Drought Tolerant Plants: Annuals and Perennials with Blue, Lavender and Purple Flowers
Karen Water is essential for plant growth but plants vary greatly in their need for it. Since the amount of water on earth is finite but the demand is not, we…
Plant Profile: California Goldfields (Lasthenia californica)
Native to a variety of habitats in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, and Baja California, this herbaceous annual is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes sunflower,…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata aka Cassia fasciculata aka Cassia chamaecrista)
Also known as prairie senna, golden cassia, large-flowered sensitive pea, sleeping plant, and locust weed, this herbaceous annual is native to eastern North America and provides cover and food for…
Plant Profile: Western Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum)
Native to moist grassy areas and woodlands of California and Oregon west of the Sierra Nevada, this semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial is not a true grass but is in the iris…
Genus Anemones for the Garden
The genus Anemone consists of over 120 species and is a member of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, that also includes delphinium, clematis, and hellabore. The garden worthy species are usually…
Plant Profile: Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis)
Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis) Also called mosquito grass, this warm-season tufted perennial is native to southern and western US where it was the dominant grass in the short grass prairie…
Plant Profile: Sand Lovegrass (Eragrostis trichodes)
Native to prairies, open woods, rocky slopes and roadsides of the western plains states, this perennial grass is a member of the grass family, Poaceae, that also includes bamboo, rice,…
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: Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea)
This herbaceous perennial is native to dry sandy soils in North America and parts of Asia, and is a member of the aster family (Asteraceae) that also includes daisy, yarrow,…
Plant Profile: Large Flowered Tickseed (Coreopsis grandiflora)
Large flowered tickseed is a clump forming herbaceous perennial and a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes sunflower, daisy, and lettuce. It is native to southeastern US…