Hardiness Zone: 3-7Soil Type: AcidicSun Exposure: Full to partial sunAnnual or Perennial: EvergreenType: Tree History: It is a coniferous tree native to eastern North America. It is the state tree of Pennsylvania. Eastern hemlocks are widespread throughout much of the Great Lakes region, the Appalachian Mountains, the Northeastern United States, and Maritime Canada. This a … Read more
Hardiness Zone: 7-10Soil Type: Slightly cidicSun Exposure: Dappled or full shadeAnnual or Perennial: PerennialType: Flower History: Camellias were cultivated in the gardens of China and Japan for centuries before they were seen in Europe. The German botanist Engelbert Kaempfer reported that the “Japan Rose”, as he called it, grew wild in woodland and hedgerow, but … Read more
Hardiness Zone: 8-10Soil Type: Slightly acidicSun Exposure: Full to partial sunAnnual or Perennial: PerennialType: Flower History: Calla lilies originate from South Africa and Malawi, however, are known to have made their way to Europe by appearing in an illustration in 1664. Calla lilies are rooted deep within Greek and Roman mythology. The flower itself was … Read more
Hardiness Zone: 1-10Soil Type: NeutralSun Exposure: Full sunAnnual or Perennial: AnnualType: Vegetable History: Cabbage was most likely domesticated somewhere in Europe in Ancient history before 1000 BC. Cabbage in the cuisine has been documented since Antiquity. It was described as a table luxury in the Roman Empire. Cabbage is an exceptionally healthy food. It has … Read more
Hardiness Zone: 8-11Soil Type: AcidicSun Exposure: Full to partial sunAnnual or Perennial: PerennialType: Flower History: The buttercup flower is native to many parts of Europe, especially in the northern latitudes. It is thought to have originated in Greece, Turkey, and Iran. It was brought over to North America and now can be found in many … Read more
Hardiness Zone: 9-11Soil Type: Loamy, sandy, neutral/alkalineSun Exposure: Full to partial sunAnnual or Perennial: PerennialType: Cactus History: burro’s tail, is a species of flowering plant in the family Crassulaceae, native to southern Mexico. With a minimum temperature of 5–7 °C (41–45 °F), in temperate regions S. morganianum is often cultivated as a houseplant in a … Read more
Hardiness Zone: 9-11Soil Type: Sandy, well drained, acidic to neutralSun Exposure: Full to part sunAnnual or Perennial: PerennialType: Cactus History: Native to Mexico, naturalized in Kenya, Malawi, and Tanzania. The bunny ear cacti actually got its name because of its visual appearance as it looks like the ears of a rabbit. The thick pads of … Read more
Hardiness Zone: 3-10Soil Type: Neutral to slightly alkaline, slightly acidic to neutralSun Exposure: Full sunAnnual or Perennial: BiennialType: Vegetable History: Brussels sprouts are believed to originate from the city which they get their name from- Brussels, Belgium. Records trace them back to the 13th century in the Brussels area. The French coined the name in … Read more
Hardiness Zone: 2-11Soil Type: Slightly acidic to neutralSun Exposure: Full sunAnnual or Perennial: AnnualType: Vegetable History: Native to the eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor, sprouting broccoli was cultivated in Italy in ancient Roman times and was introduced to England and America in the 1700’s.
Hardiness Zone: 3-9Soil Type: AcidicSun Exposure: Full sunAnnual or Perennial: PerennialType: Fruit bush History: Blueberries, native to North America, have been part of life here for 13,000 years. The first high bush blueberry bush was successfully cultivated for commercial production in the early 1900’s. The blueberry is a symbol of weakened vitality, followed immediately by … Read more