Plant Profile: Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana)
Karen Native to Brazil, Argentina and Chile, this perennial grass is a member of the grass family, Poaceae, that also includes bamboo, rice, and corn. Plants form large clumps of arching,…
Plant Profile: Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata)
When I was looking for a vine to plant in a container in the middle of the formal garden the head gardener saw a yellow flowered black-eyed Susan vine and…
Plant Profile: Mexican Feather Grass (Stipa tenuissima aka Nasellela tenuissima)
Also known as ponytail grass, finestem needle grass, fineleaved nassella and Argentine needle-grass this perennial grass is native to south-western US, northern Mexico and Argentina. It is a member of…
Plant Profile: Turtlehead (Chelone lyonii)
It is difficult to resist a plant with the name “turtlehead’. I knew it as a child when it grew along a stream near my home forming a great mass…
Garden Journal: The Wedding of September 23, 2008
Two years ago we hosted the wedding celebration of some dear friends. The idea of a September garden wedding started in June so we had plenty of time to prepare.…
Plant Profile: Japanese Blood Grass (Imperata cylindrical ‘Red Baron’ or var. rubra)
I grow some grasses for flowers and others for foliage, and ‘Red Baron’ is at the top of my foliage list. The leaves emerge in spring bright green with burgundy…
Plant Profile: ‘Fireworks’ Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’)
When I saw a picture of this in a perennial nursery catalogue I had my doubts that it would live up to expectations but I ordered it anyway and found…
Plant Profile: Turf Lily (Lirope muscari)
This evergreen herbaceous perennial is native to China,Korea,and Japan where it grows as an understory plant in shady forests. It is a member of the asparagus family, Asparagaceae, that also…
Plant Profile: Leadwort (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides)
Plumbago is at the top of my list for ground covers blooming late in the season. It starts in mid summer with its vivid blue flowers and continues well into…
Plant Profile: Dwarf Black Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Moudry’)
A small mound of glossy, bright green foliage begins to grow in the spring; by August the mound is a couple of feet tall, cascading, and has long black foxtails…