Alocasia Plant  An Alocasia plant, native to Asia, is also called an Elephant Ear plant or African Mask plant because of their very large,  glossy, heart-shaped leaves with wavy edges. These stunning, veined leaves come in red, bronze, blue-green, and purple. If you are searching for a dramatic, very different looking plant that can be as small as 6″ or as tall as a tree, an Alocasia plant is a great choice. These plants do require extra care and attention. Alocasia plants are considered poisonous and should be kept away from pets and children. Read more about common houseplants

Asters are daisy-like perennials with starry-shaped flower heads. They bring delightful color to the garden in late summer and autumn when many of your other summer blooms may be fading.

The plant’s height ranges from 8 inches to 8 feet, depending on the type. You can find an aster for almost any garden and they have many uses, such as in borders, rock gardens, or wildflower gardens. Asters also attract butterflies to your garden!

PLANTING

Dahlias are known as tuberous-rooted tenderperennials, grown from small brown biennial tubers planted in the spring. 

These colorful spiky flowers generally bloom from midsummer to first frost, when many other plants are past their best. They range in color and even size, from the giant 10-inch “dinnerplate” blooms to the 2-inch lollipop-style pompons. Most varieties grow 4 to 5 feet tall.

Though not well suited to extremely hot and humid climates, such as much of Texas and Florida, dahlias brighten up any sunny garden with a growing season that’s at least 120 days long. Dahlias thrive in the cool, moist climates of the Pacific Coast, where blooms may be an inch larger and dee

Dahlias are known as tuberous-rooted tenderperennials, grown from small brown biennial tubers planted in the spring. 

These colorful spiky flowers generally bloom from midsummer to first frost, when many other plants are past their best. They range in color and even size, from the giant 10-inch “dinnerplate” blooms to the 2-inch lollipop-style pompons. Most varieties grow 4 to 5 feet tall.

Though not well suited to extremely hot and humid climates, such as much of Texas and Florida, dahlias brighten up any sunny garden with a growing season that’s at least 120 days long. Dahlias thrive in the cool, moist climates of the Pacific Coast, where blooms may be an inch larger and dee

Dianthus flowers are perfect for plant containers and will bring a splash of color to any urban balcony garden. Dianthus flowers come in many colors, either it be a solid white, red, purple, pink and sometimes yellow, or with two colors or marks in the petals. The height of this flower ranges from 6 inches to 3 feet, and there are so many Dianthus varieties that any gardener can find a beautiful Dianthus species to fit his or her balcony garden.

Petunias are one of the most popular flowers, often grown as annuals. They are tender perennials in Zones 9 to 11. 

They are divided into two different groups:

1.      Grandiflora petunias have very large flowers and are best grown in containers or hanging baskets (because they are more susceptible to rain damage).

2.     Multiflora petunias have smaller, but more abundant flowers and are ideal for summer bedding or in a mixed border (because they are more tolerant to wet weather).

Petunias are one of the most popular flowers, often grown as annuals. They are tender perennials in Zones 9 to 11. 

They are divided into two different groups:

1.      Grandiflora petunias have very large flowers and are best grown in containers or hanging baskets (because they are more susceptible to rain damage).

2.     Multiflora petunias have smaller, but more abundant flowers and are ideal for summer bedding or in a mixed border (because they are more tolerant to wet weather).

Salvia Growing salvia is something every gardener should try. Learning how to grow salvia and how to take care of salvia plants provides the gardener with a wide range of sights and smells, as there are many different types of salvia. Find out about the different salvia plant types and choose the one that appeals to your senses for the bare spot in the garden. 

Vinca  also called Speedwell, is a carefree and easy-to-grow perennial with long spikes of small petals in purple, blue, pink, or white. This attractive plant grows in clusters from 1 to 3 feet tall, and blooms from spring to autumn.

There is also a bushy ground cover variety (Prostrate speedwell) which features dense clusters of flowers and grows to about 10 inches tall.

Vinca  also called Speedwell, is a carefree and easy-to-grow perennial with long spikes of small petals in purple, blue, pink, or white. This attractive plant grows in clusters from 1 to 3 feet tall, and blooms from spring to autumn.

There is also a bushy ground cover variety (Prostrate speedwell) which features dense clusters of flowers and grows to about 10 inches tall.

Gazania A native of South Africa, the daisy-like gazania flower is a member of the aster family and can tolerate dry climates. Gazanias are hardy and will thrive in most soils, no matter how poor the quality is. 

Ranging from terra cotta to bright yellow in color, gazania plants grow an average of 12 inches and bloom during the spring and summer months. These flowers grow as a perennial in zones nine to 11 and as an annual in zones three to eight. Gazania flowers can blossom to their fullest using some simple care tips.

Pansies are the colorful flowers with the “faces.” In fact, they have one of the widest ranges of colors and are good for containers, borders, and ground covers. The pansy is treated as an annual due to its leggy growth. They’re hearty in cool weather.

Pansies are the colorful flowers with the “faces.” In fact, they have one of the widest ranges of colors and are good for containers, borders, and ground covers. The pansy is treated as an annual due to its leggy growth. They’re hearty in cool weather.