There are about 6 species of tap rooted rosette forming perennials and biennials, in this genus. They occur from grassland and saline coastal habitats in Europe, Northern Africa, the Mediterranean and Asia. They have ovate to triangular-ovate, glossy, light or mid green or purple basal leaves, and lance shaped stem leaves carried on thick leaf stalks. Spink like cymes of insignificant greenish flowers are produced in summer, with flowering accelerated by hot, dry condition. Flowers are followed by small, slightly prickly dry fruits. The most commonly grown species are grown as annual vegetables (such as beet and chard) or fodder plants, forming massively swollen roots. Useful for summer and winter color contrast in mixed border or in annual bedding.

Grow in rich, loose but moisture retentive soil in full sun or partial shade. Water thoroughly during periods of drought to reduce the likelihood of bolting.

Prone to fungal leaf spots, downy mildew, powdery mildew, damping off, root rots caused by pythium and phytophtora, leaf miners, aphids, and caterpillars.

B. vulgaris subsp. cicla ‘Vulcan’ – Swiss Chard – This ornamental biennial, often grown as an annual grows 18″ tall and 18″ wide. It is grown for a decorative effect of its foliage. It bears clusters of initially upright then arching, narrow, sometimes puckered, glossy. Brilliant red leaves, 9-12″ long, with bright red midribs, with the leaf blades also red or purple red. Popular as a spinach substitute.

Zones 5-10

There are about 6 species of tap rooted rosette forming perennials and biennials, in this genus. They occur from grassland and saline coastal habitats in Europe, Northern Africa, the Mediterranean and Asia. They have ovate to triangular-ovate, glossy, light or mid green or purple basal leaves, and lance shaped stem leaves carried on thick leaf stalks. Spink like cymes of insignificant greenish flowers are produced in summer, with flowering accelerated by hot, dry condition. Flowers are followed by small, slightly prickly dry fruits. The most commonly grown species are grown as annual vegetables (such as beet and chard) or fodder plants, forming massively swollen roots. Useful for summer and winter color contrast in mixed border or in annual bedding.

Grow in rich, loose but moisture retentive soil in full sun or partial shade. Water thoroughly during periods of drought to reduce the likelihood of bolting.

Prone to fungal leaf spots, downy mildew, powdery mildew, damping off, root rots caused by pythium and phytophtora, leaf miners, aphids, and caterpillars.

B. vulgaris subsp. cicla ‘Macgregor’s Favourite’ – Swiss Chard – This ornamental biennial, often grown as an annual grows 9″ tall and 18″ wide. It is grown for a decorative effect of its foliage. It bears clusters of initially upright then arching, narrow, sometimes puckered, glossy. Brilliant blood red leaves, 9-12″ long, with bright red midribs, with the leaf blades also red or purple red. Less likely to bolt than other cultivars.

Zones 5-10

There are about 6 species of tap rooted rosette forming perennials and biennials, in this genus. They occur from grassland and saline coastal habitats in Europe, Northern Africa, the Mediterranean and Asia. They have ovate to triangular-ovate, glossy, light or mid green or purple basal leaves, and lance shaped stem leaves carried on thick leaf stalks. Spink like cymes of insignificant greenish flowers are produced in summer, with flowering accelerated by hot, dry condition. Flowers are followed by small, slightly prickly dry fruits. The most commonly grown species are grown as annual vegetables (such as beet and chard) or fodder plants, forming massively swollen roots. Useful for summer and winter color contrast in mixed border or in annual bedding.

Grow in rich, loose but moisture retentive soil in full sun or partial shade. Water thoroughly during periods of drought to reduce the likelihood of bolting.

Prone to fungal leaf spots, downy mildew, powdery mildew, damping off, root rots caused by pythium and phytophtora, leaf miners, aphids, and caterpillars.

B. vulgaris subsp. cicla – Swiss Chard – This ornamental biennial, often grown as an annual grows 9″ tall and 18″ wide. It is grown for a decorative effect of its foliage. It bears clusters of initially upright then arching, narrow, sometimes puckered, glossy. Light or mid green leaves, 9-12″ long, with bright red midribs and in some selections, with the leaf blades also red or purple red. Popular as a spinach substitute.

