Plant Profile: Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)
Karen Castor bean is native to Africa, Middle East and India but has naturalized all over the world in subtropical and tropical areas where it can be found in disturbed areas…
Plant Combination: Upright Goldenrod (Solidago rigida) and Japanese Anemone (Anemone hypehensis) ‘Hadspen Abundance’
Just when the garden looks like it is winding down in autumn goldenrod and Japanese anemone come into bloom adding bright color with their winning combination of gold and pink.…
Plant Profile: ‘Bowles Golden’ Sedge (Carex elata ‘Bowles Golden’)
The bright yellow new growth of “Bowles Golden Sedge is the perfect plant to brighten up up a moist shady spot. The leaves are actually yellow with green margins but…
Name This Plant Game: Summer Blooming Perennials 10
Chuck This simple game tests your gardening knowledge by identifying five plants shown in photos from a list of possible names. Photos of each plant are accompaned by a clue describing…
Plant Profile: Leadwort (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides)
Plumbago is at the top of my list for ground covers blooming late in the season. It starts in mid summer with its vivid blue flowers and continues well into…
Plant Profile: Dwarf Black Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Moudry’)
A small mound of glossy, bright green foliage begins to grow in the spring; by August the mound is a couple of feet tall, cascading, and has long black foxtails…
Plant Profile: Bluebeard (Caryopteris x clandonensis)
Bluebeard seems to be the most frequently used common name but two others are blue spirea or blue mist, both of which seem more descriptive. Whatever you call it, this…
Five Bold Perennials for Specimen Planting
Sometimes you want a spectacular plant to make a statement, serve as a focal point, or add uniqueness to the border. The plant must be outstanding in some way; the…
Five Fabulous Perennials to Get Rid of the Summer Blahs
By the time August rolls around my garden usually looks like it needs a new lease on life. The heat and humidity have taken their toil, the insects, fungi, and…
What is the Difference Between an Annual, Perennial, or Biennial?
admin When spring comes and the urge to buy seeds and plants envelops the gardener, one of the first things to consider is the life cycle of the plant involved; is…