Plant Profile: Corncockle (Agrostemma githago)
Karen Corncockle is an upright annual belonging to the carnation family, Caryophyllaceae, that also includes pinks, baby’s breath, and campion. It is native to Europe where it grows in disturbed sites…
Plant Profile: Peanut (Arachis hypogaea)
Peanuts are annuals and are hybrids developed and domesticated in Argentina. They are a member of the bean/pea family (Leguminosae/Fabaceaea) and like other plants in the family contain symbiotic bacteria…
Plant Profile: Snowy Mermaid (Libertia formosa)
Also called Chilean iris, this evergreen herbaceous perennial is a member of the Iris family (Iridaceae) and native to Chile. It was introduced into California where it has naturalized and…
Plant Profile: Himalayan Honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa)
Also called Himalaya nutmeg, flowering nutmeg, and pheasant berry, this deciduous thicket-forming shrub is a member of the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae) and native to woodlands in the Himalaya and southwestern…
Plant Profile: Rose Nastarana
Clusters of pointed buds open to pale pink flowers that quickly fade to white. The stamens make little petaloids that give a unique look to the flowers. Long slender hips…
Plant Profile: Kashmir Rowan (Sorbus cashmiriana)
This deciduous flowering tree is a member of the rose family (Rosaceae) and is native to the Himalayas. Although it is a short lived tree it is grown as an…
Plant Profile: Barberry (Berberis valdiviana)
This native of Chile is a large evergreen shrub and resembles a holly. The shiny dark green leaves are pointed, and leathery. They are about three inches long and almost…
Plant Profile: Long-Leaved Lacebark (Hoheria sexstylosa) ‘Stardust’
Also called ribbonwood, this compact evergreen tree or shrub is a member of the mallow family (Malvaceae) and endemic to New Zealand and the Kermadec Islands where it grows in…
Plant Profile: Himalayan Blue Poppy (Meconopsis × sheldonii)
This herbaceous perennial is a member of the poppy family (Papaveraceae) and produced by a cross made in 1934 between M. grandis and M. betonicifolis. The mid green leaves are…
Plant Profile: Yellow Wax Bells (Kireneshoma palmata)
Yellow wax bells is a clump forming herbaceous perennial belonging to the hydrangea family (Hydrangeaceae) and native to mountainous woodlands of Japan and Korea. Strong maroon stems carry dark green,…