Wildflowers: Poppies Native to the Pacific Coast
Karen Meyers The common name, poppy, can refer to many different plants some of which are considered true poppies, while others resemble poppies but are not even in the same plant family.…
Wildflowers: Poppies Native to the Southwest
All of the poppies listed below are are native to the Southwest area and in the subfamily Papaveroideae of the family Papaveraceae; not included are plants that are not botanically…
Wildflowers: Iris Native to the Southeast
Iris is a genus of 310 species and is in the plant family Iridaceae that also included gladiolus, crocus and freesia. The plants are all perennial and grow 2-79″ from…
Wildflowers: Iris Native to the Southwest
Iris is a genus of 310 species and is in the plant family Iridaceae that also included gladiolus, crocus and freesia. The plants are all perennial and grow from rhizomes…
Groundcovers for Shade: Hardy Begonia (Begonia grandis)
Karen Blooming from mid-summer to through fall, this herbaceous perennial produces white or pink male and female flowers 1″ across in pendant clusters on the same plant. Branching stems carry heart-shaped…
Groundcovers for Shade: Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera macrophylla)
With delicate sprays of dainty flowers and handsome foliage, this rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial brightens up the garden from spring until fall. The forget-me-not-like flowers with true` blue petals surrounding a…
Meadow Garden: Native Flowering Annuals
Native annuals can be used to enhance the meadow garden in many ways. Most annuals bloom with vibrant colors over a long bloom time and are easy to grow from…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Fuller’s Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) “Our Lady’s Little Brushes”
The association between the the Virgin Mary and fuller’s teasel is tenuous and rests on tradition and folklore rather than on biblical evidence. According to legend, Mary was dedicated to…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Common Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) Mary’s Bedstraw, Mary’s Humility
For thousands of years thyme has enjoyed great respect and usage. As early as 2750 BC the ancient Sumerians used thyme as a poultice and antiseptic and the Egyptians used…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Garden Fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica) “Our Lady’s Eardrops”
The name Our Lady’s Eardrops for Fuchsia magellanica is relatively recent and is based on the shape and appearance of its flowers. The plant was introduced to Europe in the…