|
Acorus calamus . . Sweetflag
. . 2 to 4 ft. . . Sun to lt. shade
. . Zone . . Avg. to wet soil Native
This rhizomatous plant, whose yellow-green, grasslike leaves resemble those of the flag iris, often borders marshes. When cut, the pinkish root is aromatic. Bloom is a spathe consisting of numerous, tiny, brown flowers.
Because of its spicy flavor, the root has been used as a substitute for cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. The rhizomes are also cut into slices and candied as a confection.
Among the American Indians, it was a valued medicine for pain, fever, and digestive troubles, although one to be used cautiously, in small doses.
#1688 . . Quart pot
Agastache foeniculum . . Anise Hyssop
. . 24 in. . . Sun
. . Zones 5 to 9 . . Avg. soil, well drained . . Summer
Native
Anise-scented, mid-green oval leaves on a square stem, with long, purple, bold flower spikes in summer.
A close cousin of the bergamots, it is well worth growing for its scent and flowers, wish are highly attractive to both bees and butterflies. In the late 1800's it was widely planted by beekeepers to produce a fine honey with a slight aniseed flavor.
Leaves may be used fresh in salads, or to make a refreshing tea. Theymay also be chopped and used as a seasoning in pork dishes or rice.
Because the herb increases perspiration and relieves bronchial congestion, it was was used by native Americans to treat coughs.
. . . . Agastache is from the Greek agan very much, and stachys ear of wheat, which describes the flower spikes.
#1672 . . Quart pot
Allium cernuum . . Nodding Onion
. . 12 in. . . Sun to lt. shade
. . Zone 6 . . Avg. soil . . L. Summer to E. Fall
Native
A tall stalk bearing an umbel of lilac pink flowers, which has a drooping tendency, and flat, onion-scented, 1/4" leaves. Deadhead immediately after blooming.
The underground bulbs may be used like those of any onion, as a vegetable or seasoning. If picked before the flower stalks appear, the tender leaves can be cooked as greens, or added raw to salads.
. . . . It was once popular among the native Indians as a spring tonic and for relief of cold symptoms. One superstition says that wearing wild onions around your neck keeps illness away.
#1940 . . Quart pot
Allium schoenoprasum . . Chives
. . 6 to 18 in. . . Sun
. . Zones 3 to 9 . . Avg. soil . . Summer
Europe, Asia
Clump forming with pink to purple flower heads in summer. The familiar culinary chives.
Four inch pots are readily divided into 4 to 6 plants.
The main use in cooking--for a mild onion flavor.
Also has the same medicinal use as onion or garlic, except milder.
#1316 . . Quart pot
Allium senescens . . Curly Chives
. . 6 to 10 in. . . Sun to lt. shade
. . Zones 5-9 . . Avg. soil . . Summer
Europe, Asia
Flattened, curling leaves grow up to 12 inches in length. Long lasting pink to purplish flowers in mid-summer.
Strong onion flavor.
#2145 . . Quart pot
Allium tuberosum . . Garlic Chives
. . 10 to 20 in. . . Sun
. . Zones 4 to 9 . . Avg. soil, well drained Asia
Elegant white flowers in late summer. Leaves are flat, grasslike. Endures heat better than the true chives.
Culinary uses include chopped leaves and flower buds added to salads, cheeses, and stir-fries, but also used as a garnish. Too much cooking destroys the mild onion-garlic flavor; add to soups and stews towards the end of cooking.
Allium tuberosum is used for urinary incontinence, kidney and bladder weakness and stomach chills.
#1663 . . Quart pot
Amsonia ciliata . . Fringed Blue Star
. . 18 to 24 in. . . Sun to lt. shade
. . Zone 5 . . Avg. soil, well drained . . Spring
Native
Clusters of star-shaped, blue flowers in spring. Leaves are very narrow. Primarily found growing in sandhills or sandy woodlands in the Eastern Costal Plain.
#1641 . . Gallon container
Amsonia hubrichtii . . Threadleaf Blue Star
. . To 36 in. . . Sun to lt. shade
. . Zone 5 . . Avg. soil . . Spring
Native
Clusters of star-shaped, blue flowers in spring. Leaves are very narrow, thread-like--adding a fine, feathery texture to the garden.
#1367 . . Quart pot
Amsonia illustris . . Shining Blue Star
. . To 4 ft. . . Sun to mod. shade
. . Zones 5 to 9 . . Avg. soil . . Spring
Native
Willow-like foliage with blue, star-shaped flowers. Can grow taller than the more commonly offered Blue Star A. tabernaemontana. Good yellow fall color.
#1836 . . Quart pot
Amsonia tabernaemontana . . Eastern Blue Star
. . 24 to 36 in. . . Sun to mod. shade
. . Zones 4 to 9 . . Avg. soil . . Spring
Native
Panicles of star-shaped, steel blue flowers in spring. Narrow, willow-like leaves. Plants develop into thick, multi-stemmed clumps at maturity.
#1350 . . Quart pot
Anemone virginiana . . Thimbleweed
. . To 36 in. . . Sun to lt. shade
. . To Zone ? . . Avg. soil . . Summer
Native
Creamy white 1 1/2 in. flowers sometimes blushed with green. Summer. Thimble shaped seed heads. Deeply lobed leaves turn red in fall.
Used as a poultice for burns by several Indian tribes.
#1037 . . Quart pot
Aquilegia canadensis . . Wild Columbine
. . 12 to 18 in. . . Sun to mod. shade
. . Zones 3 to 9 . . Avg. soil, well drained . . Spring
Native
Nodding flowers are red-, streaked with yellow. Spring bloom. Attractive divided foliage. An excellent garden plant.
Wild Columbine does best with a few hours of direct sun and well drained, loose soil. The medium textured, light green foliage makes it a valuable landscape plant long after the blooms fade. Highly recommended.
Used herbally as a diuretic, diaphoretic, tonic and laxative. The seeds were crushed and used by some native tribes as a perfume.
#1040 . . Quart pot
Arisaema triphyllum . . Jack In The Pulpit
. . 8 to 32 in. . . Lt. to full shade
. . Zones 4 to 8 . . Rich, moist soil . . Spring
Native
Familiar woodlander. Colorful spathe is striped with purple and/or white. Cluster of shiny red berries from late summer into fall.
A well known (34 common names are listed in one reference) plant that is almost required in any woodland garden.
Several medicinal uses are given for the plant, although many sources consider it toxic.
#1251 . . Quart pot
Asclepias incarnata . . Swamp Milkweed
. . 2 to 5 ft. . . Sun to lt. shade
. . Zones 4 to 9 . . Avg. to wet soil . . Summer
Native
Flat topped, rose-pink flower heads with a vanilla-ish scent in mid-summer. Lance shaped leaves on strong unbranched stems. Highly regarded butterfly plant.
Despite the name, Swamp Milkweed does not require a soggy habitat. It will do fine in average garden soil. A local butterfly club considers it the best butterfly plant. The graceful dried seedpods, which appear in the fall, are an excellent accent in dried arrangements.
The fibrous stem was used by Native Americans in the manufacture of rope, thread and fishing line.
Used medicinally for dropsy, asthma and dysentery.
#1041 . . Quart pot
Aster lateriflorus?? . . Small Blue Aster
. . . . . . . . L. Summer to E. Fall
#1452 . . Quart pot
|
