Edible Plants

Sambucus canadensis American Elder

FAMILY Adoxaceae (Moschatel Family) NATIVITY North & Central America - NATIVE. Nova Scotia and Manitoba to Florida and Texas. Found in damp, rich soil. Often found along roadsides, near streams, on ditch banks, and in other moist places. Also seen at the edge of the woods in part shade. HARDINESS USDA Zones (3) 4-9 Form: Stoloniferous, multi-stemmed shrub, often broad and rounded with branches spreading and arching. SUCKERS PROFUSELY Landscape Size: 5'-12 variable, with 6'-10 spread. Texture: Medium, dense. Coarse in winter. Growth Rate: Vigorous Foliage: OPPOSITE, PINNATELY COMPOUND. 5 to 11, USUALLY 7 LEAFLETS, each 2"-6" long, 1/2"-2 1/2" wide, short-stalked, oblong, acuminate, SHARPLY SERRATED, lowest pair of leaflets often 2 or 3- lobed. Leafs out early in spring., Summer color is dark green, fall color is a pale yellow-green. white pith; small buds are red-brown Stems: Stout, glabrous with many lenticels and large, light, and pointed, terminal buds usually absent. The leaf scars are broad and crescent shaped. The roots send up many suckering stems, often some distance from the main plant. Flower: WHITE flat-topped CYMES, 5-rayed, convex, 6-10" wide, with yellow stamens. BLOOMS JUNE-JULY, profusely covering the entire plant. Not fragrant. LANDSCAPE USES Difficult to use in most home landscapes because of suckering habit but very useful for wet areas, for a naturalizing effect or roadside plantings, where it can be mowed. Grow for ornamental flowers and fruit; works well as a hedge, in the back of a mixed borders and roadside plantings as well as in wildlife garden for birds. The golden-leaved forms are especially nice coppiced and used in a large mixed border. ECOLOGICAL Flowers are attractive to butterflies and beetles, while the fruit is highly prized by birds and mixologists; host of the harmless, attractive elderberry borer beetle. GENERAL Caution: all parts of this plant except the flowers and ripe drupes contain the toxin.cvanogenic glycoside. The bark also contains crystals which, if.consumed, cause a painful, burning-itching sensation in the mouth Flowers are used to make fritters and berries make a delicious jam or juice or elderflower water. INSTRUCTOR The common name "Elder" is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word aeld, meaning "fire". The light pith of Sambucus was used as tinder to start fires. Medicinal uses: In several trials, standardized Elderberry extract (Sambucol), has shown itself to be effective for treating the influenza and shortening the duration the infection, without negative side-effects such as drowsiness. (Roseman) Traditionally, Sambucus extracts have been used for many medicinal purposes including: detoxifying the blood, to increase perspiration, treat wounds and respiratory ailments. Their diuretic properties make them useful for weight loss. Other properties are as an anti- inflammatory, expectorant, laxative, purgative and stimulant. (Brill 105) EDIBILITY Harvest: In early summer, cut whole flower heads as desired, leaving enough on the plant for a good fruit crop. Collect the drupes in late summer; first cut off whole clusters, once you have the quantity you desire, strip the drupes off by hand. Culinary Uses: FLOWERS AND FRUIT, BUT NOT RAW. Every part of the plant (including the seeds) except the flower petals and flesh of the drups contains some amount of toxin which can be broken down with heat - so cookine is required for safety. The drupes have a full and luscious flavor that is not overly sweet; in recipes they are often paired with apples. They are commonly used in jellies, chutneys, sauces accompanying meats, to make wine or to flavor and add darker color to wines. The flowers used to make cordial, syrup, flavor sparkling wine, stewed fruits, jellies, jams and sorbet. Dried flowers can be used to make sweet tea and fresh flowers can be batter dipped whole or in parts, FLonee prepared as fritters. Nutritionally elderberries are a good source of vitamin C and fiber; a fine source of vitamin A, B6 and E; a contributing source of iron and potassium; high in antioxidants. (National Geographic 340) Other Uses: Romans used the fruits to dye their hair. Elder flower water has been used to YeuP lighten skin and sooth sunburn. Hollowed out stems were used to tap trees for maple syrup, as well as to make flutes; however considering the toxins contained in the wood usage is not recommended. (Tozer 182)

Sagittaria latifolia Common Arrowhead Katniss

FAMILY Alismataceae (Water-plantain Family) NATIVITY North America ATIVE HARDINESS USDA Zones 5-10 Form: Herbaceous, emergent aquatic, perennial. GROW FOR ORNAMENTAL FOLIAGE AND FLOWERS. ATTRACTS WATER FOWL. Landscape Size: 1'-4' high. Texture: Bold Growth Rate: Fast Foliage: Ornamental. Basal rosette. The leaves are highly variable in size. Emergent leaves are broadly sagittate, up to 2' long; submerged leaves are linear to ovate and 4"-12" long. Foliage is medium green; exudes milky sap when broken. Stems: Submerged swollen corms; white or bluish, ranging in size from that of a pea to a golf ball. The corms send out stolons, which produce cormels (new corms) at their tips. Cormels may come up several feet from the parent plant. Flower: Ornamental, WHITE THREE-PETALED flowers 3/4" in diameter, borne in a raceme composed of 2-15 whorls of three. Peduncle rising to 4' high; above the foliage. This plant tends to be dioecious in its northern range, and monecious in its southern range; monecious plants have female flowers on the lower whorls and male on the upper. Male flowers have bushy yellow center with many stamens. Female flowers have numerous pistils, SPIRALLY ARRANGED INTO A GREEN SPHERE BLOOMING FROM JULY TO SEPT. MOENICIOUS IN SOUTHERN RANGE, DIOECIOUS IN NORTHERN RANGE. Fruit: Tan-green, flattened winged achenes, with a right-angled beak at the top; ripening from August to October. A single plant may yield up to 20,000 VIABLE WINGED ACHENES Light: Partial Sun, Full Sun Soil: Moist soil or in water up 12" deep. Pruning or Thinning: Deadhead flowers to prevent unwanted self-seeding. Transplanting: Easy; do not submerge the leaves of transplants. Propagation: Usually from the new corms; seeds take 2 years to germinate. Pests & Diseases: None serious; spider mites and aphids can occasionally be a problem. LANDSCAPE USES Grow this plant for its attractive foliage and flowers; good for large containers, water gardens, bogs along pond margins. Arrowhead often used in pond. BIRDS AND MAMMALS INSTRUCTOR The corms of Sagittaria were once an important and reliable source of carbohydrates to First Nations People in many rapidly after European settlers brought the common potato (Solanum tuberosum). (Spurgeon) parts of North America; however consumption of this plant declined The Pawnee name for Sagittaria corms is kirit; meaning "cricket" from their resemblance to the form of a cricket. (University of Nebraska) Other common names include: Duck potato, Indian potato, giant arrowhead, swan's potatoes, tule potato, Algonquin: katniss, Chinook Jargon: wapato. Medicinal uses: Bruised leaves and corms were used externally to treat wounds, insect bites and itchy skin. (Whitley 56) EDIBILITY CORM Harvest: Collect corms after foli has died back, in the fall, winter or early spring. In natural plantings, dislodge the corms from the soil with a hoe, pitchfork or rake. The corms will float to the waters' surface. Store the corms in a cool moist place. A single plant can annually yield up to 40 corms. Culinary Uses: The corms are bitter and unpleasant raw. COOKED corms have an earthy flavor similar to potatoes and chestnuts. Prepare them as you would potatoes: roasting, frying, baking, boiling, etc.

