Honeywort, Cerinthe major
Are you familiar with Cerinthe major, an herbaceous plant from the meadows and grassy plains of southern Italy and Greece? To learn more about this unusual flower grown as an annual in our climate, read this article…
Herbaceous Ornamentals
Herbaceous ornamentals add interest to our yards and gardens with bright, beautiful flowers and interesting foliage. Whether native, non-native, sun-loving or shade-tolerant, herbaceous plants invite wildlife, provide for pollinators, and bring us enjoyment with color, texture and fragrance.
Native & Naturalized Selection
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Articles
Blackberry Lily, Belamcanda chinensis or Iris domestica
Flowers that resemble an exotic lily, leaves like an iris, seed clusters that look like a blackberry, and lots of different names – put them all together and what do you get? The former Belamcanda chinensis, of course! For a more extensive explanation of this plant and its new name, read this article…
Japanese Forest Grass, Hakonechloa macra
There are few grasses that perform well in the shade that also have ornamental value. One of the best is Japanese Forest Grass or Hakone Grass, Hakonechloa macra. Learn about this perennial grass in this article…
Yellow Corydalis, Corydalis lutea
Corydalis lutea is a small plant that forms neat mounds of finely cut, delicate-looking light green to blue-green foliage and bright yellow flowers. If you’re interested in learning more about this pretty perennial, sometimes called yellow corydalis, read this article…
Nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus
Looking for an easy-to-grow, warm-season annual flower with brightly colored flowers? Nasturtium is the common name of Tropaeolum majus, a welcome addition to any sunny garden. To find out more about this spicy annual, read this article…
Iris pallida
Iris are blooming (or will be soon), but for most the flowers are the only time we notice the plants. Iris pallida, however, is more known for its attractive foliage than the pale blue flowers. Find out more about this pretty herbaceous perennial plant by reading this article…
Pasque Flower, Pulsatilla vulgaris
Spring has sprung, and the earliest flowers are finally opening. Pasque flower is one of the first to bloom. Learn more about this pretty herbaceous perennial plant in this article…
Snowdrops, Galanthus spp.
The delicate white flowers and early bloom of these perennial bulbs (even pushing through the snow in cold areas) have given them the common name of snowdrops. Several of the 19 or so species of Galanthus are planted as ornamentals, with most hardy to zone 5, but some to zone 2. Learn more about this hardy group in the amaryllis family in this article…
Love-in-a-Mist, Nigella damascena
With unique flowers in blues and white, love-in-a-mist is an old-fashioned, self-seeding annual that is right at home in a cottage garden. This charming plant only blooms for a month or two, but can be seeded in successive plantings for a flowering display for most of the growing season. To learn more about this easy flower, read this article…
Nepeta xfaassenii ‘Walker’s Low’
Nepeta xfaassenii ‘Walker’s Low’ was chosen by the Perennial Plant Association as their Plant of the Year 2007. With clouds of blue flowers floating on spires above mounds of blue-grey foliage, this plant is a great addition to both formal and informal gardens. You can find out a lot more about this great perennial by reading this article…
Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis
Lemon balm is an attractive plant with a fragrant, lemon-like odor. Used for tea and medicinal purposes, it is very easy to grow. To learn more about this herb, read this article…
Brown-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia triloba
Commonly called Brown-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia triloba is an herbaceous biennial or short-lived perennial with typical coneflowers with yellow rays and brown centers. This rangy plant with masses of small flowers works well in cottage gardens or in wildflower plantings. Learn more about this prairie native in this article…
