Archives: Plants

Vinca minor, commonly called periwinkle or creeping myrtle, is an evergreen, mat-forming subshrub prized as a tough groundcover for shady sites. Its slender, trailing stems root at the nodes to form dense carpets 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) tall. Opposite, leathery leaves are glossy dark green (often variegated in cultivars) and hold year-round. In spring it bears solitary, five-lobed, pinwheel-like flowers, typically violet-blue, with sporadic rebloom in cool weather. Adaptable to a range of soils, it prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral conditions but will tolerate brief drought once established. Hardy in USDA Zones 4-9, it is notably resistant to deer and rabbits and helps control erosion on slopes or beneath trees where turf struggles. Because it spreads by runners, it can escape cultivation and become invasive in some regions; avoid planting near natural areas and dispose of clippings responsibly. All parts contain vinca alkaloids and are toxic if ingested by pets or people. Low-maintenance, it is easily propagated by division, layering, or softwood cuttings and benefits from occasional pruning to keep edges tidy.

Leucanthemum vulgare, commonly called oxeye daisy, is a hardy herbaceous perennial in the aster family (Asteraceae). It forms clumps and spreads by short rhizomes and prolific seed. Erect, branching stems reach 12–36 in (30–90 cm). Basal leaves are spoon-shaped and coarsely toothed; upper leaves are narrower and sessile. Flower heads 2–3 in (5–7.5 cm) wide feature bright white rays surrounding a yellow, domed disk and bloom from late spring into summer. It prefers full sun and well-drained, moderately fertile to lean soils, yet tolerates poor, gravelly sites once established. The flowers are excellent for pollinators, attracting bees, hoverflies, and butterflies. In favorable conditions it can naturalize aggressively and is considered invasive in some regions. Deadheading limits self-seeding and prolongs bloom. Cold hardy in USDA zones 3–9, it withstands severe winters and moderate drought. Foliage is somewhat bitter; sap may irritate sensitive skin. Often confused with Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum), oxeye daisy is generally shorter with smaller, earlier blooms.

Cornus mas, commonly called Cornelian cherry dogwood, is a hardy, long-lived deciduous large shrub or small tree native to Europe and western Asia. Typically 4–8 m tall with a dense, rounded crown, it flowers very early—late winter to early spring—producing small, bright yellow blossoms in tight umbels on bare wood, providing valuable nectar and pollen for early pollinators. Leaves are opposite, ovate, and conspicuously veined; fall color is usually yellow to russet. By late summer, glossy, olive-shaped drupes ripen from red to deep crimson-black; fully ripe fruits are tart but flavorful, used for fresh eating, preserves, syrups, and liqueurs. Bark becomes gray-brown and exfoliating with age; wood is notably dense and fine-grained. Adaptable to a range of soils, including calcareous substrates, it prefers well-drained conditions and becomes moderately drought-tolerant once established. It serves as an attractive specimen, hedge, or small orchard tree, offering four-season interest, edible yield, and significant wildlife value.

Geranium macrorrhizum, commonly called bigroot geranium, is a hardy, rhizomatous perennial in the Geraniaceae known for its aromatic, semi-evergreen foliage and exceptional groundcover performance. Forming dense, weed-suppressing mats, it typically reaches 12–18 inches tall with a spread of 18–30 inches via thick, creeping rhizomes. The palmately lobed leaves are resinous and strongly fragrant when bruised, often reddening in cool weather for extended seasonal interest. In late spring to early summer, clusters of five-petaled flowers appear in shades from magenta-pink to pale rose and white, with showy sepals and prominent stamens that attract bees and other pollinators. After flowering, beak-like seed capsules (“cranesbill”) develop. The species thrives in dry to mesic shade, tolerates thin, rocky soils, and remains notably deer and rabbit resistant. Its toughness, tolerance of urban conditions, and low maintenance needs make it ideal for edging, slopes, dry shade under trees, and naturalistic plantings. Numerous cultivars offer varied flower colors and foliage tones.

Allium ursinum, commonly called wild garlic or ramsons, is a hardy, bulb-forming perennial of damp, deciduous woodlands across Europe and western Asia. Emerging in late winter to early spring, it forms carpets of soft green, lanceolate leaves (10–25 cm long) that release a distinctive garlic aroma when bruised. In mid-spring, leafless scapes hold loose, starry white umbels that attract early pollinators. After flowering, the foliage naturally withers as the plant enters summer dormancy, the bulbs resting until the following season. It spreads by seed and bulb division, naturalizing readily where conditions suit—moist, humus-rich, slightly acidic to neutral soils with cool shade. Valued both ornamentally and culinarily, the leaves are harvested sparingly for their mild garlic flavor. In cultivation, it thrives beneath deciduous trees, in woodland gardens, and in shaded containers kept evenly moist in spring. Good identification is essential in the wild, as toxic look-alikes share similar habitats.