Amaranthus caudatus Love-lies-bleeding

FAMILY Amaranthaceae (Amaranth Family) NATIVITY Peru, Africa & India HARDINESS USDA Zones 5-11 Form: TENDER ANNUAL. Landscape Size: 2'-6 Texture: Bold Growth Rate: Fast Foliage: ALTERNATE, SIMPLE, 3"-5" ovate to broadly lanceolate, ACUTE APEX, MARGINS ENTIRE. Stems: Usually green, erect, moderately branched. Large plants may require staking. Flower: ORNAMENTAL, RED, PURPLE or WHITE TINY FLOWERS, BORNE IN LARGE ORNAMENTAL narrow DROOPING TERMINAL SPIKES up to about 1 'in length. Individual flowers are imperfect; either pistillate or staminate, with 5 tepals. The staminate flowers are concentrated mostly at the tips of the inflorescence. Grown primarily as a grain crop, a single Amaranthus caudatus plant can produce up to 100,000 seeds (Fern 220). Light: Full Sun Soil: Rich and moist; DROUGHT resistant once established. AMARANTH ACCUMULATES NITRATES in its cells when grown non-organically, so it is advisable to GROW YOUR OWN WITHOUT CHEMICAL fertilizers. Pruning or Thinning: None needed SOW HEAVILY, THIN HEAVILY Transplanting: Easy. Propagation: Cuttings or seed; sow outdoors after chance of frost, or start indoors in April (will self-sow lightly) Pests & Diseases: None serious; occasionally aphids during very hot weather LANDSCAPE USES For back of the boarder in mixed beds and cutting gardens INSTRUCTOR Other common names for Amaranthus caudatus include: purple amaranth, foxtail amaranth and quilete. Aztec: tzoalle, Inca: kiwicha. (Hickmott 215) A. tricolor names include: Chinese spinach, Malaysia: bayam, Caribbean: calaloo, Mandarin: Xian cai, Cantonese: Yin choi/in tsoi, Japanese: Hi-yu-na. (Larkcom 53) Amaranthus has been cultivated since 6000 BC. It was of great significance to the Aztecs, both nutritionally and symbolically. Amaranthus represented fertility and played a major role in many Aztec religious rituals. In 1519, Spaniards led by Cortez, as part of their effort to convert the inhabitants of South America to Christianity, outlawed all plants used in religious festivals. They forbid the cultivation of Amaranthus on punishment of death and ordered all plants destroyed. (Brill 145) EDIBILITY Harvest: Leaves can be picked throughout the growing season. The seeds require 3-4 months to reach maturity. To gather the seeds, bend the seed head into a bag and rub off the dry seeds. For larger scale harvest, remove whole seed heads and dry on a sheet. Use a screen to remove the chaff, and the seed is ready to be used. Culinary Uses: Leaves have a good mild flavor, similar to spinach. Amaranthus can concentrate nitrates in its leaves, which may cause nausea and cramps, so it is best to avoid chemical fertilizers; for a safe leaf crop grow organically. Young leaves can be eaten raw, older leaves can be cooked like spinach or added to soup. Whole seed can be boiled like millet seed. Roasting improves the seed 's flavor (spread seeds 1/2" deep in a pan and roast at 350 for 30 minutes; stir occasionally. Seeds can also be popped like popcorn. Cooked seed can be ground into flour and used to replace some wheat flour in recipes. It cannot replace all the wheat flour, because it contains no gluten (which holds baked goods together); however, plant based starches may be added to replace the gluten. Whole raw seed can also be sprouted like alfalfa and eaten on sandwiches or in salads. Nutritionally the leaves are high in antioxidants, vitamins A and C, as well as a fine source of protein, fiber, lysine, iron, calcium and potassium. (National Geographic protein-carbohydrate-amino acid balance; rich in vitamins and minerals; gluten-free grain. (Tozer 347) The seeds contain the highest protein of any grain; considered to have a near perfect 25). Other Uses: Red flowered forms are grown as a dye plant.

