Plants

Poinsettias are native to Central America, specifically the southern regions of Mexico. The plant was highly valued by the Aztecs, who called it Cuetlaxochitl. They used the vibrant red bracts to create dye and the sap for medicinal purposes. The poinsettia’s association with Christmas began in the 16th century, in Mexico, where a legend tells … Read more

The poinsettia is a commercially important flowering plant species of the diverse spurge family Euphorbiaceae. Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the poinsettia was first described by Europeans in 1834. It is particularly well known for its red and green foliage and is widely used in Christmas floral displays. It derives its common English name … Read more

Phlox as a genus is a genus of 68 species of perennial and annual plants in the family Polemoniaceae. They are found mostly in North America (one in Siberia) in diverse habitats from alpine tundra to open woodland and prairie.  Phlox plants can be perennial, annual, or biennial. The perennial varieties, which are the most common in gardens, form clumps that spread over time. They can … Read more

Zinnia is a genus of plants of the tribe Heliantheae within the family Asteraceae. They are native to scrub and dry grassland in an area stretching from the Southwestern United States to South America, with a centre of diversity in Mexico. Members of the genus are notable for their solitary long-stemmed 12 petal flowers that … Read more

Heptapleurum actinophyllum is a tree in the family Araliaceae. It is native to tropical rainforests and gallery forests in northern and northeastern Queensland coasts and the Northern Territory of Australia, as well as New Guinea and Java. Common names include Australian umbrella tree, Queensland umbrella tree, octopus tree and amate. This small tree is commonly grown indoors, but survives outdoors … Read more

Freesia is a genus of herbaceous perennial flowering plants in the family Iridaceae, first described as a genus in 1866 by Christian Friedrich Ecklon (1886) and named after the German botanist and medical practitioner, Friedrich Freese (1795–1876). It is native to the eastern side of southern Africa, from Kenya south to South Africa, most species being found in Cape Provinces. The plants usually called “freesias” in horticulture and floristry … Read more

St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), also known as buffalo turf in Australia and buffalo grass in South Africa, is a species of grass in the family Poaceae. The grass has bluish-green leaves with 1/3-inch wide, flat blades. It has a low, creeping habit and spreads via stolons. forming dense mats that outcompete weeds. St. Augustine … Read more

Maranta leuconeura, widely known as the prayer plant due to its daily sunlight-dependent movements, is a species of flowering plant in the family Marantaceae native to the Brazilian tropical forests. Prayer Plant has oval-shaped leaves, which have unique and vibrant patterns. The leaves often display a mix of greens, with darker green veins or spots, … Read more

Polemonium reptans is a perennial herbaceous plant native to eastern North America. Common names include spreading Jacob’s ladder, creeping Jacob’s ladder, false Jacob’s ladder, abscess root, American Greek valerian, blue bells, stairway to heaven, and sweatroot. It is an interesting perennial plant known for its ladder-like arrangement of leaves and delicate, often blue or purple flowers. Characteristics Cultivation

Endive (Cichorium endivia) is a leafy vegetable from the Asteraceae family, similar to chicory, with slightly bitter leaves. It is believed to have originated in Egypt and Indonesia and cultivated in Europe since the 16th century.  Endive comes in two main varieties: curly endive, also known as frisée, which has tightly curled, narrow leaves with a bushy … Read more