houseplants

Cape Primrose

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So often in botanical circles plants with lovely common names, like shooting stars or Peruvian lilies, have absolutely awful-sounding botanical names.  Cape primrose is a case in point.  Botanically speaking, it is known as Streptocarpus, which sounds dangerously close to streptococcus, the bacteria that causes strep throat.  Some streptocarpus is so beautiful that it will … Read more

Neglect

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I am a plant lover with a dirty little secret—my houseplants are dying of neglect. At the moment my foyer and dining room look like a horticultural ICU, with patients that include a collection of geraniums, cacti, African violets, orchids and amaryllis.  Most spent last summer outside, happy and healthy.  The majority of the geraniums … Read more