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Springfever Greenhouse
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 | Diversified interests
"My interests are so diversified," says Olee. "We grow 30 to 40 different perennials. We also grow herbs, and some native herbs. We grow a lot of plants that I find extra interesting." |  | 'Aztec Sweet'
One of Olee's "extra interesting" plants is Lippia dulcis, common name "Aztec Sweet." Known to the Aztecs, the plant is said to be much, much sweeter than sugar. Leaves can be eaten or used to sweeten other foods, although a distinct camphor flavor discourages the latter. Lippia has been used to treat coughs, colds, bronchitis, and asthma. A low-growing perennial, it does well in shade and spreads quickly. |  | 'Ozark Sundrops'
This beautiful Missouri native perennial, Oenothera missouriensis, has two common names, "Ozark Sundrops" and "Missouri Evening Primrose." It grows 12-24" wide and 16" high. Its soft-yellow blossoms open in the late afternoons and may be as wide as 5 inches. (The buds have a touch of red.) It likes dry soil. |  | 'Toothache Plant'
Olee grows several plants with a history of medicinal uses, but is quick to say he makes no medical claims for them. Part Choctaw and part Cherokee himself, he's especially fond of plants traditionally used by Native Americans. This one, Spilanthes acmella, or Toothache Plant, is said to numb the mouth when chewed. |  | A winner
One of the easiest of all perennials to grow, 'Goblin' gaillardia is drought-tolerant, hardy, and does well even in poor soils. Growing in 12-15" mounds, it's ideal for borders, beds, and rock gardens, too. The plant's yellow-edged red blossoms and sharply defined "frayed" petals have earned it the name Indian Blanket Flower. |  | 'Red Ruffles' coleus
Coleus, native to Africa and East India, were extremely popular bedding plants in Victorian days, but gradually gave way to more vigorous species. After years of use only in window-gardens and indoors, coleus in new varieties are returning to the garden. This "Sunlover" series coleus, 'Red Ruffles,' grows to 30" tall. |  | Melampodium
Melampodium paludosum is a real winner for Ozarks gardeners--a cheery annual that blooms profusely from late spring to early fall, tolerates drought, and reseeds nicely. The small, star-shaped flowers are especially engaging. The plant normally grows to 24" tall with a neat compact, shrublike habit. The common name is most often Melampodium but to some gardeners it's also known as Medallion Plant, Butter Daisy, and Star Daisy. |  | 'Butterfly' Pentas
Pentas lanceolata features clusters of star-shaped flowers and full, rich green foliage. The species is also known as "Egyptian Star" and "Star Cluster." The 'Butterfly' hybrids of this perennial attract butterflies and hummingbirds. They come in lavender, pale pink, deep pink, and red, and reach 24-30" high and 12-16" wide. |  | 'New Look Red' pentas
Pentas are good in the garden and as container plants, too. 'New Look Red' is more vivid in color. It grows 1-2' tall with a 1-2' spread, thriving in either full sun or part shade. |  | 'Luna Red' Hibiscus
Olee grows the new and clearly spectacular 'Luna Red' variety Hibiscus moschuetos, which produces a profusion of enormous, brilliant-red blossoms 7-8" across on a compact plant only 2-3' tall, which size makes it ideal for containers as well as a real eyecatcher in the garden. |  | An artful approach
This dramatic metal sculpture of a Missouri mule once drew many gardeners to Springfever's Springfield outlet at Glenstone and Bennett. This outlet closes at the end of June, but the Jobes remain open at their location at the Apple Market in Rogersville and at their own home nursery and gift shop near Lindenlure.
|  | Pineapple Mint
Pineapple Mint (Mentha suaveolens 'Variegata') is a perennial with light-green, cream-edged, textured leaves that have a very pleasant pineapple flavor. (It's said to go well in punches and fruit drinks.) It likes partial shade and average soil and grows to 18 inches tall and 12-15 inches wide. It also bears very fragrant white flowers and attracts bees, butterflies, and birds. Like all mints, it can be invasive in the garden. |  | 'Mona Lavender' Plectranthus
Gardeners wanting to add color to shade gardens should love Mona Lavender Plectranthus (Plectranthus x 'Mona Lavender'). This plant from Springfever has a new home in the country near Springfield, where in full shade it bears spikes of lovely lavender flowers from April through October. Neat and compact with beautiful deep-green, glossy foliage, it reaches 18 inches tall and 20 inches wide. Related to Swedish Ivy, Creeping Charlie, and Mexican Mint, it does not spread freely but keeps its neat habit. |
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