Anthriscus sylvestris, commonly called cow parsley or wild chervil, is a vigorous, short-lived perennial or biennial umbellifer native to Europe and western Asia. It forms a basal rosette of finely divided, fern-like, tripinnate leaves, then sends up hollow, grooved stems 60–120 cm tall topped with airy, flat-topped umbels of small white flowers in late spring to early summer. The lacey inflorescences are magnets for pollinators and beneficial insects. It self-seeds freely and can form drifts along hedgerows and roadsides, lending a soft, frothy look. Preferring moist, well-drained, moderately fertile soils, it tolerates a range of conditions from sun to partial shade and is hardy to severe frost. While the young leaves are sometimes foraged, identification must be certain because it resembles toxic umbellifers such as poison hemlock. In some regions (e.g., parts of North America and New Zealand), it behaves invasively, so deadheading or controlled cultivation is recommended to limit spread.

Arum maculatum, commonly known as Lords-and-ladies, is a hardy, tuberous woodland perennial native to much of Europe. It emerges in late winter to early spring with glossy, arrow-shaped leaves that may feature dark purple blotches. In spring, it produces a pale-green, hooded spathe that encloses a central spadix; the spadix often turns purplish and emits a faint carrion scent to attract small flies, which become briefly trapped and effect pollination. After flowering, the foliage quickly withers as the plant enters summer dormancy, leaving an erect spike of vivid orange-red berries that ripen in early to midsummer. All parts, especially the berries, are highly toxic to humans and pets due to calcium oxalate crystals. In suitable conditions it can self-seed and form naturalized colonies in humus-rich, lightly alkaline woodland soils. It is best appreciated in shaded borders, wild gardens, and under deciduous trees where it complements early spring displays before the canopy closes.

Campsis radicans is a vigorous, deciduous woody vine native to eastern North America, celebrated for its showy, trumpet-shaped flowers that range from orange to scarlet and bloom profusely from midsummer into early fall. The blooms, 5–9 cm long, are magnets for hummingbirds and pollinators. Opposite, pinnate leaves with 7–11 serrated leaflets create a lush, tropical effect. The plant climbs via aerial rootlets that adhere strongly to masonry and bark, and it also spreads by suckers, making it both a dynamic landscape feature and a potential garden bully without firm containment. Long, bean-like seed pods follow flowering. It thrives in full sun and tolerates poor soils, drought, and urban conditions once established. While not systemically poisonous, the sap can irritate skin, giving rise to the nickname “cow-itch vine.” Best used on sturdy arbors, fences, or dedicated trellises away from delicate structures, it provides spectacular seasonal color and wildlife value when managed prudently.

Tanacetum vulgare, commonly called common tansy, is an aromatic, rhizomatous perennial in the Asteraceae family native to Europe and temperate Asia and widely naturalized elsewhere. It forms upright clumps 50–150 cm tall with strongly scented, fernlike, pinnately divided leaves that are deeply toothed. Flat-topped clusters of bright yellow, button-like flower heads (disc florets only, no rays) appear from mid- to late summer and are highly attractive to many pollinating and predatory insects. Spreading rhizomes and prolific seed set allow it to naturalize aggressively, sometimes becoming invasive in disturbed sites. Historically used as a culinary herb, dye plant, and insect repellent, it contains thujone and other compounds that render it toxic if ingested and potentially irritating to skin. It thrives in full sun, well-drained soils, and lean conditions, tolerating drought, wind, and poor fertility once established.

Sorbus aucuparia, commonly called European rowan, is a small to medium deciduous tree in the rose family (Rosaceae), native to cool-temperate Europe and western Asia. It typically reaches 8–12 m (26–40 ft) tall with a narrow, upright to rounded crown and light, open canopy. Leaves are pinnate with 9–19 serrated leaflets that turn yellow, orange, and crimson in autumn. Showy, flat corymbs of creamy-white, musky-scented flowers appear in late spring and attract pollinators. Abundant clusters of orange-red, berry-like pomes follow, often persisting into winter and providing a vital food source for thrushes and other birds. It thrives on acidic, well-drained soils and is naturally found on upland heaths, forest edges, rocky slopes, and along ravines, tolerating wind and cold. Despite the common name, it is unrelated to true ash (Fraxinus). The cooked fruit is used for jellies, while raw berries can upset the stomach. Fast growing when young, it can be short-lived in hot, lowland climates and may be susceptible to fire blight, scab, and cankers.