Plants for a Plant Zoo: Panda Face Ginger (Asarum maximum)
Karen There are few flowers in the garden that are as cute as the black and white blooms of panda face ginger. They peak through the foliage at ground level and…
Herbs for a Medieval Physics Garden: German Iris (Iris germanica)
Also known as bearded iris and common flag, this herbaceous perennial is native to the eastern Mediterranean and may be a natural hybrid between Iris pallida and Iris variegata. It…
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 Combination: Monkshood (Aconitum napellus) and Japanese Anemone (Anemone x hybrid)’September Charm’
These herbaceous perennials make a long season combination with their attractive foliage and lovely flowers. The foliage of Japanese anemones appears in spring and forms an attractive dark green ground…
Plant Profile: Common Bird’s-Foot Trefold (Lotus corniculatus)
Also known as eggs and bacon and birdsfoot deervetch this herbaceous perennial is native to the grasslands of Eurasia and North Africa but has naturalized in the US and is…
Plant Profile: Common St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Also called goatweed or Klamath weed, this herbaceous perennial is native to Europe, western Asian and North Africa where it occurs in a wide variety of habitats including pastures, meadows,…
Weeds and Their Control: Crown Vetch (Coronilla varia)
Also called purple vetch, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the pea family, Fabaceae, that also includes lupines, mimosa, and black locust. It is native to Europe, southwest Asia,…
Plant Profile: Indian Costus (Saussurea costus aka S. lappa)
Also known as kuth, putchuk, and kosht (קשט), this herbaceous perennial is native to high elevations (8,200 to 9,800 ft) in South Asia especially India and Kashmir. It is a…
Plant Combination: Catmint (Nepeta racemosa) ‘Walker’s Low’ and Sisyrinchium striatum
Soft blue and yellow make this duo a dreamy combination in the early summer border. Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ produces an abundance of small lavender-blue flowers carried in loose whorls atop…
Herbs for a Medieval Physics Garden: Costmary (Tanacetum balsamita aka Chrysanthemum balsamita aka Balsamita vulgariata)
Costmary is a herbaceous perennial native to the Mediterranean and also known as alecost, balsam herb, bible leaf, and mint geranium. It is one of 16 herbs recommented in the…