The Language of Flowers: Aspen (Populus tremula)
Karen Aspen is a deciduous tree and belongs to the willow family, Salicaceae, that also includes poplars and cottonwoods. Populus tremula is native Europe and Asia and should not be confused…
The Language of Flowers: Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Asclepias is a genus of herbaceous perennials and a member of the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that also includes blue star (Amsonia), periwinkle (Vinca), and oleander (Nerium). There are over 140…
The Language of Flowers: Michaelmas Daisy aka New York Aster (Aster novi-belgii aka Symphyotrichum novi-belgii )
Michaelmas daisy is a common name referring to at least two asters, one European (Aster mellus)and the other North American (Aster novibelgii). This entry refers to the latter but the…
The Language of Flowers: Aztec Lily (Sprekelia formosissima aka Amaryllis formosissima)
In spite of its name, Aztec lily is not a lily and belongs to the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae, that also includes snowdrops, narcissus, and crinum lily. It is native to…
The Language of Flowers: Globe Amaranth aka Gomphrena (Gomphrena globosa)
Globe Amaranth is a compact annual growing up to twenty four inches tall and belongs to the Amaranthaceae family that also includes spinach, celosia, and quinoa. It is native to…
The Language of Flowers: Amaranth (Amaranthus spp)
Amaranths are annuals or short term perennials and belong to the Amaranthaceae family that also includes spinach, celosia, and quinoa. Three species, love lie bleeding (A. caudatus), Joseph’s coat (A.…
The Language of Flowers: Sweet Alyssum (Alyssum maritimum aka Lobularia maritima )
Sweet alyssum is a low growing annual and member of the mustard family, Brassicaceae, that also includes cabbage, broccoli, and stock. It is native to the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Azores,…
Language of Flowers: Aloe
Aloe is a genus of succulent plants consisting of about five hundred species and belonging to the Asphodelaceae family that also includes day lily, fox tail lily, and red hot…
The Language of Flowers: Pheasant’s Eye (Adonis autumnalis aka A. annua)
Also called red Morocco, blooddrops, red chamomile, rose-a-ruby and soldiers-in-the-green, this colorful annual is a member of the buttercup family, Ranuncluaceae, that also includes anemone, hellebore, and nigella. It is…
The Language of Flowers: Common Locust (Robinia psuedoacacia)
Common locust is a medium sized deciduous tree growing forty to one hundred feet tall with attractive blue-green pinnately compound leaves and beautiful loose pendent clusters of very fragrant creamy…