This favorite American vegetable is a kind of Morning Glory, botanically Ipomoea Batatas, but in the United States, it rarely produces flowers. Its wild progenitor is a native of tropical America, which accounts for the fact that the Sweet Potato […]

The literal meaning of this term is a fruit wall, a framework upon which fruit trees are supported. A well-constructed espalier has an upright post every 3m (10ft) securely embedded in the ground and standing about 1.8m (6ft) out of […]

Probably from either Lysimachus, King of Thracia, or from the Greek luo to lose, and mache, strife, hence the common name of L. vulgaris (Primulaceae). This genus, of which most species in cultivation are hardy herbaceous perennials, has some species which have long been cultivated. […]

Zucchini A very rich bed is essential for a regular supply of marrows between late July and autumn. Soil which has received a generous dressing of well-rotted farmyard manure or garden compost is ideal. Planting distances depend on the type […]

Cultivation A deeply-dug well-manured soil in an open sunny position is best, but the ideal condition is when the crop follows a heavily manured one such as early potatoes. Apply a dressing of superphosphate at 55g (2oz) per sq m […]

The leek is a valuable vegetable for winter and spring use and is often grown to replace onions when the last of the stored crop has been eaten. Sow the seeds outdoors in late March or early April on a […]

This critical member of the cabbage family, known botanically as Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera (Cruciferae), originated in Belgium. The popularity of the vegetable is due not only to the fact that picking can be extended over a long period, but […]

From the German common name trollblume, or the Latin trulleus, a basin, referring to the flower shape (Ranunculaceae). Globe-flower. A genus of 25 species of hardy perennials with large buttercup-like blooms and usually with palmately-lobed leaves. They are natives of […]

From the Greek stachus, a spike, alluding to the pointed inflorescences of this plant (Labiatae). A genus of 300 species of herbaceous perennials, annuals, and sub-shrubs, with a few shrubby species widely dispersed worldwide. One tuberous-rooted species, S. affinis, is […]

From the Greek pente, five, and stemon, stamen, about the five stamens (Scrophulariaceae). This genus of over 250 species of hardy and half-hardy herbaceous annuals, perennials, and sub-shrubs is almost exclusively North American. The name is sometimes erroneously spelled Pentstemon. […]