This Albuca is from the Augrabie hills of the republic of So Africa. Winter grower, bulb with very narrow, feathery deciduous leaves & long bloom stalks. Similar to aka pregnant onion in the way new bulbs push through the existing bulb's skin. The upright flowers have white tepals with green keels, and the inner tepals are yellow-tipped. The flower smells like vanilla. Albucas are in the Hyacinthaceae family. This photo is of a mature plant. The 4" plants have 1-3 bulbs. The 6" plants have at least 3 bigger bulbs and they have been flowering in winter and summer.  Click the photo to see flower photos. **

Albuca bracteata aka Ornithogalum longibracteatum, native to South Africa, is an interesting plant the resembles a lily. The ovate green bulb is often semi-exposed (only partly underground) and exhibits a peeling, paper-thin epidermis. New offsets "burst" through the papery skin, thus the common name "Pregnant Onion". Long, straplike leaves give the appearance of an onion plant. Long floral stalks, sometimes over 3' in height, are topped by many small white flowers with green midstripes. Good indoor plant, but also can handle landscape conditions. Porous soil with adequate drainage. Filtered light to full sun. Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. Protect from frost.

Albuca namaquensis is a genus of more than 100 species belonging to the Hyacinthaceae family. The most characteristic feature of the genus is the shape of the flower. The outer 3 tepals spread out like any normal flower, but the inner 3 stay more or less closed. It grows on stony sandstone slopes from Namibia to the Eastern Cape and in dry conditions its leaves coil like Albuca spiralis.

Hyacinthaceae family ~ given it's name by Carl Linnaeus the younger in 1786, and is found in the Cape Province, South Africa on the sand plains. It's a winter-grower, and doesn't need much water in the summer. The bulb will grow to 25 centimetres and the corkscrew leaves to 50 centimetres. The fine bell-shaped flowers are white-greenish. It can be reproduced both by clusters and seeds. The difference between spiralis and namaquensis is that the foliage of the namaquensis is described as hairy or scaly, and spiralis is smooth and the leaves are fatter, not so wiry as namaquensis

Anacampseros namaquensis are from Namibia and Republic of South Africa. Cape Province: Little Namaqualand: Richtersveld, north of Modderfontein; Kenhardt Division and southwards to the Tanqua Karoo (S.W. Africa): Great Karas Mt.; high plateau between Wasserfall and Krai Kluft. Anacampseros filamentosa subs. namaquensis grow in rock cracks in steep slopes, cliffs and bare rock faces

Anacampseros 'Sunrise' telephiastrum variegata, related to the more familiar Portulaca, is native to South Africa (Karoo) and forms small spiraling star-shaped rosettes with fleshy dark olive green pointed leaves that turn purple in bright light. Attractive, white filament-like hairs are present along the stems adding a nice contrast to the dark foliage. Single flowers arise on 3”-4” stems above the leaves and are pink to rose-purple, 3/4" wide, and resemble flattened Portulaca flowers; they open in late afternoon closing every night. Click photo for complete information.

Anacampseros retusa come from the Northern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa, This species has a small caudex. The densely packed leaves are wedge-shaped, and they are an attractive brownish green. The flower petals are purplish pink.

Anacampseros rufescens, related to the more familiar Portulaca, is native to South Africa (Karoo) and forms small spiraling star-shaped rosettes with fleshy dark olive green pointed leaves that turn purple in bright light. Attractive, white filament-like hairs are present along the stems adding a nice contrast to the dark foliage. Single flowers arise on 3”-4” stems above the leaves and are pink to rose-purple, 3/4" wide, and resemble flattened Portulaca flowers; they open in late afternoon closing every night. It grows best with full sun to partial shade and ample airflow, with a well-drained soil mix. Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. Please click phto for complete information.

Avonia buderiana require Full sun to light shade, not frost tolerant, origin is South Africa, water moderately in spring until plant goes dormant. It is a caudiciform whose caudex grows to about 1 inch. White papery scales with yellow flowers. This plant belongs to the portulacea family, They are very little plants, white species are especially popular. This is a very unique plant a must in any collection. Click photo for more information.

