Aloe are varied succulents that take on both rosette and branching forms. Some varieties have leaves with serrated edges while others are smooth. Most feature spring blooms on tall stalks. Some take on very symmetrical forms that make them striking focal points.
This showy summer blooming tree can be grown with a single trunk or multiple branching limbs. With pruning crape myrtles can retain a compact form and dwarf varieties can be used as shrubs. Newly transplanted trees require weekly watering but mature trees tolerate heat and drought conditions well. White blossoms can appear spent more quickly than pink and lavender varieties.
The many varieties of geranium differ in leaf and flower color. Long lasting late spring blooms are attractive but the fragrance does not appeal to most as a cut flower. While geranium varieties can be grown as perennials, the plants often become unattractively leggy over time. Given this, geranium may be best thought of as annuals when winters are cold or and summers extremely dry. New plants can be readily grown from cuttings. The plants are hardy but the plants do not do well in gardens with clay soil.
These plants with sword-like foliage feature blooms that emerge from tall branching stems. The flowers are covered with fine hairs that given them a velvety look. The color of the stems can vary from green to red. Flower colors include cream, yellow, orange and red. The plants are striking additions to rock gardens and landscapes with a distilled, modern look. Kangaroo paws are originally from Australia. The plants do well in arid gardens once established. The blooms do well in cut arrangements.
The trailing growth habit makes this flowering shrub appropriate for use as a ground cover while some variations are more upright. The fragrant blooms attract butterflies. Lantana blooms repeatedly with more abundant blooms when planted in full sun. Consideration should be given to lantana placement in the gardenscape as it can become invasive.
Parodia cactus consist of a number of varieties that grow in small ball and columnar forms. They can appear as single columns growing to a height of three feet or in groups. Most Parodia have pronounced grooves and spines. The bright and showy flowers appear in a range of colors with yellow as the most common. When planted outdoors, parodia require scant water and well draining soil. They do best with partial afternoon shade.
This tree is semi-evergreen with compact leaves and long-lasting blooms from which the fruit emerges in the spring. Pomegranate trees stay relatively small and dwarf varieties are available. These perform very effectively as shrubs. Pomegranates respond well to pruning to attain a controlled form. Pomegranate juice has become popular and the fruit is increasingly found in markets. Home cooks who have pomegranate trees enjoy the fruit as a garnish in cooking and for the decorative addition they make to floral arrangements and centerpieces.
Low-water gardeners often overlook roses which are very efficient once established. There is minimal care required to remove spent blooms to prolong the display and to keep the bushes looking tidy. Clipping at an angle just above five leaf clusters is the best way to do this. Heavy pruning annually keeps the plants looking their best. Many varieties are available in most growing zones which can be selected for hardiness, color, fragrance and growing habit.
This vine is also known as “Blood Red Trumpet Vine”. The vine is evergreen in mild climates. The flowers are distinctive and the foliage is glossy and dark. The seed pods that appear in the fall are also distinctive. The vine will grow vigorously in either sun or partial shade. It is relatively to control overgrowth by cutting the vine back. Over-fertilization will negatively impact blooming.
Tea trees are are most often seen as bushes or hedges. Attractive small tree forms are developed with attentive pruning to remove the lowest branches. Pruning is also needed if a symmetrical form is desired. The tea tree trunk develops a fibrous appearance. Abundant small magenta or white flowers appear in the spring lasting through the summer. Water needs are low for established plants.