unusual plants

Aloes in Kelly Griffin’s Garden

by December 6, 2014 – Posted in: Succulents

Kelly Griffin is a succulent breeder for Altman Plants, the largest grower of succulents and cacti in the US. Kelly is renowned for his aloe hybrids—unusual and colorful succulents new to the nursery marketplace.   In Kelly’s own garden are aloes yet to be introduced, that he’s experimenting with, growing for flowers so he can harvest the [...]

My Spiny Valentine

by February 6, 2014 – Posted in: Succulents

Prickly pear cactus pads sometimes form hearts. I wonder what the plant is trying to tell us: “Be mine but don’t touch me?” This last is a mammillaria. (You can call her Ma’am.) Here’s a  bit of trivia: I used to think that mammillaria got their name because they’re rounded like mammillary glands. But no, [...]