Plant Profile: Shoo-fly Plant (Nicandra physalodes)
Karen Also known as apple of Peru, apple of Sodom, Peruvian bluebell, this annual is native to northwest Argentina, Bolivia, north and central Chile, and Peru where it grows in disturbed…
Plant Profile: Strawflower ( Xerochrysanum bracteatum aka Helichrysum brateactum)
Also called golden everlasting, this short-lived tender perennial or annual is native to Australia where it grows in grasslands. It is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also…
Plant Profile: Statice (Limonium sinuatum)
Also known as sea lavender, sea pink, and notch leaf marsh rosemary, this tender short-lived perennial is often grown as an annual, and is a member of the leadwort family,…
Plant Profile: Annual Baby’s Breath (Gypsophilia elegans)
A native of the Caucasus, this short lived annual is a member of the carnation family, Caryophyllaceae, that also includes pinks and campions. Plants grow 12-18″ tall, tend to branch…
Plant Profile: Larkspur (Consolida ajacis aka C. ambigua)
Also called doubtful knight’s spur and rocket larkspur, this cool weather annual is native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean. It is in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, that also includes…
Plant Profile: Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus)
This Mediterranean native is a thistle-like tender perennial and a member of the Aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow, and artichoke. Plants form an impressive 3′ tall clump…
Plant Profile: Pincushion Flower (Scabiosa stellata)
Also called starflower and drumstick scabiosa, this annual is native to southwestern Europe and North Africa and is a member of the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, that also includes weigelia, Centranthus,…
Plant Profile: Chinese Lantern (Physalis alkekengi)
Also called bladder cherry and strawberry ground cherry, this herbaceous perennial is native to southern Europe and parts of Asia. It is a member of the nightshade family, Solonaceae, that…
Book Review: Martha’s Flowers
Martha Stewart and her Executive Design Director Kevin Sharkey, collaborated on this book, Martha’s Flowers, that celebrates home grown flowers and the arrangements that can be made with them.. The…
Plant Profile: x Solidaster luteus ‘Lemore’
This herbaceous perennial is the result of a cross between two plants native to North America, Aster ptarmicoides and Solidago canadensis (goldenrod). From its aster parent it inherited a more…