Curio rowleyanus, Senecio rowleyanus

Curio rowleyanus (Senecio rowleyanus), also called String of pearls, is an excellent groundcover for dry rock gardens or for edging garden paths. It is a low-growing plant, and can cope with a variety of light exposures, from full sun to semi-shade. It has attractive white and off-white flowers that are highly fragrant, and its small succulent leaves are low maintenance and thrive in dry, sandy conditions. In the right environment, this plant can quickly spread and form a beautiful, green tangle that adds texture and scent to the landscape.

Plant is native to South Africa, and is hardy in USDA Zone 9-11. Plants in colder climates should be grown in pots and brought inside during the winter months. Potted plants require well-drained soil. Water the plant when the soil is dry to the touch, reducing watering even further during winter when the plant is resting.

Overall, Curio rowleyanus is a great choice for those looking for an aromatic, drought-tolerant groundcover for gardens or containers. With its colourful and fragrant flowers combined with its low-maintenance attributes, this plant is sure to add interest to any outdoor space.

Curio x peregrinus, Senecio x peregrinus

The plant is a hybrid between Curio rowleyanus and Curio articulatus.

The plant does well in hanging baskets, where its leaves can shower downward. The plant thrives under bright, indirect light with some morning sun and in semi-shade under moist conditions.

Cynara cardunculus

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

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The Globe Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus) is a perennial thistle originating in Southern Europe around the Mediterranean. It grows to 1.4-2 metres (4.6-6.6 ft) tall, with arching, deeply lobed, silvery, glaucous-green leaves 50-82 centimetres (20-32 in) long. The flowers develop in a large head from an edible bud about 8-15 centimetres.

Dahlia imperialis

Dahlia imperialis is a large herbaceous plant standing typically between 2-6 meters tall. Though it can attain tree size, like other dahlias it is an herbaceous plant that dies down to the ground in cold weather.

Flower color is variable, ranging from mauve (most common) to pale pink and even pure white. The flower center is orange-yellow. Double flower forms also exist, both pure white and pink.

Dahlia sp.

With so many to choose from, and some varieties displaying two or more colors in the same flower, there is something for everyone. Dahlia sp. is an extremely diverse small plant that typically grows 2 to 5 feet tall. It is a native to Greece and can overwinter in USDA Zones 8-10. This plant is a very popular choice as it can flower in shades of pink, white, off-white, red, crimson, vinous and yellow and orange. Not only is it eye catching but can also attract butterflies, hummingbirds and other beneficial insects to a garden setting.

The Dahlia is an easy to care for and maintain plant that prefers to be placed in an area of full sun and watered regularly. It is also important to fertilize on a monthly basis as this will ensure that the plant will reach its full potential of producing large, showy blooms. If grown in a pot, it should also be moved indoors or into a sheltered area during periods of cold and frost.

Overall, with the Dahlia sp. you are guaranteed a beautiful array of colors and sizes of blooms that will stand out in any garden setting.

Echinacea purpurea, Rudbeckia purpurea

Purple Coneflowers produce large, fragrant pink flowers blooms at the beginning of April and May. The 3 to 5 ft flower stalks make them an excellent background planting for your landscape, or in a butterfly garden. They are excellent for cut flowers, lasting a week or longer after being cut. Cutting the flowers will promote an extended blooming season. The perennial plant does best when planted in full sun in any moist, well-drained garden soil, but may also be grown in partial sun. The plant is somewhat drought resistant once established. Coneflowers are hardy in USDA zones 3-9 Propagation is by seed, or by division in spring or fall. Root cuttings taken in the fall may also be successful. Like many perennials, Purple Cone Flowers should be lifted and divided after blooming when the plant's crown becomes to crowded. Usually this occurs in the third or fourth year; this is also when roots can be harvested for medicinal use. Most Purple Cone Flower cultivated for medicinal use is Echinacea purpurea and both the root and the above ground parts are used. Echinacea has been used as an herbal remedy for centuries. Melvin Gilmore writes that the Northern Plains Indians used it "as an antidote for snake bite and other venomous bites and stings and poisonous conditions...It was employed in the smoke treatment for headache in persons and distemper in horses". There are nine known species and it is suspected that all have similar medical properties, but the research is ongoing and no conclusions have yet been determined.

Echinops adenocaulos

They form clumps of deeply divided, spiny leaves, which are gray-green above and fuzzy-white beneath. They produce round, compact heads of tiny pale blue or grayish-white flowers, resembling thistles, atop gray-white stems in late summer. Globe Thistles can live in any well-drained soil as long as it isn't too rich. They will survive in poor, dry soil. They should be in a position with full sun. These plants can be increased by seeds or division in the fall, or by root cuttings in the winter. Varietes: E. Ritro, E. Bannaticus, E. Gmelinii and E. Sphaerocephalus.

Encelia farinosa

Perennial, Deciduous. The leaves drop off during periods of drought and after heavy frosts. Landscape Uses:Border, Erosion control, Ground cover, Massing, Specimen. Requires a very warm sunny position in a deep very well-drained soil.

Erato sp.

Eriocephalus africanus

Flowering times vary, but the best displays are in winter when the whole shrub is covered in small, white flowers. The flowers are followed by fluffy seed heads looking much like cottony wool or snow.

Essential oil derived from Eriocephalus africanus is used as an ingredient in medicinal and perfume products.