Hyacinth is a sweetly fragrant flower originated in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Asia Minor. According to an ancient Greek legend, the name of this plant comes from the blood of young Hyakinthos. After the god Zephyr killed this handsome boy, Apollo named this lovely flower after him. A German doctor Leonhardt Rauwolf brought Hyacinths … Read more
Ferns (Monilophyte, filicophyta, true fern) are basically tropical plants, but a few species grow in the Arctic as well. Nowadays, there are about 15 000 ferns species in the world, of which 10 560 are officially registered. A total of 441 originate in North America and 175 in Europe. I am amazed at the fact … Read more
Coneflower is definitely one of the best America’s 3 to 4 feet (91.5 cm – 1.2 m) tall perennial prairie plants. Thanks to its lovely, white, yellow, orange, pink, red, or purple daisy-like blooms, it is an ideal choice for a xeric garden, borders, and native-grass lawns. All ten species of this drought-tolerant plant originated in … Read more
Balloon flower (Chinese Bellflower, Japanese bellflower) is an easy-to-grow plant originated in Russia, Japan, Korea, and China. It got its name because of flower buds reminding to a hot air balloon right before blooming. You will adore white, blue, pink, or purple, single or double flowers appearing on 2 to 3 feet (61 – 91.5 … Read more
Chamomile is probably the most ancient medicinal herb, and it was well-known to Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians, who dedicated this fantastic plant to Ra, their sun god. Its name comes from the Greek word ‘Chamaimelon’ meaning ‘the earth-apple’ because the scent of this flower resembles an apple. There are two popular types of this plant – … Read more
Despite its name, Anise hyssop (Lavender giant hyssop, blue giant hyssop, licorice plant, fragrant giant hyssop) is neither anise nor hyssop. It is actually a member of the mint family originating in the Midwest and Canada. You can plant it along borders, or as a part of a unique herb garden or wildflower garden. This beautiful … Read more
Evening primrose is also known as German rampion, evening star, common evening primrose, field primrose, wild four o’clock, king’s cure-all, coffee plant, night willowherb, fever plant, scabbish, and scurvish. It is a highly beneficial and adorable yellow flower opening at night, well-known by a seductive lemon scent. You can eat its young leaves, roots, blossoms, … Read more
Cosmos (Mexican aster) is an annual flower originating in Mexico. Spanish explorers sent it in Spain in the 16th century, and British ambassador’s wife Marchioness of Bute brought first Cosmos to England in 1789. The circle was finished fifty years after that when this beautiful plant came to the US. Until these days, this plant … Read more
Catmint (Dwarf catnip, Catnep, Field balm, Catswort) got its name ‘Nepeta’ after ancient Etruscan city ‘Nepete,’ nowadays known as ‘Nepi’ in Tuscany, Italy. It is known that all of about 250 recognized species of this plant originated in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The special benefit of these pollinators is the possibility to … Read more
Mexican petunia (Purple showers, Texas petunia, tall Mexican petunia, purple ruellia, hardy petunia, Mexican bluebell, Britton’s wild petunia) is a 12 to 15 inches (30.5 – 38 cm) tall multifunctional plant. It is an ideal choice for growing in small spaces, rock gardens, containers, and borders. Also, many gardeners use this deer-resistant and salt-tolerant flower … Read more