Allium tricoccum Wild Leek

FAMILY Amaryllidaceae (Amarylis Family) NATIVITY E North America NATIVE Form: Herbaceous perennial, bulb, with clumping habit. Landscape Size: 8" high. Texture: Medium. Growth Rate: Slow. Foliage: Basal, simple, 6"-8" long, 3 1/2" across, glabrous, BROAD and FLAT, RESEMBLING LILY-OF-THE-VALLEYy, arranged in pairs. Coloration is light green, with deep pink petioles. Crushed foliage smells of onions. Foliage becomes fully dormant by late spring. Flower: Ornamental, white, umbel, up to 2" across, composed of small, perfect, 6 petal flowers borne on peduncles up to 10" high. Blooms for 2 weeks in early summer, after foliage if fully dormant. Fruit: Dried seed heads persist through summer. SEEDS ARE GLOSSY BLACK on FLOWER UMBELS Light: Partial Sun -shade Soil: Moist, well-drained soils, high in organic matter. Pruning or Thinning: Unnecessary Transplanting: February to mid-March, once the ground has thawed but before foliage goes dormant; or in the fall. Propagation: Division in early spring or fall. Seeds can take 6-18 months to germinate. Pests & Diseases: None serious. LANDSCAPE USES Naturalizing in woodland areas. In shade gardens, pair with later emerging perennials, whose foliage will not obscure this plant's June-July flowering. INSTRUCTOR Other common names include: Ramps, ramson and wild garlic. In Appalachia, during the months of April and May many Ramps festivals are held to celebrate this special plant's pungent flavor. Festivals include "Stinkfest" in Bradford PA and "Ramp It Up! Festival" in North Carolina. Unfortunately this plant's popularity has caused much over harvesting in its native range. Populations are dwindling to supply up-scale restaurants and festivals. EDIBILITY Harvest: ALL EDIBLE. This is a very slow growing plant; each bulb puts out only 2 leaves per year, so harvest no more than one leaf a year from each bulb, or harvest every other year if you want them to become established. TAKE A SINGLE LEAF TO START UNTIL ESTABLISHED. Culinary Uses: The foliage has an excellent sweet onion flavor, similar to leeks; the mature bulbs are quiet potent. Used in salads, soups or anywhere you would use green onion.

Allium tuberosum Garlic Chives

FAMILY Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis Family) NATIVITY E ASIA Form: ORNAMENTAL UMBEL. Herbaceous perennial, bulb, with clumping habit. Landscape Size: 1'-1 1/2' high, 1'-2' wide. Texture: Medium Growth Rate: Medium-slow. Foliage: Basal, simple, 12"-18" long, linear, flat, glabrous, held erect, grey-green, remaining attractive throughout the growing season. Crushed foliage smells of onions. Flower: Ornamental, white, 2" loose umbel, composed of small, perfect, star-like flowers, borne on peduncles up to 2' high, in late summer. Fragrance similar to violets. Fruit: Dried seed heads persist into winter, adding interest. Light: Partial Sun Soil: Does best in light, fertile, deep soils, with good drainage. Adaptable to a wide range of soils. Pruning or Thinning: DEAD HEAD to CONTROL seedlings or cut back in late winter. Transplanting: Easy Propagation: Easy, by division. Slow from seed. SEEDS HEAVILY Pests&Diseases: ALLIUM LEAF MINER; occasionally aphids during very hot weather. LANDSCAPE USES Mixed perennial boarder, herb gardens, cutting gardens and large containers INSTRUCTOR Other common names for this plant include: Chinese leek, Flowering leek, Mandarin: Jiu cai, Jui huang (blanched chives), Cantonese: Gau tsoi, Gau wong (blanched chives), Japanese: Nira, Korean: Buchu or jeongguji. (Larkcom 71) tuberosum may also be blanched like asparagus, either by mounding or under an overturned Greens may be harvested throughout the growing season. Cut just below the soil level. EDIBILITY Harvest: Allow plants to become established; wait to harvest until the second season of growth. times a year. Greens may be stored in a refrigerator for up to a week. Blanched shoots keep for tender shoot. Shoots are harvested at between 6"-8" in height. Blanching may be performed 2-3 flowerpot with the hole covered. Blanching results in a yellow, less pungently flavored, more no more than a day or two. Culinary Uses: ALL PARTS ARE EDIBLE. Greens buds and flowers possess an excellent mild garlic flavor and can be used as a substitute for green onions.

Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group) 'Lacinato' Dinosaur Kale

FAMILY Brassicaceae (Mustard Family) NATIVITY Coastal, western and Southern EUROPE the 50" F range. Can tolerate temperatures as low 15 F, if acclimated slowly to cold HARDINESS All Zones. Cool season FROST -HARDY biennial. Grows best when temperatures are consistently in temperatures. Form: Loose basal rosettes of leaves. Landscape Size: 1-2' tall and wide, a few cultivars are larger; taller when bolting. Texture: Bold Foliage: LEAVES IN LOOSE ROSETTES, not making solid heads. Leaves BLUE-GREEN thick and glaucous, showy, and open from the center, which may be white, cream, pink, rose, red or violet. Develops best color after several frosts and when the temperature at night remains below 50 F. Margins of leaves may be smooth, curled, fringed or frizzy. Stems: Thick and glaucous, usually obscured by the foliage. Flower: Grown for foliage. Clusters of 4-petaled yellow flowers if survives to second year. Light: Full Sun - Can handle partial sun. Soil: EVENLY MOIST, well-drained soil of average fertility. Pruning or Thinning: Thin to 8"-12" apart. Remove flower stems as they appear (if undesired). Transplanting: In this area, time sowing so plants mature in fall. Keep watered. Propagation: Start seeds inside 6-8 weeks before time to plant in the garden. Germination occurs in 3-10 days at 70 F. Grow plants at 60 F for 3-4 weeks. If hardened off for a week, seedlings tolerate light frost. Pests & Diseases: Cabbage worms, cabbage loopers, flea beetles, aphids, harlequin bugs, rabbits, slugs, groundhogs. LANDSCAPE USES Beds, borders, specimen plant, containers, flower arrangements. Use bold foliage and fall interest. GENERAL Usually bolts in hot severely frozen and in mild winter areas remains attractive until spring. Plants set out in the nights are cool. Bolts after frost and cold weather followed by warm weather. Attractive until weather. Leaf color is more intense and plants are more compact when Delaware Valley in early spring may bolt rapidly. Different Brassica oleracea groups may have differing hardiness zones. EDIBILITY Harvest: Starting the crop in early will result in 2 or even 3 harvests; them off at the base of the plant. Alternately, harvest the entire head. Harvested B. oleracea sometimes summer. Remove single leaves as needed, from the outside of the rosette, breaking spring late spring, fall and leaves keep refrigerated, remaining crisp for up to two weeks. are usually cooked. To cook, steam, saute, roast or add to soup. They can even be chopped Culinary: Kale LEAVES have an excellent nutty-sweet-cabbage flavor, DINOSAUR CONSIDERED BEST TASTING. They may be eaten raw, but Kale looses color when cooked. Raw kale leaves make an eye catching garnish. Nutritionally, spread on a cookie sheet and baked at a low temperature to create a crunchy and healthy snack. Brassica oleracae is a good source of vitamin A and C, a contributing source of vitamin B6, fiber, calcium, iron and potassium. Caution: Avoid eating Brassica oleracea if you are taking anti-coagulents such as Warfarin.

