(Leichtlin's Rockcress, Purple Rockcress)

The brilliant purple-red blooms of Leitchlin’s rockcress will add umph to any sunny border in need of a color boost. This mat-forming, semi-evergreen perennial becomes clothed in flowers in spring to early summer. Its blooming period lasts for an average of three weeks, sometimes even a month. The glowing flowers and play beautifully against its fuzzy green mats of foliage. Purple rockcress originates from regions in the eastern Mediterranean to Iran where it is adapted to alpine locales.

Sunny...

(Purple Rockcress, Variegated Rockcress)

There are various variegated forms of purple rockcress that fall into this group. This mat-forming, semi-evergreen perennial becomes clothed in flowers in spring to early summer. Its blooming period lasts for an average of three weeks, sometimes even a month. The pretty vivid flowers and play beautifully against its fuzzy green mats of variegated foliage that’s usually edged in cream. The flowers come in an array of colors to include violet-purple, violet-blue, pink and white. Purple rockcress originates...

(Basket-of-Gold)

The glowing golden flowers of basket-of-gold will brighten any sunny spring border or rock garden. This low-growing perennial is native to the mountainous regions of South and Central Europe and Turkey. It has small, semi-evergreen leaves of gray-green and forms a neat mound. In spring it produces many clusters of small, bright yellow four-petaled flowers. These literally cover the plant and should be lightly sheared off when spent.

Basket-of-gold prefers a sunny site and average, friable soil...

(Basket-of-Gold, Dwarf Basket-of-Gold)

Dwarf basket of gold is a low-growing perennial native to the mountainous regions of south and central Europe and Turkey. The cultivar 'Compacta' has sea-green leaves which form a neat evergreen mound. In spring, dense clusters of small mustard yellow, four-petaled flowers are carried on short stems above the plant, literally covering the entire plant.

Not tolerant of heavy clay soils, basket of gold prefers sunny site with good drainage. A great plant for the rock garden or as a groundcover,...

(Basket-of-Gold, Gold Dust Aurinia)

Gold dust aurinia is a low-growing perennial native to the mountainous regions of south and central Europe and Turkey. Its evergreen gray green leaves form a neat mound from which arise dense clusters of small bright golden yellow four-petaled flowers. The spring blooms literally cover the plant and should be lightly sheared off when spent.

Not tolerant of heavy clay soils, basket of gold prefers sunny site with good drainage. A great plant for the rock garden or as a ground cover, it looks spectacular...

(Basket-of-Gold, Summit Aurinia)

Basket of gold is a low-growing perennial native to the mountainous regions of south and central Europe and Turkey. Its evergreen gray green leaves form a neat mound from which arise dense clusters of small bright yellow four-petaled flowers. The spring blooms literally cover the plant and should be lightly sheared off when spent. The cultivar 'Summit' is notable for its uniform plant size and early flowering start in spring.

Not tolerant of heavy clay soils, basket of gold prefers sunny site...

(Oat)

Oats once fueled ancient agricultural endeavors as essential forage for livestock, but in today’s world they are a key grain for cereals and breads. Modern oats (Avena sativa) are annual grasses thought to have originated from southeastern Europe and first cultivated around 1,000 B.C. They are believed to be the hybrid progeny of wild oats (Avena fatua) and wild red oats (Avena sterilis). Historically, they were considered less than desirable weeds that infested fields...

(Carambola, Starfruit)

Carambola, also known as starfruit, is a tropical semi-evergreen tree native to Sri Lanka, Malaysia and southeastern Asia. It is a medium sized, slow growing, ackwardly-branching tree that puts forth leaf stalks with alternating green, finely haired leaves. Its fragrant pink-violet flowers are borne in small clusters on reddish stalks in spring and summer. Orange-yellow oblong, star-shaped fruits with waxy skin develop throughout the warm months and may continue into winter. Trees typically need...

(Carolina Mosquito Fern)

Native to much of the eastern half of North America, Carolina mosquito fern is a tiny, feather aquatic fern that floats on the surface of still ponds and lake edges. Populations also extend down into Mexico and Central America. Its tiny fronds are bright green, often with a reddish or purplish-red hue. It's hard to believe this aquatic, floating plant is in fact a miniscule fern. It is free-floating and may be adapted to fresh or brackish water.

Carolina mosquito fern thrives in pools with full...

A charming little "bulb" for Mediterranean- and desert-climate gardens, Babiana ambigua is grown for its late-winter and early-spring display of fragrant blue flowers. It is native to sandy habitats in the South and West Cape regions of South Africa.

This member of the iris family produces low fans of slender, lance-shaped leaves that are hairy and weakly pleated. They arise in late fall or winter from rounded, deeply buried corms with fibrous "tunics." The violet-scented, 2-inch-wide,...