Genus Erysium (Wallflowers) for the Garden
Karen Often called wallflower or blister-cress, Erysimum is a genus of about 150 species in the mustard family, Brassicaceae, that also includes cabbage, alyssum, and stock. The plants may be annuals,…
Plant Profile: Syrian Oregano (Origanum syriacum aka O. maru aka Majorana syriaca)
Also known as bible hyssop, Syrian marjoram, and Lebanese oregano, this tender perennial herb is native to the Middle East and is a member of the deadnettle family, Lamiaceae, that…
Plant Profile: Common Reed (Phragmites australis aka P. communis)
Native to temperate wetlands world wide, this perennial aquatic grass is a member of the grass family, Poaceae, that also includes corn, rice, and bamboo. It is a vigorous grower…
Plant Profile: Aegean Wallflower (Erysimum cheiri aka Cheiranthus cheiri.)
Native to Greece, this perennial subshrub is often grown as an annual or biennial. It is a member of the mustard family, Brassicaceae, that also includes cabbage, alyssum, and common…
Plants for a Plant Zoo : Foxtail Barley (Hordeum jubatum)
Fox, bobcat, or squirrel, you can choose any of these animals as a member of your plant zoo depending on how you see the showy, fluffy seedheads of this cool…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
How about a plant that is a magnet for butterflies? Try butterfly weed, a clump-forming herbaceous perennial with outstanding bright orange to yellow orange flowers that appear from late spring…
Plants of the Bible: Yellow Flag (Iris pseudacornus)
Also called water flag, this herbaceous perennial is a beardless rhizomatous iris native to the wetlands of Europe, western Asia and northwest Africa where it forms large colonies. It is…
Plants of the Bible: (Anemone coronaria)
This tuberous short-lived perennial is native to the Mediterranean and a member of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, that also includes delphinium, clematis, and hellebore. The poppy-like flowers lack petals but…
Plant Profile: Sugar Cane (Saccharum officinarum)
Native to tropical southeast Asia, this tender perennial grass is a member of the Poaceae/Gramineae family that also includes corn, wheat, rice, and bamboo. The plants from a network of…
Plant Profile: Paperwhite Narcissus (Narcissus tazzeta)
Also known as bunch-flowered narcissus, this herbaceous perennial is native to the Mediterranean from Portugal to Turkey but naturalized in many areas including the Middle East, Asia, Australia, South America…