Genus: Sisyrinchium (Blue-Eyed Grass) for the garden
Karen Sisyrinchium is a genus of of about 200 species of annuals and herbaceous perennials native to the New World. The plants are not grasses and are in the iris family,…
Plant Profile: Western Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum)
Native to moist grassy areas and woodlands of California and Oregon west of the Sierra Nevada, this semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial is not a true grass but is in the iris…
Plant Profile: Common Rush (Juncus effusus)
Also known as soft rush and mat rush, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the rush family, Juncaceae, that includes plants resembling sedges and grasses. Common rush is native…
Genus: Arenaria for the Garden
Arenaria, often known as sandwort, is a genus of over 210 species of flowering plants in the carnation family, Caryophyllaceae, that also includes, pinks, baby’s breath, and chickweed. The genus…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Wolfsbane (Aconitum napellus)
Wolfbane has a long a interesting history. According to legend aconite grew on the hill where Hercules fought Cerberus, the three headed dog that guarded the underworld. The dog’s spittle…
Plant Profile: Common Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
Also known as scouring rush, this is a herbaceous perennial that bears spores rather than seeds and is more closely related to ferns than to seed bearing or flowering plants.…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Pignut (Conopodium denudatum aka Bunium flexusosum)
If you like to dig in the soil for treasures, grow pignut, dig up the tubers, cook them and enjoy a delicious treat that has a sweet taste something like…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Pigsqueak (Bergenia cordifolia aka B. crassifolia)
Rub a leaf between your thumb and forefinger, hear the pig squeak and understand how the plants gets its funny name. The plant is worth growing for the beautiful shiny,…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Monkey Plant (Mimulus ringens)
What could be more charming and enticing than monkeys in the garden? Monkey flower is a bushy herbaceous perennial with lots of lilac-blue (occasionally pink or white) flowers that resemble…
Plant Profile: Lambstongue Ragwort (Senecio integerrimus)
Native to grassland, shrublands, and forests of western and central North American this herbaceous biennial or perennial is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow,…