Scientific name: Cylindropuntia viridiflora (synonym: Opuntia viridiflora) Cylindropuntia viridiflora (photo: Cactus Rescue Project). Plant Family: Cactaceae Common name: Santa Fe cholla Article by Susan Bruneni A very special cactus in the xeric "Dry Garden" within the Botanical Garden at [...]

Scientific name: Caryopteris x clandonensis Plant Family:  Mint (Lamiaceae) , formerly in the Verbena (Verbenaceae) plant family Caryopteris x clandonensis cultivar (Photo by Janice Tucker) Common name: Blue Mist spirea Article by Janice Tucker Photos by Janice Tucker [...]

Scientific name: Koelreuteria paniculata Plant Family:  Sapindaceae Common names: Golden Rain Tree, Pride of India, China Tree, Varnish Tree Article by Susan Bruneni When Santa Fe Botanical Garden completes the new Botanical Garden on Museum Hill, one of the trees [...]

Campsis radicans (American trumpet vine) and Campsis x tagliabuana ‘Madame Galen’ (Trumpet vine ‘Madame Galen’) Plant Family:  Bignoniaceae (Trumpet creeper) Article by Janice Tucker Campsis Mme Galen (Tracy-Neal) Vines create interesting, vertical dimensions to one’s garden. Flowering vines [...]

Scientific name: Datura stramonium Family: Solanaceae Common Name: Moonflower, Jimson Weed, Angel’s Trumpet Article by Susan Bruneni Datura stramonium is believed to have originated in the American Southwest, Mexico and South America, but other evidence suggests an Asian origin. The [...]

Scientific Name: Picea pungens Plant Family: Pineaceae (Pine) Common names: Colorado blue spruce, Blue spruce Article and photos by Janice Tucker (& Sonny Tucker) The Colorado blue spruce, with its near perfect conical shape, upright growth and bluish evergreen foliage, [...]

Scientific names: Euphorbia pulcherrima, (Poinsettia), Euphorbia davidii (Toothed poinsettia) Euphorbia pulcherrima (Poinsettia) by Cristina Salvador. Plant Family: Euphorbiaceae Common Name: Poinsettia Article by Susan Bruneni We all know the beauty poinsettias contribute to holiday décor today. But Aztec [...]

Scientific Name: Hylotelephium telephium ‘Autumn Joy’ (synonym Sedum x ‘Autumn Joy’) Autumn joy sedum early spring emerging Plant Family: Stonecrop (Crassulaceae) Common name: Autumn Joy sedum Article and photos by Janice Tucker The name “Autumn Joy” in Autumn [...]

Helianthus annuus (Common sunflower) in field by Janice Tucker. Scientific Name (Genus): Helianthus Family: Asteraceae Common name: Sunflowers Article by Susan Bruneni “At the dawn of creation, the spirits rushed to the edge of the world, to [...]

Scientific name: Berlandiera lyrata Family:  Aster (Asteraceae) Common names: Chocolate Flower, Green eyes Article and photos by Janice Tucker An early morning stroll through the garden is one of life’s little pleasures. The senses are filled with singing birds, colorful [...]

Scientific name: Thelesperma megapotamicum Family: Asteraceae Common name: Cota, Indian tea, Hopi Tea, Navajo Tea, Zuni Tea, Greenthread By Susan Bruneni Photos: Beverley Spears Cota is an integral part of life in much of New Mexico. As its many common [...]