Exotic Edibles
Practical advice for successful plant care
Rouge d’Etampes Pumpkin – “Cucurbita pepo” Origin: France We just got done this morning pulling the last of these pumpkins out of our garden…this year was a bumper crop! Also known as the “Cinderella” pumpkin, Rouge d’Etampes grow into a…
Thai Hot Peppers aka “Thai Dragons” – Capsicum frutescens Origin: Asia Hot peppers have gained in popularity over the past few years, due in part to the fact that even marginal gardeners can successfully grow them. Another selling point is…
Gourmet Greens – Amaranthus spp., Brassica spp., Lepidium spp Etc.. Origin: World Healthy, tasty, full of nutrition and rich in dietary fiber, Gourmet Greens are wonderful. Not only are they easy to grow, even in northern climates, with the aid…
Purple Majesty Ornamental Millet – Pennisetum glaucum Origin: USA This winner of the 2003 All-America Selections committee is indeed a very special plant. Not only did this millet win the Gold Medal, which is awarded typically only once or twice…
Winter Squash – Cucurbita maxima Origin: Mexico This month will focus on a particular group of plants within a genus, the winter squash. They differ from summer squash in that it is harvested and consumed in the mature stage, when…
Stevia – Stevia rebaudiana Also known as Caa’he-e (Ca-he-he) by South American Indians Origin – Paraguay and Brazil This herb which grows wild as a small shrub is one of the world’s sweetest kept secrets. It’s leaves have been used…
Hardy Starter Bamboos Phyllostachys nigra, “Bory”, purpurata Origin: China The diversity of bamboo is incredible. It has evolved to fill a variety of ecological niches ranging from the tropics to Alpine regions, from rain forest to dry chaparral, and from…