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 […]

How to grow Hemerocallis Day lilly Hemerocallis (hem-er-o-kal-lis) From the Greek hemero, a day, and kallos, beauty, referring to the life of the flowers (Liliaceae). Day lily. Hardy perennials from temperate E. Asia and S. Europe, very adaptable, flowering for […]

How to grow Helxine Helxine (helks-in-e) Derivation uncertain. Possibly from the ancient Greek name for pellitory, a related plant, or from the Latin helix, ivy, since the plant creeps ( Urticaceae). Baby s tears. A genus of a single species […]

How to grow Heliopsis Heliopsis (he-le-op-sis) From the Greek helios, the sun, opsis, like, referring to the flowers (Compositae). Orange sunflower. Hardy herbaceous perennials resembling sunflowers, good border plants, especially since the more recent introduction of several good forms ; […]

How to grow Helichrysum Helichrysum (hel-ee-kry-sum) From the Greek hellos, the sun, chrysos, gold, referring to the yellow flowers of some species. (Compositae). Everlasting flower, Immortelle flower. A large genus of plants ranging from alpines to shrubs, bearing daisy-like flowers. […]

How to grow Helianthus Helianthus (hel-ee-an-thus) From the Greek helios, the sun, anthos, a flower. (Compositae). Sunflower. A genus of tall, coarse-growing plants, annuals and perennials, gross feeders which dominate the border in which they are planted. H. annuus, the […]

How to grow Gazania Gazania (gaz-ay-ne-a) Commemorating Theodore of Gaza, fifteenth-century translator of the botanical works of Theophrastus (Compositae). Treasure flower. Half-hardy perennials from South Africa, with showy flowers, which open in the sun and close about 3 p.m. The […]

How to grow Euphorbia Euphorbia (u-for-be-a) Named after Euphorbus, physician to King Juba of Mauritania (Euphorbiaceae). A genus of about a thousand species, widely distributed, mainly in temperate regions, showing immense diversity of form and requirements. They include annual, biennial […]