Majestic yet unpretentious biennial plants for shady spots and cottage gardens. Latin Digitalis purpurea Family: Plantaginaceae Difficulty Easy Season & Zone Exposure: Full sun to shade Zone: 3-9 Timing Direct sow outdoors after last frost for flowers the following year....
Continue ReadingGeneral Celosia is a relative of Amaranth, and native to the highlands of East Africa where it is known in Swahili as mfungu. Today’s cultivated Celosias have been selected for the brightness of their colours and compactness of growth. You...
Continue ReadingNemophila menziesii is an annual that is known as Baby Blue Eyes. Cool, moist, light, well-drained soil is best. Grow in partial shade where summer soils get hot. Plants can die from excessive heat. Nemophila may self sow if conditions are...
Continue ReadingGaura is native to the southern United States, so it thrives in hot, dry environments, and is useful for xeriscaping. Latin Gaura lindheimeri Difficulty Easy Season & Zone Exposure: Full sun Zone: 6-9 Timing Start this perennial Gaura indoors 8-10...
Continue ReadingHere are some notes on how to grow Echinacea. Hardy perennial plants broadly referred to as Coneflowers. Latin Echinacea purpurea Family: Asteraceae Difficulty Easy Season & Zone Exposure: Full sun Zone: 3-9 Timing Sow indoors 8-10 weeks before planting out....
Continue ReadingIberis umbellata is an annual plant originating in Spain. It is a distant relative of the cabbage. Latin Iberis umbellata Family: Brassicaceae Difficulty Easy Season & Zone Exposure: Full sun – some afternoon shade is appreciated Zone: 1-10 Timing Start...
Continue ReadingCosmidium is a superb annual for bedding or baskets. Philippine stays nice and compact and flowers until frost. Latin Cosmidium burridgeanum Difficulty Easy Season & Zone Exposure: Full sun Zone: 2-10 Timing Like Cosmos, Cosmidium can be started indoors, but...
Continue ReadingCleome is very easy to grow once established, and may work best from direct-sown seeds. Any ordinary garden soil will work, including dry areas once plants are established. Cleome self-sows with gusto, so if you want to avoid this, remove...
Continue ReadingHardy, but short-lived perennial. Usually grown as an annual. Follow along with this handy How to Grow California Poppies Guide and grow some history.! Grows to 5–60 in (13–152 cm) tall, with alternately branching glaucous blue-green foliage. The leaves are divided into round, lobed...
Continue ReadingFamiliar annuals with intensely coloured flowers. Sometimes listed as Edging Lobelia. When I Get My Seedling HomeKeep seedlings under very bright light to prevent legginess. Artificial lights are ideal, but a bright (ideally, south-facing) room will work for the...
Continue ReadingNicotiana flowering tobacco looks timeless in the garden, adding height and airy lightness to any sunny spot. Water during hot, dry spells. Deadhead frequently to keep plants looking neat and to prolong flowering. Stake in windy exposures. Aphids can be blasted...
Continue ReadingThis annual Rudbeckia is commonly known as Black Eyed Susan, but also answers to such folksy names as Brown Betty, Brown Daisy, Brown Eyed Susan, Golden Jerusalem, Poor-land Daisy, Yellow Daisy, and Yellow Ox-Eye Daisy. This wonderful, fun flower comes...
Continue ReadingHardy annuals and perennials that are variously known as pansies, Johnny-Jump-Up, and Heartsease. Zone: 3-10 When I Get My Seedling HomeKeep seedlings under very bright light to prevent legginess. Artificial lights are ideal, but a bright (ideally, south-facing) room will...
Continue ReadingFollow along with this handy How to Grow Asclepias guide and enjoy butterflies, hummingbirds, and a host of other pollinators in your garden. When transplanted seedlings are 10-15cm (4-6″) tall, pinch back the growing tip to encourage multiple flowering points. Asclepias...
Continue ReadingFalse Queen Anne’s Lace or Bishop’s Weed are common names for this attractive, naturalistic looking annual flower. Ammi grows stiffly upright stems topped by umbelliferous flowers that are attractive to pollinators and predatory insects. Flower heads can reach 15cm (6″)...
Continue ReadingLet us show you how to grow Alyssum from seed using these tried and true techniques. Alyssum is an easy-to-grow annual that is both decorative and useful. It plays a key role in Companion Planting and can be used as...
Continue ReadingAgastache is very attractive to bees. Plant a row away from the garden to lure cabbage moths away from Brassica crops. Do not plant near radishes. Agastache is a hardy perennial also known as Giant Hyssop, Licorice Mint, or Lavender...
Continue ReadingConsectetur adipiscing elit. Pellentesque eget odio nec me tus congue aliquam. Maecenas con dimentum, ligula vitae suscipit pellentesque, leo mi pharetra est, quis scelerisque nulla ante vitae.
Continue Reading
