Exotic Edibles
Month-by-month growing information
Loquat – Eriobotrya japonica Origin: China Last month I gave a plant talk at the Erie Cage Bird Association. Afterwards, the club held a raffle of plants which I had donated. One of the main attractions was a little loquat…
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…
Swiss Chard “Beta Bright Lights”– Beta vulgaris cicia Origin: New Zealand During these hot days of summer, it’s refreshing to have a garden green that stands up to the high temperatures. Not only is Bright Lights Swiss Chard heat resistant,…
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,…
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…
Red Chokeberry – Aronia arbutifolia Origin: Eastern USA Continuing along the theme of biodiversity and encouraging a balance ecosystem, I would like to introduce a plant which makes a wonderful songbird sanctuary. The Red Chokeberry is native from Massachusetts to…
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…
Christmas Wintergreen – Gaultheria procumbens Origin: Northeast USA One of the most useful edible plants native to the United States, the tiny Christmas Wintergreen adds a bright spot of color to a drab winter landscape. This gem grows a scant…
Chinese Evergreen – Aglaonema crispum Origin: Southeast Asia Have a spot that doesn’t get that much light but could use a plant to brighten things up? Look no further than the Chinese Evergreen. Its showy foliage will make it stand…
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…
Apple or Manzano Banana – Musa spp. Origin: Asia (Probably) The name of this wonderful banana pretty much says it all…delicious! Living in the northern climes has pretty much discouraged any ideas that I had about growing bananas which actually…