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
Chamaemelum — commonly called Chamomile — is commonly grown for its medicinal flowers and for its foliage which releases an apple-like fragrance when crushed. The leaves and flower heads can be dried; the leaves are used in potpourri, the flowerheads for herbal tea. Chamaemelum can be grown as an ornamental lawn for a courtyard or patio where […] More
Ceratostigma–commonly called dwarf plumbago, sometimes called leadwort–is a low-creeping, semi-woody perennial with deep gentian blue flowers from mid-summer to autumn. It is a sturdy groundcover under the dry shade of large shrubs and trees. Leaves commonly turn deep orange in autumn adding seasonal flair to the garden. Ceratostigma is not to be confused with a […] More
Asclepias–commonly called milkweed or butterfly weed–is a showy perennial with dense clusters of orange blooms. Asclepias is a genus of perennials that exudes milky juice when stems are broken. Butterfly bush, Asclepias tuberosa, is a favorite food of the monarch butterfly and is commonly grown in gardens. Asclepias grows well in dry places. It is […] More
Aruncus–commonly called goat’s beard–is a shrub-like woodland plant with showy, plume-like spikes of tiny, cream-colored foliage. It looks very much like astilbe. Aruncus is easy to grow and makes a good background plant in beds and borders. A single plant may be used as an accent. Grow Goat’s Beard in part to full shade in […] More
Armeria is a low growing, long-blooming perennial. It is both drought-tolerant and salt spray tolerant making it a good choice for both seaside and inland gardens. Sea thrift has grass-like leaves growing in tufts and commonly pink flowers on long stems. The genus Armeria comprises dwarf perennials with evergreen leaves in rosettes and numerous flower-heads […] More
Arabis, commonly called wall rockcress, is a small mounding plant covered in white blossoms in early to mid-spring. Wall rockcress is a colorful addition for rock gardens and rock walls and containers. Rockcress is a genus of annuals, biennials, and perennials of the Mustard Family including delightful, low-growing border and rock-garden plants of easy culture. […] More
Anthemis bears cheerful daisy-like flowers commonly called golden marguerites. Flowers appear above feathery foliage on mat or mounding plants. Flowers appear over an extended time from spring into summer. Anthemis grows 2 to 3 feet high and wide. The foliage is finely cut light green on the surface and felted gray underneath. The foliage is […] More
Anemone–commonly called windflower–is an upright perennial with divided, dark green basal leaves. Windflowers produce large daisy-like flowers, some double, from late summer to early fall. Windflowers arise from corms and are slow spreading. Anemone is suitable for the border, wild garden, or rock garden. The most popular types are the autumn-flowering, fibrous-rooted Japanese Anemone, and […] More
Anaphalis–commonly called pearly everlastings–is a gray furry-leaved perennial that bears clusters of papery daisies. The foliage is perhaps the most outstanding characteristic of Anaphalis. Anaphalis has a mounding habit with erect, branching stems that carry the flowers. It is one of the few gray-leaved plants that thrive in partial shade. Anaphalis is heat tolerant but […] More
Stephen Albert