Gomphrena–commonly called globe amaranth–is grown for its bright-colored upright spikes of clover-like flowerheads. The flowers are composed of dense clusters of stiff, papery bracts. Flower colors include shrimp, orange, rose, magenta, and purple. Gomphrena blooms from summer to frost. It is a showy addition to sunny flower borders and rock gardens. It’s also a traditional […] More
Celosia–commonly called cockscomb–is a brilliant-colored, plumy perennial usually grown as an annual. Celosia flowers are fiery shades of red, pink, orange, or yellow. Use Celosia as an edging along walkways or mass them for a blaze of color in beds and borders. Celosia flowers can be silkily plumed or rippled (crested). The rippled flowers give […] More
Nicotiana, commonly called flowering tobacco, produces clusters of tubular-shaped, five-petaled flowers in green, white, cream, and several other colors. Flowers appear from summer to early fall and are long-blooming. Nicotiana is an upright perennial grown commonly grown as an annual. Most nicotianas have large, oval, mid-green leaves. Some cultivars are a foot and a half […] More
The chickpea or garbanzo bean is a cool-season annual that requires about 100 days to reach harvest. Chickpeas, also called garbanzo beans and gram, are regarded as beans, but botanically are neither beans nor peas. Chickpea is a tender annual legume. Related article: Chickpea quick growing tips Garden Planning Books at Amazon: Planting chickpeas Chickpea […] More
Lathyrus–commonly called sweet pea–are a rainbow of colors; some grow as bushes, others as vines climbing arches and trellises. The pea-like sweet pea flowers are dainty, fragrant, and showy. Flowers grow from long, winged stems, often with tendrils. In mild-winter regions, plant sweet peas in late summer for early winter blooms. In cold-winter regions, plant […] More
Tropaeolum–commonly called nasturtium–are grown for their brightly colored, trumpet-shaped flowers. Nasturtiums are tender perennials commonly grown as summer annuals. Some nasturtiums are bushy, some are sprawling, and some are climbing. Nasturtiums add quick color to mixed borders, hanging baskets and containers, or trellises. Leaves vary from bright green to blue-green depending on the variety. Flower […] More
Pentas is a lush perennial that can grow as a shrub in tropical regions. Stems are topped by tight 4-inch (10cm) wide clusters of small, star-shaped flowers in white, pink, lilac, or red. One species, Pentas lanceolata, is often grown as a houseplant. Pentas leaves are oval to lance-shaped and mid-green. Flowers are salver-form with […] More
Calceolaria bears vividly colored and unusual pouched flowers that are reminiscent of old-fashioned pocketbooks—thus the common name pocketbook plant. Calceolaria is native to Central and South America and is commonly grown indoors as a houseplant except in warm-winter Zones 10 and 11 and warmer. The genus includes about 500 species of annuals and perennials that […] More
The Amethyst flower, Browallia, is a shade-loving perennial usually grown as an annual. Browallia most often with sapphire-blue flowers. Combine browallia with other shade-loving border or woodland plants. In the winter bring browallia indoors as a houseplant. Browallia grows from 12 to 18 inches tall. It is used best in the blue section of the […] More
The Transvaal daisy, Gerbera, is a perennial often grown as an annual. It has lobed green leaves and tall stems of daisy-like, summer flowers in a broad range of colors–white, cream, yellow, orange, peach, pink, red, or white with yellow discs. Gerbera daisies are deeply rooted and withstand heat and pests. Flowers bloom for most […] More
Bedding begonias–also called wax begonias, fibrous begonias, or annual begonias–are colorful tender perennials commonly grown as annuals. One-inch pink, white, red, or bi-color blooms are either single or double. Flowers appear from spring through fall. There are many strains or cultivars of bedding begonias. Foliage is nearly as colorful as the blooms in some cultivars. […] More
Peanuts are easy to grow if you live where there are long, hot summers of at least 4 months (5 is better). The peanut is a warm-weather perennial that is usually grown as an annual. It requires 120 to 130 frost-free days to reach harvest. The peanut is an odd and interesting plant. It grows […] More
Stephen Albert