Exotic Edibles
Hollyhock– Alcea rosea Origin: Europe Looking for a lovely flowering plant that will draw hummingbirds and butterflies? Why not try the Hollyhock. A hardy biennial, hollyhocks of old were tall, swaying beauties. However, now days these have been replaced in…
Pansy– Viola x Wittrockiana Origin: Europe Pansies thrive in cool weather, bringing bright color to the spring garden then fading in the heat of summer, only to return in full foliage during the autumn months. As edible flowers go,…
Tall Fernleaf Fiddleneck or Bee Plant – Phacelia tanacetifolia Origin: South Western USA and Mexico As we start the New Year, the focus will be on those plants which represent rich biodiversity, playing host to countless organisms in order…
Gerbera Daisy – Gerbera jamesonii Origin: South Africa The Gerbera Daisy produces lovely flowers, which in its natural state are red, yellow or orange. Commercial growers have expanded on the color palette with pink, white, salmon, and crimson blooms. The…
Chive: Allium schoenoprasum Origin: Unknown, possibly Asia Each spring I’m surprised to find my little pot of chive has survived another long cold winter. Over the years, I’ve done little or no mulching but my trusty chive plant not only…
White Dragonflower:Physostegia virginiana alba Origin: Virginia, USA Want to attract butterflies to your garden? Then why not add White Dragonflowers to your outdoor plantings this spring. An easy care perennial, this attractive plant will produce spikes of unusual snapdragon-like white…
Dwarf Korean Lilac – Syringa meyeri Origin: China In my part of the country, we are finally starting to dig out from underneath the snow. One of the events that signals Spring has officially arrived is the blooming of the…
Orchid Trees – Bauhinia ssp. Origin: India, China, and Madagascar Here’s a genus of plants that are definitely favorites. Bauhinias were named in honor of the brothers Bauhin, who were Swiss botanists of the 16th to 17th century. The common…