Plant Profile: Common Reed (Phragmites australis aka P. communis)
Karen Native to temperate wetlands world wide, this perennial aquatic grass is a member of the grass family, Poaceae, that also includes corn, rice, and bamboo. It is a vigorous grower…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Monkey Plant (Mimulus ringens)
What could be more charming and enticing than monkeys in the garden? Monkey flower is a bushy herbaceous perennial with lots of lilac-blue (occasionally pink or white) flowers that resemble…
Plant Profile: Chameleon Plant (Houttuynia cordata)
Native to Southeast Asia, this herbaceous perennial is known by many names including fish mint, rainbow plant, heart leaf and Chinese lizard tail. A member of the lizard-tail family, Saururaceae,…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)
Skunk cabbage may not be the first plant that comes to mind when considering plants for your plant zoo but it offers a lot and is ripe for consideration. Also…
Plants of the Bible: Common Rush (Juncus effusus)
Also known as soft rush and mat rush, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the rush family, Juncaceae, that includes plants resembling sedges and grasses. Common rush is native…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Leopard Plant (Farfugium japonicum aka Ligularia tussilaginea)
For a real WOW factor in a shady moist area, the leopard plant, Farfugium japonicum, is sure to please. There are many plants with the common name, leopard plant, so…
Plants for a Plants for a Plant Zoo: Chameleon Plant ‘Chameleon’ aka Variegata, Tricolor, ‘Court Jester” (Houttuynia cordata)
Don’t bother with the species if you want a chameleon plant in your garden as it is dull by comparison to the variegated cultivar ‘Chameleon’ aka Variegata, Tricolor, or ‘Court…
Plants for a Plant Zoo : Foxtail Barley (Hordeum jubatum)
Fox, bobcat, or squirrel, you can choose any of these animals as a member of your plant zoo depending on how you see the showy, fluffy seedheads of this cool…
Plant Profile: Leopard Plant (Farfugium japonicum aka Ligularia tussilaginea)
Also known as tractor seat plant, this tender herbaceous perennial is native to moist meadows, stream banks, and coastal areas of Japan and eastern Asia and is a member of…
Plant Profile: Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)
Also known as swamp cabbage, clumpfoot cabbage, foetid pothos and polecat weed, this herbaceous perennial is native to wetlands and moist slopes of eastern North America. It is a member…