(Cast Iron Plant, Variegated Cast Iron Plant)

Variegated cast iron plant is an evergreen perennial with upright blade-like, glossy, dark green leaves with cream-white striations. Its coarse foliage produces a bold, tropical effect year-round in warm climates or as a houseplant in cold climates.

Plant outdoors as a groundcover in deep shade in average, well drained, sandy soils or indoors in containers. Water and fertilize regularly in the summer growing season. Over-fertilization leads to diminished leaf variegation.

(Mother Fern)

Mother fern is an evergreen or semi-evergreen in its native Australia and New Zealand habitats. It has long, finely divided fronds slightly over an arm's length-long. Young plantlets form along its midrib that drop off and can be easily transplanted. It can form large colonies from these either in the ground, upon fallen logs, inbetween stones or on large tree roots.

Mother fern needs a moist and friable soil with organic matter. Bright indirect light and an acidic soil is ideal for this plant....

(Aster, Celeste Hardy Aster)

This gorgeous hybrid aster adds richness to the late summer and early fall garden with a profusion of vibrant, violet-blue daisies. Developed by Leon Glicenstein at Yoder Brothers, Inc., ‘Celeste’ is the result of a cross between the species Aster pringlei and Aster novi-belgii. Its bright blossoms are displayed atop generous mounds of fine, deep green foliage, and are highly attractive to bees and butterflies.

Grow this perennial in full to part sun and moderately moist,...

(Aster, Daydream Aster)

This stunning hybrid aster displays a profusion of cool, lavender-blue daisies atop strong, compact plants that will not collapse after heavy rains or irrigation. In cooler weather, the flowers fade to paler blue around the bright yellow centers, creating an appealing “halo” effect. They bloom in late summer to early fall, and are attractive to bees and butterflies.

Provide this perennial with full to part sun and moist, fertile, well-drained soil. As with other asters, ‘Daydream’ is excellent...

(Aster, Melody Hardy Aster)

This patented hybrid aster cools the late summer to early fall garden with a profusion of semi-double, lavender-blue daisies. The yellow-centered blossoms are borne atop strong, tidy, vigorous clumps of fine, deep green foliage, and are attractive to bees and butterflies.

Grow this lovely perennial in full to part sun and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil. If desired, plants may be divided in spring every few years. The smaller size of ‘Melody’ makes it an excellent choice for...

(Aster, Persian Rose Daisy)

Aster ‘Persian Rose’ adds freshness to faded, late-season gardens with a profusion of cool, lavender-pink daisies with bright yellow centers. The cheerful blossoms are borne on compact, mounded plants in late summer to early fall, and are highly attractive to bees and butterflies.

Grow this lovely perennial in full to part sun and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil. If desired, plants may be divided in spring every few years. As with other asters, ‘Persian Rose’ is outstanding in...

(Aster, Pink Magic Aster)

One of several dwarf fall-blooming asters developed for the greenhouse and florist trade by Yoder Brothers, Inc., Pink Magic™ bears numerous bright pink, semi-double daisies on compact, upright stems. It originated as a mutation of Aster 'Yomagic.'

The yellow-centered, magenta-pink blossoms of this hardy perennial are complemented by dark green, lance-shaped foliage, and are highly attractive to butterflies and other small, pollinating insects. Containerized plants have a dense rounded habit;...

(Aster, Pixie Dark Aster)

Clouds of small burgundy-purple "daisies" engulf this bushy, hardy perennial late in the gardening season.

This hybrid aster forms dense clumps of knee-high stems furnished with narrow, needle-like, mildew-resistant leaves. The petite, yellow-eyed blossoms envelop the foliage from late summer into fall, attracting bees and butterflies. Plants are fertile and seedlings may not be true to type.

Provide this perennial with ample sunlight and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Pinch...

(Aster, Thyra Viking Aster)

This lovely aster colors the garden with mounds of rich, raspberry-pink daisies in late summer to early fall. A patented hybrid, ‘Thyra Viking’ was developed as a cross of the Aster novi-belgii cultivars ‘Purple Viking’ and ‘Royal Ruby’, and is notable for its exceptionally well-branched stems, free-flowering habit and uniform size.

Provide this perennial with full to part sun and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Pinch back stem tips in late spring or early summer for...

(Aster, Ballad Aster)

Rich violet-blue flowers, compact size, strong growth and good resistance to powdery mildew combine to make ‘Yoballad’ an outstanding perennial for late-season garden color. Marketed under the name Ballad™, this Yoder Brothers, Inc. introduction resulted from a cross between Aster ‘Professor Kippenburg’ and an unknown cultivar. Its vivid, yellow-centered daisies are borne on low, spreading, well-branched plants in very late summer to early fall, and are highly attractive to bees and butterflies.

Provide...