Plant Gardens 101

Daisy family
Compositae
Sil-ly’bum. Annual or biennial herbs, comprising only 2 species, natives of the Mediterranean region. The species below grown as an ornamental plant for its silvery leaves. Also grown as a vegetable, since its roots, leaves, and flowerheads are edible.

Description
Leaves alternate, with white spots and veins on the upper side, the margins lobed and spiny. Flowerheads purplish, solitary and nodding. Many bracts surround the head, forming a globe-shaped receptacle.

How to Grow   (more…)

A plant that requires two years to complete its life cycle. During the first growing season, the seed germinates and the plant grows but produces only foliage. During the second growing season, it flowers, sets seed, and dies. If allowed to reseed themselves, biennials can keep the garden in flowers indefinitely. Two popular biennials are foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) and, despite its species name, money plant (Lunaria annua).