Charming Flowers

Although desert rose is a beautiful, low-maintenance plant, it can become long and leggy in time. Pruning will avoid this problem by creating a bushy, fuller-looking plant. Caring for desert rose plants requires a full sun location and well-drained soil. Properly mimicking their native regional conditions will garner plenty of rose-like blooms on an architectural marvel of a plant. The…

Cuckooflower has a rosette of leaves at its base and an upright stem that bears the delicate, small, pale pink or mauve flowers. A sure sign that spring has arrived, the Cuckooflower blooms from April. Look out for its delicate, pale pink flowers in damp meadows and ditches, and on riverbanks. The Cuckoo Flower produces loose clusters of white flowers,…

Fan flower (Scaevola aemula) is an excellent summer annual to grow in hanging baskets, window boxes, containers, or as a bedding plant. Scaevola is best grown in full sun to part shade and does well in hot, dry summers. It prefers medium, well-drained soil that is kept evenly moist, but not wet. Allow the soil to dry out slightly before…

The pink flower clusters with curling tendrils of Coral Vine are also impressive in floral arrangements. Coral Vine is a crowd and bee pleaser for sure. Coral Vine or Berberidopsiscorallina is a plant from Chile. This evergreen climber produces long, pendulous red flowers, and it can reach heights of 15 feet. It should be grown in a shady area that…

These plants are similar to daisies but have bright yellow-orange flowers with a black center. Growing as annuals or short-lived perennials, black-eyed Susans are native to prairies and open woodlands and are attractive to both birds and butterflies. Black-eyed Susans are native to North America and one of the most popular wildflowers grown. They tend to blanket open fields, often surprising…

The 4 O'clock flower, Mirabilis jalapa earned its name because the flowers open around late afternoon each day, and the blooms close and die come morning. Because four o'clock plants bloom in the late afternoon and evening, it's best to plant them where you’re sure to see them and catch a whiff of their fragrance, such as around a patio.…

African violets are one of the world's most popular houseplants and for good reason. These compact, low-growing plants flower several times a year, and they are available in a multitude of leaf forms and colors. African voilets are small houseplants that produce clusters of white, blue, or purple flowers over fuzzy leaves. Here’s how to care for African violets in your home!…

. The secret of lady’s slipper’s undeniable attraction is its fragrance, which is partly the same as burrowing bees’ pheromones. Apart from the fact that the flower secretes this itself, the soft hair covering the sack releases the scent of the insect that is trying to leave. Lady’s slipper has locally adapted to the pollinators in its different habitats, which…

With common names like miracle plant, tree of kings, and Hawaiian good luck plant, it makes sense that Hawaiian Ti plants have become such popular accent plants for the home. These plants cannot tolerate temperatures below 50 F. (10 C.), so be careful not to place them where they may experience drafts from windows or doors. Cordyline fruticosa(Ti plant) is…

Frosty ferns are very misunderstood plants, both in name and care requirements. They frequently pop up in stores and nurseries around the holidays (probably due to their wintery name) but many buyers see them fail and die soon after they come home. When growing frosty fern plants is that they need at least 70 percent humidity. This is much higher…

Kalanchoes are bright and vibrant flowering plants with gorgeous tiny flowers blooming all year round. They are extremely easy to plant and maintain, making them an excellent indoor plant attraction. Kalanchoes are succulents that grow best in a well-drained and well- aerated potting soil, such 60% peat moss and 40% perlite. Cut back tall growth and old flower stems. Keep well watered…

Peacock houseplants (Calathea makoyana) are often found as part of indoor collections, though some gardeners say they’re difficult to grow. Peacock plant care includes keeping the soil consistently moist. The foliage of the Calathea peacock plant can be damaged by fluoride in water. Collect rainwater for watering peacock houseplants, or use bottled, distilled water without fluoride. The Calathea Makoyana or…