The Garden.org Plants Database

This is a widespread and common annual plant native from Newfoundland to southern Manitoba down to Colorado and Texas into Florida, and also native in some spots in Oregon, plus native also to East Asia in moist to wet areas and meadows. It blooms from July into October and seeds ripen in August to October. It is not used in horticulture-gardening-landscaping. It has short smartweed flower clusters of white or pink; leaves that are shaped like a long arrowhead; and the stems are covered with rough, bristly hook-like hairs to help the plant climb upon other plants, thus being very rough to touch, which has something to do with the name of Tearthumb.

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From the breeder, Floret Flower Farm:

"This mix of medium sized, mostly double blooms comes in an enchanting range of vivid sherbet tones including raspberry, tangerine, magenta, lemon, apricot, dusty lilac and blush with striking lavender centers. "

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Low, spiny, clumping cactus from western Mexico with outstanding large (for the genus) red flowers. Stems grow to about 4 inches in diameter. Each areole has 4-6 central spines (2 of which are hooked), and dozens of radial spines. Flowers are 2-3 inches wide. From high elevations in Chihuahua, Jalisco, Sinaloa. Apparently related closely to Cochemiea. Formerly in the genus (now subgenus) Mammillopsis. There is apparently also a white-flowered form in cultivation.

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Spiny shrub from Tanzania with brown, shredding papery bark and deciduous leaves. The main stem and the branches tend to grow sideways or even downward with time. Old plants in nature may reach over 10 feet tall. Leaf margins are wavy and the upper surface is marked with prominent veins. The cyathia are hooded and nodding (this species was formerly known as Monadenium elegans). This plant can be propagated from cuttings, which may take up to a year to root and leaf out. It displays a striking seasonal variation between the leafless phase and the period of active growth, which begins in late summer in our cool coastal climate.

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I would not have known this species of perennial flower unless I found a few tags in the pots of plants being sold at a northern Delaware nursery in USDA Zone 7a. This species is usually noted being cold hardy to Zone 8 or 9 depending on the source, except for one that noted Zone 7. It is native to tropical and subtropical pine forests in central and eastern Mexico. This cultivar of 'Santa Barbara' was found in a garden in the Californian city and it is more compact growing than the mother species. The foliage is evergreen in warmer climates. I am not sure if it stays that way up in Zone 7. Its roots and crown probably survive in Zone 7, unless the nursery is selling it as an annual. One is supposed to cut the plant down in early spring. it is a good-looking forb.

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While this plant can be attractive in some settings, It is extremely difficult to control. It sends out underground runners that travel in excess of 30 feet at a 1 to 3 inch depth. New vines emerge at intervals along these long roots. It laughs at most vegetation and brush killers including RoundUp. Much more difficult to control than Kudzu

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Shrub from the SW US and NW Mexico with broom-like branches and tiny compound flowers. Dioecious (separate male and female plants are required to produce seed). Extremely drought tolerant, preferring rocky or sandy soil, often one of the first plants to colonize disturbed areas. Flowers attract all sorts of winged pollinators. A bit weedy and not generally used as a garden plant, but it can be somewhat controlled through pruning. Does not tolerate wet feet. To quote Wikipedia: "Most people try to get rid of this plant". Keep a male plant if your goal is to avoid it reproducing.

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Single-stemmed or occasionally branched succulent columnar Euphorbia from Tanzania, capable of growing several feet tall but rarely reaching that size in cultivation. The glaucous green stem has 5 sides, and the corners bear a continuous arrangement of reddish brown teeth or spines, each one usually branched. The leaves are keeled and they have teeth on the bottom of the midrib. They appear in summer and fall in winter, leaving scars to 1cm wide. Inflorescences appear on stout reddish deciduous peduncles that have the same sort of multicuspid teeth as the stems. The flowers are dramatic and long lasting during late fall and winter. This plant was formerly known as a Monadenium, and it has the hooded cyathia typical of that former genus. It can be readily propagated from cuttings, though it does not typically branch much if at all unless the growth point is damaged. Provide strong light for greatest long-term stability.

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This herbaceous, perennial vine is native to southern Canada, Maine into Florida to Texas to Minnesota and some other parts of the Great Plains. It is a very fast growing, twining vine growing along the ground or up upon other plants or various supports. If it were in my yard, I would treat it as a rampant weed that can easily tangle itself over other plants, but out in wild, natural places it is a normal, common plant. Its tiny green-white flowers with 5 tepals, of which 3 are winged, are pollinated by bees, wasps, flies, and some other insects. Some beneficial insects feed on its foliage. Its big seeds in green-white, winged, dry fruits are eaten by birds, rodents, and bears. Its alternate leaves to about 4 inches long are sort of heart-shaped and indented at the base. The slender twining stems are sort of reddish. It has slightly swollen nodes and short membraneous sheaths (ocreae) like other members of the Buckwheat Family. I don't know of any kind of nursery that ever sells this plant, and I don't recommend it. It is very common in its large range.

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Ornamental Echeveria hybrid with an unusual form and color. Leaves are folded (monstrose) like "Topsy Turvy" but dark like "Black Prince", with a powdery covering on top. "Dark Vader" is a Volarth Chi hybrid of E. runyonii "Topsy Turvy" and E. "Black Prince". Also known as "Darkness Power" in Asia and "Dark Hawk" or "Black Hawk" in Australia.

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