Genus Erysium (Wallflowers) for the Garden
Karen Often called wallflower or blister-cress, Erysimum is a genus of about 150 species in the mustard family, Brassicaceae, that also includes cabbage, alyssum, and stock. The plants may be annuals,…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Goat’s Beard (Aruncus dioicus)
With its feathery plumes of tiny cream colored flowers moving gracefully over dark green leaves this shrub-like herbaceous perennial makes a beautiful presence in a woodland setting, beside a stream…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Toad Flax (Linaria vulgaris)
Toad flax might not be the star of the show in any garden but it adds a lot of charm even growing in lean dry soil. True, it is a…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Bat- Faced Cuphea (Cuphea llavea aka C. blepharophylla)border
Whether you find the flowers of this evergreen sub-shrub scary or beautiful you will have to admit they are unusual and fascinating! With a hairy purple calyx and 2 upward…
Plant Profile: Cretan Rock Rose (Cistus creticus)
Also known as hoary rock rose and pink rock rose, this evergreen flowering shrub is a member of the Cistaceae family, a small group of shrubs and semi shrubs that…
Trees for Watersides
A weeping willow tree planted beside a pond inspired Monet’s picture and still holds the attention of the thousands of tourists who visit Monet’s garden at Giverny. Water features can…
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: Cat’s whiskers (Orthosiphon aristatus)
Native to the forest edges of tropical areas in Southeast Asia, this herbaceous perennial shrub is also known as Java tea, and is a member of the deadnettle family, Lamiaceae,…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Beebalm aka Bergamot (Monarda didyma)
Grow beebalm and introduce children to wildlife, butterflies and American history. Also known as oswego tea, this clump-forming herbaceous perennial is native to eastern North America from Maine to northern…
Plant Profile: Aegean Wallflower (Erysimum cheiri aka Cheiranthus cheiri.)
Native to Greece, this perennial subshrub is often grown as an annual or biennial. It is a member of the mustard family, Brassicaceae, that also includes cabbage, alyssum, and common…