Crambe maritima Sea-kale

FAMILY Brassicaceae (Mustard Family) NATIVITY Europe & W Asia - Northern Africa Form: ORNAMENTAL FOLIAGE AND FLOWER. Herbaceous clumping perennial, loose basal rosette. Landscape Size: 2 1/2' high and wide; 3 1/2' high in flower Texture: Bold Growth Rate: Medium Foliage: Ornamental, basal rosette of 2' long ovate-oblong, lobed, with wavy irregular margins; glaucous, fleshy, silver-grey; smells of cabbage. Flower: Ornamental DENSE INFLOURESCES , of cream-white 4-petaled flowers, developing a pink center as they mature, up to 1/2" in diameter, arranged in dense panicles from MAY INTO EARLY JUNE; fragrant, smelling of honey. Fruit: Seeds are within FLESHY SPHERICAL SEED CAPSULES. 1/4"-1/3" in diameter. In this plant's natural habitat, the seeds are dispersed by floating on sea water. Light: Full Sun Soil: Prefers WELL DRAINED. alkaline sandy soil but with tolerate heavier clay soils provided drainage is adequate. TOLERATES DROUGHT, low fertility and salinity. Pruning or Thinning: Spent flowering stems can be removed to tidy appearance. Transplanting: In spring or fall; older plants become increasingly tap rooted and difficult to transplant. Propagation: Easiest by root division; dig root clumps, and make sure each division has a growing point. Seed germination can be very slow; anywhere from 3-26 weeks at 60°F. Pests & Diseases: None serious. LANDSCAPE USES Lovely foliage throughout the growing season, for silver gardens and water smart gardens; well suited to both formal and wild garden styles; tall ground cover or specimen. EDIBILITY Harvest: TEENAGE LEAVES ARE BEST, OLDER LEAVES ARE BITTER. ALSO BUDDING FLOWER STEMS Harvest by pinching off tender young foliage, and budding flower stems before they become fibrous and tough. MID SPRING. They snap off easily from the plant when they are still tender. The largest harvest is in spring as the first leaves emerge, however lighter harvesting can continue throughout the growing season as additional leaves are produced. The youngest foliage tends to be the most pungent, mellowing as the leaf expands. I like the flavor best when leaves are 6-10 in length. Ernerging foliage can be blanched like asparagus under an upside-down flowerpot; blanched foliage has a mild hazelnut flavor. If you have more plants then you need, the thick ROOTS ARE ALSO EDIBLE, raw or cooked. Culinary Uses: MORE NUTRITIONAL IF COOKED. HEAVY VITAMIN C. Foliage and budding flower stems can be eaten raw or cooked. The flavor and preparation OF FLOWER STEMS are similar to kale or broccoli rabe. The roots are typically boiled or steamed.

Beta vulgaris (Cicla Group) Swiss Chard

FAMILY Chenopodiaceae (Goosetoot Family) NATIVITY Mediterranean HARDINESS USDA Zones 8-10 Form: HARDY clumping BIENNIAL in Zones 8-10; ANNUAL IN COLDER CLIMATES. Landscape Size: 2' high. Texture: Bold Growth Rate: Medium Foliage: ORNAMENTAL, BASAL, ENTIRE, with a strong upright growth habit. Leaf coloration varies by cultivar from DEEP GREEN to YELLOW-GREEN and deep red. The leaves are large, thick, glossy, and often wrinkled. The stem-like PETIOLES ARE HIGHLY ORNAMENTAL and available in a wide range of brilliant colors ranging from pink, red, orange, yellow and white. The color extends into foliar midrib and venation, contrasting with the leaves. Flower: In USDA Zones 8-10: blooms during the plant's second season of growth. TINY GREENISH or REDDISH FLOWERS without petals are borne on stalks up to 4' in height. Fruit: Cube-shaped calyx, DRY, AGGREGATE, FORMED FROM TWO OR MORE FLOWERS and containing 4-8 seeds. Light: Partial Sun - Full sun to light shade. Soil: Moist, rich, pH neutral; DROUGHT TOLERANT ONCE ESTABLISHED. Pruning or Thinning: Thin to 6"-12" spacing. Transplanting: Easy Propagation: Grow from seed, in early spring. The large "seeds" that come in seed packets are actually fruits containing 4-8 seeds; plant with 4"-6" spacing. If growing a seed mix, you may want to sow in a flat to select for specific colors. Pests & Diseases: None serious; slugs, leaf miners and fly larvae. LANDSCAPE USES Long season of interest. Plant in containers or flower beds, either as a mass or add here and there in mixed beds. "FEURIO" ORNAMENTAL GENERAL The common name "chard", originally comes from the Latin word cardus meaning "thistle" which became carde in French, from which the English then changed it to chard. The subspecies name "cicla" refers to Sicily, one of the first regions of Italy to cultivate Beta vulgaris. EDIBILITY Harvest: Once they are large enough to eat, remove outer leaves from the base a few at a time. Expect around 60 days from sowing until first harvest. Continually removing leaves will encourage more growth. The harvest usually continues from late spring until winter. Swiss chard kept refrigerated will last about 3-4 days. Culinary Uses: The leaves and petioles have a delicious and mild flavor. Red colored plants have a somewhat stronger flavor. Leaves and petioles are usually cooked separately. Young tender leaves can be used in mixed salads or garnish. Mature leaves can be used like spinach, sautéed or included in soups, savory pies, stuffing and sauces. The petioles should be treated like asparagus. They lose some of their color when cooked and become discolored after being cut. To prevent this discoloration in raw dishes, toss sliced petioles immediately in lemon juice or vinegar. In zones 8-11, the flowering stalk can be cooked as a broccoli substitute. Nutritionally, Swiss chard is a good source of folate and a fine source of fiber; it is also a contributing source of vitamin C, iron and potassium. (National Geographic 342)

