(Pawpaw)

The northernmost representative of the otherwise tropical fruit family, Annonaceae, pawpaw is beloved for its interesting foliage and odd-tasting, edible fruit. The native distribution of this small tree is from the very southernmost reaches of Ontario, Canada, south to Florida, and westward to Texas. Natural populations inhabit bottomlands, floodplains and ravines. This species is quite common in many areas of the country but is listed as a species of concern in others.

Large, oval leaves...

(Asparagus Fern)

Asparagus fern is a tuberous, semi-woody perennial native to South Africa. In its native habitat, it is a scrambling subshrub that survives in a wide range of habitats across the southeastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. These include rocky lands, scrub, coastal dunes and wooded areas. In the landscape and garden, it is grown primarily for its soft, feathery, bright green foliage. There are many cultivated varieties; two of the more popular forms are Meyer's foxtail fern ('Meyersii') and Sprenger's asparagus...

(Asparagus Fern, Myers' Asparagus Fern)

Myers' asparagus fern is a tuberous perennial native to South Africa. The upright to arching, lime-green stems with fern-like foliage give the appearance of foxtails. Small, white flowers along the main stems occur in summer, but rarely ever yield bright red berries. Thus, this cultivar does not pose the same invasive potential in subtropical climates as the parent species.

In colder climates, Myers' asparagus fern is grown as a houseplant in bright filtered sun or in containers outdoors. In frost-free...

(Asparagus Fern, Compact Asparagus Fern, Sprenger's Asparagus Fern)

Asparagus fern is a tender evergreen perennial native to South Africa. The cultivars in the Sprengeri Group have arching stems bearing whorls of awl-shaped, leaf-like cladophylls. This cultivar is denser and shorter than most Sprenger's asparagus ferns. Small, waxy white flowers along the stems produce bright red berries in summer. These berries and seeds are fertile and readily germinate nearby the mother plants, soon to create a thicket of plants.

The compact asparagus fern likes partial sun...

(Asparagus Fern, Sprenger's Asparagus Fern)

Sprenger's asparagus fern is a tuberous perennial native to South Africa with arching, fern-like, green leaves that are small, short and narrow. Small, waxy white flowers along the green stems produce bright red berries in summer. The long stems have prickly thorns on them.

Plant Sprenger's asparagus fern in partial sun to partial shade exposures in fertile, moist, well drained garden soil. With protection from frost, it may be planted in borders or as a billowy groundcover. The pendulous habit...

(Garden Asparagus)

Asparagus is one of the few truly perennial vegetables. It is also one of the rare veggies in the lily family. This tough herbaceous plant originates from the coastal regions of Europe, Asia and North Africa. Over time its clumps slowly spread via rhizomes.

Fully unfurled asparagus has a delicate ferny appearance. The much sought after luscious, asparagus spears are immature, unexpanded stems that are plucked from the ground when they first appear spring. Asparagus is dioecious, which means...

(Asparagus, Jersey Knight Asparagus)

Asparagus ‘Jersey Knight’ is a superior variety which produces thick spears. It is disease resistant, cold hardy and an all male cultivar which is very productive.

Asparagus is one of the few truly perennial vegetables. It is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial native to the seacoast of Europe, Asia and North Africa. Over time its clumps spread very slowly via rhizomes (underground stems). Mature asparagus is ferny in appearance; however it is not a true fern. The much sought after luscious,...

(Asparagus, Mary Washington Asparagus)

Asparagus 'Mary Washington' is an older variety which produces thick spears and is rust resistant. It has a long cutting period, is cold tolerant and produces abundant emerald-green spears when mature.

Asparagus is one of the few truly perennial vegetables. It is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial native to the seacoast of Europe, Asia and North Africa. Over time its clumps spread very slowly via rhizomes (underground stems). Mature asparagus is ferny in appearance; however it is not a true...

(Ming Asparagus Fern, Pom Pom Asparagus Fern)

Often mistaken for a fern, this large, rangy member of the asparagus clan is a popular house plant and is grown outdoors in frost free tropical gardens. It is native to the arid regions of South Africa, a clue to its resilient nature. The foliage is composed of pompoms of soft needle leaves in dense bundles that give a soft cloudy appearance overall. Bearing the leaves are upright, stiff, woody beige stems with a unique branching structure that inspired the common name, zig zag fern. This plant...

(Common Asparagus Fern)

Flowers from a secret admirer, corsages and arrangements out of your cutting garden are more beautiful with the addition of the old florist's favorite, common asparagus or plumosus fern. Native to South Africa, it is an evergreen, vining perennial that is not a fern at all, but a member of the lily family. It is a popular house plant that can be grown outdoors in the frost free tropical garden.

Plume asparagus fern is native to South Africa where inhabits tough terrain. This resilient plant...