Bergenia is commonly grown for its glossy decorative foliage and early spring flowers. Leaves are rounded or spoon-shaped and sometimes change to a shade of red and purple in autumn and winter. Bell-shaped flowers that are pink, mauve, red, or white grow in loose clusters above or among the foliage. Bergenia is hardy, but early […] More
Columbine–botanical name Aquilegia–has bell-shaped flowers reminiscent of daffodils with the addition of showy spurs. Columbine flowers appear in pastels, deep shades, and white. Foliage is lacy and reminiscent of maidenhair fern. This is one of the most valuable of hardy perennials for its exquisite, durable, lobed foliage which often turns to rich colors in autumn, […] More
Leucanthemum is a genus of annuals and perennials that bear daisy-like flowers. The genus includes Shasta daisies and the commonly grown bedding plant Leucanthemum paludosum widely known as Chrysanthemum paludosum and also oxeye daisies Shasta Daisy, Leucanthemum x superbum, is an upright perennial with large white, or sometimes yellow, daisy-like flowers that appear from mid-summer […] More
Iberis–commonly called candytuft–is a garden favorite. The compact umbel heads of short-spiked cover the low-spreading plant during the bloom season. There is both annual and perennial candytuft. Both have green, fine-textured foliage and are trouble-free. Perennial Iberis has white flowers. Annual Iberis has white, pink, rosy red, scarlet, violet, and purple flowers. The annual types […] More
Oxalis is a small ornamental plant with shamrock-like, 3-leaflet leaves. Oxalis bears small flowers with five rounded petals; flowers can be pink, white, rose, or yellow. Outdoors Oxalis is suited for a rock garden or garden bed. Some species can become weedy so it is important they are grown so they won’t get in the […] More
Heliotropiun–commonly called Heliotrope or cherry-pie plant–is a bushy evergreen shrub grown as an annual. It has oval, dark green crinkled leaves topped by clusters of purple or white, sweet, and spicy vanilla-scented blooms through the summer. The Heliotropium genus contains about 250 species of annuals, perennials, and, subshrubs, and shrubs. Fragrant Heliopropium arborescens is the […] More
Pericallis—commonly known as Florists’ Cineraria–bears a mass of showy flowers each 1 to 2 inches (2.5-5cm) across grouped into a tight, flattish, or slightly domed head that nearly hides the foliage. Flower petals can be blue, maroon, pink, purple, red, or white; they surround a dark center which can be any of these colors. Pericallis […] More
Monstera–commonly called Swiss-cheese plant–is a large vining plant with notched and perforated leaves. Monstera commonly requires support and plenty of room to roam. Monstera is a tropical plant. It is often grown as a houseplant in temperate regions. It will grow to about 6 feet tall indoors; in the tropics outdoors, it can grow to […] More
Romneya–commonly called Matilija poppy–is a large perennial shrub with many basal stems and large, white, crepe-like petaled flowers that can reach 9 inches across. Romneya grows 5 to 8 feet tall; both the stems and foliage are bluish gray-green. Romneya is among the most widely planted western American native plants. The tall stems and striking […] More
Perennials produce colorful flowers for cutting and display in the home. Perennials are plants that live more than two years, as distinguished from annuals and biennials. Perennials have been cut flower favorites for generations. In many old-time gardens, most of the plants were hardy perennials, such as phlox, peonies, delphinium, and bleeding heart. Because of […] More
Perennials are often referred to as the “busy gardener’s favorites” because they make unnecessary the sowing of seeds or the setting out of transplants every year. A perennial is in the garden for at least two years and most for much longer. Perennials, especially in their flowering habit, offer the gardener many advantages. Added advantage: […] More
Euryops is a perennial subshrub that is covered with bright yellow, daisy-like flowers in early spring and intermittently through fall. Euryops grows to about 3 feet tall and wide, sometimes larger. The foliage is comprised of grey-green leaves that are deeply divided. Euryops is highly adapted to coastal habitats with wind, salt spray, sandy soils, […] More
Stephen Albert