Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Alisma plantago-aquatica

Family: (Alismataceae)

(P) to 2′. Water Plantain. Eurasia. Tall, open panicles of creamy white to pale rose, three-petalled flowers which are yellow at the base and have six prominent stamens and numerous stigmas that create a green, domed centre. The flowers unfurl in the afternoon for only a few hours before closing at dusk. Attractive rosettes of upright, ribbed, lanceolate leaves on long fleshy stems. Terrific in seed, and a great food source for the birds. Loves the water’s edge, but can grow in up to ten inches of water. Sun. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Allium albidum subsp. caucasicum (syn. Allium denudatum)

Family: (Alliaceae)

Hardy bulb to 6″.  W Russia, Romania, Bulgaria.  This rhizomatous Allium is a fine, compact, mat-forming onion for the rock garden.  The white, star-shaped flowers in July and August are large, plentiful and sublime against the carpets of fine, green, flat foliage.  A great way to jazz things up in the rockery in mid to late summer.  Full sun and average moisture soil.  3 & 6

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Allium angulosum

Family: (Alliaceae)

Hardy bulb to 16″. Mouse Garlic. Europe. Loose heads formed by multiple, cup-shaped flowers of pale purple. Blooms June to August. Sun. 3 & 6

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Allium flavum var. minus

Family: (Alliaceae)

Hardy bulb to 4″.  Central Europe to West Asia.  Lilliputian form of Allium flavum.  Loose umbels of sulphur-yellow flowers in early summer.  Grey glaucous foliage.  Loves a hot dry location.  Great in a rock crevice.  Sun.  3 & 6

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Allium sphaerocephalon

Family: (Alliaceae)

Hardy bulb to 3′.  Drumstick Allium.  Europe, North Africa, West Asia.  Cylindrical, hollow, grey-green leaves to 14 inches long form a grass-like foliage clump in spring.  Sturdy, slender stems rise in late spring and are topped with oval, clover-like flowerheads. Each flowerhead is a tight, dense, one-inch umbel of tiny florets that emerge deep green but mature (top to bottom) to rose-purple, displaying an interesting bi-colour effect.  Excellent when weaving through their neighbours.  Blooms mid-summer.  Sun. 3 & 6

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Allium tuberosum

Family: (Alliaceae)

Hardy bulb to 18″. Garlic Chives. Southeast Asia. Spherical, white blooms freshen the flower garden throughout August. Sun/partial shade. 3 & 6

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Allium zebdanense

Family: (Alliaceae)

Hardy bulb to 16″.  Lebanon.  Dainty, cup-shaped, pure white flowers are held upright in loose umbels over dense clumps of smooth, bright green foliage.  Really brightens up the woodland in late spring.  Sun/partial shade.  3 & 6

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Althaea cannabina

Family: (Malvaceae)

(P) 7′. Europe. A tall, wiry plant producing lavender-pink, cup-shaped blooms with darker central eyes in the leaf axils of slender, branching stems. The palmately lobed leaves are roughly pubescent with a greyish white underside. “The whole plant is light and graceful.” (GST**). Moist soil. Sun. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Alyssoides utriculata

Family: (Brassicaceae)

Subshrub to 14″. Bladder Pod. Mountains of Europe. Alpine with succulent, matte green leaves and panicles of fragrant, bright yellow, mustard-like flowers, which bloom with Phlox, Alyssum and Saxifraga moschata. Later on, interesting ovoid, inflated seedpods emerge and eventually fall apart to reveal their inner, translucent septum with seeds attached resembling a miniature Honesty plant. Sun. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Amaranthus caudatus

Family: (Amaranthaceae)

(A) to 3.5′.  Love-lies-bleeding.  Andes.  Long, drooping, tassel-like flower spikes of crimson to wine red, from late summer into autumn. Lush green foliage and red-tinted stems add to the ornamental value.  A classic.  Sun.  3 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Amaranthus caudatus var. viridis

Family: (Amaranthaceae)

(A) to 3.5′. Green Tails. Andes. An interesting variant of Loves-lies-bleeding with bright lime green flower tassels contrasting against the lush green foliage. Very nice in combination with the yellows and oranges in our Yellow Rainbow. Blooms from late summer into autumn. Sun. 3 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Amaranthus cruentus 'Hot Biscuits'

Family: (Amaranthaceae)

(A) to 5′.  Thick, drooping flower spikes of an unusual burnt orange or rusty brown.  Combines well with other warm colours in the garden.  Glossy, green foliage.  Very nice.  Sun.  3 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Amaranthus gangeticus

Family: (Amaranthaceae)

(A) to 5′.  Elephant Amaranth.  South America, Africa.  This plant is a delightful point of interest in the flower or vegetable garden.  The tiny, congested sprays of crimson flowers form rounded, dense clusters that make up one extraordinarily shaped form, rather like an elephant’s trunk, or a pointing finger or two.  Sun.  3 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Amaranthus hybridus var. erythrostachys

Family: (Amaranthaceae)

(A) to 5′.  Peruvian Tassel Flower.  Many branched panicles of crimson, tassel-like flowers accentuated by the deep maroon foliage of this plant, creates drama in the border.  Sun.  3 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Ammi majus

Family: (Apiaceae)

(A) to 3’.  Bishop’s Flower.  Europe, Asia.  A sophisticated Queen Anne’s Lace with large heads of lacy white flowers and deep green foliage.  Great for cutting.  Sun.  3 & T1