Plants for a Mary Garden: Iris (Iris sp.)
Karen Iris is a genus of herbaceous perennials mostly found in the temperate Northern Hemisphere from Europe to Asia and across North America. They grow from creeping rhizomes in moist environments…
Plant Profile: Wood Spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides)
Native to the woodlands of Europe, Turkey and the Caucasus, this bushy evergreen herbaceous perennial is a member of the spurge family, Euphorbaceae, that also includes rubber plant, croton, and…
Weeds and Their Control: Foxtail Barley (Hordeum jubatum)
Foxtail barley is a short-lived cool season perennial and a member of the grass family, Poaceae, that also includes corn, bamboo, and rice. It is also known by several other…
Plant Profile: Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa)
Also called devil’s-tongue and Indian fig, this perennial cactus is native to eastern US from coastal Connecticut to the Florida Keys west to the lower Great Lakes, to the dry…
Plant Profile: Ozark Sunflower (Helianthus silphioides)
Native to woodland edges of southcentral US, this little known herbaceous perennial is also called as rosinweed sunflower. It is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes…
Weeds and Their Control: Yellow Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus)
Yellow rabbitbrush is a rounded deciduous shrub and member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, sagebrush, and lettuce. It is native to western North America and can…
Plant Profile: Alstromeomeria ligtu Hybrids
The Alstromoemeria ligtu hybrids are the result of a cross between closely related genera, A. haemantha and various subpecies of A. ligtu, all tender perennials native to Chile. They grow…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Sweet Violet (Viola odorata)
Native to Europe and Asia, this herbaceous perennial belongs to the plant family Violaceae, that also includes pansies and johnny jump ups. It grows 4-10″ tall and has a basal…
Plant Profile: Common Wood Aster (Aster cordifolius aka Symphyotrichum cordifolium)
Also known as heart-leaved aster or blue wood aster, this clumping herbaceous perennial is a member of the aster family, Asteraceeae, that also includes sunflower, daisy, and lettuce. It is…
Weeds and Their Control: Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
Purple loosestrife is a herbaceous perennial and member of the loosestrife family, Lythraceae, that also includes pomegranate and crepe myrtle, but is not related to other plants called loosestrife that…