Native Plants From Jordan

With desert as their home turf, native plants from Jordan do well in hot, dry climates. That makes them excellent candidates for xeriscaped gardens in southern and western parts of the United States. If you live in a hot spot and are interested in gardening without much water, it's worth your while to explore the plants of this small nation in the Middle East.

Squill

Squill (Urginea maritime) has an unusual name, but it's a hardy plant used medicinally to heal everything from bronchitis to skin ailments. This perennial bulb loves sandy soil and dry conditions--in fact, it's prone to rot if the ground gets too soggy. Plant bulbs a foot or two apart in full sun or under a deciduous tree. Squill usually blossoms with white flowers in late summer or early fall.

Oleander

Oleander (Nerium oleander) is an evergreen shrub with green leaves and summer flowers of many hues including white, red and salmon. It sounds--and looks--lovely, but don't get too close--every part of the oleander is poisonous. This plant likes sun but can handle a little shade, and it's fine in dry or moist soil. Gardeners like it for its fast growth, and many people grow it along the perimeter of their property as a screen.

Anemone

Anemones (Anemone coronaria) are perennial plants that often bloom in early spring. The flowers, in colors such as pink and red, may last up to four weeks. Anemones enjoy full or partial sun and well draining soil, and they look stunning in areas such as rock gardens. Most gardeners grow anemones by separating and planting their rhizomes. This plant is also called Easter flower and windflower.

Sea Orach

Jordan is home to another plant with an unusual name--orach (Atriplex halimus). Also called sea orach, tall orach or saltbush, this shrub is often found in saline soil but can grow in many soil conditions. Orach does best in full sun and needs little water. Its salty-tasting leaves are edible, and the seed can be ground for cooking.