Plants for a Plant Zoo: Gopher Spurge (Euphorbia lathyris)
Karen With alternative common names like mole plant and sassy jack you can use this engaging annual/ biennial to fill several animal slots or as a rodent (but don’t get your…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Also known as catmint, this short-lived herbaceous perennial is bound to entertain both your cats and children. Once the cats get a whiff of of the delectable scent from the…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Cock’s Comb (Celosia argentea var. plumosa)
Cock’s comb will add vivid color and long bloom time to your garden with little effort on your part. Growing 6-30″ tall, plants produce feathery spikes that are 4-12″ long…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Toad Lily (Tricyrtis hirta)
Revive the garden in late summer to fall with the unusual orchid-like flowers of this herbaceous perennial. The 1 ‘ long flowers are carried singly or in clusters of 2-3…
Invasive Plants and Their native Alternatives: Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
Tree of heaven is a deciduous tree native to northern China, Taiwan, northern Korea, and Tibet. It was introduced to the US in 1784 as an ornamental and naturalized wherever…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Zebra Grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’)
With long, arching leaves horozontally striped with wide bands of cream and green this warm weather perennial grass grows 4-6′ tall in tight rounded clumps. By mid September it reaches…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Parrot Feather ( Myriophyllum aquaticum)
The fluffy blue-green foliage of this emergent perennial aquatic plant resembles parrot feathers to some and miniature fir trees to others so whichever your fancy, this plant may delight. To…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana aka Cochlearia armoraci)
If you like the wild ponies of Assateague you will enjoy growing horseradish! It doesn’t know its place and insists on moving about expanding its territory year after year. The…
Invasive Plants and Their Native Alternatives: Umbrella Tree (Schefflera actinophylla)
Also called octopus tree, Schefflera is an evergreen tree native to the rainforests in Australia, New Guinea, and Java where it grows up to 50’ tall. It was introduced into…
Plants for a plant Zoo: Chicken Gizzard (Iresine herbstii)
With stunning foliage, this short-lived tender perennial brightens up any garden or container with its burgundy red, hot pink, yellow or white leaves . A native of Central and northern…