Plant Profile: Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius)
Karen Scotch broom is a deciduous to evergreen, nitrogen-fixing shrub growing 4-8’ tall and is member of the pea family, Fabaceae, that also includes lupine, mimosa, and black locust. It is…
Plant Profile: Japanese Iris (Iris ensata syn. kaemperi)
The Japanese have spent over 500 years breeding this beardless iris and have created a spectacular flower that are very different from those of the more familiar German or Siberian…
Plant Profile: Annual Cornflower aka Bachelor’s Button (Centaurea cyanus)
Also known as bluebottle, bluet, and bluecap, this cool weather annual is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, sunflower, and lettuce. It is native to…
Plant Profile: Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)
The bright indigo blue flowers of bedding lobelia in six packs at garden centers always catch my eye and dance in my mind in images of the splendid border I…
Plant Profile: Purple Rock Cress (Aubrieta deltoidea)
A wildflower native to the Mediterranean and Asia Minor, purple rock cress is a member of the mustard family, Brassicaceae, that also includes cabbage, broccoli, and stock. It grows 4-6″…
Plant Profile: Basket-of-Gold (Aurinia saxatilis)
A native of central and southeastern Europe, basket-of-gold is an evergreen perennial also known as yellow alyssum, madwort, goldentuft, and gold-dust. It is a member of the cabbage family, Brassicaceae,…
Plant Profile: Mountain Bluet (Centaurea montana)
Also known as perennial bachelor’s button and montane knapweed, this clump forming herbaceous perennial is native to the upper montaine and sub-alpine zones of Europe where it grows in meadows…
Plant Profile: Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
Few plants evoke nostalgia and fond memories more than the common lilac with its heavy trusses of very fragrant flowers. This deciduous shrub is native to southeastern Europe where it…
Plant Profile: Jack-in-the Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)
Jack-in-the Pulpit is a herbaceous perennial in the arum family, Araceae, that also includes skunk cabbage, calla lily, and elephant ear. It is native to eastern North America where is…
Plant Profile: Weigela (Weigela florida ‘Variegata’)
Shurbs that bloom in the spring are always a big asset but when they have foliage as gorgeous as variegated weigela, they rise to the top of my list. The…