(Cactus Apple)

Few cacti show as much variability as this prickly pear. At least four forms are botanically recognized. The most prominent form, linguiformis, is commonly called cow’s tongue and named for its narrow oval pads that look tongue-like. The species is native to much of the South Central and Southwest United States and northern Mexico where it can be found growing in deserts and dry grasslands.

The size and shape of the pads (which resemble large succulent leaves but are in fact swollen...

(Texas Cactus Apple)

Few cacti show greater variability than Opuntia engelmannii, of which at least four forms are botanically recognized. A large, upright, spreading plant with round, flattened, spiny pads, variety lindheimeri is native from the south-central and southwestern United States into northern Mexico. It is naturalized in South Africa, where it is considered an noxious weed. The pads (which resemble large succulent leaves but in fact are swollen stem segments) are sometimes broader than long,and...

(Barbary Fig, Pricklypear, Tuna Cactus)

The source of the supermarket prickly pear, this cactus bears strikingly beautiful bowl-shaped flowers and vivid red-purple fruit atop tall stems with round paddle-like segments. Plants grow to the size of a small tree or large shrub, usually with a woody "trunk." A long-cultivated plant that probably derives from one or more Mexican Opuntia species, Indian fig has naturalized in many other parts of the world including California, where it was introduced to missions as a living fence and...

(Tea Olive)

The showy white blooms of Delavay’s tea olive are the most breathtaking of all Osmanthus. In late winter and early spring, the fragrant flowers awaken the senses when most other plants are still slumbering in dormancy. This large Chinese broadleaf evergreen shrub is slow-growing but develops a pleasing rounded habit with slightly arching branches when mature.

The small, oval, dark green leaves have a lustrous sheen and sharp, holly-like teeth along the edges. From late winter to early...

(Sweet Olive, Sweet Osmanthus)

Renowned for the powerful apricot fragrance of its flowers, this broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree is native to China, Japan and the Himalayas. The small, tubular, white flowers occur in autumn and spring, and sometimes at other seasons. Yellow- and orange-flowered forms are sometimes cultivated. The leaves are glossy and dark green with toothed or smooth edges.

Sweet olive thrives in moist, acidic to neutral, well-drained soils and partial shade or full sun. It appreciates shelter from...

(Holly Osmanthus)

Resembling a glossy-leaved holly on first inspection, the holly osmanthus is regarded for its lovely floral fragrance in mid to late autumn. An evergreen broadleaf shrub that is terrific as a hedge, it hails from Japan.

Each stiff leaf is spiny edged and held in opposite pairs on the stem. Each is oblong and leathery, with very deep sinuses to form the holly-like teeth or spines. As leaves age on the plant, these sinuses subside and a leaf can become fully oval with minimal teeth. In mid to...

(Holly Osmanthus)

Resembling a paint spattered, glossy-leaved holly on first inspection, the Goshiki holly osmanthus has magnificent multi-colored leaves and has lovely floral fragrance in mid to late autumn. An evergreen broadleaf shrub that is terrific as a hedge, it hails from Japan.

Each stiff leaf is spiny edged and held in opposite pairs on the stem. Each is oblong and leathery, with very deep sinuses to form the holly-like teeth or spines. New growth is orange-pink, fading to light pink and cream before...

(Holly Osmanthus)

A dense, ornately-leaved, holly-imposter on first inspection, the Gulftide holly osmanthus has perfectly shaped, teethed leaves and has lovely floral fragrance in mid to late autumn. An evergreen broadleaf shrub that is terrific as a hedge, it hails from Japan.

Each stiff, rich green leaf is spiny edged and held in opposite pairs on the stem. Each is oblong and leathery, with very deep sinuses to form the holly-like teeth or spines. In mid to late autumn, mobbed clusters of fragrant white blossoms...

(Holly Osmanthus)

A golden to electric yellow, glossy-leaved holly on first inspection, the Ogon holly osmanthus has magnificent yellowed leaves and has lovely floral fragrance in mid to late autumn. An evergreen broadleaf shrub that is terrific as a hedge, it hails from Japan.

Each stiff leaf is spiny edged and held in opposite pairs on the stem. Each is oblong and leathery, with very deep sinuses to form the holly-like teeth or spines. Color varies from pale yellow to chartreuse and deepens to yellow-green and...

(Holly Osmanthus, Variegated Holly Osmanthus)

Resembling a holly on first inspection, the variegated holly osmanthus has elegant ivory and green foliage and lovely floral fragrance in mid to late autumn. An evergreen broadleaf shrub that is terrific as a hedge, it hails from Japan.

Each stiff leaf is edged in small teeth. Held in opposite pairs on the stem, each is oblong and leathery. The dark green color is contrasted with an edge of ivory-white. In mid to late autumn, mobbed clusters of fragrant white blossoms line the branches. Only...