Heliotropium Curassavicum

Diseases & Pests: No major pests or diseases. When to Cut: 3/4-fully opened Fun Fact Heliotrope is a tropical shrub, and while it is toxic, it is believed that the Inca used the leaves to create an infusion to reduce fevers.

These deliciously fragrant plants were used in masses in Victorian bedding out, mingling with petunias and confined within a neat border of sweet alyssum. Poisonous.Coming Soon Seed catalogs of that time listed many varieties, in colors from midnight...

Soil pH: Acidic to neutral Fertilizer: Scratch in an organically-sourced granular fertilizer. Poisonous.When to Set Outside 2-3 weeks after last frost Placement & Cultivation Heliotrope will attract butterflies and bees; it is great for bedding plants...

Star of the summer garden 'American Gold Rush' is far superior to any other Black-eyed Susan out there, for it has beautiful disease-free foliage and scads of golden daisies from July to September.

A native beauty that attracts birds to its ample seeds, it also easily self sows. The quilled or rolled petals of ‘Little Henry' add a wonderful textural contrast to summer gardens, billowing above brilliant coneflowers and full-headed phloxes.

Deadhead regularly. Space about 2' apart in rich soil that is moist yet well drained. When to Cut: Wait until flowers are fully opened Fun Fact This biennial to short-lived perennial is native from New England west to Minnesota and south to Oklahoma.

Deadhead regularly. Space about 2' apart in rich soil that is moist yet well drained. When to Cut: Wait until flowers are fully opened Fun Fact This biennial to short-lived perennial is native from New England west to Minnesota and south to Oklahoma.

Remove spent spikes to promote further bloom. Topdress thereafter in springtime and scratch in. It does best in well-drained regular soils and even those which are gravelly-to-sandy.

Intense colors of firey copper red shine in both sunny or shady locations. Flowering: Foliage interest; small flower spikes in various heights with tiny white to lavender flowers may appear, though this plant is grown for its foliage.

Alternatively, scratch in a balanced granular fertilizer after planting. Thin about 1-2 weeks after germination. Vermiculite is the preferred growing medium to prevent fungal problems.

To encourage a bushier, lusher looking plant, pinch back. Diseases & Pests: Aphids and whiteflies may appear—prevent or treat by hosing plants down regularly, or misting daily if they are indoors.

Frilly edged chartreuse leaves flash magenta to burgundy undersides, more sun deepening the colors to a coppery bronze. Flowering: Foliage interest; small flower spikes in various heights with tiny white to lavender flowers may appear, though this plant...

Otherwise, simply remove spent flower spikes. Diseases & Pests: Aphids and whiteflies may appear—prevent or treat by hosing plants down regularly, or misting daily if they are indoors.

If it does flower, it is usually later in the season. Containerized plants may need more. Pinch back regularly to encourage a more bushy form. Fertilizer: Mix a time-released fertilizer into growing media or ground prior to planting.

Keep at about 60-70°F. Starting Outdoors: Direct sow in spring, after last frost. What You'll Grow Plant: Bushy plants 1.5-3' tall and 1' wide with with glossy, lance shaped dark green leaves up to 3" in length.

Seeds: If flower spikes develop and mature, the tiny flowers will turn into brown nutlets and may or may not contain small brown seeds, but plants grown from these seeds may not come true.

Seeds: If flower spikes develop and mature, the tiny flowers will turn into brown nutlets and may or may not contain small brown seeds, but plants grown from these seeds may not come true.

Provide light in early spring prior to setting out, by placing in a sunny window. Be sure to avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen. Diseases & Pests: May be susceptible to slugs. What You'll Grow Plant: Rosettes of oblong green leaves Flowering: Clusters...

Deadhead frequently to prolong blooming. Starting Outdoors: Direct sow in spring, after last frost. Soil pH: Prefers neutral but will tolerate slightly acidic to slightly alkaline Fertilizer: Fertilize with an organically sourced water-soluble fertilizer...

Polyanthus type primroses do best in cool, moist but well-drained soil that does not dry out, in part to full shade, such as in a north-east facing bed or underneath deciduous trees.

Purple-flowering species include the bugle weed (Ajuga reptans), a 6- to 9-inch-tall perennial that spreads as a ground cover. Turkish veronica grows to 2 feet tall and has lustrous, evergreen leaves.

Sprout Time: 5-14 days Starting Indoors: Start in containers 8-10 weeks before last spring frost. Pinch back tips once plants have about 6 leaves to encourage bushiness. If such issues do arise, plants can be sprayed with a copper fungicide or neem oil.

If it does flower, it is usually later in the season. Soil pH: Tolerates most soil pH levels. Pinch back regularly to encourage a more bushy form. A half-dose of a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer is also acceptable.

Easy to grow in organic, well-drained soil, it is slow to bloom and self-branching for a full, attractive specimen.When to Set Outside After all danger of frost has passed. If it does flower, it is usually later in the season.

Does best in cool, moist but well-drained soil that does not dry out, in part to full shade, such as in a north-east facing bed or underneath deciduous trees. To overwinter: If you garden in a location that frequently experiences freezing and thawing,...

Fertilizer: Feed with a weak solution of high potash or tomato fertilizer about every 10 days, starting when buds begin to form, and continuing until the first opening of flowers. Be sure to avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen.

Do so once more after flowering has ceased. Planted en masse, primroses make for an interesting landscape feature. They are great for rock and woodland gardens as well as low-growing borders.