(Ornamental Gourd, Small Formula Mix Gourd)

Seed mixtures sold under this name yield a crop of small decorative "gourds" in a wide variety of shapes and colors. Numerous cultivars from several species of Cucurbita (including C. pepo) are typically included.

Most "gourd" seed mixtures contain cultivars of Cucurbita pepo, C. moschata, C. maxima, Lagenaria siceraria, and other members of the squash family (the Cucurbitaceae). These warm-season, trailing or...

(Cumin)

Mexican and Indian foods are renowned for their flavors of cumin, but surprisingly this annual herb originates from North Africa along the Mediterranean, most specifically Egypt. It is a fast-growing but short-lived plant that completes its life cycle in only three or four months. Cumin may be grown during the frost-free times of year when temperatures are comfortably cool, such as spring or fall. The cumin spice is the dried fruit and the seeds, which are typically ground.

An upright plant...

(Quince)

(Chinese Forget-Me-Not, Summer Forget-Me-Not)

Prized for its summer-long display of azure flowers, this short-lived tender perennial from East Asia is typically grown as an annual or biennial.

Dense clumps of felted, gray-green, lance-shaped to oval leaves give rise to one-sided sprays of small, five-lobed, sky-blue flowers on calf- to knee-high stems. Flowering begins in early spring or 2 months after sowing, continuing as long as temperatures remain mild. Small, bristly, bur-like fruits follow the flowers. Self-sowing often occurs, sometimes...

(Chinese Forget-Me-Not, Summer Forget-Me-Not)

Prized for its summer-long display of azure flowers, 'Blue Shower' is a tall, floriferous, seed-grown selection of Chinese forget-me-not, a short-lived tender perennial from East Asia. It is typically grown as an annual or biennial.

Dense clumps of felted, gray-green, lance-shaped to oval leaves give rise to one-sided sprays of small, five-lobed, sky-blue flowers on knee-high stems. Flowering begins in early spring or 2 months after sowing, continuing as long as temperatures remain mild. Small,...

(Nut Sedge, Yellow Nut Sedge)

Gardeners who have run across this noxious perennial or annual weed know just how obnoxious it is. Nut sedge spreads aggressively if allowed to take hold because it's tough as nails and spreads via fast-growing rhizomes (underground roots and stems). To make matters worse, it also produces tuberous nutlets that remain behind when the weed is pulled and grow into whole new plants. This pervasive weed can be found in North Temperate and subtropical regions across the globe, so most will meet up with...

(Flatsedge, Hardy Papyrus)

Though some argue flat sedge looks a bit like nut sedge on steroids, this fast-growing sedge can make a pleasing garden statement if planted in a moist container or enclosed garden space among colorful garden flowers. Native populations are found in southeastern Europe, along the Caucasus Mountains and down into Syria, Israel and Pakistan. Flat sedge grows best in moist soils but will tolerate those with average moisture.

The bright green, grassy foliage of hardy papyrus has a distinct triangular...

(Miniature Papyrus)

African in origin, miniature papyrus is a super compact sedge adapted to moist ground and riversides. This evergreen tender perennial is best suited to containers and lowland gardens, and even though it's only hardy to zone 9 it can be grown as an annual in areas with cold winters.

This compact papyrus forms bunches of pinwheel-like floral heads and foliage. The arching stems are topped with fine green bracts. When weather is warm and accommodating, green and reddish brown spikelets of flowers...

(Moccasin Flower, Pink Lady's Slipper, Pink Ladyslipper Orchid)

Mid- and late spring brings out moccasin flower's rosy pink flower with brown sepals. A ground-dwelling (terrestrial) orchid that is an herbaceous perennial, this beauty grows from a rhizome (underground stem). This is a highly variable species, depending on where in North America it originates; and it readily hybridizes with other lady's slipper species. The native range is large: from Alaska southward across the lower half of Canada as well as the Rocky Mountains of the United States and a large...

(Aitara Majesty Dahlia, Dahlia, Semi-cactus Dahlia)

Nothing beats dahlias as everblooming bedding plants and cutflowers. Cultivar 'Aitara Majesty' is a herbaceous, warm season, tender perennial with bulbous underground tubers. Its green foliage is made of single, oval and pointed leaflets with toothed margins. The large to sometimes giant, doubled, semi-cactus flowers are bright yellow and long-lasting. It is good to remove the old buds from spent flowers to encourage continued flowering.

Dahlias prefer well-drained, fertile soil and full to...