Articles
Gardening Articles
Research-based horticulture information to help keep your plants and gardens thriving.
Chicory, Cichorium intybus
Do you recognize those blue flowers along the roadside that will keep blooming until frost (if not mowed off)? That’s chicory, an escaped, naturalized European plant that has been used for food and forage since ancient times, although most Americans know it just as a weed. To learn more about Chicorium intybus, read this article…
Castor Bean, Ricinus communis
Looking to add drama to your landscape? Castor bean is a fast-growing tender perennial with huge leaves that can be used as a seasonal annual in cooler climates. Chose from a number of varieties of this East African native selected for their ornamental value to make a bold statement in your garden. To learn more about this plant, read this article…
Spinach, Spinacia oleracea
Spinach is a quick and easy crop perfect for the home garden, and there are many cultivars of this cool season plant. To learn more about growing this leafy green, read this article…
Henbit, Lamium amplexicaule
With small but pretty pink flowers, henbit might be considered an ornamental plant, but is a weed for most people. This introduced relative of the more-refined, perennial spotted deadnettle (Lamium maculatum) that is commonly cultivated in gardens is an annual or winter annual. To learn more about this plant, read this article…
Erythronium ‘Pagoda’
With big yellow flowers, the Erythronium hybrid ‘Pagoda’ is a great addition to shady gardens. Developed from two species of native North American wildflowers, this spring bloomer will naturalize in woodland gardens and combines well with bleeding heart, columbine and hostas. To learn more about this garden ornamental, read this article…
Bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis
Early spring bloomers are much appreciated after a long, cold winter. Bloodroot is one of the first wildflowers to open its bright white flowers in Midwestern woodlands. This native plant is at home in deciduous forests and in gardens where appropriate conditions can be provided. To learn more about this spring wildflower, read this article…
Asparagus fern, Asparagus densiflorus
Asparagus fern is a South African native which is not a fern, but is related to the edible asparagus. The bright green, ferny foliage of this tender perennial makes it a nice houseplant and a good counterpoint to brightly colored flowers in an outdoor seasonal planting. To learn more about this plant, read this article…
Bromeliads
If you’re looking for a houseplant with attractive foliage that’s not just another leafy thing, and maybe some long-lasting flowers, consider a bromeliad. This plant family has a wide variety of species with many that are easily grown indoors if you choose a type adapted to your conditions. Learn more about this interesting group of plants in this article…
Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’
Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ has been chosen by the Perennial Plant Association as their Plant of the Year 2012. With light blue flowers in spring and bright, silvery, crackled-looking foliage that really shines in the shade, this plant is a great addition to most gardens. You can find out more about this special cultivar by reading this article…
Persian Shield, Strobilanthes dyerianus
Looking to add some drama to your garden? Forget flowers and go with iridescent foliage instead for a real show-stopper! Persian shield is a tender perennial grown as an annual in our climate that has been used since Victorian times for its ornamental foliage. To learn more about this exotic, but easily grown plant, read this article…
Dendrobium lindleyi
If you’re lookign for a miniature orchid with a big flower show Dendrobium lindleyi is the one for you. This compact epiphytic species native to Southeast Asia produces spectacular showers of golden flowers. To learn more about this exotic yet easy-to-grow plant, read this article…
Cycads
Are you familiar with the ancient group of plants called cycads? These “living fossils” have been around since the time of the dinosaurs, although they are no longer as numerous as they once were. These cone-bearing plants hail primarily from the tropics, but many are easily grown as container plants. To learn more about cycads, read this article…
