Plants in genus asparagus
Asparagus retrofractus
Asparagus retrofractus, also known as the shubby herb, is an evergreen perennial native to South Africa. It features long, scrambling, light-grey stems and small white flowers hidden within its foliage. This plant is popular for bonsai and thrives in rocky, sandy habitats.
Asparagus setaceus
A member of the Liliaceae family, this plant prefers humidity and indirect light, with care similar to most ferns. It has lush, frilly foliage and thorny spurs, and is toxic to humans and animals. It is commonly placed in hanging displays.
Asparagus asparagoides
Asparagus asparagoides, resembling poet's laurel, is a deciduous climbing plant native to eastern and southern Africa. It thrives in sun to part shade and is considered invasive in Australia and New Zealand. This plant is used in floral arrangements and spreads through seeds dispersed by animals.
Asparagus suaveolens
Asparagus suaveolens is a drought-tolerant shrub native to South Africa, thriving in full sun with arching stems and stiff, linear green needles. It matures to 3.5 feet tall by 5 feet wide and produces small red fruit in late summer. This plant is adaptable to various climates, being deciduous or evergreen depending on the environment.
Asparagus densiflorus 'Meyeri'
Asparagus densiflorus 'Meyeri', also known as the foxtail fern, is a bushy plant that grows 24 to 48 inches tall. It is a fast-growing, showy houseplant that thrives in part sun, shade, or under grow lights. This plant prefers well-draining soil and a moderate fertilization schedule.
Asparagus denudatus
Asparagus denudatus is a deciduous clumper native to South Africa, known for its upright, glaucous-green, stiff, wiry stems. This plant produces small red berries in fall and has survived Zone 5b temperatures in Western Michigan. Asparagus denudatus is deer-resistant and thrives in full sun with slightly acidic, well-drained soil. It is part of the Asparagus genus, which includes a variety of ornamental and edible species. This plant is well-suited for cottage gardens, rock gardens, and as a living wall. Its unique foliage and fall berries add interest to garden beds, making it a valuable addition to any landscape. It is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal care once established.
Asparagus virgatus
Asparagus virgatus, also known as tree fern or African broom fern, features fine bushy stems and needle-like leaves. It produces small white flowers and red berries, thriving in shady undergrowth.
Asparagus verticillatus
Asparagus verticillatus is a twining vine that can grow up to 15 feet tall, featuring glossy green foliage and fragrant white flowers. It produces bright red ornamental berries in late summer and is cold hardy to Zone 3. This plant is deer-resistant and suitable for ornamental use.
Asparagus aethiopicus
Asparagus aethiopicus, an ornamental weed native to South America and South Africa, features tough green stems with spines and small white or pinkish flowers. It is considered invasive in many regions and produces toxic red berries.
Asparagus densiflorus 'Myers'
Asparagus densiflorus 'Myers', also known as foxtail fern, is an evergreen perennial with vertical plumes and weeping foliage. It is not a true fern but a member of the lily family, producing tiny white flowers in spring. The plant thrives in dappled sunlight or full shade and is tolerant of temperatures as low as 15°F.
Asparagus densiflorus 'Myersii'
Asparagus densiflorus 'Myersii', commonly known as Foxtail Fern, is an evergreen plant with arching plumes of needle-like leaves. It produces white flowers and red berries, adding ornamental interest. This low-maintenance plant grows 2-3 feet tall and thrives in filtered sun or partial shade. It prefers slightly moist soil and is extremely toxic to pets, making it important to place it out of their reach.
Asparagus africanus
Asparagus africanus is a South African native asparagus fern with thin upright stalks that form a 1-foot wide clump. It produces very stiff dark green 'fronds' and can fill a 4-foot tall by 4-foot wide space. This plant is known for its medicinal properties and is used to treat various health conditions. It is a spiny shrub or climbing plant with a rhizomatous root system and fern-like cladodes.
Asparagus volubilis
Asparagus volubilis is an unusual species native to the North, West, and East Cape regions of South Africa. It features leaves that resemble flat, green plastic strips and upright, wiry, arching stems. This plant is known for its unique appearance and adaptability to various environmental conditions. Asparagus volubilis is a great option for those looking to add a touch of exotic beauty to their garden. Its distinctive foliage and resilience make it a popular choice for plant enthusiasts. This plant is a great option for those looking to add a touch of exotic beauty to their collection.
Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri'
Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri', commonly known as Sprenger's asparagus fern, features arching fronds with needle-like cladodes. This plant is often used as a houseplant or in outdoor gardens, appreciated for its lush, feathery appearance. It requires medium attention and care, thriving in medium light conditions and well-drained soil.
Asparagus setaceus 'Lowestoffe'
Asparagus setaceus 'Lowestoffe' is a South African native with long, twining stems and soft, bristly dark green foliage. This ornamental plant features tiny white flowers in spring and red fruit in fall, adding seasonal interest. It is winter-hardy to 7 degrees Fahrenheit and thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil. Its delicate appearance and resilience make it a popular choice for both indoor and outdoor settings.
