Alexandra Hill 
Primroses are wonderful additions to the spring garden. They are firm favorites of gardeners living in cool or temperate climates, and, with their brightly colored flowers, it’s easy to see why! The common name primrose is given to any of the flowering plants in the genus Primula and the family Primulaceae. There are approximately 490 … Read more
Narcissus is a genus of around 50 species. They are bulbous plants in the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae. Most species are spring flowering perennials! They are extremely popular as spring bulbs, and their flowers are easily recognized in the wild by their large cupped yellow flowers. They easily hybridize in the wild, but many horticultural crosses … Read more
Daffodils are one of the most popular spring bulbs! They belong to the genus Narcissus and there are around 50 species. Daffodils are divided into 13 groups botanically, but the most popular garden varieties are N. pseudonarcissus, N. jonquilla, and N. poeticus, and their hybrids. The genus name Narcissus comes from Greek Mythology where a … Read more
Violas belong to the genus Viola and the violet family, Violacaea. They are a large group of over 500 species, made up of small shrubs and herbaceous plants. Several violas are extremely popular in the gardening world, and are classified into distinctive garden types! These are pansies (Viola x wittrockiana), Johnny-jump-ups (Viola tricolor and others), … Read more
The genus Viola is a large group that contains over 500 species of herbaceous plants and small shrubs. It belongs to the violet family, Violaceae, and there are several popular flowering plants within the genus! These can be separated into distinctive garden types: pansies (Viola x wittrockiana); Violets (Viola odorata, Viola riviniana, V. cornuta, and … Read more
Pansies are a firm favorite amongst gardeners, especially when it comes to winter and spring flower beds and displays! They are a member of the genus Viola and are part of the Violaceae family. Pansies are often confused with other flowering members of the Viola genus, however, most people are referring to V. x wittrockiana … Read more
Pansies are one of the most popular bedding plants amongst gardeners! These cool-weather favorites are particularly useful for adding color to gardens during winter! Although the common name “pansy” is sometimes used to refer to several cultivated flowers within the Viola genus such as Viola tricolor, the plant most people associate with the name pansy … Read more
Purslane plants are the ultimate addition to any rock garden. These beautiful flowers come in vibrant colors and have a spreading habit, making them perfect for providing ground cover! They are short-lived perennial succulents, often grown as annuals in cooler climates. Purslane belongs to the Portulaca genus of which there are approximately 40-100 species. Portulaca … Read more
Cockscombs are delightful garden ornamental plants that belong to the genus Celosia and the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae. They can either be herbaceous annuals and perennials, or shrubs, with around 45 species in this relatively small genus. The most popular garden cockscomb plants are cultivars of or closely related to Celosia argentea. C. argentea cultivars are … Read more
Cockscomb or Cock’s comb is a group of plants that belong to the genus Celosia. There are around 45 species within the group, several of which are cultivated as garden ornamentals! Cockscomb plants can be herbaceous annuals and perennials, or shrubs, and are known for their vividly colored flowers that often grow in plume-like inflorescences! … Read more