Aloe vera is a succulent plant species of the genus Aloe. An evergreen perennial, it originates from the Arabian Peninsula, but grows wild in tropical, semi-tropical, and arid climates around the world. It is cultivated for agricultural and medicinal uses. The species is also used for decorative purposes and grows successfully indoors as a potted plant. It is found in many consumer products including beverages, skin lotion, cosmetics, ointments or in the form of gel for minor burns and sunburns. This pictured specimen can be found in the prominent flower bed that hugs the front of the church.

Pelargonium is a genus of flowering plants which includes about 280 species of perennials, succulents, and shrubs, commonly known as geraniums, pelargoniums, or storksbills. Geranium is also the botanical name and common name of a separate genus of related plants, also known as cranesbills. Pelargonium species are evergreen perennials indigenous to temperate and tropical regions of the world, with many species in southern Africa. They are drought and heat tolerant, but can tolerate only minor frosts. Some species are extremely popular garden plants, grown as houseplants and bedding plants in temperate regions. They have a long flowering period, with flowers mostly in purple, red and orange, or white. These brilliant red geraniums greet parishioners who come to the church on the walkway that leads from Madison Avenue.

Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae.

The genus is quite large, comprising several hundred species that are native to warm temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. Member species are renowned for their large, showy flowers and those species are commonly known simply as "hibiscus", or less widely known as rose mallow. Other names include hardy hibiscus, rose of sharon, and tropical hibiscus. At Holy Cross, this magnificent flower is found at an unlikely place – growing as a camouflaging hedge around the trash bin along the driveway.

Bird of Paradise, the Strelitzia

The official flower of Los Angeles, although it originates

from South Africa. It was named after an English Queen; Charlotte of Mecklenburg-

Strelitz (1744 - 1818). Queen Charlotte was an amateur botanist and when her

husband King George III inherited the Royal Botanic Kew Gardens in 1772, it gave her the

perfect chance to get her hands dirty and help with its development. Several of these

majestic plants form a border of the lush flower garden outside of the sanctuary.

Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii) 

A smallish tropical species from Madagascar that

vary in flower size and color. The species name milii honors Baron Milius, once governor

of the island of Bourbon, who introduced the species into cultivation in France in 1821.

The common name refers to a legend that this plant was used as the thorny crown worn

by Jesus at his crucifixion. There is evidence that this plant had been brought to the

Middle East before the time of Christ and the stems are flexible enough to weave into a

circle, but it is more likely that another plant was used as His crown. Find these at Holy

Cross in small pots or in the ground adjacent to the courtyard.

Aloe vera 

A succulent plant species of the genus Aloe. An evergreen perennial, it originates from the Arabian Peninsula, but grows wild in tropical, semi-tropical, and arid climates around the world. It is cultivated for agricultural and medicinal uses. The species is also used for decorative purposes and grows successfully indoors as a potted plant. At Holy Cross, find this planted adjacent to the courtyard, also in pots.