Genus: Erigeron (Feabane) for the Garden
Karen Erigeron is a genus of approximately 150 species in the aster family, Asteraceae. It includes annuals, biennials, and perennials and most are native to North America. Although the genus includes…
Plant Profile: Tall Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos flavidus)
Endemic to southwestern Australia, this tender herbaceous perennial is a member of the bloodwort family, Haemodoraceae, a plant family found primarily in the Southern Hemisphere. The plants grow from a…
Plant Profile: Fuller’s Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)
Brought to North America from Europe in the early 1700’s to raise the nap of wool cloth, fuller’s teasel naturalized and is now considered a weed in many parts of…
Plant Profile: Leopard’s Bane (Doronicum caucasicum/D. orientale)
Native to woodlands of Europe, North Africa, and temperature Asia, this short-lived herbaceous perennial is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes sunflower, yarrow, and lettuce. The…
Five Plants to Grow for Fall Berries
When the leaves fall in autumn and the first frost sweeps over the garden I always wish I had more plants that produce ornamental berries. The berries can provide color…
Plant Profile: Peacock Lily (Gladiolus murielae)
Also known as Abyssinian gladiolus and peacock orchid, this perennial corm is native to mountainous areas of eastern Africa and is a member of the iris family, Iridaceae, that also…
Plant Profile: Annual Cornflower aka Bachelor’s Button (Centaurea cyanus)
Also known as bluebottle, bluet, and bluecap, this cool weather annual is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, sunflower, and lettuce. It is native to…
Plant Profile: Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina aka S. lanata)
Lamb’s ear is a herbaceous perennial native to Turkey, Armenia, and Iran, and is a member of the deadnettle family, Laminaceae, that also includes mint, basil, and beebalm. It forms…
Plant Profile: Gay Feather (Liatris spicata) ‘Kobold’
Also called blazing star, this clump-forming herbaceous perennial is native to eastern US and is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow, and lettuce. Corms…
Plant Profile: Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota)
Also called wild carrot, bird’s nest, and bishop’s lace, this herbaceous biennial is a member of the parsley family, Apiaceae, that also includes celery, dill, and poison hemlock. It is…