Zones 5-10

There are about 6 species of tap rooted rosette forming perennials and biennials, in this genus. They occur from grassland and saline coastal habitats in Europe, Northern Africa, the Mediterranean and Asia. They have ovate to triangular-ovate, glossy, light or mid green or purple basal leaves, and lance shaped stem leaves carried on thick leaf stalks. Spink like cymes of insignificant greenish flowers are produced in summer, with flowering accelerated by hot, dry condition. Flowers are followed by small, slightly prickly dry fruits. The most commonly grown species are grown as annual vegetables (such as beet and chard) or fodder plants, forming massively swollen roots. Useful for summer and winter color contrast in mixed border or in annual bedding.

Grow in rich, loose but moisture retentive soil in full sun or partial shade. Water thoroughly during periods of drought to reduce the likelihood of bolting.

Prone to fungal leaf spots, downy mildew, powdery mildew, damping off, root rots caused by pythium and phytophtora, leaf miners, aphids, and caterpillars.

B. vulgaris subsp. cicla ‘Bull’s Blood’ – Swiss Chard – This ornamental biennial, often grown as an annual grows 18″ tall. It is grown for a decorative effect of its foliage. It bears clusters of initially upright then arching, narrow, sometimes puckered, glossy. Dark red leaves, 9-12″ long, with bright red midribs, with the leaf blades also red or purple red. Popular as a spinach substitute.

Zones 5-10

There are 60 or so species, of rhizomatous, often tough or woody perennial in the Polygonaceae family, in this genus. They are found naturally occurring in a range of habitats, from marshy meadows and stream sides to scrub and rocky slopes, in eastern Europe and Central Asia to the Himalayas and China. Besides R. x hybridum which is grown for its edible leaf stalks, the Rhubarbs described here are grown for their imposing, large, basal leaves and tall flower panicles. A few species from mountainous region in Asia are dwarf , with small flower spikes. The hermaphrodite petalless, star shaped flowers are greenish-white to rose-red and sometimes have colorful bracts. The rounded, entire to palmately lobed leaves often emerge from bright red buds, they are sometimes crimson purple when young usually with coarse teeth and prominent veins, mid ribs. Flowers are followed small, triangular, winged, usually brown fruits. Grow rhubarbs near water, or in moist border or woodland garden. The leaves may cause severe discomfort if ingested.

Grow in deep, moist, humus rich soil in full sun or partial shade. R. alexandrae prefers wet marshy soil. Mulch annually with rotted organic matter. Divide in early spring.

Prone to root rot, slugs, rust, crown rot (sore shin), and Southern blight.

R. rhabarbarum – Rhubarb – Pieplant – This strong perennial grows 4′ feet tall and wide. From thick clustered roots it sprouts blunt, smooth leaves. Large, thick roots run deep into the ground, and are reddish-brown outside and yellow within. Stems are 2-3′ feet high, jointed and purplish.. The flowers are white. Succulent, red colored petioles, 18″ long, and ½” in diameter, are edible. Leaf blades are up to 1′ feet or more in width and length and may be toxic if ingested.

Zones

There are over 300 species of evergreen and deciduous perennials, climbers, and subshrubs, in this genus.  They are from sandy and coastal sites in Europe, Asia and Africa.  They produce arching, and spreading or climbing stems that hold scale like leaves and more prominent leaf-like stems which in some species have straight or curved spines.  It bears slightly scented white or pink flowers borne singly or in racemes or small clusters are followed by red, orange, or purple berries ½” wide.   The cold hardiness varies greatly between species and may need to be grown under glass.  Foliage is used in floral arrangements and the Asparagus officinalis is edible.

When grown indoors grow in soil based potting mix in bright filtered light.  Water freely from early spring to mid autumn and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly.  Water more sparingly in winter.

When grown out doors plant 12” apart from one another, in fertile moist but well drained soil in sheltered site in partial shade.  Do not harvest the young shoots or spears until third spring.  Divide in early spring.

