Stachys byzantina 'Lamb's Ear'
Photo Credit: Tish King

Intro and History

Family: Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ay)
Genus: Stachys (STAK-iss)

Common Names: Lamb's Ears, Wooly Betony, Wooly Hedgenettle

Geranium 'Brookside'
Photo Credit: Tish King


Geranium 'Brookside'
Photo Credit: Tish King

Intro and History

Family: Geraniaceae

Genus: Geranium

Common Names: Cranesbill, Hardy Geranium, Perennial Geranium

Botanically speaking, there are geraniums, and then there are true geraniums. The plants commonly known as geraniums, treated as annuals, and frequently used as bedding, are actually of the genus Pelargonium. The "real" geranium is commonly called Hardy Geranium, or Cranesbill because the elongated seed pod is fancied to resemble the bill of a crane. The scientific name comes from the Greek word for crane, geranos.

Geranium – Pelargonium

Family: Geraniaceae

Genus: Pelargonium

Intro/Brief Description

Echinacea

Genus Echinacea

Family Asteraceae

So many times in our present world we hear about Echinacea and its healing properties. Many take it in pill form. Echinacea is one of the most beautiful perennial flowers that can be added to your perennial flower bed.

Examples

There are many genus of Echinacea. Wikipedia lists the following:
• Echinacea angustifolia - Narrow-leaf Coneflower
• Echinacea atrorubens - Topeka Purple Coneflower
• Echinacea laevigata - Smooth Coneflower, Smooth Purple Coneflower
• Echinacea pallida - Pale Purple Coneflower
• Echinacea paradoxa - Yellow Coneflower, Bush's Purple Coneflower
• Echinacea purpurea - Purple Coneflower, Eastern Purple Coneflower
• Echinacea sanguinea - Sanguin Purple Coneflower
• Echinacea simulata - Wavyleaf Purple Coneflower
• Echinacea tennesseensis - Tennessee Coneflower
E. angustsifolia and E. purpurea are the most common varieties grown in the home flower bed.

Achillea

Intro/Brief Description

Family: Asteraceae

Genus: Achillea L.

Common Name: Yarrow

Achillea is considered an invasive species in some parts of the United States.

Examples

Achillea tomentosa. Common name - wooly yarrow. Usually a low growing mat averaging 6” in height, though sometimes reaching 12”. This rapidly growing plant can easily become evasive. Pull unwanted seedlings as necessary. Hardy in zones 3-8.

H. Fulva 'Tawny'
Photo Credit: Tish King

Daylily

Family: Liliaceae

Genus: Hemerocallis

Intro and History

Hemerocallis (hem-er-o-KAL-is) is the scientific name for daylily. The name is derived from two Greek words for “beauty” and “day”, referring to the fact each beautiful flower lasts only one day. Fortunately for daylily lovers, there are many flower buds on each stalk, and several stalks in each clump of plants, so the flowering period lasts a long time. Also, there are many cultivars that have more than one flowering period.

Hibiscus moscheutos 'Fireball'
Photo Credit: Tish King

Intro/Brief Description

Hibiscus

Family: Malvaceae

Genus: Hibiscus

The name "hibiscus" comes from hibiskos, the Greek name for the common marsh mallow. Interestingly enough, the marsh mallow is not actually a hibiscus, but a close family member, Althaea officinalis.

Primula

Family: Primulaceae

Genus: Primula

Intro/Brief Description

Primula comes from the Latin prima which means first. Primula are among the first flowers to bloom in the spring. Its common name is primrose.

There are more than 500 species in this genus. The genus Primula is believed to have originated in many parts of the world including China and France. Species within the genus have originated in many parts of the world. It is a popular house and garden plant in Europe, where many of the species originated in alpine meadows. Although most Primula are perennials there are a few biennials.

Sage

Family Lamiaceae

Genus Salvia

Intro/Brief Description

Salvia, or sage, is a 900-species strong genus of the family Laminaceae. It is one of the most versatile, robust and forgiving of border plants. Salvia is valued for its easy cultivation and wide variety of colorful flowers and foliage.

This bushy perennial probably originated in Syria and spread through the world via trade routes. It is also famed for its medicinal properties so it comes as no surprise to learn that it is named for the Latin verb “to heal.” Sage is said to help calm the nerves and soothe ailments of the throat as well as aiding in the digestion of meat. This explains its use as an ingredient in poultry stuffing. American Indians use S. apiana for purification rituals and S. divinorum is famed as an hallucinogen.

Rudbeckia

Family Asteraceae

Genus Rudbeckia

Introduction

This great wildflower of North America is among the famous group of wildflowers that inhabit the prairies. The Black Eyed Susans were the first to become domesticated garden flowers. The genus was classified by Linnaeus who chose to name it in honor of his mentor and friend, Olof Rudbeck (1660-1740). There are over 30 species native to America. This species is found in moist meadows of Michigan, south to Missouri and West Virginia. The species was classified by English botanist William Aiton (1731-1793). "Goldsturm" is an old German seed strain that has proven far better under cultivation although it is hotly debated whether there is a difference between R.F. var sullivantii and Goldsturm.