Exotic Edibles
Month-by-month growing information
Japanese Striped Maize – Zea mays japonica Origin – See below The origins of this striking maize with its dramatic cream, green, and raspberry-pink striped foliage is the subject of some debate. In the Gardener’s Chronicle of 1866, this variety…
Alpine Strawberry – Fragaria vesca Origin – Cousin of the wild strawberry found in Europe, Western Asia, North America, and temperate areas of Chile. These lovely little plants fruit their first summer, producing small elongated berries with a very…
Lemon Catnip – Nepeta cataria v. citrata Origin: Variation of the heirloom catnip. Developed in Holland These lemon-scented leaves get a big non-opposable thumbs-up from our resident catnip expert, Mini-Me. You can use them dried or fresh from the…
Dandelion – Taraxacum officinale Origin: Northern Temperate Zone No, this isn’t an April Fool’s joke, I’m serious! Although now days many folks consider this a #@%& weed, it has been valued as a tasty harbinger of Spring and medicinal herb…
Rajapuri Banana – Musa spp. Origin: India This banana’s well deserved nickname is “bullet proof”. It is the best plant to grow in areas where the grower doesn’t intend to put much care into it’s cultivation. I’ve also had…
Blue Hesper Palm – Brahea armata Origin: Mexico This native from the desert springs of Baja, California is one of the hardiest palms available. They can handle intense heat, drought, withstand considerable frost and tolerates at least down to 14…
Singapore Holly – Malpighia coccigera Origin: Asia This is a great plant to kick off the new year. Singapore Holly is an easy keeper, produces a cloud of lovely pink flowers, and the red berry-looking fruit is not only edible…
Madagascar Palm – Pachypodium lamerei Origin: Madagascar The island of Madagascar is known for it’s wide variety of unique flora (and fauna). Even though it has substantially less land mass, it has many more species of palms than the neighboring…
NOVEMBER Highbush Cranberry – Viburnum trilobum Origin: North America Since we are coming into the holiday season, I thought I would pick a plant that would capture the spirit of giving. The Highbush Cranberry is an easily grown native shrub…
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…
SEPTEMBER Purira Chile Pepper Capsicum frutescens Origin: South America You’ve heard folks boast about how hot the Habanero is…well, this pepper has a burn that’s equal to or more. The Purira bears an abundant supply of sizzling hot fruits that…
Texas Hummingbird Sage Origin: South West USA & Mexico A member of the Lamiaceae or Mint family, this scarlet sage is a favorite of hummingbirds and butterflies. It is a perennial in warmer climates and an annual where winter’s low…