Pasqueflower, Pulsatilla vulgaris

Pasqueflower, known scientifically as Pulsatilla vulgaris, is a captivating species of flowering plant that belongs to the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. It has a rich history and is often found in calcareous grasslands across Europe, with a wide cultivation in gardens. This species has also been closely related to the genus Anemone and was previously classified under it, with Anemone pulsatilla being a common synonym.

The plant is renowned for its early spring bloom, featuring distinctive upright rhizomes that store food, and long, soft, silver-grey, hairy leaves and stems. It typically grows to a height of 15–30 cm and can reach up to 40 cm when bearing fruit, with roots extending deep into the soil. The leaves are finely dissected and form a rosette that appears alongside the bell-shaped flower in early spring. Following the purple flowers, the plant produces unique silky seed-heads that can persist for many months, adding to its ornamental value.

The pasqueflower is enveloped in myth and folklore, often associated with ancient bloodshed due to its frequent occurrence on old barrows and boundary banks. Recognizing its horticultural and ecological value, this plant has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It's designated as a Priority Species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and is considered Vulnerable in Britain.

Culturally, the pasqueflower holds the status of county flower for the English counties of Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. While the typical color of the flowers is purplish, there are variants like the red ('Rubra') and white ('Alba') forms that offer a delightful variation to gardeners and enthusiasts​​​​.

Jerusalem Sage, Phlomis fruticosa

Phlomis fruticosa, commonly referred to as Jerusalem Sage, is a species of flowering plant in the Lamiaceae family, native to the Mediterranean region. It is a perennial shrub known for its distinctive yellow flowers and sage-like, aromatic leaves.

Here are some key features and care tips for Phlomis fruticosa:

Key Features

Growth Habit:
Phlomis fruticosa typically grows as a bushy, woody shrub, reaching heights of up to 1 meter (3 feet). It has a rounded habit with branching stems.
Leaves:
The leaves are sage-like, oval to lance-shaped, and covered with a fine down, giving them a soft, velvety texture. They are gray-green in color, adding to the plant's visual interest even when it is not in bloom.
Flowers:
The flowers are a striking shade of yellow and appear in whorls along the upper parts of the stems. They bloom in late spring to early summer, attracting bees and other pollinators.
Hardiness:
It is fairly drought-tolerant and thrives in well-drained soils. It's suitable for USDA hardiness zones 7 through 9.

Care Tips

Sunlight:
Phlomis fruticosa prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. However, the best flowering is achieved in a sunny location.
Soil:
It requires well-drained soil and is quite adaptable to various soil types, though it prefers a slightly alkaline to neutral pH.
Watering:
Once established, it is drought-resistant. Water it moderately until it's well-established, then reduce watering, as the plant prefers drier conditions.
Pruning:
Light pruning can be done to maintain its shape and encourage denser growth. It's best to prune after flowering to avoid cutting off next year's flower buds.
Pests and Diseases:
Phlomis fruticosa is generally resistant to pests and diseases but watch for common garden pests like aphids.

Uses in Landscaping

Borders and Hedges:
Its bushy nature makes it an excellent choice for borders or low hedges.
Drought-Tolerant Gardens:
Its drought resistance makes it ideal for water-wise gardens.
Wildlife Attraction:
The flowers attract bees and butterflies, making it a good choice for pollinator gardens.

Phlomis fruticosa is a versatile and attractive plant that can add structure and color to a garden, particularly in a Mediterranean or dry-climate setting. Its low maintenance and drought tolerance also make it a popular choice for gardeners looking for resilient landscape options.

Spanish needles, Bidens cernua

Appearance:
Spanish Needles, Bidens cernua, is a flowering plant in the aster family, Asteraceae. It has simple, lanceolate leaves with toothed margins and bright yellow flower heads with ray florets and disc florets. The most recognizable feature of Spanish Needles is its fruit, which is a long, slender achene with barbed awns at the tip. These awns help to disperse the seeds by attaching to fur or clothing of animals that brush against the plant.

Habitat:
Bidens cernua is native to Eurasia and North America, but it has been introduced to many other parts of the world. It is a common weed found in disturbed areas, such as roadsides, fields, and wastelands.
Growth:
Spanish Needles is an annual plant that grows quickly and can reach a height of up to 3 feet. It reproduces by seed, and its seeds can remain viable in the soil for many years.
Uses:
Spanish Needles is not considered to be a desirable plant in gardens, but it can be a valuable food source for pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. The young leaves of Spanish Needles can also be eaten as a green vegetable. In some cultures, Bidens cernua has been used medicinally to treat a variety of ailments, although more research is needed to confirm these uses.

