(Aloe)

This bold aloe naturally occurs in the dry grasslands of Mpumalanga, a rocky, hilly province in northeastern South Africa. In its native area, it is quite rare but easily distinguished by its smooth, blue-green leaves and erect, orange-red flower spikes that are produced in the summer. Unlike many other desirable garden aloes, this one is tolerant of limited frost.

The thick, waxy leaves of Reitz' aloe are smooth but edged with slightly barbed teeth that are sometimes reddish brown. They are...

(Coral Aloe, Striped Aloe)

The large, uniform rosettes of coral aloe are comprised of thick, smooth leaves with toothless margins. These are silvery gray-green and produce showy spikes of coral orange flowers from late winter to spring. This standout succulent originates from South Africa where it inhabits open, dry, rocky, hilly locales.

Coral aloe develops a substantial rosette of broad, thick, pointed leaves that are entirely smooth. These are silvery gray-green and some variants have thin, dark, longitudinal lines,...

(Thrask's Aloe)

A striking specimen plant for mild climates, this stately aloe forms a single-stemmed, palm-like "tree." Native to coastal dunes of eastern South Africa, it bears a large rosette of long, strap-shaped, evergreen leaves atop a "trunk" that can reach house-high. The olive-green, arching leaves have channeled centers and red-toothed margins. The shaggy remains of old leaves often cloak the upper "trunk." Conical clusters of tubular orange-yellow flowers appear in branching candelabra-like spikes in...

(Aloe Vera, Barbados Aloe)

True aloe is an outstanding ornamental succulent that is cultivated outdoors, where winters are frost-free, and indoors as a potted plant for sunny exposures. It is believed to have originated from northwestern Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, but because of a long history of widespread human distribution its true nativity is unknown.

This clump forming succulent plant produces rigid upright rosettes of light green, thick, lance-like leaves edged with tiny yellow teeth. If broken, they emit...

(Foxtail Grass)

The foxtails are a group of perennial clump or tufted grasses that are native to Eurasia. They achieve a height of 12 to 40 inches, and have seed heads on tall showy stems. They are used as ornamental grasses, pasture and silage in agriculture, and are some species are considered weeds. They are adapted well to wet conditions.

(Meadow Foxtail)

Meadow foxtail is a perennial cool-season grass native to Eurasia. It is versatile and forms spreading clumps that can be used ornamentally, as a pasture grass or for silage in agriculture. In some locations it is considered an invasive weed.

Its clumps spread by rhizomes (underground stems). It has large upright blades that are flattened and rough to the touch. The tiny inconspicuous flowers are borne on tall cylindrical spikes held well above the foliage. Meadow foxtail grass grows best in moist...

(Meadow Foxtail, Variegated Golden Meadow Foxtail)

This variegated perennial grass has linear blades with attractive golden yellow and green stripes. It is a clump-forming grass that spreads more slowly than average meadow foxtail, so it is less apt to be weedy.

Meadow foxtail is a perennial cool-season grass native to Eurasia. It forms spreading clumps and has large upright variegated blades that are flattened and rough to the touch. The tiny inconspicuous flowers are borne on tall cylindrical spikes held well above the foliage. Meadow foxtail...

(Golden Meadow Foxtail, Meadow Foxtail)

This yellow-hued perennial grass has linear blades that are golden yellow to yellow green. It is a clump-forming grass that spreads more slowly than average meadow foxtail, so it is less apt to be weedy.

Meadow foxtail is a perennial cool-season grass native to Eurasia. It forms spreading clumps and has large upright yellow blades that are flattened and rough to the touch. The tiny inconspicuous flowers are borne on tall cylindrical spikes held well above the foliage. It grows best in moist locations...

(Sweet Almond Shrub, Sweet Almond Verbena)

Perfuming the air, the white flowers of sweet almond verbena attract bees and butterflies. Native to the drier subtropical parts of northern Argentina, this fast-growing evergreen shrub is almost ever-blooming. It is an upright plant but will look rounded with its many horizontal, weeping branches. The oval, gray-green leaves have small teeth on their edges, and overall have a fine sand-papery texture. Towards the tips of the new growth, many small flowerspikes jut out horizontally from the leaf...

(Jungle Queen, Red Ginger)

Native to the South Pacific, this large evergreen perennial bears showy conical clusters of brilliant red flower bracts and small white true flowers atop tall stems whenever temperatures are warm and soil moist. The blooms contrast beautifully with the large, lance shaped, medium green leaves. The stems die to the ground in the colder part of its hardiness range, but regrow from thick ginger-scented rhizomes in spring.

After the primary flower fades, smaller, side flowers appear from the base...