Fabulous Fleabane
Fleabane. Photo is probably of Erigeron speciosus. Everything about the fabulous Fleabane flower is interesting, and even a little amusing. Named Fleabane to describe its herbal anti-insect properties, it is in fact in its live state highly attractive to a
Black-eyed Susan
If you live in North America, you have seen Black-eyed Susans dotting the countryside since you were old enough to ask how this attractive sunshine flower got its name. Wildflower species of the Black-eyed Susan, such a familiar sight on
Russian Sage
Perovskia atriplicifolia. Russian Sage. When you see, and catch the scent, of the tall, spicy Russian sage in full bloom, you will want this woody perennial in your home garden. With its airy, lavender flower spikes in bloom from July
Old-fashioned Hollyhocks in the Urban Garden
Many people have seen colourful beds of tall hollyhocks blooming in farm gardens, alongside an old barn or wooden shed, or backed by white planking along the sunny side of a country home. The lovely flowers, in white, pink, rose
Virginia Creeper Makes an Ideal “Living Wall”
Parthenocissus quinquefolia. Virgina Creeper. When I hear the term “living wall,” which interior designers generally use to refer to a wall of plants inside of a building, often with a water feature nearby, I invariably think of an outside wall
Sweet Wild Raspberrries
Rubus idaeus (probably). Wild Raspberries. Some years ago, bird droppings apparently contained some raspberry seeds and, through a random process of site selection, these were deposited into our yard alongside our garage into an existing garden bed. When I saw
Trustworthy Daylilies
Hemerocallis fulva. Tawny Daylily. If flowers were actors, the familiar orange daylily would be the seasoned, and still keen, member of the troupe who performs steadily on the job, shows up every day to put on the same stellar performance,
Peonies – the Grand Dames of the Garden
Some of us like having old plants in our gardens in the same way that other people like having antique furniture in their homes. Peonies in our gardens are often decades old, and while everyone will protest that that is
Sensational Cosmos
While some gardeners prefer mainly annuals or all perennials, if you are like me you like to have a mix of both. Perennials are the mainstay of my garden, but I find that the garden looks a little fresher and
Campanula glomerata
Campanula glomerata “superba.” Clustered bellflower. Clustered bellflowers make superb cutting flowers. Mine have been steady bloomers each summer for at least a dozen years, and they have brightened many an early summer bouquet as well as adding a burst of
