(Cleistocactus)

These slender cylindrical cacti include about 50 species native to mountainous regions of South America. Its form is generally upright but there are also vine like and pendulous species that aren’t often grown in cultivation. Most specifically it is found on mountains to very high altitude in the Andes. The genus ranges over Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina and Bolivia. Their most common form produces numerous narrow diameter columnar branches bearing 5 to 30 low ribs. They bearing dense spines...

(Silver Torch Cactus)

This big beautiful silver torch cactus has erect, whitish columns and blooms off and on over a large part of the year. It is a mountain dwelling species found in the rocky, well-drained foothills of southern Bolivia and northern Argentina. Because it exists at relatively high elevations it’s somewhat frost hardy.

The coloring of this cactus is derived from the dense cloak of fine white hairs that cover its surface. The hairs disguise a heavy concentration of needle-like spines, so don’t be...

(Silver Torch Cactus)

This big beautiful silver torch cactus has erect, whitish columns and blooms off and on over a large part of the year. It is a mountain dwelling species found in the rocky, well-drained foothills of southern Bolivia and northern Argentina. Because it exists at relatively high elevations it’s somewhat frost hardy.

The coloring of this cactus is derived from the dense cloak of fine white hairs that cover its surface. The hairs disguise a heavy concentration of needle-like spines, so don’t be...

(Golden Rat Tail)

Among the easiest cacti to grow, the golden rat tail's yellowish spines are visually interesting, but when the salmon-orange and coral flowers appear, this cactus is a conversation-piece. It is a mountain-dwelling species found in the rocky, well-drained foothills of Uruguay and nearby Argentina. Because it exists at relatively high elevations it’s somewhat frost hardy, but must have very dry winter conditions.

This succulent cactus' coloring results from a dense cloak of tiny tan-gold hairs...

(Evergreen Chinese Clematis)

Introduced to Western gardens from China in the late 19th century, this often shrubby deciduous vine is best known by the form commonly sold as C. spooneri. In late spring, C. chrysocoma produces masses of fragrant, four-"petaled" flowers that are white to light pink with yellow anthers. They recur intermittently through summer. The stems and three-parted leaves are covered with yellow down. Attractive feathery seedheads follow the flowers. The form sold as C. spooneri is a strongly climbing plant...

(Clematis, Curlyheads)

Just like blooming Virginia bluebells, curlyheads are a sign of spring's return. The nodding, urn- to bell-shaped flowers are the "curlyheads" of fame, but the ensuing seed head is an ornamental spectacle. This clump-forming herbaceous perennial is a rare native of the dry woodlands from southern New Jersey to northern Georgia. It often pops up over limestone rocks in sunny woodland openings.

The stems grow erect or partially flop; this is not a vining clematis species whatsoever. The hairy stems...

(Late Small-flowered Clematis, Scarlet Clematis)

One of the most drought-tolerant flowering clematis vines extant, the scarlet clematis' blue-green leaves and red flowers highlight this plant's beauty. It is native only to the southeastern Edwards Plateau in central Texas. This deciduous woody vine blooms from very early summer to fall, often reblooming up until the killing frost.

The three leaflets comprising each leaf are rounded and a medium green with a hint of blue-green. Leaves are held in opposite pairs on the vining stems. In the...

(Cleome, Pink Queen, Spider Flower)

Cleome or Spider flower is an annual native to Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil. These colorful, sun-loving annuals have fragrant foliage and colorful, highly scented flowers in mixed shades of pinks, purples, and white. The habit is very upright, the leaves are divided and palmate –like a hand at the bottom of the plant, undivided at the top and there is a spine at the base of each leaf. The airy flowers are produced at the ends of hairy stalks in loose, globular, un-branched groups...

(Cleome, Spider Flower)

Helen Campbell spider flower is a white-flowering form of cleome which is an annual native to Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil. These colorful, sun-loving annuals have fragrant foliage and colorful, highly scented flowers. The habit is very upright, the leaves are divided and palmate –like a hand at the bottom of the plant, undivided at the top and there is a spine at the base of each leaf. The airy flowers are produced at the ends of hairy stalks in loose, globular, un-branched...

(Cleome, Spider Flower)

Cleome or Spider flower is an annual native to Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil. These colorful, sun-loving annuals have fragrant foliage and colorful, highly scented flowers in mixed shades of pinks, purples, and white. The habit is very upright, the leaves are divided and palmate –like a hand at the bottom of the plant, undivided at the top and there is a spine at the base of each leaf. The airy flowers are produced at the ends of hairy stalks in loose, globular, un-branched groups...