(Asteriscus, Gold Coin Mediterranean Beach Daisy, Mediterranean Beach Daisy)

This is an ideal dry-climate perennial. The parent species, Mediterranean Beach Daisy, is native to coastal bluffs of North Africa and the arid eastern Mediterranean where there is little rainfall but the maritime influence keeps the air moist. This makes ‘Gold Coin’ particularly suitable for water conservation in dry coastal regions. This low, spreading perennial produces dense clumps of gray-green leaves that are slightly fuzzy.

Through the midsummer when little is in bloom, ‘Gold Coin’ flowers...

(Sand Dollar Cactus, Sea Urchin Cactus, Star Cactus, Star Peyote)

These tiny round hemispheres make exceptional windowsill cactus due to their unique markings and spinelessness. The species is native to thorn shrub vegetation of southern Texas and northern Mexico. It is often found in the filtered shade beneath shrubs, which act as nurse plants for protection from the brutally hot sun. This proves a tolerance for indoor conditions. Sadly, unscrupulous collectors have gathered so many old wild specimens that it is now listed as endangered in the U.S. Endangered...

(Bishop's Cap, Star Cactus)

Bishop’s cap is an ideal windowsill cactus because it is thankfully spineless or nearly so. This tiny, rock hard gem of a plant does not demand high intensity light and will thrive in any south facing exposure as a house plant. It is native to the Chihuahuan Desert of central Mexico, but has been in cultivation so long there are numerous horticultural varieties. What makes it so unique is that each plant is a perfect five pointed star divided into as many identical segments. Bishop’s cap protects...

(Monk's Hood, Star Cactus)

Monk’s hood is a beautiful windowsill cactus with unique coloring and strong geometric form. This cactus does not demand high intensity light and will thrive in any south facing exposure as a house plant. It is native to the deserts of central Mexico in gravelly dry washes or nooks and crannies in cliff faces. Each plant is technically a stem divided into an average of 8 segments that may twist somewhat as plants age. Widely spaced tubercles line the segment ridges, each one producing several short,...

(Ganges Primrose)

Successful in many warm soils, the spreading foliage of Ganges primrose is a lovely backdrop for the white or yellow blossoms that flush purple with maturity. An exact nativity is uncertain, but believed to hail from eastern Africa, and India eastward into Malaysia. This is a tender perennial or subshrub that sprawls out and is reminiscent of a large petunia plant. It is usually regarded as a pretty weed in the tropics (in lawns), often invasive along the beaches.

The medium green leaves are...

(Blue Beauty Purple Rockcress, Purple Rockcress)

What a fantastic blue-flowered perennial for the early border. The floriferous ‘Blue Beauty’ is a mat-forming, semi-evergreen perennial that becomes clothed in blue from late spring to early summer. Its blooming period lasts for an average of three weeks, sometimes even a month. The vivid violet-blue flowers are double and play beautifully against its deep green mats of foliage.

Sunny locations with fertile, neutral to alkaline, well-draining soil are preferred. It should be watered regularly...

(Blue Cascade Rockcress, Purple Rockcress)

The free-flowering ‘Blue Cascade’ adds a colorful sweep to sunny borders. 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 violet-blue flowers and play beautifully against its fuzzy green mats of foliage.

Sunny locations with fertile, neutral to alkaline, well-draining soil are preferred. It should be watered regularly before and after blooming but can...

(Blue Whale Rockcress, Purple Rockcress)

The large-flowered ‘Blue Whale’ offers many big, beautiful, vivid violet-blue flowers. This mat-forming, semi-evergreen perennial becomes clothed in flowers in late spring to early summer. Its blooming period lasts for an average of three weeks, sometimes even a month. The vivid violet-blue flowers and play beautifully against its rich green mats of foliage.

Sunny locations with fertile, neutral to alkaline, well-draining soil are preferred. It should be watered regularly before and after...

(Doctor Mules Purple Rockcress, Purple Rockcress)

The brilliant violet-purple flowers of ‘Doctor Mules’ add a striking color burst to sunny borders. This mat-forming, semi-evergreen perennial becomes clothed in flowers in late spring to early summer. Its blooming period lasts for an average of three weeks, sometimes even a month. The vivid flowers and play beautifully against its grayish blue-green mats of foliage.

Sunny locations with fertile, neutral to alkaline, well-draining soil are preferred. It should be watered regularly before and...

(Kitte Purple Rockcress, Purple Rockcress)

The deep violet-purple flowers of ‘Kitte’ have a hint of blue and add bold color to sunny borders. 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 vivid flowers and play beautifully against its grayish blue-green mats of foliage.

Sunny locations with fertile, neutral to alkaline, well-draining soil are preferred. It should be watered regularly before and after...