(Wild Garlic)

This is an enormous and diverse plant genus. The onion family contains about 1250 species of herbaceous bulbous or rhizomatous plants that can be found across north temperate climates worldwide. All are perennials and cultivated forms are either grown for their ornamental flowers and foliage or as crops that yield edible greens and bulbs, such as onion, garlic, chive and leek. Species may be deciduous or evergreen and some are ephemeral.

Ornamental onions run the gamut from tiny groundcovers...

(August Lily, Belladonna Lily, Naked Lady)

Bringing an exotic, naked-stemmed floral display to the doldrums of summer, belladonna lily's pink blossoms bring an air of spring. Not to be confused with the common florists' amaryllis, Hippeastrum, belladonna lily is a deciduous, perennial bulb native to South Africa. Clusters of large, showy, fragrant pink flowers bloom on tall sturdy stems in summer when the strap-like basal foliage is absent. The leaves appear in late fall or winter and persist into mid-spring. Forms and hybrids of...

(Voodoo Lily)

A bizarre, summer-growing plant with malodorous flowers, this tuberous perennial is native from northern India eastward to Myanmar (Burma). Considered not as bad smelling as others, this species is among the most striking in bloom, with upright, pinkish spathes on mottled stalks in spring. A large compound leaf arises on a mottled stem in late spring and persists until fall, when it collapses almost literally overnight. In autumn, small bulbils which can grow into plants form on the leaf margins.

This...

(Devil's Tongue, Elephant Yam, Konjac)

A bizarre, summer-growing plant with with a large smelly inflorescence and an immense, waxy and fleshy leaf and stalk, this tuberous perennial is native from China to Indonesia. The maroon, funnel-shaped spathe emerges in spring on a tall wrist-thick stem that bears snakeskin-like marbling. The spear-shaped purple spadix protrudes from the spathe. The highly dissected dark green leaf arises on a mottled stem after the flowers collapse.

Plant devil's tongue in a fertile, well drained soil in partial...

(Titan Arum)

This gigantic, summer-growing plant from Sumatra has perhaps the largest inflorescence and tuber in the plant kingdom. In late spring, if the female plant is old enough, a thick, tall flower stalk emerges and unfurls a multicolored spathe and spadix with a rotting, foetid stench. It is pollinated by flies and carrion beetles. In summer, an immense leaf stalk reaches skyward with a huge, umbrella-like leaf that is very lobed and attractive.

This singular plant needs a warm, alkaline, well drained...

(Grecian Windflower, Greek Thimbleweed)

Grecian windflower is a diminutive spring ephemeral from southeastern Europe. In early spring its cheerful, daisy-like flowers appear on compact stems above triads of ferny three-parted leaves. The solitary blooms open wide in bright sun to reveal a central eye of yellow anthers. A white halo may rim the flower's center. Soon after bloom, plants die back. They are borne from underground tuberous rhizomes that spread to form clumps. The tubers are black and irregularly shaped.

This wind-tolerant...

(Blue Star Grecian Windflower, Grecian Windflower)

Grecian windflower is a diminutive spring ephemeral from southeastern Europe. The cultivar 'Blue Star' bears cheerful hyacinth-blue flowers in early spring. Perched on compact stems above triads of ferny, three-parted leaves, the solitary, daisy-like blooms open wide in bright sun to reveal a prominent white eye and yellow anthers. Soon after bloom plants die back to black tuberous rhizomes that spread to form clumps. Self-sowing often occurs.

This wind-tolerant perennial is great for naturalizing...

(Charmer Grecian Windflower, Grecian Windflower)

Grecian windflower is a diminutive spring ephemeral from southeastern Europe. The cultivar 'Charmer' bears daisy-like, deep rosy-pink flowers in early spring. Perched on compact stems above triads of ferny, three-parted leaves, the solitary blooms open wide in bright sun to reveal a prominent white eye and yellow anthers. Soon after bloom plants die back to black tuberous rhizomes that spread to form clumps. Self-sowing often occurs.

This wind-tolerant perennial is great for naturalizing in open...

(Grecian Windflower, Pink Star Grecian Windflower)

Grecian windflower is a diminutive spring ephemeral from southeastern Europe. The cultivar 'Pink Star' bears cheerful, light pink flowers in early spring. Perched on compact stems above triads of ferny, three-parted leaves, the solitary, daisy-like blooms open wide in bright sun to reveal a prominent white eye and yellow anthers. Soon after bloom plants die back to black tuberous rhizomes that spread to form clumps. Self-sowing often occurs.

This wind-tolerant perennial is great for naturalizing...

(Grecian Windflower, Radar Grecian Windflower)

Grecian windflower is a diminutive spring ephemeral from southeastern Europe. The cultivar 'Radar' bears showy magenta flowers in early spring. Perched on compact stems above triads of ferny, three-parted leaves, the solitary, daisy-like blooms open wide in bright sun to reveal a prominent white eye and yellow anthers. Soon after bloom plants die back to black tuberous rhizomes that spread to form clumps. Self-sowing often occurs.

This wind-tolerant perennial is great for naturalizing in open...