Plant Profile: Cat’s whiskers (Orthosiphon aristatus)
Karen 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: Deer Fern (Blechnum spicant aka Struthiopteris spicant )
A shady nook is always made more appealing by lush green vegetation that looks soft and inviting. Deer fern is a good plant to use in the shade with its…
Plants of the Bible: Common Rush (Juncus effusus)
Also known as soft rush and mat rush, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the rush family, Juncaceae, that includes plants resembling sedges and grasses. Common rush is native…
Plant Profile: Downy Amsonia (Amsonia ciliata aka A. angustifolia)
A native of southeastern United States, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that also includes perwinkle, oleander, and milkweed. The plant grows 1-3′ tall and…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos spp)
The small appealing flower buds of the kangaroo paw plant are a must for the plant zoo! The best part is that there are many different colors of “paws” and…
Plant Profile: Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum)
Also known as hounds berry, black nightshade is an annual or short-lived perennial native to wooded areas and disturbed sites of Europe and Asia but is found in the United…
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: Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum viginianum)
Also called eastern waterleaf and Shawnee salad , this herbaceous perennial is native to moist and wet woodlands in eastern US and is a member of the borage family, Borginaceae,…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Also known as catmint, this short-lived herbaceous perennial is bound to entertain both your cats and children. Once the cats get a whiff of of the delectable scent from the…
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…