usda hardiness zone 5

What a pretty shrub for early spring! White forsythia is a multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub native to Korea. It has arching branches that put forth fragrant, four-petaled, white to faintly pink blooms in late winter to mid spring, prior to the emergence of its glossy, dark blue-green foliage.

A location with full to partial sun and moderately fertile soil is best for white forsythia. It makes a nice addition to a mixed shrub border or foundation plantings. Early in the season, before bloomtime,...

It's hard to believe that okra is in the same family as hollyhocks and hibiscus. This tropical annual vegetable originates from Africa and has large edible pods that are a southern favorite eaten fried, stewed with tomatoes or used to thicken gumbo.

Mature plants become quite tall and have a sturdy upright habit. They have big, spiny, palmate, dark green leaves and produce pretty creamy yellow hollyhock-like flowers with burgundy centers. When these heat-loving plants are mature and producing,...

The pretty 'Burgundy' okra has purple stems, dark green leaves and produces lots of burgundy purple fruits. This tropical annual vegetable originates from Africa and has large edible pods that are a southern favorite eaten fried, stewed with tomatoes or used to thicken gumbo.

Mature plants become quite tall and have a sturdy upright habit. They have big, coarse, palmate, dark green leaves and produce pretty creamy yellow hollyhock-like flowers with burgundy centers. When these heat-loving...

It's hard to believe that okra is in the same family as hollyhocks and hibiscus. This tropical annual vegetable originates from Africa and has large edible pods that are a southern favorite eaten fried, stewed with tomatoes or used to thicken gumbo.

Mature plants become quite tall and have a sturdy upright habit. They have big, spiny, palmate, dark green leaves and produce pretty creamy yellow hollyhock-like flowers with burgundy centers. When these heat-loving plants are mature and producing,...

The high yielding 'Clemson Spineless’ okra has spineless leaves and produces lots of green okra pods in summer. This tropical annual vegetable originates from Africa and has large edible pods that are a southern favorite eaten fried, stewed with tomatoes or used to thicken gumbo.

Mature plants become quite tall and have a sturdy upright habit. They have big, coarse, palmate, dark green leaves and produce pretty creamy yellow hollyhock-like flowers with burgundy centers. When these heat-loving...

The high yielding ‘Emerald’ okra produces lots of tender rich green pods in summer. This tropical annual vegetable originates from Africa and has large edible pods that are a southern favorite eaten fried, stewed with tomatoes or used to thicken gumbo.

Mature plants become quite tall and have a sturdy upright habit. They have big, coarse, palmate, dark green leaves and produce pretty creamy yellow hollyhock-like flowers with burgundy centers. When these heat-loving plants are mature and producing,...

It's hard to believe that okra is in the same family as hollyhocks and hibiscus. This tropical annual vegetable originates from Africa and has large edible pods that are a southern favorite eaten fried, stewed with tomatoes or used to thicken gumbo.

Mature plants become quite tall and have a sturdy upright habit. They have big, spiny, palmate, dark green leaves and produce pretty creamy yellow hollyhock-like flowers with burgundy centers. When these heat-loving plants are mature and producing,...

The pale creamy yellow-green okra pods of ‘Silver Queen’ remain tender and flavorful even when big. This heirloom is also said to have exceptional flavor, and the interesting color of the fruits really set this southern selection apart.

It's hard to believe that okra is in the same family as hollyhocks and hibiscus. The tropical annual vegetable originates from Africa and has large edible pods that are a southern favorite eaten fried, stewed with tomatoes or used to thicken gumbo.

Mature...

Sunset hibiscus, is both an edible and ornamental plant that is native to eastern Asia. Like okra, its pods are used to thicken stews and vegetable dishes and can be ornamental when dried. The primary ornamental value of these tall plants come from their large showy yellow hibiscus-like flowers and bold glossy dark green leaves. Provide them with full sun and well-drained soil. Be sure to remove mature seed pods in the fall because these tender perennials tend to self sow. Plant in vegetable gardens...

A tall conifer, the European silver fir has deep green needles with a silvery underside that was traditionally used as a Christmas tree before other North American fir species were favored. Upright in shape with a pyramid-like upper canopy that becomes flattened with great age, this very tall tree is native to southern Europe's mountains, from the Pyrennes eastward across the Alps and into the Caucusus. The smooth gray bark will eventually crack into plates.

Needles growing in shade are held...