Plants
Pages in the “plants” menu.
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Primula alpicola
Published by Brian Wagner on 10/24/25 in “Growing Flowers from Seed.” Primula alpicola (commonly called moonlight primrose) can be found growing in moist alpine meadows of the Himalayas. It is special among the Primulas for its color range and its flowering season. Natural color variations include cream, violet and periwinkle – and they flower in the
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Thalictrum rochebrunianum
Published by Brian Wagner on 10/26/25 in “Growing Flowers from Seed.” Thalictrum rochebrunianum, lovingly referred to as Lavender Mist Meadow Rue (or Korean meadow rue), is one of my most cherished perennials in the cottage garden. Growing up to 8 feet tall in the right conditions, it has delicate foliage that looks a little bit
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Symphyotrichum pilosum
Published by Brian Wagner on 10/28/25 in “Growing Flowers from Seed.” Symphyotrichum pilosum (commonly called hairy aster), previously named Aster pilosum, is an Asteraceae herbaceous perennial native to the eastern United States and southern Ontario. It is often called ‘Hairy Oldfield Aster’ because it springs up in abandoned fields, especially if they’ve been abandoned. It has a
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Seed Starting Medium
Soil Mixes Published by Brian Wagner on 11/1/25 in “Growing Flowers from Seed.”
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Primula sieboldii
Published by Brian Wagner on 10/29/25 in “Growing Flowers from Seed.” Primula sieboldii (commoly called Siebold’s primula) is a quiet but marvelous spectacle, growing in the moist riverbeds and forest edges of southern China, Korea and Japan. Flowering in early spring, it is one of the few Primulas fully adapted for the shade garden. Its flowers
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Dianthus alpinus
Published by Brian Wagner on 10/30/25 in “Growing Flowers from Seed.” Dianthus alpinus (commonly called alpine pinks) are native to Austria and parts of Slovenia, and are some of the precious flowers in the eastern Alps. Hardy to Zone 3, these pinks form a low mat – and can survive very cold temperatures as long
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Primula bulleyana
Published by Brian Wagner on 11/2/25 in “Growing Flowers from Seed.” Primula bulleyana (commonly called Bulley’s primula or candelabra primula) is a magnificent species of candelabra primrose native to higher altitudes in southern China. It has tiered flower whorls arranged along the stem – which are golden, yellow and a tinge of ruddiness. Embed from Getty
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Viola x wittrockiana
Published by Brian Wagner on 11/3/25 in “Growing Flowers from Seed.” Viola x wittrockiana (commonly called pansies) are a hybrid of a handful of different Viola species – notably Viola tricolor, Viola lutea, and Viola altaica. At times the lineage is blurred, but they typically behave similarly. In milder climates, Pansies are a quiet winner in the autumn garden, such
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Alchemilla alpina
Published by Brian Wagner on 11/4/25 in “Growing Flowers from Seed.” Alchemilla alpina (commonly called alpine lady’s mantle) is a flowering perennial native to the alpine regions in Europe, notably the Alps and Pyrenees (and also the mountains of Norway, interestingly enough). Some suspect it originated in the mountains of Scotland, but this story is lost
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Eriocapitella hupehensis
Published by Brian Wagner on 11/5/25 in “Growing Flowers from Seed.” Eriocapitella hupehensis (commonly called Japanese Anemone) was previously classified as Anemone hupehensis. Japanese Anemone is either hated or loved by gardeners. Personally, I love them. But they do have a strong underground spreading habit. Embed from Getty Images Japanese Anemone have basal leaves and throw