Other Names:
Spanish Needles has a number of other common names, including nodding beggarticks, nodding bur-marigold, and devil's beggar-ticks.

Argentinian vervain, Verbena bonariensis

Verbena bonariensis, also known as Purpletop vervain or Tall verbena, is a captivating perennial plant native to South America, including regions like Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. This plant can grow up to 4-6 feet tall and is known for its slender stems and delicate purple flowers that add a touch of whimsy and charm to any garden​​.

The name "Verbena" is derived from Latin, meaning 'sacred bough', referencing the leafy twigs of vervaine used in ancient rituals and medicine. The species name "bonariensis" indicates its origin from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Verbena bonariensis is part of the Verbenaceae family, which also includes plants like lantana and lemon verbena​​​​.

It's a versatile plant that thrives in full sun to partial shade and is drought-tolerant, making it suitable for various garden settings. Verbena bonariensis is also known for its ability to attract pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds due to its fragrant, purple flowers. This plant has a long blooming period from summer to fall, adding vibrant color to the landscape for an extended time. It's easy to grow, low maintenance, and can be propagated through seed sowing or division​​.

However, it's worth noting that Verbena bonariensis has the potential to become invasive in certain habitats due to its ability to self-seed readily. It has naturalized in various regions, including parts of the southern United States, and is on the invasive species watchlist for Washington state​​.

In addition to its ornamental value, Verbena bonariensis has been traditionally used in herbal medicine for its various medicinal properties, believed to offer antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and digestive benefits​​.

Honeysuckles, Lonicera japonica

Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is a plant with a diverse range of uses and characteristics, making it a subject of interest across various cultures and disciplines. Notably popular as an ornamental plant worldwide, it's cherished for its fragrant flowers and attractive foliage. In traditional Japanese medicine, the plant is reputed for its anti-inflammatory properties and is used to treat an array of ailments, including fever, colds, and digestive issues. It's also a part of traditional cuisine in Japan, often used as a garnish for dishes like sushi and sashimi, and made into tea and other herbal remedies​​.

The flowers of the Japanese honeysuckle are edible and have a sweet-tasting nectar, which is a significant food source for wildlife such as deer, rabbits, and hummingbirds. In traditional Chinese medicine, the dried leaves and flowers are used to treat various conditions, including fever, sore throat, and skin infections. The plant is known for its antiviral properties, with compounds like loniflavone showing potential in computational studies for binding to viral proteins​​.

Despite its numerous benefits, Japanese honeysuckle is considered invasive in many parts of the world, including the United States. It can grow extensively, suffocating and strangling other plants, and has a robust capability to reproduce both sexually through seeds and vegetatively via underground shoots and aboveground runners. This aggressive growth habit allows it to form dense thickets, outcompeting native species for sunlight and nutrients, and disrupting local ecosystems. Management strategies include mechanical removal, mowing, and the use of herbicides, although these require diligent application to be effective​​.

In conclusion, while Japanese honeysuckle offers aesthetic, culinary, and medicinal benefits, it also poses significant challenges as an invasive species. Its management requires careful consideration to balance its positive attributes against its potential to harm native plant communities and ecosystems.

Unusal facts about japanese honeysuckle

Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is not only known for its sweet fragrance and beautiful flowers but also has some intriguing aspects that are less commonly known:

Antiviral Potential:
Interestingly, a compound found in Japanese honeysuckle, loniflavone, has been investigated for its antiviral action, particularly its ability to bind with high affinity to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. This represents an early step towards drug development for diseases caused by this virus, demonstrating the honeysuckle's potential in medical research​​.

Cultural Symbolism:
The plant holds a significant place in traditional Chinese and Japanese art and decorative objects, symbolizing Japan’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. This reflects the deep cultural appreciation and symbolic meaning attached to the plant in these regions​​.

Adaptability and Growth:
Japanese honeysuckle exhibits remarkable adaptability, being able to grow in a wide variety of climates and soil types. It's known for its rapid growth rate and ability to quickly cover large areas, making it a popular choice for erosion control and landscaping. However, this characteristic also contributes to its invasive nature in some regions​​.

