It can grow to a height of 20 - 60 cm on average. The plant forms clumps that grow up to 40 cm in diameter, having grey-green alternate leaves 5 - 12 cm long with either simple or branched stems. The flower averages 3 - 7 cm across with several flowers per plant. It is a ray flower, a bright yellow-orange colour with a purple base. The tap root only extends 10 cm into the top soil. These flowers prefer dry, sandy soils and open spaces.
The plant produces many seeds per head. However 49 - 55% of the seeds are empty, and will not germinate. Germination rates range from 45 - 90% success rates, with a slight increase to 36 - 93% with stratification. Because of the slight difference between the seed success rates, no seed treatment is necessary. Store the seeds in the refrigerator, but keep them dry.
A robust, hardy flower, native to the northeastern portion of the United States, in the family Asteraceae. It is common in open area, including old fields. The large rosy-lilac to deep purple flowers have distinct yellow centres found clustered at the end of branching stems. The long leaves clasp around the stiff, hairy stems which are numerous. This aster prefers full sun in moist, rich soil, and is not the easiest variety to grow from seed but one of the most rewarding.
Without stratification of the seeds this plant has an average success rate of 40%, this rate increases after proper stratification. New England Asters grow to heights of ½ to 2 metres (2-6 feet), and bloom late, from August to October.
An interesting fact about this plant is that when the leaves are crushed they release an aroma similar to turpentine. There is no known human use for the consumption this plant. However it is recommended for erosion control and restoration because it establishes quickly and easily. Also, many animals need this plant as a rich food source.
There are many types of goldenrod that are native to this area. Goldenrods are members of the sunflower family, Asteraceae, as are Brown-eyed Susan and New England Aster. Gray Goldenrod grows, on average, to a height of 15 - 60 cm.
This plant is not the most common goldenrod. Canada Goldenrod is the plant seen on the roadsides etc. Seed Information:
The seeds mature between September and November. Each individual plant produces numerous seeds, of this they are usually 53-73% full. Germination rates range between 22-45% success, however these rates jump to 65-77% following a cold/moist stratification. Given this increase in seed productivity, a period of stratification is highly recommended before planting.
It can grow to a height of 30 - 70 cm on average. The plant has opposite leaves, 2.5 - 7.5 cm long, with a grey-green colour and a square shaped stem. The leaves are toothed and have a strong odour when crushed, somewhat like a mint. The flower is terminal, globose, and is a head-like cluster of 2.5 - 4 cm across. The flower is 12 mm long, and can be either pink, lilac, or rarely white. This plant grows well on dry soils on edges and in clearings.
Commonly associated with:
The clustered flower of the plant contains many nutlets, each containing a single seed. The seeds ripen in September and October, and are easily harvested by hand. The plant produces many seeds per head, of this they are usually 80-86% full. Germination rates range from 68-90% successful, with a decrease to 70-88% following a cold/moist stratification. Given this success of unstratified seed, no seed pretreatment is required to grow Wild Bergamot. Wild Bergamot should be stored in the fridge and kept dry.
Oswego Tea, also called bee balm, blue balm, blue stocking, high balm, low balm, mountain balm, and mountain mint, is a perennial plant of the mint family (Lamiaceae) and has a quadrangular, hairy stem that bears opposite, deep green, smooth (glaabrous), ovate, serrate leaves from 15 to 30 cm (3-6 inches) long. The scarlet, two-lipped flowers grow in solitary terminal heads from July to September. The plant, on average, grows to a height of ½ to 1 ½ metres (2-4 feet) tall, in bunches up to 3 feet across. It is a moderate to fast growing plant which can tolerate most soil and light conditions; growing well in full sun, and spreading quickly in shade.
The leaves of the plant have been used traditionally to make a strongly mint flavoured tea that is said to be good for fever, stomach problems and restful sleep. The leaves are simmered for 10 minutes to bring out the full flavour. Oswego tea has been used effectively as a carminative, rubefacient, and stimulant. Oswego tea has been used mainly as a stomach preparation, to relieve nausea, vomiting, and flatulence. The name "Oswego Tea" reflects its popularity and refers to the fact that it is an abundant plant in the Oswego region of New York near Lake Ontario. Another of its common names, Bergamot, comes from its fragrant resemblance to the bergamot orange, which it is not related to.
Native to eastern N. America; genus named for Nicolas Monardes, a 16th century Spanish botanist; name Oswego Tea is from early explorer John Bartram who found settlers near Oswego, NY using leaves for a tea; the name Beebalm is from its attractiveness to bees.
Butterfly Weed is a member of the milkweed family (Asclepiadaceae). It is an herbaceous perennial, which grows to 60 cm (24 inches) tall on average, and blooms a bright rich orange from late June to September. The plant has a hairy stem, and does not ‘milk' when broken. The seedpod is spindle shaped 20 to 30 cm (4-5 inches) tall.
The plant will not flower freely until well established. The best sites have exposure to sun or partial shade and this plant can tolerate almost any soil. The plant prefers dry soils especially old fields, and cannot tolerate heavy clay soils. Once established, do not disturb Butterfly Weed unnecessarily. Butterfly Weed is slow to start growth in the spring so mark its location to prevent damage to easily injured dormant crowns. As its name implies, the flowers attract butterflies. A period of cold/moist stratification is necessary to ensure successful seed germination.
Cardinal flowers grow up to ½ metre (2 feet) high, if it is growing higher than this, the plant is most likely a garden hybrid, or of European origin, and not from original wild stock. Cardinal flowers are the essence of red, and they bloom from July to September, spreading intense scarlet spikes across the field edges.
Cardinal flowers need a moist soil to grow, and they are not very drought tolerant. This flower grows best on clay to sandy loam soils, ranging from neutral to slightly acidic, and in locations of partial shade to full sun. The seeds will germinate in 3 to 4 weeks if grown between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius.
Flowering spurge has pretty little "flowers." Actually, as in all species of Euphorbia, what looks like a flower is really an entire inflorescence called a cyathium. Each cyathium has a number of male flowers, each consisting of a single stamens, and one female flower. What looks like a row of white petals is in fact a ring of glands and appendages around the rim of the cyathium. Flowering spurge was once tested for petroleum production and under cultivation is capable of producing 8 - 10 barrels of crude oil like compounds per acre!
Flowering spurge grows well, germinating in 3 to 4 weeks, under normal greenhouse conditions. It grows well in combination with Wild Bergamot, Brown-eyed Susan and Butterflyweed, creating a very pleasing combination. Flowering spurge needs a period of cold/moist stratification between 1 - 3 months long, to ensure adequate germination.
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