Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Nicotiana paniculata

Family: (Solanaceae)

(A) to 6′. Peru. Large, almost circular, velvety green leaves with the texture of chamois leather. Emerald green, tubular flowers are borne in panicles from the leaf axils, starting half-way up the main stem and culminating in a large, terminal panicle. Rare. Sun. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Verbena bonariensis

Family: (Verbenaceae)

(A/TP) to 5′.  South American Vervain.  A great “see-through” plant for the flower border.  Bristly, dark green, stiff stems have a few, three-inch long, clasping, lanceolate leaves.  Numerous, small, rosy purple, tufted flowers cluster in flat-topped cymes.  Blooms all summer.  Gently self-sows when happy.  Sun.  3, D & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Talinum paniculatum

Family: (Portulacaceae)

(A) to 2.5′.  Jewels-of-Opar.  Southeast United States to Central America.  Many slender flower stalks bear panicles of shiny, red-orange, three-part buds followed by tiny, rose-red, ¼-inch flowers containing 15-20 stamens.  Jewel-like, ruby-orange, rounded berries that eventually turn black.  Very succulent, dark green, opposite leaves add to this oddity.  Sun.  4 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Ammi visnaga

Family: (Apiaceae)

(A) to 3′.  Khella, Toothpick Plant.  Egypt.  Grown since antiquity for medicinal purposes.  This sophisticated Queen Anne’s Lace relative produces masses of feathery, delicate, aromatic foliage topped with wide, compound, flat umbels of tiny, greenish-white flowers.  An excellent and unusual filler; most desirable for cut flower displays.  Well-drained soil.  Sun.  3 & T1

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): Artemisia annua

Family: (Asteraceae)

(A) to 5′. Sweet Annie. Southeast Europe. Fast growing with finely cut, aromatic, bright green foliage bearing lots of loose clusters of tiny, yellow flowers in late summer. Makes a great temporary screen or hedge. Adds a nice touch to dried arrangements. Self-sows readily. Sun. 3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Atriplex hortensis var. rubra

Family: (Amaranthaceae)

(A) to 5′.  Red Mountain Orach.  Asia, Central and South Europe, North America.  An ornamental Orach with glowing, blood red to purplish foliage.  We love the striking, lance-shaped foliage almost anywhere in the garden.  Tall, dense racemes of red-purple flowers are followed by decorative, terminal clusters of buff-coloured seeds that are wonderful too.  Gently self-sows.  Sun.  Best sown in situ or 3 & T2.

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Bupleurum rotundifolium

Family: (Apiaceae)

(A) to 18″. A carefree border plant. The Euphorbia-like flower is neon yellow surrounded by green bracts. Glaucous foliage is similar to that of Eucalyptus. Self-sower. Sun/partial shade. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Chenopodium bonus-henricus

Family: (Amaranthaceae)

(A) to 2.5′. Good King Henry, Wild Spinach. C & S Europe. Good King Henry has been grown as a vegetable in cottage gardens since the beginning of time. This unusual spinach-like staple has triangular to diamond-shaped leaves with a slightly waxy, succulent texture. The young leaves and flowering stems can be either eaten in salads or cooked like spinach. Also known as ‘poor man’s asparagus’, the growing shoots can be tied together in bundles, cooked and eaten like asparagus. Simply delicious. Sun. 3 & T1 or sow in situ.

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Dysphania botrys (syn. Chenopodium botrys)

Family: (Amaranthaceae)

(A) to 3.5′. Feather Geranium, Jerusalem Oak. Aromatic, airy green spires of miniature, oak-like, pinnately divided foliage. An adventurous plant that winds its way through neighbours and onto paths in the most delightful way. Perfect for the flower border or herb bed. Sun. 3 & T3