Plant Profile: Dragon Arum (Dracunculus vulgaris)
Karen Dragon arum goes by numerous name such as snake lily, voodoo lily, stink lily and black dragon. It is a tuberous herbaceous perennial, a member of the arum family (Araceae),…
Plant Profile: Yellow Wax Bells (Kireneshoma palmata)
Yellow wax bells is a clump forming herbaceous perennial belonging to the hydrangea family (Hydrangeaceae) and native to mountainous woodlands of Japan and Korea. Strong maroon stems carry dark green,…
Plant Profile: Sea Kale (Crambe maritima)
Sea kale is herbaceous perennial and a member of the mustard/cabbage family ( Brassicaceae) that also includes wallflowers, stock and horseradish. It is native to Europe and since the 18th…
Garden Plants for Flower Arranging: Wolfsbane (Aconitum lycoctonum)
A native of southern Europe, this herbaceous perennial grows in mountain woods and meadows, often near streams, in moist peaty soils. Although there is a purple flowered variety, the primrose…
Plant Profile: Kaffir Lily (Clivia miniata)
Also known as Natal lily, fire lily, and bush lily, Clivia is a clump forming herbaceous perennial belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family. It is native to South Africa and Swaziland…
Plant Profile: Cupids Dart (Catananche caerulea)
Cupid’s dart is a herbaceous perennial belonging to the aster family,Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow and lettuce. It is native to Mediterranean Europe and northern Africa where it grows…
Plant Combination: Wallflower (Erysimum linifolium) ‘ Bowle’s Mauve’ and Marsh Spurge (Euphorbia palustris)
Like chartreuse flowers? Try this marsh spurge paired with the deep lavender wall flower ‘Bowle’s Mauve’ for a spring combination in a sunny border. The marsh spurge does double duty…
Plant Profile: Elephant Ear (Alocasia macrorrhiza)
Also called giant taro, this tender herbaceous perennial is native to tropical areas from India to Queensland, Australia where it grows in the understory and along streams. It grows very…
Garden Plants for Flower Arrangements: Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus) Headborne Hybrids
There are many different kinds of agapanthus but the ‘Headborne Hybrids’ are considered the hardiest. They are rhizomatous perennials with fleshy roots and grey-green leathery strap-shaped leaves. Their funnel-shaped flowers…
Plant Combination: Yellow Fumitory (Corydalis lutea) and Hosta ‘Autumn Frost’
A shady location is the perfect place for this charming combination. Hosta ‘Autumn Frost’ emerges with its yellow variegated leaves in spring as fern-like leaves of yellow fumitory push through…