Most Common Forb
The Orange daylily is a perennial plant known for its captivating lily-like blooms. Its natural habitats are meadows and forests, but it is also a common garden plant in temperate regions around the world. Each individual flower lasts only a day, but the plant will bloom new ones for weeks. Orange daylily’s young buds and flowers are edible either raw or cooked. As a bonus to vegetarians, the flowers contain more fats than most vegetables.
Flaming katy (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) originates from Madagascar and has been a popular houseplant since the 1930s. Unlike most other succulents that are grown for their interesting leaves, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is valued for the colorful flowerheads it produces in autumn and winter. This is the reason it is commonly gifted during holidays, earning it another name – Christmas kalanchoe. It is toxic to pets.
The trademark feature of Asia-native plantain lilies is the numerous glossy oval leaves with deep parallel veins. The Fragrant plantain lily is additionally decorated with strongly fragrant, trumpet-shaped, large white flowers, which are unique in the genus. Hosta plantaginea is one of the favorite cultivated plants for north-facing and shady gardens, but it also tolerates high humidity and temperatures.
The Bearded iris is a flowering plant that appears in many different colors. It is a popular garden plant because it’s easy to grow. Though their native lands are in Europe, Bearded irises are often grown in Iranian cemeteries.
Large white petunia (Petunia axillaris) is a flowering herbaceous annual plant of the tobacco family (Solanaceae), native to South America. Because of its hardiness and elegant trumpet-shaped white flowers, it is a familiar garden plant, but still less common in gardens than its descendent – the garden petunia. Garden petunia is a hybrid of Petunia axillaris and Petunia integrifolia.
The Peace lily gets its scientific name Spathiphyllum wallisii from a combination of the two Greek words ‘spath’ and ‘phyl’, which means spoon and leaves, respectively. The large graceful white spath of the Peace lily resembles a white flag, which is an international symbol of truce or peace.
When you look at a wild Cabbage plant, you may be surprised by how many edible vegetables were derived from it. Native peoples selectively cultivated the wild Cabbage over centuries to produce broccoli, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, and more. The wild form of the plant is also edible.
The Plumed cockscomb is a bright plant with recognizable red, pink, or purple flowers. It grows best in warm, tropical environments. Occasionally, Plumed cockscomb is used as an ingredient in soap. In China and India, however, the plant is considered a pesky weed that reduces biodiversity.
The Garden dahlia is a common spring flower that comes in a wide range of colors. The flowers themselves are unscented and attract pollinators (like bees) using only their bright coloration. Garden dahlia plants were grown by ancient Aztecs and it is now the official flower of Mexico. It is genetically related to garden plants like sunflowers and zinnias.
There are two thoughts on the origin of the Sweet William name. The first is that is was named after the Duke of Cumberland, William Augustus. The second is that the name came from the writings of Thomas Tusser, an English poet. In either case, this old-fashioned garden plant is a lovely addition to any space.
The Spider plant is a green perennial plant with long, thin leaves that earn it another name, “ribbon plant.” It has spread far from its native Africa because it is easy to care for. Since Spider plants grow well in partial or full shade, they have become popular houseplants.
Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is an herb native to North America that flourishes in prairie environments or open wooded areas. The Purple coneflower makes a good addition to a flower bed or garden because its blooms last the whole summer and attract pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds.
Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) is a stalk-flowering plant known for its height and attractive flowers. It regularly reaches head height or beyond – from 5 to 8 ft tall. The presence of Hollyhock in a garden can also attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
The August lily is also known by the more risqué name “naked lady flower” due to the naked appearance of the long leafless stalk that leads up to the cluster of flowers. The August lily is known to be a very temperamental plant, and making it thrive often seems to be a matter of luck.
Begonia cucullata is a native of South America. It is often used as a ground cover and also does well in containers. The blossoms of Wax begonia can be red, white, or pink. In some states like Florida and Georgia, Wax begonia is considered an invasive species due to its tendency to reseed prolifically in the right conditions.