Archives: Plants

Stachys byzantina, commonly called lamb’s ear, is a low, mat-forming perennial prized for its velvety, silver-gray foliage that resembles the feel and shape of a lamb’s ear. The softly pubescent leaves form dense rosettes that spread into a drought-tolerant groundcover, suppressing weeds and adding luminous texture to borders and pathways. In late spring to early summer, upright stems carry small, rosy-purple flowers that attract bees, though many growers shear the stalks to keep the carpet tidy. Native to dry regions of Western Asia, it thrives in well-drained, lean soils and is notably tolerant of heat and poor fertility, yet it resents humidity and persistent wetness, which can cause crown rot. Foliage can be semi-evergreen in mild winters and is deer- and rabbit-resistant. It’s ideal for edging, xeriscapes, and sensory gardens where its tactile leaves invite touch. In hot climates, afternoon shade helps preserve color and form; in cool, sunny sites, it excels with minimal care.

Impatiens walleriana, commonly known as Busy Lizzie, is a tender, shade-loving perennial usually grown as a warm-season annual for nonstop blooms. Native to the moist understories of eastern Africa, it forms compact, mounding plants 20–45 cm tall with succulent stems and glossy, serrated, oval leaves. Flowers appear freely from late spring until frost in a wide palette—white, pink, coral, red, lavender, and bi-colors—in single or double forms. The genus name refers to its explosive seed capsules that disperse seeds when touched. Garden impatiens thrive in evenly moist, well-drained, humus-rich media and are particularly valued for brightening deep shade and containers. While historically ubiquitous in bedding schemes, the species has faced downy mildew outbreaks; newer resistant series help restore dependable performance. With proper moisture, filtered light, and good airflow, plants remain lush and floriferous for months. Indoors, they make cheerful seasonal houseplants when given bright, indirect light and consistent hydration.

Lunaria annua is a short-lived biennial in the mustard family (Brassicaceae), prized for its papery, silvery seedpods used in dried arrangements. In its first year it forms a coarse, heart-shaped leaf rosette; in the second spring it sends up branching stems 60–90 cm tall bearing loose clusters of four-petaled flowers in shades of purple, lilac, or white. The blooms are lightly fragrant and attract bees and early butterflies. After flowering, flat, round seedpods (silicles) develop; when the outer layers weather away, a translucent central membrane remains, resembling coins. Native to the Balkans and parts of southwestern Asia, it has naturalized widely across Europe and North America, especially along woodland edges and hedgerows. It thrives in moist, well-drained, moderately fertile soils and partial shade, tolerating sun in cool climates. The plant self-sows readily, often persisting in cottage gardens with minimal care.

Kniphofia uvaria is a clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial in the Asphodelaceae, prized for its dramatic torch-like flower spikes that shift from red to orange to yellow as tubular florets open from the base upward. Native to South Africa, it forms fans of narrow, arching, grass-like leaves and sends up stout, leafless scapes from late spring through summer, with repeat flushes where conditions are favorable. Plants typically reach 2–5 ft (0.6–1.5 m) tall in bloom and attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, making them excellent for wildlife-friendly borders. Best performance occurs in full sun and sharply drained, moderately fertile soil. Once established, it is drought-tolerant, yet prolonged winter wet can cause crown rot—raise the crown slightly and avoid heavy, waterlogged sites. Remove spent spikes to prolong flowering and tidy the clump; divide every 3–5 years to maintain vigor. Kniphofia uvaria is widely grown in temperate regions, where it lends strong vertical accents and vibrant, sunset colors to mixed borders, gravel gardens, and coastal plantings.

Clematis viticella, commonly called Italian clematis, is a vigorous, deciduous climber prized for its profuse summer bloom and forgiving nature. Native to southern Europe, it climbs by twining leaf petioles, reaching 3–5 m when given a trellis, fence, or shrub to scramble through. The species bears an abundance of 4-petaled, bell- to star-shaped flowers in shades of violet, plum, or mauve, often with contrasting stamens; numerous cultivars expand the color range. Foliage is pinnate and light, giving an airy texture that mixes beautifully with roses and other shrubs. Bloom occurs on the current season’s growth, so plants are reliably floriferous after a hard late-winter prune. Compared with large-flowered hybrids, viticella types show stronger resistance to clematis wilt and tolerate heat better, provided their roots are kept cool and evenly moist. Plant in fertile, well-drained soil with the crown set slightly below grade, mulch generously, and provide sturdy support. With sun on top and shade at the base, this classic climber rewards gardeners with months of color.

