Akebia, Akebia quinata

Here are some facts about Akebia quinata, also commonly known as chocolate vine, five-leaf chocolate vine, or five-leaf akebia:

--Akebia quinata is a climbing evergreen shrub that grows to 10 meters (30 feet) or more in height.
--It has palmately compound leaves with five elliptic or obovate leaflets that are notched at the tip.
--The woody stems are greyish-brown with lenticels.
--The flowers are clustered in racemes and are chocolate-scented, with three or four sepals.

--The fruits are sausage-shaped pods which contain edible pulp. The gelatinous placentation contains seeds surrounded with white pulp, that has a sweet flavor.
--Akebia quinata is native to China, Japan, and Korea. It was introduced to North America in 1845 as an ornamental plant.
--Akebia quinata is a fast-growing vine that can become invasive in some areas.
--It is shade-tolerant and can grow in full sun to part shade. It also tolerates some drought. --Akebia quinata is a popular ornamental plant because of its attractive foliage and fragrant flowers. However, it is important to be aware of its potential to become invasive before planting it in your garden.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind if you are considering planting Akebia quinata:

--Akebia quinata is dioecious, meaning that there are separate male and female plants. This means that you will need to plant at least two vines if you want to get fruit.

--Akebia quinata can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or layering.
--Akebia quinata is relatively pest- and disease-resistant.

If you are looking for a fast-growing, easy-care vine that will add beauty and fragrance to your garden, Akebia quinata may be a good option for you. However, it is important to be aware of its potential to become invasive before planting it.

Autumn sage,Salvia greggii

Some facts about Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii)

Native to Texas and Northern Mexico:
Autumn sage is a perennial plant native to a long, narrow area from southwest Texas, through the Chihuahuan Desert and into the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi . Typically, it grows in rocky soils at elevations from 5,000 to 9,000 feet.

Heat and Drought Tolerant:
This flowering shrub is known for its resilience. It thrives in hot, dry climates and requires minimal watering once established. This makes it a perfect choice for xeriscaping, a type of landscaping that minimizes the need for irrigation. Long Blooming Season:
Autumn sage lives up to its name by providing a vibrant display of flowers from spring to frost. The blooms come in various colors, including red, pink, purple, orange, and white, and are borne on racemes (elongated clusters). They are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, making them a great addition to a pollinator garden.

Easy to Care For:
This low-maintenance plant is a favorite among gardeners. It requires minimal fertilizing and is relatively pest and disease resistant. It’s a great choice for beginner gardeners or those who don't have a lot of time for upkeep.

Adaptable to Different Conditions:
While autumn sage prefers full sun and well-draining soil, it can tolerate some shade and a wider range of soil types. This adaptability makes it a versatile plant that can be grown in a variety of locations.

Wildlife Magnet:
Autumn sage's fragrant flowers and nectar-rich blooms attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. These pollinators play a vital role in the ecosystem, helping to ensure the reproduction of many plants.

Deer Resistant:
If you have deer in your area, autumn sage is a great choice for your garden. Deer tend to avoid this plant due to its somewhat bitter foliage.

Sassafras, Sassafras albidum

Some facts about Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)

Distinctive Leaves:
Sassafras is known for its unique leaves that come in three distinct shapes: oval, single mitten-shaped with a thumb-like lobe, and three-lobed .
Adaptable and Beautiful:
This deciduous tree can grow up to 60 feet tall and thrives in a variety of conditions, from full sun to part shade, and tolerates well-drained acidic, loamy soils. In fall, it puts on a vibrant display of yellow, orange, and red foliage

Food Source for Wildlife:
The leaves and fruit of Sassafras are a food source for deer, squirrels, and chipmunks, while the flowers attract butterflies, moths, and songbirds.
Fragrant Uses:
The root bark of Sassafras has a pleasant aroma and was historically used to make teas, sassafras root beer, and as a flavoring agent. However, safrole, an oil extracted from the root bark, is now considered toxic by the FDA

Medicinal History:
Sassafras was once believed to have a variety of medicinal properties, but further research has not supported these claims, and its internal use is not recommended.

Claret Cup cactus, Echinocereus triglochidiatus

Some facts about Claret cup cactus, Echinocereus triglochidiatus:

Appearance:
It's a mounding cactus that forms clumps with cylindrical stems, reaching up to 10 inches tall and 4 inches in diameter.
Spines:
The cactus can be densely spined or almost completely spineless, with spines varying in color (white, yellow, gray, or black) and shape (straight, curved, contorted).