Asparagus officinalis 'Sweet Purple'
Asparagus officinalis 'Sweet Purple' is a perennial known for its deep purple stalks that are sweeter and less stringy than traditional green asparagus. It is rich in nutrients and grows best in full sun.
Asparagus officinalis 'Purple Passion'
Asparagus officinalis 'Purple Passion' is a perennial vegetable known for its unique purple spears that are tender and not stringy. It is cold and heat-tolerant, thriving in USDA zones 3-10, and is resistant to disease, rust, and rot. This asparagus variety requires full sun and well-drained soil and is low maintenance. If not harvested, it produces airy green foliage and non-edible berries in fall. It is often grown alongside companion plants like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant.
Asparagus retrofractus 'Glen Avon'
Asparagus retrofractus 'Glen Avon' is a unique ornamental vine known for its soft green foliage and long, arching branches. Native to South Africa, it thrives in wooded creek areas at elevations around 3100 feet. This perennial is potentially winter hardy in USDA zones 8 and warmer, making it suitable for various climates. It can grow up to 5 feet long and is appreciated for its ability to resist rabbits and its suitability for rain gardens. The plant prefers sun to light shade and can be a striking addition to both sun and shade perennial gardens.
Asparagus microraphis
Asparagus microraphis is a South African ornamental plant that thrives on humid, rocky mountain slopes. It forms a sprawling specimen up to 2 feet tall and 12 feet wide, with dense stalks of dark green foliage. In early May, it produces small white flowers followed by red berries. This plant is notable for surviving temperatures below 0°F in Western Michigan, making it a hardy choice for various climates.
Asparagus officinalis 'Mary Washington'
Asparagus officinalis 'Mary Washington' is an heirloom variety known for its thick stalks and heavy yield. This semi-hardy perennial has a buttery and robust flavor and features fern-like foliage. It can produce for up to thirty years, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil. This low-maintenance plant is disease resistant and cold and heat-tolerant.
Asparagus schoberioides 'Chollipo'
Asparagus schoberioides 'Chollipo' is a perennial plant with rich, green, lacy foliage that forms a clump about 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide. In late summer and fall, it is adorned with bright red berries, adding ornamental interest. This plant is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, making it a versatile choice for various garden settings.
Asparagus officinalis 'Jersey Supreme'
Asparagus officinalis 'Jersey Supreme' is an early-season asparagus variety known for its cold hardiness and disease resistance. It thrives in well-drained soil and full sun, and it is recommended to wait one year after planting before harvesting.
Asparagus officinalis 'Jersey Giant'
Asparagus officinalis 'Jersey Giant' is a male hybrid asparagus known for producing large quantities of quality spears, which can reach 7 to 9 inches long. It is cold-hardy in USDA zones 3-8 and grows to 4-5 feet tall, spreading 12-18 inches wide. This perennial vegetable is disease-resistant and does not produce seeds, making it a reliable choice for home gardens.
Asparagus officinalis 'Jersey Knight'
Asparagus officinalis 'Jersey Knight' is a high-yielding variety known for its large, succulent spears. Mostly male, it produces stronger spears with fewer seeds and is resistant to common diseases like rust and crown rot. This asparagus grows well in any soil, including heavy clay, and reaches 3-4 feet tall with fern-like foliage after harvest.
Asparagus densiflorus
Asparagus densiflorus, commonly referred to as a member of the Lily family, is a resilient plant native to South Africa. It is not a true fern but features plume-like branches with slender, pointed fronds. This plant blooms with white flowers in mid-summer, followed by red berries in the fall. Known for its drought resistance, it is a firewise choice for firescaping and thrives in USDA zones 9-11. It prefers full morning sun with afternoon shade and requires consistent moisture, becoming drought-resistant once established.
Asparagus cochinchinensis 'Chuwang'
Asparagus cochinchinensis 'Chuwang' is a unique plant originating from Chuwang Mountain, Korea, known for its long, twining stalks and soft, fleshy dark green foliage. It thrives in very dry, rocky, acidic environments and produces tiny white flowers in mid-May. The foliage turns bright golden yellow in fall, and its tubers are used in traditional Chinese medicine for lung and kidney cleansing.
Asparagus cochinchinensis 'Graham's Cracker'
Asparagus cochinchinensis 'Graham's Cracker' is a dwarf, tardily deciduous plant introduced by NC gardener Graham Ray. It forms a tight, upright clump about 15 inches tall and wide, turning gold before going dormant. Reliable in Zone 5, it remains evergreen in warmer climates. This plant is a resilient choice for gardens, offering year-round interest with its changing foliage.
Asparagus densiflorus 'Hardy Sprengeri'
Asparagus densiflorus 'Hardy Sprengeri' is a winter-hardy green groundcover forming a 3-foot wide by 18-inch tall clump. It features 2-foot long arching stems with softly-stiff, green, needle-like foliage, and fragrant white flowers in summer, followed by red berries.