Alcea rosea–commonly called hollyhocks–is a colorful, long-time garden favorite often associated with the back of borders or cottage gardens. Some cultivars grow to 8 feet (2.4m) tall or taller with white, pink, rose, or yellow flowers 6 inches (15cm) across. Hollyhock flowers resemble hibiscus. They open in progression from the bottom up. A foot or […] More
Anchusa–commonly called Bugloss–has vibrant blue flowers, the purest blue of any flower. Italian bugloss is related to forget-me-not (Myosotis) and looks very much the same. It is easy to grow and adds color to the garden. Anchusa is also known as Alkanet, Bugloss, and Summer-forget-me-not. Anchusa genus includes easy-to-grow perennial and biennial plants. They are […] More
Mirabilis–commonly called four-o-clocks–is a bushy perennial sometimes grown as an annual. Fragrant, red, pink, magenta, yellow, or white flowers are borne on panicles over a long period in summer. In cold winter regions, four-o-clocks can be lifted and stored over the winter. Mirabilis is commonly called “four o’clocks” for their flowers’ habit of opening in […] More
Leontopodium, commonly known as edelweiss, is a low-growing alpine plant native to mountain regions of Europe and Asia. These plants are known for their distinctive white, star-shaped flowers that have a woolly or fuzzy appearance. Leontopodium is a delicate perennial plant that usully survives just a year or two. Leontopodum belong to the sunflower family, […] 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
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
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
Hesperis, also known as sweet rocket or dame’s rocket or dame’s violet, is a beautiful, low-maintance flowering perennial that is relatively easy to grow. Hesperis adds beautiful color and fragrance to the garden. Hesperis plants typically grow to about 2 to 3 feet tall and produce clusters of delicate, four-petaled flowers in shades of purple, […] More
Asphodeline is a genus of perennials and biennials with long, slender leaves and tall flower spikes that bear tubular flowers in various shades of white, pink, or purple. Aspholdeline is commonly known as Jacob’s rod or simply asphodels. There are about 20 speices of Asphodeline. All are known for their striking appearance. They are often […] 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
Adonis–commonly called pheasant’s eye–is a genus of perennial and annual brightly colored flowers. Perennial Adonis species bear bright yellow flowers; annual species bear scarlet red flowers. Adonis blooms in late winter and early spring and then goes dormant in the summer. Adonis flowers are similar to daisies and anemones; their bowl-shaped flowers are composed of […] More
Stephen Albert