Plant Story--Oenothera curtiflora, Velvetweed, Small-Flowered Gaura,

Velvetweed is a very widespread plant, found all across the United States except the Northeast. It stands up to 9' tall and yet has a very low profile. 

velvetweed, Oenothera curtiflora

Native Plants Are, Well, Wild

When you plant a native plant, you might find it spreads aggressively around the yard, crowding out  other plants in the garden. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but if you are growing natives, you need to be aware that some are pretty wild. 

black-eyed susan, Rudbeckia hirta
along a path; not where I planted the first one

Plant Story--Self-heal, Prunella vulgaris, Traditional Medicine

Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris, mint family, Lamiaceae) is a low creeping mint with pretty purple flowers. It spreads, so it can become an annoying weed if you want a lawn that is all grass. The flowers feed bees and butterflies, so it helps support the insect community, if you don't mind nongrasses in your lawn.

self-heal, Prunella vulgaris (from above)

Travel Story--Naples Botanical Garden, Naples, Florida

The Naples Botanical Garden is a wonderful place. On 170 acres, it, as their website says, "conserves the plants and habitats of the tropics, cultivates beauty, offers knowledge, and inspires the protection of nature."

Naples Botanical Garden, Naples, Florida

Plant Story--Dragonfruit, A Big Viney Cactus

Dragonfruits show up occasionally in U.S. grocery stores, big funny-looking tropical fruits. They are staples of fruit markets in the tropics. They turn out to be the fruits of a big cactus.

dragonfruits, Serenicereus undatus, pitayas

Disambiguation of Plant Names: Goat's Beard, Indian Paintbrush, Coneflower, and Yucca

More than a few plants share a common name. Sometimes the plants are similar, sometimes very different. Following a previous disambiguation blog (link) I'll bring some more of those to your attention so you remember to be careful to check which plant is being called by that name. In this post: goat's beard, Indian paintbrush, coneflower, and yucca. 

Indian paintbrush, Castilleja species

Bat Pollination

Bats are important pollinators in the tropics. 

Queen of the night, Epiphyllum oxypetalum, bat-pollinated cactus
of the American tropics, now grown all over the world.
 Fitbit mini for scale. Flowers can be 12" long and 12" across