Hardiness Zone: 3-9Soil Type: AcidicSun Exposure: Full to partial sunAnnual or Perennial: AnnualType: Flower History: Black Eyed Susans are indigenous to many sections of the United States. They were introduced into Europe soon after Columbus’s visits and were named by Linnaeus in 1753. Linnaeus gave them the Latin name Rudbeckia Hirta after his mentor Olaf … Read more
Hardiness Zone: 2-9Soil Type: AcidicSun Exposure: Partial sunAnnual or Perennial: PerennialType: Tree History: Birch or Beithe, is the first tree of the Ogham, the Celtic tree alphabet. It was celebrated during the festival of Samhain (what is now Halloween in Britain). Samhain was the start of the Celtic year, when purification was important and people … Read more
Hardiness Zone: 9-11Soil Type: Slightly acidic to neutralSun Exposure: Full sunAnnual or Perennial: PerennialType: Vegetable History: Bell peppers originated in Mexico, Central America, and South America. Peppers were named by Christopher Columbus and Spanish explorers who were searching for peppercorn plants to produce black pepper. Columbus took samples of a wide variety of peppers back … Read more
Hardiness Zone: 9-10Soil Type: NeutralSun Exposure: Full sun, part sun, shadeAnnual or Perennial: PerennialType: Flower History: The origin of the begonia was commonly thought to be in Brazil, though some were found in Mexico at an earlier date and the Chinese used them in the 14th century. However, the first person to document the discovery … Read more
Hardiness Zone: 2-11Soil Type: Slightly acidic to neutralSun Exposure: Full to partial sunAnnual or Perennial: AnnualType: Vegetable History: Beets are believed to originate along the coasts of the Mediterranean (sea beets) and were first cultivated for their edible leaves. The Greeks, like the Romans, cultivated beets for their leaves, but ate them as food and … Read more
Hardiness Zone: 3-8Soil Type: AcidicSun Exposure: Full sunAnnual or Perennial: PerennialType: Tree History: Beech was a late entrant to Great Britain after the last glaciation, and may have been restricted to basic soils in the south of England. Some suggest that it was introduced by Neolithic tribes who planted the trees for their edible nuts. … Read more
Hardiness Zone: 10-11Soil Type: 5.1–8.5 (acidic to alkaline)Sun Exposure: Full sunAnnual or Perennial: AnnualType: Herb History: Basil has been around for over 4,000 years. Throughout history, basil was believed to have almost magical powers. It was used as an antidote for snake bites, and was believed to give strength during religious fasting. It was found … Read more
Hardiness Zone: 4-9Soil Type: Neutral to slightly alkaline, slightly acidic to neutralSun Exposure: Full sunAnnual or Perennial: PerennialType: Vegetable History: The history of asparagus goes back as far as that of the leek and has been consumed for over 2000 years. This garden plant originated in the eastern Mediterranean countries and traces of wild varieties … Read more
Hardiness Zone: 3-11Soil Type: Slightly acidic to neutralSun Exposure: Full sun to partial sunAnnual or Perennial: AnnualType: Vegetable History: This leafy green vegetable is native to the Mediterranean region and southern Europe. We know that the ancient Romans ate arugula. It was even mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible as well as the … Read more
Hardiness Zone: 5-11Soil Type: Slightly acidic to neutralSun Exposure: Full sunAnnual or Perennial: PerennialType: Vegetable History: The ancestor of the artichoke is the North African thistle, which still grows in the wild today. Artichokes were first harvested by people in the Middle East. The artichoke gained most of its popularity in ancient Rome and Greece … Read more