Today’s photos are from Nich, who works as a plant breeder and grower at Edward’s Greenhouse in Boise, Idaho, which is in USDA Zone 6.

This beautiful view is from the Bogus Basin Recreation Area.

This unusual little succulent is an intergeneric hybrid called Aloinopsis that was bred from species native to South Africa that are surprisingly winter hardy as long as they don’t get too wet in the winter. On this seedling, the flowers are canary yellow on the first day they open and then age to orange.

A beautiful Agave havardiana collects snow in the cold of winter. This is one of the hardiest of the agave species, surviving into Zone 6 or 7 and especially doing well in dry climates.

Usually I think of lupines as being grown for their flowers, but this one, Lupinus albifrons, is treasured for its incredible silvery foliage.

Pelargonium is a genus most of us know for the tender zonal geraniums that are so commonly grown as annuals, but this species, Pelargonium endlicherianum, is winter hardy with good drainage, surviving into Zone 6. Nich grew this from seed.

The hardy prickly pear, Opuntia woodsii (Zones 5–9), has beautiful flowers. In addition to them, this one has pads that stay firm and upright during the winter rather than shriveling up and collapsing in the cold like so many of the cold-hardy prickly pears do.

Cotyledon orbiculata looks like it would be a tender plant, but it can survive into Zone 6 in the right conditions. It has beautiful silver powdered leaves and bright orange flowers.

Castilleja integra (Zones 4–8) with Penstemon heterophyllus (Zones 6–10) bloom together in the spring. Both will rebloom if cut back before they set seed.

Echinocereus triglochidatus (Zones 6–9) is an incredible hardy cactus. This particular plant is special to Nich because it was selected by his husband, Robb, out of thousands of plants for its flower size, color, and overall form. Clearly Robb has good taste!

If you want to see more from Nich, check out his Instagram.

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