Hardiness Zone: 4-7Soil Type: Slightly acidic to neutralSun Exposure: Full sunAnnual or Perennial: Perennial, but ground cherries are annualType: Tree History: Sweet cherries originated in Asia Minor in the fertile areas between the Black and Caspian seas and were likely brought to Europe by birds. The Greeks were the first to cultivate cherries and the … Read more
Hardiness Zone: 4-10Soil Type: NeutralSun Exposure: Full to partial sunAnnual or Perennial: BiennialType: Vegetable History: Wild celery is native to the Mediterranean area, according to Davis, though archaeological remains from Switzerland have suggested that humans were transporting celery seeds as early as 4,000 B.C. Another variety of celery called “smallage” was present in China as … Read more
Hardiness Zone: 2-11Soil Type: Slight acidic to neutralSun Exposure: Full sunAnnual or Perennial: AnnualType: Vegetable History: Cauliflower was originally grown in Asia around the Mediterranean Sea. Cauliflower has been grown and eaten across Europe since the 1500s but did not start growing in the United States until the 1900s. Today, California produces more cauliflower than … Read more
Hardiness Zone: 3-10Soil Type: NeutralSun Exposure: Full sunAnnual or Perennial: BiennialType: Vegetable History: The best estimate is that carrots originated as a root crop in Central Asia — Afghanistan, Iran, and Uzbekistan — about 1,100 years ago, although there is some evidence for carrots in the Roman Empire several hundred years earlier. The carrot symbolizes … Read more
Hardiness Zone: 7-10Soil Type: 6.7 pHSun Exposure: Full sun or partial shadeAnnual or Perennial: PerennialType: Flower History: The first carnations were sent to the United States in 1852 from France to Long Island. It is traditionally given on the first anniversary as a sign of love and commitment.
Hardiness Zone: 4-10Soil Type: Slightly acidic to neutral Sun Exposure: Full sunAnnual or Perennial: AnnualType: Fruit History: Cantaloupe has been growing since ancient times in the Nile River Valley in Egypt. It likely first originated in the Middle East or India, but ancient Egyptians and Romans are known to have grown the melon.
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