Edible Flowers:
The flowers of the Japanese honeysuckle are not only fragrant but also edible, with a sweet nectar that is appreciated by humans. This makes the plant not just an ornamental addition but also a potential source of natural sweetness​​.

Invasive Impact and Control:
Despite its beauty and uses, Japanese honeysuckle is considered an invasive species in many parts of the world, capable of suffocating and strangling other plants. Its vines can grow up to 80-120 feet and are known to climb, cover, and sometimes kill other vegetation by girdling or smothering. The control of this plant involves a combination of mechanical and chemical methods, which need to be diligently applied to prevent its spread and manage its impact on local ecosystems​​.

These facts highlight the complex nature of Japanese honeysuckle, blending its beneficial uses with the challenges it presents as an invasive species. Its role in traditional medicine and culture contrasts with its aggressive growth and ecological impact, making it a plant of both beauty and controversy.

Summer lilac, Buddleja davidii

Summer lilac, or Buddleja davidii, is a versatile and widely cultivated plant known for its attractive blooms that draw in butterflies. Originating from China and possibly Japan, it's a species with a large range of variability, reflected in its alternative name, B. variabilis. This plant can vary from a small sub-shrub to a large spreading shrub or even a small tree with deeply fissured brown bark. The leaves also show a range of sizes and shapes, from large, elliptic dark green to small, narrowly ovate and glaucous leaves, typically with a white tomentose underside. In temperate regions, it's generally semi-deciduous, with the extent of leaf retention over winter depending on both the environmental conditions and the cultivar​​.

Cultivation-wise, Buddleja davidii is appreciated for its ornamental value and the nectar provided by its flowers, which attract numerous butterfly species. However, it's noteworthy that the plant doesn't offer nourishment for butterfly larvae, and there's a concern that it might out-compete the host plants required by caterpillars. The plant and its cultivars thrive in USDA zones 5–9 and cannot withstand the severe winters of northern or montane climates, as temperatures below about -15 to -20°C (5 to -4°F) can be lethal. Pruning in spring is common practice to encourage more floriferous new growth. Despite its beauty and utility in attracting butterflies, Buddleja davidii is considered invasive in several temperate regions due to its capability to spread rapidly in disturbed soils and urban areas​​.

In response to its invasive nature, horticulturalists have developed several "non-invasive" cultivars of Buddleja, designed to either be sterile or produce a minimal amount of viable seed. These cultivars come in various sizes and blossom colors, offering alternatives for gardeners and landscapers who wish to enjoy the benefits of Buddlejas without the associated risks of invasiveness​​.

Some Facts About Ben Davis Apple

Accidental Origin:
The Ben Davis apple wasn't meticulously cultivated. It sprouted from a chance seedling discovered in the late 1700s or early 1800s, likely somewhere in the southeastern US.

The "Mortgage Lifter":
This nickname wasn't for nothing. Ben Davis apples were prized for their commercial success in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Their durability allowed for long-distance transport without bruising, making them a profitable export crop.

A Reliable Producer:
Ben Davis trees are known for their consistent and heavy yields. This reliability played a significant role in their popularity as a commercial apple.

Flavor Profile:
While not considered the most flavorful apple today, Ben Davis has a balance of sweetness and mild acidity. Some descriptions mention a coarse texture and a slightly "woolly" taste.

Fall Favorite:
Ben Davis apples ripen in late September or mid-October, making them a delicious addition to the fall harvest.

Storage Champion:
One of the key features of Ben Davis apples is their exceptional storage ability. They can keep for months without spoiling, a valuable trait in the days before widespread refrigeration.

A Culinary Workhorse:
While not necessarily the top choice for fresh eating today, Ben Davis apples are still a valuable ingredient for baking, applesauce, and dried apple rings.

Parentage Legacy:
The Ben Davis apple played a significant role in apple breeding. It's a parent of the popular Cortland apple variety, known for its sweet and tart flavor.

Shifting Preferences:
As transportation and refrigeration improved, consumer preferences for apples shifted towards varieties with more complex flavor profiles. This led to the decline of Ben Davis as a dominant commercial apple.

Heirloom Charm:
Despite its diminished commercial presence, the Ben Davis apple is still cultivated by some growers who appreciate its historical significance and unique characteristics.