The pansy and the viola are very similar and belong to the same family (Violaceae). Pansies are used mainly for summer bedding, although they can be treated as perennials and increased utilizing cuttings. This is what is done to perpetuate […]

How to Grow Oenothera Oenothera (ee-noth-er-a) From the Greek oinos, wine, and thera, pursuing or imbibing, the roots of one plant being thought to induce a thirst for wine (Onagraceae). A genus of 80 species of annuals, biennials and numerous […]

From the Greek lythron, black blood, in reference to the colour of the flowers of some species (Lythraceae). Loosestrife. This is a small genus, mainly consisting of hardy herbaceous and shrubby perennials from temperate regions. One of them, L. salicaria, […]

How to Grow Lychnis Lychnis (lik-nis) From the Greek lychnos, a lamp, alluding to the brilliantly-coloured flowers (Caryophyllaceae). This small genus from the north temperate zone of the Old World contains some good herbaceous perennials and one good hardy annual. […]

How to grow Leptosyne Leptosyne (lep-to-sy-knee) From the Greek leptos. slender, describing the growth of these plants (Compositae). A small genus of hardy annuals and perennials that deserve to be better known, as they are showy in the garden and […]

  Commemorating a German professor of medicine, Johann Hieronymus Kniphof, 1704-63 (Liliaceae). Red-hot pokers. These herbaceous perennials from South and East Africa and Madagascar are tolerant of wind, but dislike badly-drained soil. They are often seen in seaside gardens where […]

How to grow Impatiens Impatiens (im-pa-she-ens) From the Latin impatiens in reference to the way in which the seed pods of some species burst and scatter their seed when touched (Balsaminaceae). Balsam, busy lizzie. A genus of about 500 species […]

How to grow Hesperis Hesperis (hes-per-is) From the Greek hesperos, evening, when the flowers of some species become fragrant (Cruciferae). A genus of hardy plants including biennial and perennial species. Similar in form to Matthiola and Cheiranthus, and native to […]

How to grow Heracleum Heracleum (her-ak-le-um) Named after Hercules who is said to have discovered the plants medicinal uses, or after heracles, a plant dedicated to Hercules ( Umbelliferae). Cow parsnip. Vigorous and coarse-growing hardy perennials suitable for the wilder […]