Cynara cardunculus, commonly called cardoon or artichoke thistle, is a robust, architectural perennial in the Asteraceae native to the Mediterranean. Plants form a statuesque rosette of silvery, deeply lobed, spiny leaves and send up flowering stems 1.5–2.5 m tall topped with large violet thistle heads that attract bees and other pollinators. Cardoon is grown both as an ornamental for its dramatic texture and as a vegetable for its edible, blanched leaf-stalks; the closely related globe artichoke (C. cardunculus var. scolymus) is cultivated for its edible flower buds. Adapted to mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers, it develops a deep taproot that confers notable drought tolerance once established, provided soil is well drained. It thrives in fertile, neutral to slightly alkaline soils and full sun. Handle with care due to sharp spines, and deadhead to limit self-seeding. In favorable climates it can naturalize aggressively, especially on disturbed sites.

Austrocylindropuntia subulata, commonly called Eve’s needle cactus, is a vigorous, tree-forming opuntioid native to the high Andes of Peru. It bears upright, branching cylindrical stems studded with areoles that produce stout, pale spines and distinctive, fleshy subulate (awl-shaped) leaves on new growth—features unusual among cacti. In habitat it can reach several meters, though in containers it usually stays 0.6–1.5 m. Flowers are tubular and pinkish to reddish, but blooming indoors is infrequent. This species thrives in intense sun, lean mineral soils, and arid air, developing a sculptural, columnar habit over time. It is drought tolerant yet benefits from deep, infrequent watering during the warm season. The plant propagates readily from cuttings and can naturalize in mild, dry climates, where fragments root easily. While not chemically toxic, its sharp spines can cause mechanical injury, so site it away from paths and handle with care.

Nepeta racemosa, commonly known as dwarf catmint, is a compact, aromatic perennial in the mint family (Lamiaceae). It forms low, spreading mounds 20–40 cm tall and wide, with silvery-gray, softly hairy, ovate leaves that have scalloped margins and release a minty fragrance when brushed. Square stems carry short racemes of small, two-lipped lavender-blue to violet flowers from late spring well into summer; a light shear can prompt rebloom. Native to the Caucasus and adjacent regions, it thrives in sunny, well-drained, often calcareous soils and shows excellent drought tolerance once established. The nectar-rich blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, while cats may show interest though typically less than with true catnip (Nepeta cataria). Its tidy, mounding habit makes it ideal for edging paths, rock and gravel gardens, and dry borders, weaving neatly around stones and companions without becoming invasive. Deer and rabbit resistance, long flowering, and low maintenance recommend it for water-wise landscapes and containers with sharp drainage.

Pentaglottis sempervirens, commonly known as green alkanet, is a vigorous, evergreen perennial in the borage family (Boraginaceae). It forms dense clumps of coarse, bristly, heart- to lance-shaped leaves that persist through winter. In spring to early summer, upright stems to about 60–90 cm bear many small, five-petaled, gentian-blue flowers with a distinct white eye, reminiscent of forget-me-nots but on a larger, more robust plant. It thrives in moist, partially shaded sites and is valued for feeding early pollinators such as bees. Green alkanet spreads readily by self-seeding and has a deep, often blackish taproot, making established plants difficult to remove. It tolerates a range of soils, including heavier clays, and favors neutral to alkaline conditions. While excellent for naturalistic borders and woodland edges, it can become weedy if not managed. The bristly foliage may irritate sensitive skin, and ingestion is discouraged due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids found in many borage relatives. It is best suited to outdoor sites rather than containers or indoor culture.

Iris × germanica, commonly called the bearded iris, is a classic rhizomatous perennial prized for its sword-like fans of glaucous leaves and showy, frilled flowers with distinctive “beards” of fuzzy hairs on the falls. A historical garden hybrid with Mediterranean ancestry, it forms clumps from shallow, horizontally creeping rhizomes that prefer to bask near the soil surface. Bloom time is typically late spring to early summer, with some reblooming cultivars flowering again in late season. Flowers span a vast palette—from soft pastels to saturated bicolors—and are attractive to pollinators. Plants are drought-tolerant once established, provided drainage is excellent, and they benefit from good air circulation to prevent rhizome rot. In the landscape, bearded irises excel in borders, cottage gardens, and xeric plantings, where their architectural foliage offers structure beyond the bloom period. Division every few years maintains vigor and flowering. Though hardy and long-lived, they demand sun, lean-to-moderate fertility, and careful planting depth so rhizomes remain partially exposed to warmth and light.