(Love-Lies-Bleeding)

Though grown in American gardens primarily for its curious tail-like clusters of colorful flowers, this large annual has long been a staple grain in the northern Andes, where it originated. Once more popular than corn, amaranth grain and greens fed the Incas for thousands of years, and are still a vital crop for peoples of the Andes. Two other species of amaranth are important grain (and ornamental) plants: Amaranthus cruentus and Amaranthus hypochondriacus.

This fast-growing,...

(Mexican Grain Amaranthus, Prince's Feather, Purple Amaranthus)

Nothing beats this tough, heat-loving annual for big, bold summer bedding displays. This Central American native has been grown since ancient times for its grain and greens, as have two other amaranths: Amaranthus hypochondriacus and A. caudatus. Purple amaranth was central to the Aztec culture, playing an important role in many of its religious rituals. Most contemporary gardeners cultivate it purely for its showy flower spikes, though it is increasingly grown...

(Prince's Feather, Prince-of-Wales-Feather)

This large, colorful annual is probably a naturally occurring hybrid originating in Central Amercica. It has been grown since ancient times for its grain and greens, as have two other amaranths: Amaranthus cruentus and A. caudatus. This amaranth was widely cultivated and revered by the Aztecs, playing a central role in their diet and in many of their religious rituals. Most contemporary gardeners cultivate it purely for its showy flower spikes, although it is increasingly...

(Joseph's Coat)

Grown in flower gardens for its dazzling plumage, this large annual is an important leaf vegetable in tropical Asia, where it is native.

This fast-growing, heat-loving plant bears large, elliptic or oval leaves that are often brilliantly hued when young, forming colorful ruffs atop tall, erect stems. The new leaves may be yellow, red, purple, bronze, ivory, or combinations thereof. The leaves gradually age to medium or dark green. In tropical Asia, where this plant is grown for the flavor rather...

(Serviceberry)

(Common Serviceberry, Downy Serviceberry, Juneberry, Shadbush)

Snowy white flowers fill the branches of downy serviceberry in mid-spring followed by violet-red berries and a bright fall foliage display. A rounded deciduous shrub to small tree, it will produce root suckers and create a shrubby thicket in natural settings. It is native across the whole of eastern North America from Quebec down to Texas. In the wild, this adaptable tree can be found in many sites from lowland wetlands to dry, upland woods and rocky or sandy bluffs. Its slightly tart and sweet reddish...

(Canadian Serviceberry, Shadblow Serviceberry)

The graceful multi-stemmed habit of shadblow serviceberry, white spring flowers, edible summer fruits and bright fall foliage brings much to the landscape. A native of the eastern North America, it is a large deciduous shrub or small tree that spreads by suckers and naturally resides in wetlands, such as bogs or swamps, though it is also commonly found in moist woods and stream sides. It is very hardy and many cultivated varieties exist for garden culture. Its berry-like summer fruits are edible...

(Canadian Serviceberry, Shadblow Serviceberry)

The heavy-flowering shadblow, Spring Glory®, is relatively compact, upright and has brilliant orange and yellow fall color. The graceful multi-stemmed habit of shadblow serviceberry brings much to the landscape. Amelanchier canadensis is a native of the eastern United States and southern Canada, it is a large deciduous shrub or small tree that spreads by rhizomes and naturally resides in swampy locations. It is pretty through the seasons with its small white spring blossoms, edible summer...

(Apple Serviceberry, Juneberry)

Birds will flock to the Juneberry for a taste berry treat in very late spring, and gardeners will sigh over the beauty of the white spring flowers and vibrant red and yellow fall foliage. Especially astute gardeners will manage to harvest the edible, sweet, purplish black fruits before the birds pluck them all from the tree.

Great debate and uncertainty remains as to the origins of this deciduous large shrub to small tree. Clearly native to eastern North America, taxonomists can't agree if it's...

(Apple Serviceberry)

Beautiful in flower, form and fall leaf color, the apple serviceberry is a shrubby small tree that warrants use in a variety of garden settings. It is a naturally occurring hybrid that combines the vigor, adaptability, and beauty of its two parents, Allegheny serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) and downy serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea). Many ornamental cultivars have been selected from this cross, all of which have great merit. The fruits are edible, sweet and can be eaten raw...