Abelmoschus esculentus Okra

Malvaceae (Mallow Family) NATIVITY Widely Cultivated - Africa Form: Tender annual. Landscape Size: 2-5' high. Texture: Coarse Growth Rate: Fast Foliage: ALTERNATE, simple, 5-7"deep lobes; margins serrate. Usually green, however there are burgundy selections. Stems: Green, thick, somewhat woody. Flower: ORNAMENTAL, YELLOW to CREAM, HIBISCUS-LIKE FLOWERS, with a RED or PURPLE CENTER; 2"-3" across, perfect, 5 petals and a calyx split into 5 lobes. Each flower bloom over a long period of time, from summer usually until frost. LASTS a SINGLE DAY. The plants Fruit: GREEN seedpod CAPSULE reaching 4"-12" long, 5 sided, COMPOSED OF SEPALS, forming a calyx around in downy pubescence and contain the fruit resembling a pointed finger with ridges running down the length. The pods are covering many round white seeds. SELF-FERTILE . Selections with burgundy foliage also have burgundy colored pods. Light: Full Sun Soil: Rich, moist, well drained soil, pH 6-8, water and fertilize regularly. Pruning or Thinning: None required; suckers may be removed for more uniform growth. Remove swollen pods in order to extend flowering Transplanting: Temperatures over 60 F and warm soil are necessary for growth. Propagation: From seed; direct sow in late May or early June. Alternately, sow indoors six weeks before the time you would direct-sow. Germination speed can be increased by soaking the seeds in warm water overnight. If the plants become pot bound for several weeks before planting out, their size may become permanently stunted. This induced dwarfing may be desirable. LANDSCAPE USES A summer annual, grown for ornamental flowers, as well as colorful pods and foliage of burgundy selections. GENERAL Abelmaschus has been cultivated since at least 1300 BC, and is today naturalized globally in tropical and sub-tropical environments. INSTRUCTOR Okra' comes from a Nigerian word for Abelmoschus. 'Gumbo' is the West Indian name for Abelmoschus. EDIBILITY Harvest: The raw seedpods can irritate the skin, so wear gloves when harvesting. For extended harvest, pick the young pods 4-5 days after flowering, when they are between 2"-3" in length. Older pods become tough and fibrous. Fresh okra is very perishable, and will only last a few days in a cool humid place. Do not wash it until just before you are about to prepare it, otherwise it will become very slimy inside. Okra can also be dried and stored as a powder to be used as a soup thickener. Okra can also be stored for extended periods by canning or blanching and freezing either whole of sliced. Culinary Uses: Abelmoschus (Okra) pods have a sweet taste, similar to eggplant, and an unusual somewhat mucilaginous texture. To reduce the slimy texture of fresh pods, slice them into 1/2" rounds, rinse thoroughly, and/or cook with cornmeal. Okra pods can also be eaten raw marinated with other vegetables or pickled. Okra is traditionally used in Cajun cooking as a thickener for gumbo-a spicy stew. In southern cooking okra is often batter fried. In Asian, African and Indian cooking okra makes a good addition to stir-fries and curries. Important note: cooking okra pods in pans made of iron, copper or brass will turn the pods black. Nutritionally, okra is a good source of vitamin C, a fine source of folate as well as a contributing source of vitamin A, B6, thiamin and calcium. (National Geographic 345) The seeds are high in protein and are also said to be a great substitute for coffee. (Halpin 266) Other Uses: Mature pods were used to make rope and paper. Dried okra pods have ornamental value, used in arts and crafts, such as dry arrangements or icicles to decorate an all-natural material Christmas tree.