Avonia alstonii grows well in Full sun to light shade, not frost tolerant, water moderately in spring until plant goes dormant. It is a caudiciform whose caudex grows to about 1 inch. This little member of the Portulaceae family was first described by Selmar Schönland. (Might been renamed by G.D. Rowley in 1994: Avonia quinaria subsp. alstonii). It is found in Namibia and South Africa, growing in grit with little water and lots of sun. The leaves drops in the dry period, the caudex can grow to more than eight centimetres, given some decades. The flowers are white to pink, it's self-fertile, and it can only be reproduced by seeds.

Avonia quinaria subs. alstonii is a dwarf perennial caudiciform succulent plant with a large, turnip-shaped rootstock buried to its rim, surmounted with myriads of silvery white stems, flush with the ground. The rootstock (caudex) is turnip-shaped with a spherical crown, above ground, flattened above, up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) in diameter. Branches are very numerous radiating from rootstock, up to 0.08 inch (2 mm) thick and up to 1.2 inch (3 cm) long. Leaves are very small, semi-orbicular flattish, completely hidden by the stipules. Flowers are usually white or in shades of pink, solitary, up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter.

Bowiea volubilis is in the Family : Hyacinthaceaea. It is a native of South Africa and is known as the "Climbing Onion. Forms light green layered bulb to 6" in diameter. Stems are twining bright lime green with linear leaves and small greenish-white flowers. Requires porous soil with excellent drainage. Bright, filtered light. Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. Protect from frost. Photo is an example of how your plant will look in a few years..

The genus name 'Cryptanthus' comes from the Greek for hidden flowers, because their inflorescence are rather inconspicuous. Cryptanthus are also known as Earth Star. They can be grown in the ground as a ground cover under a tree or indoors in bright but not direct sunlight. Cryptanthus like warmer climates but if grown under trees the protection may be enough to weather a light frost. They prefer to be kept moist. If kept in a pot, the pot should be wider than deeper as the roots like to grow out rather than down. They form rosettes with 15-25 leaves, 2-3" long coming to a point, with a little spine.

The genus name 'Cryptanthus' comes from the Greek for hidden flowers, because their inflorescence are rather inconspicuous. Cryptanthus are also known as Earth Star. They can be grown in the ground as a ground cover under a tree or indoors in bright but not direct sunlight. Cryptanthus like warmer climates but if grown under trees the protection may be enough to weather a light frost. They prefer to be kept moist. If kept in a pot, the pot should be wider than deeper as the roots like to grow out rather than down. They form rosettes with 15-25 leaves, 2-3" long coming to a point, with a little spine. They encompass about 50 species.

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Larryleachia are from South Africa and Namibia. Flowers are sessile, fleshy and very variable in colour. The flowers I have seen are reddish, purple or maroon, and glabrous. Larryleachia cactiforme is a small perennial stem succulent mostly solitary (or slowly clumping). Globular to elongate, green or light green or blue-green 5-30 cm high, 20-60 mm wide, unbranched or sparsely branched short-cylindric, and tessellate with roughly pentangular, flat or depressed tubercles closely set together; latex colorless. Leaves: Persistent, reduced to scales, in spirals or verticillate, sessile (and sunken), strongly adscending, 0.05-0.1 cm long. Roots: Fibrous. Click photo for complete information.

Scilla violacea (synonym Ledebouria socialis) is a South African succulent bulb with silvery-green leaves with abundant speckles and violet undersides. Prolifically produces small bulb offsets. Small lilac hyacinth-like flowers during winter months. Porous soil with adequate drainage. Filtered light with ample airflow. Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. Protect from frost.

Moringa lose their leaves in colder weather and return with foliage when the warm weather comes in spring.

Pachypodium brevicaule is a member of the Apocynaceae family. The name Pachypodium brevicaule means 'thick-foot, short-stem'. It is a Native of regions of Madagascar. They can reach a diameter of more than 12 inches. They typically grow on exposed limestone rock faces. They are a little hard to grow because they are rot-prone when not under ideal conditions. Click photo for more information and flower photo.

