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Senecio is one of the largest genera of flowering plants there are with thousands of species found all over the world. Though most are not, some are succulent plants with excellent drought tolerance and great plants for growing in pots and the landscape in a variety of different climates. It is this much smaller group of Senecios that will be discussed in this article.
Kalanchoes include a lot of ornamental succulent species, some very common in cultivation and some quite rare. The following article serves as an introduction to this fascinating species of plant.
I struggle with most Sedums, which is odd as they are supposed to be such easy plants... but most are not that easy in my very warm and arid climate. However, there are some good Sedums for my area. This article will introduce you to a few of those.
Coral trees include well over 100 species of some of the most beautiful flowering trees originating from all around the globe. The following is an introduction to some of the most commonly grown species.
This is a brief article about one of the most prehistoric of all landscape plants for warmer climates. These can also be grown successfully in pots in cooler climates for those who want a little dinosaur-age foliage in their greenhouse or summer patio. There are few better plants for investment value as well- cycads will only go up in value with age and size. And, thankfully, beauty also increases with value as well.
Many succulents seem designed for pot life. These plants get lost in the garden, or they are too delicate or tender to make it outdoors... or they just seem happiest in a small, controlled environment where they can show off. Many succulents complement each other and look better in groups, rather than by themselves. If limited space is a problem, one solution is community pots. Here are some ideas and suggestions for creating community pots of succulents.
This article acts as introduction to these exotic and incredibly ornamental tropical ferns, commonly known as Staghorn Ferns. Some suggestions on cultivation and the various species will be discussed.
Zamia is one of the larger genera of Cycads, yet one of the least understood. This is partly due to their tropical and inaccessible origins as well as their tropical cultivational needs. But as a group this is one of the most ornamental of the cycads and certainly worthy of cultivation should one live in the right climate for them.
Probably the most commonly grown tree indoors throughout the world is the Weeping Fig, Ficus benjamina. Surprisingly, despite its amazing popularity and ubiquitous presence, it is not what I consider an 'easy' indoor plant (then again most plants for me are not easy indoors). But if some general recommendations are followed, and one goes through a bit of trial and error, this species can make an excellent house or patio plant. Outdoors it is one of the easiest trees to keep looking perfect ... as long as it's planted in the correct climate. The following article will serve as an introduction to this versatile tree, as well as a guide on how to grow it and care for it, both indoors and out.
Lotusland is one of the premiere botanical gardens in all of California, if not the U.S. However, because it requires reservations ahead of time, and is only open on certain days of the week during nine months of the year, many have never treated themselves the opportunity to explore this amazing botanical wonder. This article serves only as introduction, and will certainly not do the gardens justice.
Don't forget about your local flea markets when you're looking for good plant deals or garden supplies. I have learned that flea markets can be an excellent way to expand my collection cheaply. And they are a good place to look for rare plants and unique garden 'art'.
I grow well over a thousand species of succulents outdoors in my dinky yard in southern California zone 9b, and though many look okay most of the year, some stand out as exceptionally attractive all year round and trouble free and easy. The Graptoveria hybrid 'Fred Ives' is one of those plants.
Jatrophas are Euphorbia relatives that can make interesting ornamentals as potted plants, or outdoors in warmer climates. The following article will introduce the reader to some of these interesting, but highly toxic plants.
Yuccas are New World plants in the family Agavaceae and are an important genus in terms of ornamental landscaping usage as well as of an economic importance in some areas of its range. There are approximately 40 species of Yucca and dozens of beautiful cultivars. This article serves as an introduction to some of the more popular species- primarily the ones I have personally seen or grown.
This article gives the reader an introduction to some of the best trailing succulents for use in hanging pots, or community succulent pots where one wants something to pour over the pot edges and trail down.
Quail Botanical Gardens is one of my favorite southern California gardens to visit. The following article serves as an introduction to these beautiful gardens.
This article is an introduction to Dudleyas, a genus of succulents native to California and the surrounding states and Mexico, that is a wonderful group of plants for landscaping and for pot culture.
Black Widows are one of the most commonly encountered spiders in the garden. Though very poisonous, they are also considered beneficial creatures. The following article serves an introduction to this infamous creature along with some of my personal experiences with Black Widows.
Many Euphorbia species are grown in cultivation in pots in protected greenhouses and cold frames. But can any of these survive outdoors in the warmer temperate climates? The following article briefly summarizes my experience growing a few of these smaller species outdoors in a Mediterranean climate.
This is one of a series of articles on some of the most interesting and easiest succulents to grow. The Climbing Onion is familar already to many succulent enthusiasts, but it is becoming more and more popular with gardeners and growers of all ages and skill levels. The following article serves as an introduction to this peculiar plant and has some ideas on how to take care of one.
After adding thousands of plants to the Dave's Garden PlantFiles, I have discovered many relationships among plants that surprise me and--at first glance--seem impossible. The following article illustrates this point with some examples from my yard of plants that just don't seem like they could be that closely related to each other, at least not by just looking at them.
Jade trees are some of the easiest succulents to grow in the garden or in outdoor pots, or even as indoor plants and bonsai specimens. The following article is an introduction to these wonderful plants along with some suggestions on how to grow and care for them.
Skunks are a common nuisance creature in suburban and rural gardens; not just in terms of digging up the plants, but as an annoyance and potential risk for you and your pets as well. The following article will cover a few of these topics along with some suggestions on treatment and prevention.
There are many plants that either look like cacti or are called cacti, but are NOT cacti. For those who don't know what I am talking about, this article is for you.
This article will introduce the reader to some of the more popular and common species of Brachychiton in cultivation (primarily in Mediterranean climates throughout the world).
This article is an overview of this insidious creature that--like some highly contagious airborne virus--infects aloes quietly and disfigures them permanently.
The San Diego Zoo is one of the more popular tourist destinations in the U.S., but hardly anyone notices their fantastic plant collection. It has a magnificent botanical gardens as well, but since it exists in, among, and around the animal collection, it is sometimes easy to miss. This article is an introduction to this amazing collection.
One of the hardiest group of cycads are the Mexican Dioons, and they are excellent landscape and potted plants for a variety of warmer climates. This is an introductory article about this genus of cycads.
When I first glimpsed one of these spectacular trees for sale at my local nursery I was sure it was some sort of gimmick and too good to be true. Usually when something that different and attractive is offered, it means I will quickly be adding it to my long list of dead plants. It turned out to be a good buy after all, and I have yet to regret my purchase. The following is a brief discussion of this amazing relatively new tree available for landscaping all over the southern U.S.
Cactus are great plants, for both pot and landscape cultivation. Sometimes we forget (at least I do) that they also can be great flowering plants. The following article is mostly a pictorial of some of the more impressive cactus flowers.
Few palms are more prized around the world for their beauty as indoor house plants. They are also excellent landscape palms as well. This article serves as an introduction to some of these highly ornamental palms.
I have ordered hundreds of succulents and cacti over the years from dozens of vendors. Along the way I have learned a few lessons and enjoyed the excitement of finding a new box of plants on my doorstep--like Christmas all over again! The following article includes some of my experiences and suggestions concerning ordering succulents and cacti by mail.
Usually when someone thinks of cactus, they visualize a typical segmented Opuntia, stout barrel cactus, or some tall, spiny columnar plant. Cactus come in all shapes and varieties though some do not look like typical cacti, or even like cacti at all. This article is an introduction to some of the more unusual-looking cacti that some might not at first identify as cacti.
Jubaea chilensis is one of the most awesome landscape palms in cultivation and an easy and hardy palm as well. The following article is an introduction to this amazing tree and how to grow it.