Asimina triloba Pawpaw

NATIVITY E &C United States NATIVE HARDINESS USDA Zones 5-8 Form: Grown both as a single trunk or multi-stemmed tree. Single-trunked specimens are pyramidal. Suckers from underground roots to form loose colonies. Landscape Size: MEDIUM 15'-20' tall; 10-20' wide. Texture: Medium-coarse Growth Rate: Medium Foliage: BOLD TROPICAL LOOK.Alternate, simple, entire, 6"-12" long and smooth when mature. Obovate to oblong (wider at leaf tip), pointed tip and tapering base. DROOPING on a SHORT PETIOLE. Medium to dark green in summer, FALL INTEREST TURNING BRIGHT YELLOW in LATE OCTOBER . Buds: NAKED AND PUBESCENT. Flower bud has 2-3 scales. Flower: Borne singularly; Purple, 1"-2" across in early May; borne on a long stalk before the leaves. Six petals, the outer 3 larger than the inner. Fetid aroma. SELF STERILE. SINGLE FLOWER, MULTIPLE OVARIES PRODUCES MULTIPLE FRUIT Fruit: *BERRY* LARGEST NATIVE EDIBLE FRUIT, vitamin-rich, greenish yellow fruit (berry) that ripens to brown about 2"-5" long, elongated to rounded in shape containing 2 to 12 large flat seeds. Selections are being made for fruit size and taste. Cross pollination from two different trees increases fruit production; pollinated by beetles and flies. Fruit starts dropping in late August and can continue to drop until November. Fruit drops green and then ripens after dropping. The fruit is relished by racoons and other animals. Bark: Gray to light brown, slightly scaly when mature. Light: Partial Sun - Does well in full sun or partial shade. Young plants prefer shade. Soil: Prefers MOIST, FERTILE, SLIGHTLY ACIDIC soil. Transplanting: Difficult to transplant due to brittle roots. Move small plants in spring, balled and burlapped or container grown. Transplanting from the wild is usually unsuccessful. Suckers from underground roots may form loose colonies. Propagation: Plants grown from seed have variable fruit quality. To grow from seed, stratify seeds in a jar in refrigerator for a minimum of 100 days: sow in spring. Very difficult from softwood cuttings; grafting, moderately easy. Pests & Diseases: None serious. LANDSCAPE USES Great for naturalizing or planted solitary in full sun for production fruiting. Deciduous screen, naturalizing a woodland edge, or in open woods. Best planted in riparian areas where they typically are found. Good tree for a small lawn: distinctive shape, great fall color and fragrant fruit. ECOLOGICAL Leaves are FOOD SOURCE for ZEBRA SWALLOWTAIL butterflies. MAMMALS GENERAL EVERY PART IS TOXIC EXCEPT FOR RIPE FRUIT . Breeding is being done to make a more commercial crop. There can be great variation in flavor between selections. Kentucky State University has a full time research program evaluating all 27 varieties. Hand-pollinate to improve fruit set. Fruit is highly desirable for bread, fruit drinks, and eating. EDIBILITY Harvest: COLLECT FRUITS FROM GROUND WHEN YELLOW/RIPE. or shake down the slightly under-ripe fruits, allowing them to become ripe in a dark dry place. A fully ripe pawpaw should feel like a ripe peach when squeezed. Pawpaws bruise easily and only keep 2 to 3 days at room temperature. They can be refrigerated for up a week and pulp can also be frozen for later use. Asimina trees begin bearing fruit at 4-6 years of age. They produce approximately 1 bushel of fruit a year and require least 160 frost-free days to produce fruit. (Jacke 528) Culinary Uses: The fruit has a complex, floral-fruity flavor described as sweet like banana or muskmelon, with the soft texture of custard. The flavor degrades somewhat when exposed to intense heat, so raw preparations are preferred. Eat inner-pulp raw out of hand or substitute it for banana in baking breads, custards, pies, cookies and ice cream. It can also be used to flavor tropical drinks like pina coladas or to make beer. Nutritionally pawpaws are high in calories carbohydrates, potassium and have a good balance of amino acids. (Brill 178) They are also good source of Vitamins A and C. (National Geographic 338) Other Uses: Annonaceous acetogenins, derived from the twigs, is being used to develop anti- cancer drugs, and pesticides. Cherokee used inner bark of Asimina trees to make cordage.

Rhus glabra 'Lacinata' Smooth Sumac

FAMILY Anacardiaceae (Sumac Family) NATIVITY Eastern North America HARDINESS USDA Zones 3-9 Form: Loose irregular, suckering shrub or small tree. CAN STABLIZE DRY SLOPE. CAN BE TRAINED INTO OPEN BRANCHED FORM. FALL COLOR Landscape Size: 10-15' high. Texture: Medium-fine in summer, coarse in winter. VERY ATTRACTIVE Growth Rate: Fast from suckers, medium to slow from old wood. Foliage: ALTERNATE, PINNATELY COMPOUND, the 11-31 leaflets are 1"-2" long, and DEEPLY DISECTED, giving them a FEATHERY APPEARANCE. The foliage is medium to dark green in summer, with EXCELLENT FALL COLOR in shades of YELLOW, ORANGE and RED. Stems: Smooth very stout stems and GLABROUS BRANCHLETS. The CUT WOOD IS ORANGE. Flower: Plants are DIOECIOUS; greenish female flowers form dense pyramidal clusters in JUNE TO EARLY AUGUST male flowers appear in similar but looser clusters. The flowers grow on current year's growth. DIOECIOUS. SOME CULTIVARS ARE SELF FERTILE Fruit: Bright RED, DENSELY HAIRY, DRUPES packed tightly together in PYRAMIDAL PANICLES. SUMMER HARVEST Light: Full Sun Soil: Prefers DRY to medium, of INFERTILE SOILS and SALT SPRAY. well-drained soil; highly ADAPTABLE provided drainage is good; TOLERANT Pruning or Thinning: INDIVIDUAL STEMS DO NOT LIVE LONG and SHOULD BE REMOVED periodically to encourage young, VIGOROUS SUCKERS. It can be trained as a single or multistemmed shrub or small tree, by removing all suckers. Transplanting: Easy; best transplanted in spring. Propagation: By division or root cuttings Pests & Diseases: STEM CANKER causes sometimes rub their antlers against the stems. stem and branch die-back; occasional caterpillars; DEER LANDSCAPE USES Good for informal plantings in tough winter persistent burgundy fruit control on slopes. Rhus provides excellent fall and winter sites. The suckering habit makes Rhus excellent for erosion interest with spectacular fall color and clusters and dramatic branching structure. BIRDS, MAMMALS GENERAL Rhus is a RELATIVE of POISON IVY and direct contact may cause a rash on some people. INSTRUCTOR The Rhus species typically used in Middle Eastern cooking is rhus coriaria, which FAMILY Anacardiaceae (Sumac Family) Medicinal uses: The fruits, bark and leaves contain tannin, which is astringent and used traditionally to treat diarrhea, sore throats, urinary problems and bleeding as well as the rash caused by poison ivy. The leaves were smoked for asthma and the blossoms were made into a mouthwash for teething children. (Tozer 168) EDIBILITY Harvest: CUT WHOLE FRUIT CLUSTERS from the shrub as needed, in LATE SUMMER. The flavor of the fruits is best before they are exposed to heavy autumnal rains. The fruits may also be dried for later use. Culinary Uses: FRESH FRUIT CLUSTERS, FLOWER STEMS ESPECIALLY make a delicious and refreshing APPLE FLAVORED SUN TEA in late summer. The chemical that gives the sumac fruit flavor is MALIC ACID which is also what gives apples their distinct flavor. **Place whole fruit clusters in a pitcher of cool or lukewarm water for several hours; you may remove the first clusters and add new ones to the same water to achieve a more concentrated flavor; if desired, add sugar to taste. DO NOT USE BOILING WATER, because that will cause bitter tannins to be released from the fruits. STRAIN**In areas of the Mediterranean crushed sumac berries are used as a tabletop condiment. ZATARIt is added during cooking to lend pleasant sourness and red color to poultry, fish, sauces, soups, yogurt, marinades, drinks and salads Other Uses: The fruits and leaves were added to tobacco; the milky sap is used in natural glues The fruits were used to make a red dye and the bark a yellow dye. Stems were split and soaked for basket weaving.

