Plant Profile: Dusty Miller (Centaurea cineraria)
Karen Also called silver dust, this herbaceous annual or tender perennial sub-shrub is native to the Island of Capraia in Italy and is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that…
Plant Profile: Stiff Twinspur (Diascia rigescens)
Also called bride’s saddle, this spreading, semi-evergreen, tender perennial is a native of South Africa where it grows in damp places on grassy mountain slopes or in full sun in…
Perennials for Wall Gardens in Full Sun
The crevices in walls provide an opportunity to create a beautiful wall garden but also present challenges. They usually have very little soil and so can dry out or get…
Drought Tolerant Plants: Shrubs and Trees Grown for Foliage
Shrubs and trees are versatile and can be an important part of the garden. They can provide structure, define beds, serve as a backdrop or focal point, add color, create…
Plant Profile: Burning Bush (Kochia scoparia tricophylla aka Brassia scoparia tricophylla)
Also known as summer cypress, this this half-hardy annual often grown as a shrub is native to central and southern Europe and Asia and was introduced into the US in…
Herbaceous Perennials for Wall Gardens in Partial Shade
Plants that prefer good drainage are excellent subjects for inclusion in wall gardens especially if they are small so they can be tucked into crevices. The plants soften the look…
Drought Tolerant Plants: Herbaceous Annuals and Perennials Grown for Foliage
Foliage can add both texture and color to the landscape to create a mood and enrich the visual quality of the garden. Leaves may be glossy, matte, large, small, leathery,…
Evergreen Perennials for Dry Shade
Dry shade is one of the most difficult sites for growing plants. Whether it is on a hill side, under the eves of a house, or under trees where roots…
Drought Tolerant Plants: Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses are versitile and can soften the look of a garden as well as give a naturalistic feel. They are valued for their different textures and colors and the…
Plant Profile: Rock Knotweed (Persicaria vaccinifolia)
An Himalyan native, this semi-evergreen perennial is also called whortleberry-leaved knotweed and creeping fleeceflower and is a member of the knotweed family, Polygonaceae, that also includes dock, rhubarb, and buckwheat.…