Weeds and Their Control: Crown Vetch (Coronilla varia)
Karen 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…
Plants of the Bible: Horsemint (Mentha longifolia)
Also called wild mint, this herbaceous perennial is native to moist and wet habitats of Europe, western and central Asia, and southern and northern parts of Africa. Plants rapidly grow…
Plants That Attract Beneficial Insects: False Indigo ( Baptisia australis)
False indigo is a tall, drought resistant herbaceous perennial native to central and Eastern North America, especially Midwest US. It is a member of the legume family, Fabeaceae, that also…
Plant Combination: Cranesbill (Geranium) ‘ Rozanne’ and Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) ‘Concorde’
Cranesbill ‘Rozanne’ and barberry ‘Concord’ are outstanding plants for the garden and when put together they make a fabulous combination that lasts for the whole growing season. In early spring…
Plant Profile: Horehound (Marrubium vulgare)
Native to southern Europe, central and western Asia, and North Africa, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae, that also includes basil, rosemary, and beebalm. Plants…
Plant Combination: Chrysanthemum and Praire Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)
For beautiful color in the garden during the fall, try a dark red mum like ‘Raquel’ and the grass, prairie dropseed. Early in the season the grass forms fine textured…
Weeds and Their Control: Yellow Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris)
Also called butter-and-eggs, and wild snapdragon, yellow toadflax is a herbaceous perennial and a member of the plantain family, Plantaginaceae, that also includes snapdragon, foxglove, and turtlehead. It is native…