Plant Profile: Common Reed (Phragmites australis aka P. communis)
Karen Native to temperate wetlands world wide, this perennial aquatic grass is a member of the grass family, Poaceae, that also includes corn, rice, and bamboo. It is a vigorous grower…
Plant Profile: Chameleon Plant (Houttuynia cordata)
Native to Southeast Asia, this herbaceous perennial is known by many names including fish mint, rainbow plant, heart leaf and Chinese lizard tail. A member of the lizard-tail family, Saururaceae,…
Plants of the Bible: Spotted Golden Thistle (Scolymus maculatus)
Also known as spotted oyster thistle, this annual herb is native of the Mediterranean region including southern Europe, southwest Asia, northern Africa, and the Canary Islands where it grows in…
Plants for a Zoo Garden: Cat’s Ear (Hypochaeris radicata)
Although considered a weed in many parts of the country this herbaceous perennial resembles the common dandelion with its basal rosette of leaves that lie close to the ground and…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Gopher Spurge (Euphorbia lathyris)
With alternative common names like mole plant and sassy jack you can use this engaging annual/ biennial to fill several animal slots or as a rodent (but don’t get your…
Plant Profile: Eastern Mosquito Fern (Azolla caroliniana)
Native to North America, this annual aquatic fern is also known as fairy moss and is a member of the Salviniaceae, a small family of about 20 ferns. The plants…
Plants of the Bible: Flowering Rush (Butomus umbellatus)
Also called grass rush, this aquatic perennial is native to in Eurasia and Africa where it grows in the margins of still and slowly moving water. It is a member…
Plant Profile: Greater Burdock (Arctium lappa)
Native to temperate regions of Europe and Asia, this herbaceous biennial is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow, and lettuce. The plants produce a…
Plants for a Plants for a Plant Zoo: Chameleon Plant ‘Chameleon’ aka Variegata, Tricolor, ‘Court Jester” (Houttuynia cordata)
Don’t bother with the species if you want a chameleon plant in your garden as it is dull by comparison to the variegated cultivar ‘Chameleon’ aka Variegata, Tricolor, or ‘Court…
Plant Profile: Antelope-Horns Milkweed (Asclepius asperula)
Also known as spider milkweed, this clump-forming herbaceous perennials is native to southwestern US and northern Mexico, and belongs to the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that also includes bluestar, periwinkle, and…