Pachypodium lamerei forma cristata is a nice large succulent with a thick crested trunk. The spiny gray stem will soon form an heavily convoluted fan-shaped or snaky ridged cluster. The comb-shaped foliage is arranged only at the top of the trunk.

Peperomia ferreyrae, native to Peru, forms stems with long, wispy lime green leaves. Leaves are very slender and have a longitudinal "window" along the margin. Great for windowsill culture, or as an accent color in dish gardens. Requires very porous soil with excellent drainage. This plant is a forest dweller and does best with a culture that gives excellent airflow and a soil that allows the water to run quickly away from the roots and not promote sodden conditions. Filtered light with ample airflow. Avoid drafts. Water thoroughly but allow to dry moderately between waterings. Prefers temperatures over 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Protect from frost.

Peperomia graveolens, native to Peru and Ecuador, forms small plants with glowing wine red stems with extremely succulent leaves that are wine red except on the upper side where there is a v-shaped transparent "window" to enable photosynthesis. This plant is a forest dweller at high altitudes and does best with a culture that gives excellent airflow and a soil that allows the water to run quickly away from the roots and not promote sodden conditions. These plants have evolved to have leaves with red undersides as the light from the forest floors is green in spectrum, and green leaves merely reflect green light. However, red leaves can absorb and utilize some of the light to enable photosnynthesis. Click photo for complete information.

Plectranthus tomentosa ~ aka vicks plant is a member of the Lamiaceae family and has a Vicks fragrance.

Plumerias are tropical trees famous for their gorgeous flowers which are used to make leis (floral garlands). In regions with cold winters, plumerias can be grown in containers and brought indoors when the weather cools in autumn. Other common names are frangipani and Hawaiian lei flower.  Plumerias have thick stems, leathery leaves, and an abundance of flowers from early summer until fall. In the tropics some varieties can grow to a height of over 30 feet. Shorter varieties can be planted and pruned into a large hedge. Plumeria's waxy, 2- to 4-inch flowers are very fragrant, so plant trees close to windows or patios to enjoy the enticing fragrance. Flower colors include pink, red, white, and yellow. Plumerias are often planted in containers and make excellent cut flowers. The information above comes from garden.org

Portulaca molokiniensis, native to Molokai, forms a small shrublet with chubby, rounded, pale grayish-green leaves. When grown in brighter light, form is more compact and chubby leaves are "stacked" horizontally around stem, somewhat in a pagoda shape. Porous soil with adequate drainage. Bright light with ample airflow. Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. Protect from frost.

Please go to the "Visit my Garden page" to see this ground cover in action.Portulacaria afra 'Variegata' (Rainbow Bush) is a form of the South African "Elephant Bush". Beautiful shrubby plant with mahogany-colored stems that are accented by highly succulent yellow leaves with green midstripes. The habit of this plant differs from the upright stance of the "Elephant Bush" in that it is somewhat cascading and spreads quickly laterally, rather than vertically. Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. Protect from frost. Please click photo for complete information

Pseudolithos eylensis is a member of the Asclepiadaceae family has not yet been described. It is found in Eil, Somalia, growing in grit with little water and some sun. It can grow to twelve centimetres in diameter and reach a height of fifteen centimetres. The flowers are dark red to brown, with hairy petals with a lighter centre and like the others: It smell like rotting meat, and thereby attracting flees. It have to be kept real dry in winters, and will not stand temperatures below 15 C for longer periods. At summer, the temperature should be kept around 25-35 C, best watered sparsely from the bottom.

Stapelia species is a native to southeastern Botswana, South Africa, southern Zimbabwe, It usually grows in shaded situations, often with other stapelias. The stems turn red in the dry season and become paper-thin. The flowers have long pedicels facing upwards, with the corolla marked in purple lines on a cream-coloured background, and the margins and central section have hairs. Flowering occurs from December–May. Please CLICK on the photo for complete plant information.

This slender-stemmed stapeliad forms compact clumps of light green stems only ¼” in diameter and 2–4″ long. The flowers are proportionately diminutive, to just an inch in diameter, and are dark burgundy with or without yellowish bands. Add to that varying degrees of raised banding and hair on the petals. Stapelia scitula is from Western Cape, South Africa.

Living Succulent Wreath
fall 2017