Desert Oregano - Origanum dayi
Here we have a modest plant that easily fits into two gardening trends that have been gaining momentum in recent years: growing edible plants and using native plants in the garden (what a fashion).
Desert Oregano is a plant endemic to Israel and grows wild only within the local deserts. There are several closely related species that can be found in neighbouring areas: Ramon Oregano, which is limited to the high Negev Mountains (found there by Prof. Avinoam Danin) and two extremely rare oregano species found in Jordan …keep reading
:In short
- Family: Lamiacea
- Origin: Desert areas in Israel
- Temperature: Does well in most regions of the country
- Light: full sun to partial sun
- Watering: moderate to none
- Flowering: abundant in spring and continues until fall
- Perennial shrubs: Pistacia lentiscus, common myrtle, viburnum tinus, Bay laurel, Spartium junceum, Calycotome villosa, Dominican Sage, Cistus, and more.
- Herbs: Pink Savory, hyssop, Greek sage, and Micromeria.
- Perennials: Dianthus pendulus, Judean sage, Snapdragon, Aegean Sage Germander Cretan Germander and more.
'Sinningia 'Romanza
The plant before us was created in the US less than 20 years ago, but its two parents are cold-hardy species from southern Brazil, Sinningia bullata and Sinningia eumorpha.
Usually, when thinking of Brazil, we imagine Carnival, the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, and the Amazon River with the mighty jungles surrounding it. Few remember that the vast Brazil reaches in its southernmost corner to the latitude of Cape Town in South Africa, where a Mediterranean climate similar to ours prevails.
In southern Brazil, the climate is temperate and rainy due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, but in certain mountainous areas it snows and the plants that grow there are resistant to extreme cold.…keep reading
:In short
- Family: Gesneriaceae
- Origin: North America, but the parents are from Brazil
- Temperature: Whatever. Not yet tried in Eilat
- Light: Full or almost full shade
- Soil: light in a pot
- Watering: Regular but not excessive. Excellent drainage
- Flowering: Spectacular and abundant. All summer and into autumn
It can do well In a container, in a hanging basket or as a ground cover, and especially as an outstanding flowering plant that replaces flowering annuals. It does not like heavy, calcareous soil, so ammend your soil with lots of organic matter or even better – plant it in any kind of pot where it will easily flourish:
Pelargonium peltatum (Cascading Geranium)
When the hot days of summer arrive, the recommendation is to stay in the shade as much as possible. So here is a plant that, like us, loves the shade but is not bothered by the heat, even when it is really, really hot outside. Just plant it in the ground or in a pot and don't forget to water:
Oxalis triangularis