Plant Profile: Shoo-fly Plant (Nicandra physalodes)
Karen Also known as apple of Peru, apple of Sodom, Peruvian bluebell, this annual is native to northwest Argentina, Bolivia, north and central Chile, and Peru where it grows in disturbed…
Plant Profile: Larkspur (Consolida ajacis aka C. ambigua)
Larkspur is a cool weather annual in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, that also includes columbine, monkshood, and hellebore. Native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean, plants grow 18-36″ tall depending…
Plant Profile: Mountain Spinach (Atriplex hortensis)
Also known as orache, this annual is a member of the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae, that also includes beets, quinoa, and lamb’s quarters. It is native to Asia and Euroe and…
Plant Profile: Pincushion Flower (Scabiosa stellata)
Also called starflower and drumstick scabiosa, this annual is native to southwestern Europe and North Africa and is a member of the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, that also includes weigelia, Centranthus,…
Plant Profile: Love in the Mist (Nigella damascena)
Also called ragged lady and devil in the bush, this annual is a member of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, that also includes anemone, columbine and delphinium. It is native to…
Plant Profile: Rocky Mountain Bee Plant (Cleome serrulata)
Rocky Mountain bee plant is an annual and a member of the Cleomaceae, a family closely related to mustards. It is native to western North America where it grows in…
The Language of Flowers: Globe Amaranth aka Gomphrena (Gomphrena globosa)
Globe Amaranth is a compact annual growing up to twenty four inches tall and belongs to the Amaranthaceae family that also includes spinach, celosia, and quinoa. It is native to…
Genus Dianthus for the Garden
Dianthus is a genus in the carnation family, Caryophyllaceae, and includes sweet william and pinks. Most of the species are annuals , biennials, or herbaceous perennials and are native to…
The Language of Flowers: Sweet Alyssum (Alyssum maritimum aka Lobularia maritima )
Sweet alyssum is a low growing annual and member of the mustard family, Brassicaceae, that also includes cabbage, broccoli, and stock. It is native to the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Azores,…
Gypsophilia for the Garden
The generic name Gypsophila is derived from the Greek words Gypsos meaning lime and philos meaning love. Commonly known as baby’s breath, they derive their generic name from the fact…