Hostas are large-leaved plants that add texture and color to the front of shady beds and borders. Spikes of blue, lavender, or white trumpet-shaped flowers rise above mounds of leaves. Leaves may be heart-shaped, lance-shaped, oval, or nearly round. Foliage runs from lime to dark green, greenish-gold, gray, and blue with many variegated forms. Most […] More
Horseradish is grown for its pungent roots. Horseradish is a large-leaved perennial plant. The leaves are smooth with wavy edges. The roots grow long and narrow, sometimes to 2 feet (.6m) long. Horseradish is best grown as an annual. In the second year, horseradish’s large roots can become tough and fibrous. For the best flavor, […] More
Mustard greens are leafy, nutrient-dense vegetables from the Brassica family, known for their peppery, slightly spicy flavor that can range from mild to sharp depending on the variety. The leaves vary in shape and texture, from smooth and flat to curly and frilly, with colors ranging from deep green to purple. These greens are commonly […] More
The sunchoke, also called Jerusalem artichoke, is a variety of perennial sunflowers grown for its edible low-starch tuber which looks much like a small potato but tastes like a water chestnut. The sunchoke is a hardy perennial that grows from 5 to 10 feet tall. The plant has rough-textured leaves 4 to 8 inches (10-20cm) […] More
Hardy hibiscus, also called perennial hibiscus and rose mallow, is a woody-based perennial that bears widely funnel-shaped flowers with spreading petals that are white, pink, or crimson. The flowers are borne on erect stems with broadly ovate to lance-shaped mid-green leaves. The botanical name of the hardy hibiscus is Hibiscus moscheutos. The hardy hibiscus has […] More
Cushion spurge – botanical name Euphorbia epitbymoides – creates symmetrical dense mounds of pale green leaves topped with chartreuse flowerlike bracts. Cushion spurge brings a splash of bright color to the garden from spring well into summer. Foliage turns deep red foliage in autumn. Cushion spurge is one of the longest lived and easiest-to-care-for perennials. […] More
The Crown of Thorns plant, Euphorbia milii, gets its common name from the sharp spines that protect the thick stems of this cactus-like plant. A relative of the poinsettia, the crown of thorns has small grayish-green leaves that provide year-round color, while bright red flower bracts appear in fall and winter. Crown of thorns thrives […] More
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 […] More
Daylilies, Hemerocallis, bear large, trumpet blooms, each lasting a day. Flowers are often yellow or orange, but there are many color variations. The daylily is a perennial that has narrow, upright, and arching glossy green leaves. There are about 15 species of evergreen, semi-evergreen, and herbaceous daylilies. From those species come more than 50,000 named […] More
Eryngium–commonly called sea holly–is an upright perennial with heart-shaped, divided green leaves. In summer, it produces tall blue stems topped with cone-shaped purple flowers surrounded by spiny bracts. Eryngium is stiff-branched and thistle-like. There are 230 species in the Eryngium genus; some are fibrous-rooted and some are tap-rooted. Eryngium self sows. Eryngium is an excellent […] More
Goldenstar, Chrysogonum, is also known as green and gold. It is a low-growing perennial groundcover with dark green leaves and bright golden blooms. Goldenstar is attractive under the shade of trees and shrubs and in woodland gardens. Chrysogonum flowers have five rays and resemble stars. Bloom is heavy in spring and fall, but sporadic through […] More
Chelone, commonly called pink turtlehead, is a bushy perennial with rose pink inflated, tubular flowers that resemble the head of a turtle with jaws open. Chelone is a genus of about six species; all are native to moist woodland, prairies, and mountains. Turtleheads have a stiff, upright habit. Flowers are borne in dense, terminal racemes […] More
Stephen Albert