What’s in bloom

Miscanthus, also known as Maiden grass or Chinese silver grass, is a clump forming perennial grass and depending on the variety grows from three to six feet in height. It is native to the lowlands of Japan, China and Korea.

This month, I’m excited to highlight a captivating natural phenomenon that can be spotted in many home gardens, roadsides, hay fields, and prairie preserves: frost flowers. Also known as ice flowers, ice ribbons, or rabbit ice, these delicate ice formations are often mistaken for pieces of plastic or fluffy seed pods.

This month’s featured plant is a little different from the usual ornamental selections: spinach! This easy-to-grow leafy vegetable can be added to your flower beds or even mixed with your violas for a unique planting combination.

Osage Orange is a native tree which goes by many common names. Other regional names used to identify this tree include hedge apple, horse apple, bois d’arc, bodark, bow-wood, monkey brain, post tree and probably others.

Red Shield hibiscus is a fascinating plant in anyone’s garden. This hibiscus is grown for its burgundy red foliage not for its small inconspicuous flowers. This tropical hibiscus is a tender perennial subshrub that is native to East Africa.

Red Shield hibiscus is a fascinating plant in anyone’s garden. This hibiscus is grown for its burgundy red foliage not for its small inconspicuous flowers. This tropical hibiscus is a tender perennial subshrub that is native to East Africa.