Plant Profile: Barren Strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides)
Karen Native to the Northeast and prairies, Barren Strawberry is an ideal groundcover for a woodland garden and even does well in dry conditions. The basal glossy evergreen leaves look very…
Plant Profile: Yellow Gentian (Gentiana lutea)
Yellow gentian, also called Bitterroot, has been around a long time. It was named for a 2nd century Illyrian king who is said to have used it to reduce fevers…
Plant Profile: California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
California poppy is one of the toughest, easiest to grow plants. It is native to the west coast from southern Washington to Baja California and east to Nevada, Arizona, and…
Plant Profile: Rain Lily (Zephyranthes atamasca)
The bright yellow stamens set off the snowy-white tepals of the flowers in early spring. The flowers seem to appear after a rain giving rise to the common name. The…
Plant Profile: Godetia/Farewell to Spring (Clarkia amoena)
A native of Chile and western North America from San Francisco to British Columbia, this annual was named for Captain Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition fame. It thrives…
Plant Profile: Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)
Coltsfoot is not the most popular medicinal herb but it may be the oddest; it produces its flowers long before it produces leaves but doesn’t produce any stem leaves. In…
Plant Profile: Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
A native of woodlands, damp meadows, and open and forested highlands in Canada and northeastern United States, Goldenseal was used by the American Indians to treat many problems from loss…
Plant Profile: Anise (Pimpinella anisum)
A native of Egypt and the Mediterranean anise has been known since ancient times. In the sixth century BC it was recommended for controlling epileptic seizures but by Roman times…
Plant Profile: Lily Leek (Allium moly)
A native of southern Europe, lily leek has long enjoyed a rich past. It is said to be the “Moly” that saved Ulysses from the charms of Circe as described…
Plant Profile: Angelica (Angelica archangelica)
This native of Europe and Asia has a long history rich with folklore and myth but it is also a striking garden plant. Growing 5-8 feet all, it commands attention…