LariAnn Garner
LariAnn has been gardening and working with plants since her teenage years growing up in Maryland. Her intense interest in plants led her to college at the University of Florida, where she obtained her Bachelor's degree in Botany and Master of Agriculture in Plant Physiology. In the late 1970s she began hybridizing Alocasias, and that work has expanded to Philodendrons, Anthuriums, and Caladiums as well. She lives in south Florida with her partner and son and is research director at Aroidia Research, her privately funded organization devoted to the study and breeding of new, hardier, and more interesting aroid plants.
Chilling Injury and Cold Damage - Knowing the Signs
It's the day after a night when temperatures dipped near freezing, but all your plants look OK in spite of it. Are your plants off the hook? Not necessarily. Read More
Spanish Moss - Adding that Southern Touch, and More!
If there is any image that can be considered iconic of the Deep South, it must surely be the sight of Spanish Moss drooping lazily from a Live Oak tree. Read on for more . . . Read More
Philodendron 'Xanadu' - a sport success story
For many, many years, the plant known as "Philodendron selloum" has been a mainstay in tropical landscapes and indoor plantings. The plant is quite tropical looking, relatively easy to grow, and large. In fact, it grows very large at maturity. For indoor decor and interiorscaping, a smaller plant with somewhat the same look would be ideal. Such a plant became available when Philodendron 'Xanadu' hit the market . . . Read More
Aglaonemas - Houseplants on the Dawn of a Spectacular New Day
Aglaonemas are durable, versatile plants that are very popular for use indoors and for interiorscape settings. The old standby varieties and newer hybrids come in shades of green with silver or white stripes or splotches. Read More
Spathiphyllum - The Peace Lily
Did you know that keeping certain plants indoors can actually improve the air quality of your home or office? Read More
Botany for Gardeners - Plant Growth Hormones
Plant growth and development is mediated by biochemicals known as plant growth regulators, or plant hormones. The discovery of these compounds has made possible the reproduction of plants via micropropagation, or tissue culture. Read More
Botany for Gardeners - The Basics of Leaves I
While flowers and fruits are essential to the future survival of plant species, leaves are vital for the sustenance and growth of plants in the present. Even parasitic, leafless plants depend upon the leaves of their host for survival. Read More
The Jewel Alocasias - Spotlight on Alocasia sanderiana 'Nobilis'
Few of the Jewels have the startlingly exotic look that this plant has. Seeing one of these transports you to a tropical nirvana where every plant is like a fantasy. . Read More
The Jewel Alocasias - Spotlight on Alocasia rugosa, a.k.a. Alocasia melo
Of all the Jewel Alocasias, this one has the award for the thickest leaf, as well as the most heavily textured leaf. If you didn't know this was a real plant, you'd have good reason to believe this plant was made from plastic. It is real, though, and you, too, can try growing it. That is, if you know how to care for Jewels. . . Read More
The Jewel Alocasias: Spotlight on Alocasia reginae 'Miri' aka Alocasia 'Elaine'
This jewel is actually two jewels, at least in my view, because the two types are different enough to enjoy separately or together in your collection. Which one you find depends upon where your nursery is obtaining their young plants. . . Read More
Caladium hybridizing - Making your own unique plant creation
Each year at this time of year, we begin seeing Caladiums show up for Spring planting. Most of the varieties seem the same, or similar, from year to year. Does that mean that new varieties are pretty much a thing of the past? Well, even though Caladiums have been hybridized for over 100 years, you can still come up with some that are your own unique creations. Read on and I'll show you how . . . Read More
Alocasia advincula: Batwings in your greenhouse
As leaf shapes among the Alocasia species go, this particular one is hard to beat. Although it is a challenging plant to grow, this Alocasia is well worth your effort if you have a warm greenhouse and can give your plant the attention it needs . . . Read More
The Jewel Alocasias - Spotlight on Alocasia reginula 'Black Velvet'
Of all the smaller Jewels, Alocasia reginula 'Black Velvet' is one of the most familiar and recognizable. The dark, almost black leaves, adorned with brilliant silvery-white veins and velvety look make for an unmistakably beautiful sight. You just want to hug and baby this wonderful little plant, but in so doing you may kill her with kindness. Read on. . . Read More
Aroids of the imagination VII - Butterflies, Crimson Melons and Chains
On Earth, genera and species of vining aroids abound. Some of them ascend to the heights of canopy trees in the rainforest, while others creep up rockfaces with leaves closely appressed to the rock. On Aroidia, one of the few vining plants is the Chain Vine, a plant with some of the most unusual leaves of any on the planet. However, the "Butterfly Palm" gives the Chain Vine significant competition in the unusual leaf department. . . Read More
Salt for the Earth - The most fundamental recycling ever!
As important as recycling is to the sustainability of life on this planet, one form of recycling may be the least recognized, and yet the most critically important, of all. Here I'll share about what could very well be the fundamental and primary recycling activity we can engage in for our gardens and farms. . . Read More
Philodendrons - Spotlight on the Climbers
Of all the types of Philodendrons, this group is most diverse. Some of our most beloved and well known house plants are in this group, as well as some of the most exotic and difficult to grow members of the genus. Join me for a look at these attractive vines . . . Read More
When Plants Move - Tropisms
In the realm of living organisms, motion is most often associated with the animal kingdom. The surprise is that plants move as well, and some move fast enough so that their motion is visible to a casual observer. Read on to learn more about how and why plants move around . . . Read More
Aroids of the imagination VI - Fans, Waves and Swans
Not all plants on Aroidia are strange or unfamiliar, as my imagination soon revealed to me. A number of plants were very reminiscent of real aroids on Earth. In fact, some of these plants are ones that may be the end results of my current hybrid research work. My journey of imagination continues with selected examples of these familiar, yet different, flora and the environments they thrive in. Read More
Philodendrons - Spotlight on the "Tree Types"
These are among the largest of the plants in the genus Philodendron, producing thick trunk-like stems and cord-like roots that can wrap around nearby trees or anchor to the ground like guy wires. Known also as "tree philodendrons", they are spectacular in the tropical landscape but can become unwieldy indoors . . . Read More
The Big Ears - Introduction to the large terrestrial Alocasias
Some plants are like icons in gardens, and when crafting a tropical garden, one of the most important icons is the group of big leaved plants known by some as "Elephant Ears", or "EEs". Among these, the large terrestrial Alocasias hold the position of prominence - read on for an introduction to these behemoths of tropical splendor . . . Read More
