Asters for the Garden
Karen Aster is a large genus of herbaceous perennials and are members of the family that bear their name, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, sunflower, and lettuce. The genus includes weeds…
Plant Profile: Purple Bergenia (Bergenia purpurascens)
Purple bergenia is an evergreen herbaceous perennial and a member of the Saxafragaceae family that also includes astilbe, foam flower (Tiarella), and coral bells (Heuchera). It is native to eastern…
Weeds and Their Control: Bishop’s Weed (Aegopodium podagraria)
Also called goutweed, this rapidly growing herbaceous perennial is native to Eurasia but has been introduced into the US where it is often used as a ground cover. It is…
Plant Profile: Maiden Pink (Dianthus deltoids)
Maiden pink is an evergreen herbaceous perennial native to Europe and western Asia. It is a member of the carnation family, Caryophyllaceae.that also includes baby’s breath, Lynchnus, and soapwort (Saponaria).…
Plant Profile: Star Astilbe (Astilbe simplicifolia)
Star astilbe is a dwarf herbaceous perennial native to Japan. It is a member of the saxifrage family, Saxifragaceae, that also includes Bergenia, coral bells (Heuchera), and foamflower (Tiarella). The…
Plant Profile: Common Bugle Weed (Ajuga reptans)
Ajuga reptans is a low growing evergreen herbaceous perennial native to Europe where it grows in woods and poor pasture land. It is a member of the mint family, Labiatae,…
Rabbit Resistant Plants: Foliage Perennials
Plants with beautiful foliage fill a special role in gardens and are especially appreciated for the long season pleasure they provide. Unfortunately, rabbits also find some of them tasty treats…
Plant Profile: Snakeweed (Polygonum bistorta aka Persicaria bistorta)
Snakeweed is a clump forming herbaceous perennial native to Europe and western and central Asia where it grows near water and damp meadows. It is a member of the knotweed…
Plant Profile: European Wild Ginger (Asarum europium)
European wild ginger is a low growing evergreen herbaceous perennial native to the of forests and woodlands of eastern Europe and western Asia. It belongs to the pipevine family, Aristolochiaceae,…
Plant Combination: Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) ‘Black Scallop’ and Variegated Hakone Grass (Hakonechloa macra) ‘Aureola’
This gold and purple combination offers long season interest for a shady spot. It depends on the foliage of these two plants and begins in spring when the variegated hakone…