Echinacea purpurea, Purple Coneflower, Asteraceae

Genus and species: Echinacea purpurea
Common Name: Purple Coneflower
Family Name: Asteraceae
Hardiness: zones 3-9

A summer perennial native to North America. It reaches 3-4 feet in height. Stems have alternating leaves that are rough and hairy with some serrated edges. Florets are lavender and purple though there are different varieties of other colors, such as var. alba which is a white coneflower. Other colors include oranges and pinks.

Photos taken August 24, 2011 at Virginia Tech in the Hahn Horticulture Gardens

Coreopsis verticillata, Thread-leaf Coreopsis, Asteraceae

Genus and species:
Coreopsis verticillata
Common Name: Thread-leaf Coreopsis
Family: Asteraceae
Hardiness: zones 5-9 depending on cultivar

A front of the border, very low, edging clump summer perennial native North America. It has cute needle-like leaves; very fine. This plant blooms like crazy! The flowers are daisy like and come in several color variations of reds, oranges, and yellows. This particular cultivar in the photo has yellow stamens and petals. Dead heading is not necessary.

Photos taken August 24, 2011 at Virginia Tech in the Hahn Horticulture Gardens

Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, Leadwort, Plumbaginaceae

Genus and species:
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
Common Name: Leadwort
Family Name: Plumbaginaceae
Hardiness: zones 4-9

A front of the border summer perennial with alternating leaves. Gives off terrific fall colors of bronze, reds, and yellow. The flowers are blue.

Photos taken August 24, 2011 at Virginia Tech in the Hahn Horticulture Gardens

Caryopteris x clandonensis, Bluebeard, Verbenaceae

Genus and species: Caryopteris x clandonensis
Common Name: Bluebeard
Family Names: Verbenaceae
Hardiness: zones 5-9 depending on cultivar

A summer perennial that has some minty fragrance to the foliage. The stems are NOT square and lead into the flowers. They also have opposite leaves that are narrow and strap like with a grey underside. The plant almost tries to be woody.


Photos taken August 24, 2011 at Virginia Tech in the Hahn Horticulture Gardens

Anemone x hybrida, Japanese Anemone, Ranunculaceae

Genus and species: Anemone x hybrida
Common Name: Japanese Anemone
Family Name: Ranunculaceae
Hardiness: zones 4-8

A summer perennial, this plant blooms late summer, early fall. The foliage looks similar to grape leaves; compound, a bit floppy and leathery, and stems lead into flowers. It has branched flower buds.

Photos taken August 24, 2011 at Virginia Tech in the Hahn Horticulture Gardens

Agastache species and hybrids, Anise Hyssop, Hummingbird Mint, Lamiaceae

Genus and species:
Agastache species and hybrids
Common Name: Anise Hyssop or Hummingbird Mint
Family Name: Lamiaceae
Hardiness: zones 4-9 depending on species

As is a characteristic of Lamiaceae, this plant has square stems. The leaves are opposite and smell like licorice or root beer when rubbed with hands. It is a continuous bloomer with small purple blooms.

Photos taken August 24, 2011 at Virginia Tech in the Hahn Horticulture Gardens

Achillea millefolium, Common Yarrow, Asteraceae

Genus and species: Achillea millefolium
Common Name: Common Yarrow
Family: Asteraceae
Hardiness: zones 4-8

This is a low growing, front of the border plant. The foliage is soft, fine, and fern-like. Flowers blossom in colorful bunches,shaped similar to Queen Anne's Lace.


Photos taken August 24, 2011 at Virginia Tech in the Hahn Horticulture Gardens

Introduction

Hello and welcome to my blog of plants! You'll find a list of herbaceous plants that I've encountered and learned about during my studies at Virginia Tech, in the order I learned them by list. You'll find great photos of herbaceous plants, their names and families, and details of where I found them. All photos have been taken by myself. May this blog be of benefit to thee!

Yours truly,

Amaal Alsharkawi