THE GREEN THUMB ALMANAC 

It is not uncommon, in the botanical world, to identify a plant from a leaf sample. The shape, texture or color of a leaf can give you a clue as to what it's botanical name might be. Also, if you know the botanical name of a plant, you can often get an idea of what it might look like. For instance, Helianthus salicifolius, is also known as Willow-leaved Sunflower. Salicifolius means 'with willow-like leaves.' The following is a partial list of descriptive speci...

Asclepias tuberosa - Butterfly Weed

• Height: 2 - 3' T x 2' W
  
• Hardiness:  USDA hardiness zones 4 - 9
  
• Uses:  Meadow or Prairie Gardens, Beds & Borders, Cut Flower

For generations nothing has quite said 'Merry Christmas' like a bright red poinsettia...but why should we have to settle for just red?  Now is the time for millenials and those non-traditionalists among us to celebrate because the poinsettia world has exploded with a variety of new colors!

Here are four...

Alocasia macrorrhiza 'Calidora'  Upright Elephant Ear

• Height:  12' - 15'  tall and 6' - 8'  wide
  
• Hardiness:  USDA hardiness zone 9-11
  
• Uses:  Beds & Borders, Containers

Myriophyllum aquaticum Parrot's Feather

• Height:  1 - 6 inches tall, spreads 2 - 3 feet
  
• Hardiness:  USDA hardiness zones 6 - 10
  
• Uses:  Water Gardens

Strobilanthes dyerianus Persian Shield

• Height:  18 -36 inches tall
  
• Hardiness:  USDA zones 9 - 11, annual in northern zones
  
• Uses:  Beds & Borders, Containers, House Plant

So the heat index is 105 degrees F., and your summer flowers have decided that it's too hot to bloom.  What's a gardener to do?  I decided to take a trip to the garden center to find a solution.  The place to go in Kansas City is Family Tree Nursery.  They are known for quality bedding plants with big beautiful flowers.  Surely they would have something that can stand up ...

With March comes the first flowers of the spring season and one of my favorites is the daffodil.  Their bright, che...

Euphorbia marginata  Snow-on-the-mountain

• Height:  to 3 feet
• Hardiness:  USDA Zone 8, annual in northern zones
  
• Uses:  Good for Xerisca...

Botanical plant names contain a wealth of information.  The species name (or specific epethet) usually gives us information about the plant.  It may indicate where the plant is from or its growth habit.  For instance the name Cornus alba, the common dogwood tree, tells us that its flowers are white; alba = white.  The following is a list of some common color terms that you will find in the plant world.

ater, atro- = dark, blackish

• Height:  18 - 30" tall, space 20 - 30" apart
• Hardiness:  USDA hardiness zones 9- 11, annual i...

 

• Height:  12 - 18" tall, space 16 - 20" apart
• Hardiness:  USDA hardiness zones 5- 9
• Uses:  Containers, water gardens