Flowers:
The most striking feature is the showy, funnel-shaped flowers boasting bright scarlet red to orange-red petals, up to 3 inches in diameter. They have a thick nectar chamber in the center, attracting hummingbirds.
Blooming:
This cactus is a reliable bloomer, typically flowering in spring to early summer.
Fruits:
The flowers are followed by juicy, edible fruits that can be green, yellow-green, pink, or red.
Habitat:
Echinocereus triglochidiatus is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It thrives in various habitats, from low deserts to rocky slopes, scrub, and mountain woodlands.

Cold tolerance:
This cactus is surprisingly cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures down to around -10°F (depending on the variety).
Official cactus:
Echinocereus triglochidiatus is the official state cactus of Colorado.

Winecup, Callirhoe involucrata

photo is from Wikipedia.

A beautiful wildflower:
Callirhoe involucrata, also commonly called Winecup or Purple Poppy-mallow, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant native to the Great Plains of the United States and adjacent areas in northern Mexico .

Eye-catching blooms:
It is known for its attractive, cup-shaped flowers that come in shades of magenta or rose-purple. The flowers have five petals with a white spot at the base and can be up to 2.5 inches wide.
Adaptable to various conditions:
This low-growing wildflower typically reaches only 6-12 inches in height and spreads up to 3 feet wide. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, making it an excellent choice for dry gardens and rock gardens.
Drought tolerant:
Winecup is renowned for its exceptional drought tolerance, thanks to its long taproot that helps it access deep moisture reserves in the soil.
Low maintenance:
This easy-to-care-for perennial requires minimal maintenance once established. It is generally pest and disease resistant.
Wildlife favorite:
The vibrant flowers of Callirhoe involucrata attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators, making it a valuable addition to wildlife gardens.
Easy propagation:
Winecup can be easily propagated by seeds or division. Seeds can be sown directly in the garden in fall or early spring.

Overall, Callirhoe involucrata is a versatile and low-maintenance wildflower that adds a splash of color and beauty to any garden.

Hosta Shoots

Hosta shoots are the new growth that emerges from hosta plants in the spring. They are typically tightly furled and green, and they can be eaten!

Hosta shoots are considered a delicacy in some cultures, and they can be prepared in a variety of ways. They are similar in taste and texture to asparagus, and they can be enjoyed raw, cooked, or pickled.

Here are some tips for harvesting hosta shoots:

--Harvest the shoots when they are young and tender, before they start to unfurl.
--Use a sharp knife to cut the shoots at the base of the plant.
--Be sure to only harvest a few shoots from each plant, so that the plant can continue to grow.
--If you're not interested in eating hosta shoots, you can simply leave them alone. They will eventually unfurl and become part of the hosta plant.

Oconee bells, Shortia galacifolia

Photo is "oconee bells" by Scott Ward is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Facts about Oconee Bells (Shortia galacifolia)

Rarity and Location:
--A rare wildflower native to the southern Appalachian Mountains, primarily found in the border region of Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
--Additional populations (likely due to cultivation) exist in Alabama, Tennessee, Virginia, and Massachusetts.

Appearance:
--Low-growing evergreen perennial reaching 6-8 inches tall and wide.
--Delicate, bell-shaped flowers in white or pale pink with fringed edges, blooming in early to mid-spring (March-May).
--Glossy, round leaves that stay green year-round, turning a reddish-bronze in winter.

Habitat:
--Thrives in the deep shade of moist, well-drained slopes, banks, and rock outcrops in forested areas.
--Often found in areas with natural disturbances like small landslides or fallen trees that create gaps in the canopy.

Interesting facts:
--Named after Oconee County, South Carolina, where the southern variety is abundant.
--The scientific name "Shortia" honors Dr. Charles Wilkins Short, a 19th-century botanist. "Galacifolia" refers to its resemblance to the related plant, Galax (Galax urceolata).

Two varieties exist:
--Southern Oconee Bells (Shortia galacifolia var. galacifolia) - more common variety.
--Northern Oconee Bells (Shortia galacifolia var. brevistyla) - endemic to McDowell County, North Carolina, meaning it grows nowhere else in the world.
--It was first discovered in 1788 and then wasn't found again for nearly a century!
--Considered a desirable wildflower for shade gardens due to its delicate beauty and evergreen foliage.