Corydalis–commonly called Fumewort–has irregular yellow, blue, purple, or rose flowers that resemble those of the bleeding heart. Fumewort is easy to grow in ordinary garden soil. Corydalis produces mounds of delicate-looking ferny foliage. Tubular and spurred flowers appear on racemes. Perennial varieties grow from rhizomes or tubers. Most Corydalis do not like being transplanted. They […] More
Solidago, commonly called goldenrod, produces branching heads of golden yellow blooms from mid-to-late summer. Solidago is an upright, clump-forming perennial with slender, pointed green leaves. The plant may need staking. Solidago is a good choice for color in the late summer border or wild garden. Solidago is a good cut flower. Plant Solidago where it […] More
Taro–also called Dasheen–is a perennial tropical or subtropical plant commonly grown for its starchy but sweet flavored tuber. Taro is always served cooked, not raw. The taro tuber is cooked like a potato, has a doughy texture, and can be used to make flour. Young taro leaves and stems can be eaten after boiling twice […] More
Polemonium — Jacob’s ladder–is a lush perennial with finely divided foliage and bears clusters of tubular, saucer, or bell-shaped flowers in spring and summer. Blooms are borne in either branched clusters or singly and usually in shades of lavender-blue or white, but sometimes purple, pink, or yellow. Polemonium produces clumps of leaves divided in a pinnate fashion; […] More
Stokesia — commonly called Stokes’ aster–bears cornflower or asterlike flowers from midsummer to early fall. The long-lasting, colorful, terminal flowerheads are solitary or produced in many-flowered corymbs. Flowers are good as cut flowers. Each Stokesia blossom has a central button of small flowers, surrounded by a ring of larger ones. Flowerheads can be blue, purplish blue, or […] More
Tradescantia is a genus of creeping, trailing, or tuft-forming tropical foliage plants. One species, Tradescantia fluminensis–commonly called wandering Jew–has handsome iridescent green and purple striped leaves. Another, T. andersoniana–known as spiderwort–looks like a small corn plant with numerous iris-like blossoms. Tradescantias are evergreen perennials in warm-winter regions, mostly short-lived. They are suitable for herbaceous borders […] More
Cimicifuga–commonly called Bugbane–is a long-lived perennial with wand-like spires of creamy white flowers. Cimicifuga is also called black snakeroot. Cimicifuga makes a bold statement in bloom at the back of shady borders. It is a good choice for woodland gardens interplanted with ferns. Cimicifuga can grow to 4 feet tall. Slim spikes of small white […] More
Sisyrinchium – commonly called Blue-eyed grass–bears star, cup, or shallowly trumpet-shaped flowers that can be blue, yellow, mauve, white, and occasionally pink. The flowers appear in summer and are borne singly or in umbel-like clusters. Sisyrinchium despite its common name is not a grass; it is a relative of the iris. Sisyrinchium produces clumps of linear […] More
Platycodon–commonly called balloon flower–is a perennial that bears mostly purple-blue flowers opening from balloon-like buds from spring through early fall. The inflated flower buds that look like balloons split open into broad, shallow, bell-shaped flowers. A single species comprises the genus Platycodon, however, there are several cultivars; some may bear white or pink flowers. Flowers […] More
Myosotis–commonly called Forget-me-not–bears tiny, saucer-shaped, yellow-eyed, blue, or occasionally white or pink flowers from spring to early summer. Myosotis is a tufted plant with ovate to lance-shaped, gray-green leaves. Plants grow erect or sprawling. Myosotis is a good choice for shady flower beds and moist places near water. They spread rapidly by seed and with […] More
Garden cress can be planted directly in the garden, or it can be sprouted indoors. Plant garden cress seed in early spring; it will germinate quickly in soil that is 65°F (18°C). Garden cress is a fast-growing edible herb that has a sharp, tangy flavor like mustard. Garden cress is grown in soil. Garden cress […] More
Monarda–commonly called bee balm–bears hooded red, pink, white, or lilac summer trumpet-shaped flowers borne in whorls. The flowers attract bees and butterflies. Monarda is a tall clump-forming perennial with, aromatic lance-shaped green leaves. Monarda has dark green leaves with a strong pleasant odor of mint and basil. Monarda is a perennial; it is not long-lived […] More
Stephen Albert