Genus Rock Cress (Arabis) for the Garden
Karen Arabis is a genus of herbaceous annuals and perennials and a member of the mustard family, Cruciferaceae, that also includes broccoli, radish, and stock. Although there are over 100 species…
Plant Profile: White Corydalis (Corydalis ochroleuca aka Pseudofumaria alba)
This short-lived evergreen perennial is native to Italy and the Balkans where it grows in rocky woodland areas. It is a membe of the poppy family, Papaveraceae, that also includes…
Plant Profile: Pyrenean-Violet (Ramonda myconi)
Also known as rosette mullein, this evergreen perennial is native to rocky soils in the Pyrenees and north eastern Spain. It is a member of the African violet family, Gesneriaceae,…
Genus: Heucheras for the Garden
The genus Heuchera is in the saxifrage family, Saxifragaceae, that also includes foamflower (tiarella), pigsqueak, and false spirea (Astilbe). It consists of over fifty species of herbaceous perennials that are…
Plant Profile: Stemless Carline Thistle (Carlina acaulis)
Also called dwarf thistle and silver thistle, this short-lived herbaceous perennial is a native of alpine regions of central and southern Europe where it grows in poor soil in dry…
Plant Profile: Lewisia ‘George Henley’
Lewisias are herbaceous perennials native to north facing cliffs in western North America. They are members of the Montiaceae, a family that also includes Claytonia and purslanes. This cultivar is…
Plant Profile: Hyssop (Hysoppus officinalis)
Hyssop is a small semi-evergreen subshrub up to 24″ tall native to southern Europe, the Middle East, and the area around the Caspian sea but has naturalized in parts of…
Plant Profile: Hairy Alumroot (Heuchera villosa)
Hairy alumroot is an evergreen herbaceous perennial and a member of the saxifrage family, Saxifragaceae, that also includes tiarella, bergenia, and astilbe. It is native to Southeast from Virginia to…
Plant Profile: Woollyhead (Craspedia uniflora)
Native to New Zealand and Australia, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, sunflower, and lettuce. It has simple, opposite green leaves…
Plant Profile: Robin’s Plantian (Erigeron pulchellus)
Also known as rose petty, blue spring-daisy, and Robert’s plantian, this herbaceous biennial or short-lived perennial is a member of the aster family Asteraceae, that also includes sunflower, yarrow, and…