Dianthus–commonly called garden pinks–are bushy upright plants with lance-shaped leaves and domed heads of sweet-scented flowers that bloom pink, red, burgundy, white, or bicolored in summer. Garden pinks are a mainstay of cottage garden beds. The term “pinks” is an archaic common name for the Dianthus species. There are many dianthus species. Three commonly grown…
Alcea rosea–commonly called hollyhocks–is a colorful, long-time garden favorite often associated with the back of borders or cottage gardens. Some cultivars grow to 8 feet (2.4m) tall or taller with white, pink, rose, or yellow flowers 6 inches (15cm) across. Hollyhock flowers resemble hibiscus. They open in progression from the bottom up. A foot or…
Lychnis bears bright summer flowers often pink or red. Flowers are carried singly on branched stems or in small, rounded clusters. The Lychnis genus contains about 20 species of biennial and perennials. Lychnis coronaria is an old-fashioned favorite often planted in borders. Other species are suited for rock gardens and containers. Lychnis bears five-petaled flowers…
Campanula–commonly called bellflower–are popular perennials and biennials covered with bell-shaped flowers. Varieties include small mounded plants and tall branched plants. There are nearly 300 species of bellflower. Campana is Latin for “bell.” Campanula flowers are usually bell-shaped but can also be a star, cup, or saucer-shaped. Each flower has five “petals” or lobes. Flowers are…
Digitalis-commonly called foxglove–produces tall graceful spires of long, slender, bell-shaped blossoms. The blossoms open from bottom to top over several weeks. Flowers come in shades of pink, as well as white and creamy yellow. Digitalis are members of a genus of about 22 species of biennials and short-lived perennials. Common foxglove, D. purpurea, is an…
Echium — commonly called Pride of Madeira — is a genus of showy perennials and biennials native to the Mediterranean. They bear panicles of bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue, lavender, purple, rose, or white. Where not hardy Echium can be grown as annual. Echiums are colorful additions to annual, mixed, or herbaceous borders. They…
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