Foeniculum vulgare 'Purpureum' Bronze Fennele

FAMILY Apiaceae / Umbelliferae (Carrot Family) NATIVITY Europe Form: Hardy herbaceous perennial. SEEDS IN Landscape Size: 3'-5' high, 1'-3' wide. Texture: Fine Growth Rate: Medium-fast Foliage: ORNAMENTAL, rusty bronze-purple leaves with a fine feather-like texture. Fragrance like anise, when crushed. The common form has blue-green leaves. Stems: Same color as foliage; smooth, striated, branching, and hollow. Flower: Green-yellow flowers, arranged in wide COMPOUND UMBELS. Blooms in summer. Fruit: Small elongated seeds produced in summer. Light: Full Sun Soil: Neutral, drought tolerant. Pruning or Thinning: Cut back plants to the ground before they set seed to get fresh dark colored growth or cut to the ground after collecting seed. Transplanting: Easy. Propagation: Division or seed, self-sows freely. Pests&Diseases: None serious, though swallowtail butterfly caterpillars will chew up the foliage. LANDSCAPE USES Low maintenance perennial grown for its beautiful leaf color and texture. Use at the back of perennial borders, and in herb gardens. ECOLOGICAL GOOD FOR BUTTERFLY GARDENS; it is the preferred host of the swallowtail butterfly. INSTRUCTOR During the Middle Ages fennel was hung over doorways to drive away evil spirits. Fennel is associated with the original running marathon. Marathon means 'place of fennel'. An Athenian carried a fennel stalk from Marathon, on a two day, 150 mile run, to Sparta to gather soldiers for the battle with the Persians at Marathon. (Staub 93) Medicinal uses: Fennel has long been used as a digestive aid and hunger suppressant. The seed and upper respiratory problems. In folk medicine, fennel was used as an aphrodisiac and to and oil have been approved in Germany for the short term treatment of dyspepsia, flatulence encourage menstruation. (Tozer 88) EDIBILITY Harvest: Cut brown, cut the spent umbels into a paper bag, as they dry the seeds should be easy to shake folage as needed throughout the summer. In late summer, as the seeds turn free Culinary Uses: ALL PARTS OF PLANT ARE EDIBLE. The foliage has an anise seed flavor. Add small amounts to salads or to flavor soups or cook as greens. Fennel Stems and flowers are good raw or cooked. The seeds are used to flavor pickles, sausage, breads, cakes and stuffing. combines well with fish. Tea can also be made from leaves or seeds. Other Uses: Insect repellent; crushed leaves can be used to help keep fleas off of dogs and cats. Essential oil from the seeds is added to perfumes, soaps, and cosmetics. (Tozer 88)

Levisticum officinale Lovage

FAMILY Apiaceae / Umbelliferae (Carrot Family) NATIVITY S EUROPE Form: HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL, with erect clumping habit. GETS VERY TALL Landscape Size: 6' high, 3' wide. Texture: Medium Growth Rate: Fast Foliage: LOOKS AND SMELLS LIKE CELERY. TERNATELY COMPOUND, DEEPLY DIVIDED. glabrous, shiny, dark green; like giant celery; leaflets are triangular to rhomboidal, acutely pointed with a few marginal teeth; basal rosette of leaves as well as leaves up the stems. The larger basal leaves are up to 27" long; the stem leaves are smaller, and less divided with few leaflets. Fragrant when crushed. Stems: Erect, glabrous, shiny, green and hollow. Flower: ORNAMENTAL yellow to greenish -yellow globose umbels 4"-6" in diameter, composed of tiny flowers. Blooms in late spring. Fruit: Dry two-parted schizocarp (dry fruit that splits into 2 halves) up to 1/4" long; mature in autumn. Light: Full Sun, Partial Shade Soil: Prefers moist, rich well drained soils, but is very adaptable to a wide range of conditions. Pruning or Thinning: After flowering, the tall stalks toppling over may crush surrounding plants and look unattractive, cutting them back will prevent this. Cutting flowering stems to the ground will stimulate a new flush of young growth. Transplanting: Easy Propagation: Seed or division in spring or fall. Dividing mature plants can be difficult due to the size and density of their roots. Self-seeds lightly. Pests & Diseases: None serious; leaf miner and leaf spot. LANDSCAPE USES Mixed perennlal gardens, for attractive foliage and flowers, herb gardens; attracts beneficial insects. INSTRUCTOR Other common names for this plant include: Sea parsley and love parsley brewing love potions. The emperor Charlemagne so esteemed to medieval Europe, this plant was believed to be an aphrodisiac and its seeds were used in Levisticum, he decreed that it be grown in all his gardens. (www.herbcompanion.com) Medicinal uses: Tonics made from Levisticum are used to treat indigestion, poor appetite, flatulence, and bronchitis. (www.PFAF.org) EDIBILITY Harvest: Remove leaves To harvest seed remove mature seed heeds before they begin to drop, and hang upside throughout the growing season. Leaves may be frozen or dried for later down over a surface they can be collected from. Culinary Uses: All parts of this plant are edible, including LEAVES, stems, roots and seed. The leaves taste like intense parsley-celery. May be too strong for everyone to enjoy raw; a little bit can go a long way. Younger foliage in spring has a milder flavor and can be added to salads; young stems and leaves may be blanched and eaten as a vegetable. Mature leaves make an excellent addition to broth, stocks and sauces; incorporate in herbal cheese spreads; seasoning for fish or poultry. The seed can be used like celery or dill seed. The roots can be used as a vegetable after the bitter skin has been removed. Even the hollow mature stems can be used as a natural flavored straw for V8 or Bloody Marys.

