Fanciful leaves splashed in pink, red or white on green, makes polka dot plant a great accent plant. Once considered only a novelty houseplant, this tender tropical perennial has gained more popularity as an outdoor annual in the ground or in containers. The colorful foliage remains in good shape throughout the growing season as long as the weather is warm (above 50). To learn more about this fun plant, read this article…
Are you looking for a small plant to grow on a windowsill that doesn’t require too much light or lots of care? A Haworthia just might be what you need! This genus of many small succulents from southern Africa are great for their architectural interest, and their easy culture make them popular houseplants. To learn more about these interesting plants, read this article…
With steely blue foliage, blue oat grass is a great compliment to other grasses and many perennials. This cool-season grass is evergreen in mild climates, but the leaves may die back in the Midwest unless protected by snow. It tolerates many types of soils, although it should not remain too wet in winter. To learn more about this easy-care addition to beds and border, read this article…
With a sensational explosion of golden flowers bursting from the plant like skyrockets, ‘Fireworks’ is not your usual goldenrod. This refined cultivar of our native North American Solidago rugosa makes a great focal point in the autumn garden. Hardy to zone 4, slowly expanding clumps grow 3-4 feet tall but rarely need staking. Combine this spectacular plant with purple asters and bright-colored chrysanthemums for a fabulous fall display! Learn more about ‘Fireworks’ in this article…
Not everyone knows that plant roots have symbiotic relationships with certain types of fungi. These mycorrhizae help the plant absorb nutrients from the soil that are otherwise difficult to obtain and often provide some protection against soil-borne diseases. In exchange the plant suppliesfood to the fungus. To learn more about mycorrhizae, read this article…
Tiger Eyes™, offers a long season of interest with deeply-cut, almost lacy leaves that start yellow and turn orange in fall. Learn more about Tiger Eyes™ sumac in this article…
Brilliant magenta cup-shaped flowers festoon the rambling stems of winecups all summer long. This native prairie plant comes from dry, rocky areas, but tolerates many types of soil. It combines particularly well with other plants that have pink flowers or blue to gray foliage. Learn more about Callirhoe involucrata in this article…
Have you noticed something visiting your flowers, but you aren’t quite sure whether it’s a bee, or a small hummingbird, or a fat butterfly? It’s likely what you saw was a hummingbird clearwing, Hemaris thysbe. It is just one of a number of moths commonly referred to as hummingbird moths. Read this article to learn more…
Nierembergia is not a common plant in the upper Midwest. This perennial in the potato family is only hardy to zone 7, so in colder climates it is grown as an annual. It loves hot, dry weather, so is good for edging along pavement or flagstone, in rock gardens and in containers. To learn more about this plant that flowers in white or purple, read this article…
“Lightening bug” and “firefly” are common names for a number of insects that are neither bugs nor flies. These insects that produce light at night are actually beetles, and are often overlooked during the day as they rest on foliage. Another thing most people don’t know about these insects is that the immature stage is a beneficial predator. To learn more about fireflies, read this article…
There are several species of perennial foliage plants in the genus Asarum that make great ground covers for shady sites. European wild ginger and the North American wild ginger are the most commonly used as landscape plants. Both have interesting, but inconspicuous, dark-colored flowers. Learn more about wild ginger in this article…
Campanula carpatica is a low growing herbaceous perennial from the Carpathian Mountains of southeastern Europe. One of the best selections of this species is the ‘Clips’ series. These plants form neat mounds of light green foliage about a foot wide and 6-8 inches tall and remain in clumps that spread only slowly. To learn more about these attractive perennials, read this article…
