appealing addition to many gardens but also a plant with interesting ecological and practical uses.

Blue Lechenaultia, Lechenaultia biloba

The Blue Lechenaultia (Lechenaultia biloba) is a beautiful flowering plant that is native to the southwest of Western Australia. It is a member of the Goodeniaceae family and is known for its stunning blue flowers.

Here are some facts about the Blue Lechenaultia:

Appearance: The Blue Lechenaultia is a spreading shrub that typically grows to a height of 100 cm (39 in), sometimes to 160 cm (63 in). It has grey-green to green leaves that are crowded, linear, 6–15 mm (0.24–0.59 in) long, about 1 mm (0.039 in) wide and fleshy. The flowers are arranged in compact clusters, the sepals 6–7 mm (0.24–0.28 in) long and the petals dark blue to light blue or cream-coloured, the range of colours sometimes appearing in a single population of plants.
Habitat: The Blue Lechenaultia grows in sunny areas with sandy or gravelly, well-drained soil. In its native habitat, it grows on hillsides and grasslands.
Climate: The Blue Lechenaultia is frost tolerant but thrives in warm climates. It is only hardy in USDA hardiness zones 9-11.

Uses: The Blue Lechenaultia is a popular plant for rockeries, xeriscapes, and container gardens. It is also a valuable food source for nectar-feeding insects.

If you are looking for a beautiful and low-maintenance flowering plant for your garden, the Blue Lechenaultia is a great option. Just be sure that you live in a climate that is warm enough for it to thrive.