Plants

The Butterfly Agave (Agave potatorum) is a captivating succulent native to the semi-arid highlands of Mexico, particularly between Puebla and Oaxaca. This agave earns its whimsical name from the butterfly-shaped markings that adorn its leaves. These markings can range in color from a soft, powdery blue-green to a striking silvery white.   This plant has … Read more

Agave victoriae-reginae, the Queen Victoria agave or royal agave, is a small species of succulent flowering perennial plant, noted for its streaks of white on sculptured geometrical leaves, and popular as an ornamental. A. victoriae-reginae is found in the Chihuahuan Desert in the Mexican States of Coahuila, Durango and Nuevo León, with about a half-dozen subspecies named. The situation is complicated by … Read more

Agave americana, commonly known as the century plant, maguey, or American aloe, is a flowering plant species belonging to the family Asparagaceae. It is native to Mexico and the United States, specifically Texas. Despite being called “American aloe” in common parlance, Agave americana is not a member of the same family as Aloe, although it falls under the … Read more

All 270 recognized species of the agave are identified by the leathery leaves that swirl around a central core in a rosette formation. The leaves grow from a minimum of 6 to up to 20 inches in length, and the edges are rimmed with teeth. They mature in eight to 10 years and then only … Read more

Nicotine, a naturally occurring alkaloid, is commonly associated with tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), but it is also found in varying concentrations across many other plants. These plants, many of which belong to the Solanaceae family. Plants With High Nicotine Content Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) The primary source of commercial nicotine, tobacco contains the highest concentration of nicotine … Read more

Winter might seem like a time when nature takes a break, but that doesn’t mean your garden has to be devoid of color. There are several resilient flowers that thrive in the cold months, bringing life and vibrancy to the winter landscape. In the heart of winter, these flowers bloom, adding beauty and interest to … Read more

The most common blue evergreen tree or shrub in the landscape is the Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens). The blue spruce, also commonly known as Colorado spruce or Colorado blue spruce, is a species of spruce tree native to North America in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens) makes … Read more

The Norway spruce (Picea abies) is a coniferous evergreen fir tree native to the mountainous regions of Europe and Asia. The species was first described by Linnaeus in 1753 as Pinus abies, but it was later correctly named Picea abies by H. Karsten in 1881. Norway spruce was first planted in the UK for forestry purposes in the 1800s, … Read more

Baileya multiradiata is a North American species of sun-loving wildflower in the family Asteraceae. Desert Marigold can be found in the Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan deserts, as well as in Texas. Desert marigold grows twelve inches tall and wide with fuzzy greenish-gray leaves and a compact, mounded shape. While a short-lived plant, it beautifies the landscape … Read more

Joshua trees aren’t actually trees—they’re succulents, a type of plant that stores water. In their dry ecosystems, however, they are considered trees of the desert. Joshua trees were named for the biblical figure Joshua by 19th-century Mormon settlers who felt the outstretched tree limbs guided them along their westward journey. Joshua trees usually have a … Read more