Prone to Fusarium crown rot, Helminthosporium leaf spots, Cercospora leaf spots, rust, anthracnose, and canker occur.  Slugs, spider mites and aphids may be problem.

Asparagus officinalis – Asparagus – This frost hardy, herbaceous, erect perennial from Eastern Mediterranean and Western Asia grows to 3’ feet tall and 4’ feet wide.   It produces cluster of 4-25 leaf like stems, ½” long.  It bears clusters of 1-4 green-white drooping axillary flowers that become bright red berries ¼- ½” long.

Zones 4-9

There are over 300 species of evergreen and deciduous perennials, climbers, and subshrubs, in this genus.  They are from sandy and coastal sites in Europe, Asia and Africa.  They produce arching, and spreading or climbing stems that hold scale like leaves and more prominent leaf-like stems which in some species have straight or curved spines.  It bears slightly scented white or pink flowers borne singly or in racemes or small clusters are followed by red, orange, or purple berries ½” wide.   The cold hardiness varies greatly between species and may need to be grown under glass.  Foliage is used in floral arrangements and the Asparagus officinalis is edible.

When grown indoors grow in soil based potting mix in bright filtered light.  Water freely from early spring to mid autumn and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly.  Water more sparingly in winter.

When grown out doors plant 12” apart from one another, in fertile moist but well drained soil in sheltered site in partial shade.  Do not harvest the young shoots or spears until third spring.  Divide in early spring.

Prone to Fusarium crown rot, Helminthosporium leaf spots, Cercospora leaf spots, rust, anthracnose, and canker occur.  Slugs, spider mites and aphids may be problem.

Asparagus officinalis ‘Mary Washington’ – Asparagus – This frost hardy, herbaceous, erect perennial grows to 3’ feet tall and 4’ feet wide.   It produces cluster of 4-25 leaf like stems, ½” long.  It bears clusters of 1-4 green-white drooping axillary flowers that become bright red berries ¼- ½” long. It has longer thicker spears then the species

Zones 4-9

There are about 8 species of annuals and perennials, in this genus. They occur from dry, sunny sites in Europe, the Mediterranean, temperate Western Asia and Northern Africa. They have large, variably basal tufts of toothed or pinnatifid, mid green leaves, milky sap and stems that branch at flowering to bear numerous thistle or dandelion like, usually blue occasionally pink or white flowers, which close by midday. Cultivates forms including the salad greens radicchio and Belgian endive, chicory root is often used as a coffee substitute.   Contact with all parts of the plants may irritate skin or aggravate skin allergies.

Grow in fertile, well drained but moisture retentive soil in full sun.

Prone to bacterial soft rot, bacterial spot, powdery mildew, rust, leaf spot, damping off, southern blight, slugs, and a variety of virus.

 C. endiva – Scarole – This clump forming annual or biennial grows 10-12″ tall and 24″ wide. It produces curly, crisp, broad leaves in rosette form. Often grown under a pot or other covering to blanche the heart, making it less bitter. Flowers are violet-blue.

Zones 7-11

There are 20 or so species of perennials and biennials with origins in Europe and temperate Asia, in this genus. Usually grown as an annual in the garden for its stalk or petiole which can be eaten raw or cooked.  From fleshy bulbous roots sprouts white umbels flowers 3’ feet tall, fruits are small ribbed elliptical to oval seeds.  Trench celery is demanding of soil conditions and requires attention throughout the 9-month growing season.  Self-blanching celery is easier to grow but not as hardy and is chosen more by gardeners.

Grow in an open site in fertile soil with plenty of moisture but well-drained, enriched with organic matter or lime acidic soil.  Plant after all risk of frost has passed.  Essential that both water and fertilizer be given on a regular basis to ensure stalks remain tender and succulent.

Prone to yellowing, leaf blight, slugs, and celery flies.

Apium graveolens – Celery – This Asian and European species grows 3’ feet tall and 12-18” wide and occurs in marshy locations along the coast. This erect strong smelling perennial has finely divided leaves on thick grooved leaf stalks.  The lance shaped lobed, leaf segments are ½-2” long.  In late summer flowers are held in loose compound umbels.

Zones 5-10