Colocasia esculenta Elephant's-ear

FAMILY Araceae (Arum Family) NATIVITY TROPICAL ASIA HARDINESS USDA Zones 8-11, possibly Zone 7 with a mulch. KEY ID TRAITS ORNAMENTAL FOR LARGE ARROW SHAPED LEAVES AND PURPLE STEMS. Form: Herbaceous perennial; clump forming; grows from a corm; in Zones 1-7, handle as a tender annual. Landscape Size: 3-5' tall and wide. Texture: Bold Growth Rate: Medium-fast. Foliage: BASAL. SAGITATE, with a pointed or cordate base and acute apex. Long leaf stalks (petioles) usually join the leaf inside the leaf margin (PELTATE). Leaves 1'-3' long, 1'-2' wide. Leaf blades and petioles may be light to dark green, red-violet, brown-red or bluish black. Grown for ornamental foliage. Attractive June to frost Bulb: VERY LARGE THICK TUBEROUS RHIZOME or CORM. Colocasia reproduces primarily asexually, producing small cormels off the sides of the main corm. Some varieties grow long above ground forming at the nodes. A few varieties form short underground runners. runners with small plants Flower: Spathe is white to yellow, 6"-15" long, at base of petioles. PLANTS MAY NOT REBLOOM Fruit: Green small berry clusters; uncommon on cultivars bred for greater edibility and with low viability. Light: Full Sun - partial shade. Varieties with red-violet to bluish black foliage color develop best color in full sun. Will grow in moist to wet soil. Soil: High to average fertility high in organic matter. Constantly BOGS AND WET AREAS. Keep well-watered. The more water and fertilizer, the more dramatic the growth. Can also be grown in shallow water or at the pond edge. Plant 2"-4" deep. Pruning or Thinning: NONE required. Removal of runner will give you the largest leaves. Transplanting: Easy, after all danger of frost. Propagation: Divide corms just before replanting in spring, parent corm with about the first 8"-10" of the leaf petioles. keeping only the top 1/2" of the STORE IN PEAT, KEEP CHECKING FOR SOFT SPOTS Pests & Diseases: SOFT ROT, bacterial blight, dasheen mosaic virus, aphids, whiteflies and spider mites. LANDSCAPE USES Beds, borders, large containers, and bog gardens, Sink container in a pool. Use for tropical appearance as specimen or in mass as a bold garden accent. INSTRUCTOR Plant tubers 2"-4" deep and 2'-4' apart in spring when soil is warm. Needs high temperatures, high humidity and watering. For earlier growth, start tubers inside 4-6 weeks before night temperatures in the 60° F range are expected. Lift tubers in fall when temperatures are expected to fall below 50° F. Store cool (55-60° F) and dry in winter. THE ENTIRE UNCOOKED PLANT CONTAINS RAPHIDES (Calcium oxalate crystals) Eating plants injures lips, mouth and throat and causes painful burning and swelling. Poi is made from flour obtained by grinding cooked tubers or by mashing and straining cooked tubers. Alocasias and Xanthosomas are similar plants that differ from Colocasia in small details of flower structure. Colocasia esculenta is the fourteenth most important food crop by production in the world. (ISHS) The cultivation of Colocasia is believed to predate that of rice in the Pacific islands. near its point of attachment at the base of the plant. Culinary Uses: ALL PARTS SKIN IRRITATION, Cooked corms have a delicious potato-like it can be baked, boiled, fried, sautéed, flavor, and consistency, but with a fiberglass). It is advisable to wear gloves while preparing Colocasia, sause an intensely painful, burning-itching sensation in your mouth (a feeling akin to eating of this plant contain calcium oxalate crystals which if consumed raw will because the sap may cause smoother mouth feel. The corm is a versatile ingredient; and slice it to a desired size. Larger pieces require longer cooking times. 45 minutes of cooking is steamed, or added to stews and curries as well as a stuffing for sweet pastries. Peel the corm long enough to render most Colocasia safely edible. Fully cooked Colocasia should be soft like a baked potato when you pierce it with a fork. LEAVES CAN BE USED AS WRAPS Nutritionally, Colocasia corms are a good source of fiber; a fine source of potassium and a contributing source of vitamin B6 and E. (National Geographic 340) The corms are nutritionally balanced, and easy to digest. Flour made from the corms is often used in infant formulas and canned baby food. The leaves and stems are also edible, requiring 10-20 minutes of cooking. The large leaves are often used to cook other foods inside of, like cabbage leaves. The petioles can be sliced and used like cooked celery. Other Uses: In traditional medicine, Hawaiians used many parts of the Colocasia plant for medicinal purposes. Leaf stalks rubbed on insect bites to relieve the sting. Sweetened juice of the stalk was drunk to reduce fever, cut root stopped bleeding, and thickened poi was applied to infected sores.

Asparagus officinalis Garden Asparagus

FAMILY Asparagaceae (Asparagus Family) NATIVITY EUROPE, N AFRICA & ASIA -Asparagus has naturalized throughout much of the United States and can be found growing in ditches along roads. Form: Long lived perennial with rhizomatous roots. Landscape Size: 3'-5' high by 18"-36" wide Texture: Fine textured foliage. Growth Rate: Medium Foliage: Many small needle-like leaves, arranged in whorls, creating a very soft feathery appearance. Yellow fall color Stems: The YOUNG SHOOTS are usually green, sometimes purple, stiffly upright, thick and round. Unharvested shoots become thin and many branched as they mature. Flower: DIOECIOUS, begin developing as hermaphrodites, becoming unisexual at maturity. Both male and female flowers are tiny and have yellowish-green tepals in two rings;flowering June- July. Fruit: FEMALE plants produce small, hard, shiny, TINY RED POISONOUS BERRIES in late summer which are of some ornamental value. Light: Full Sun Soil: MOIST, RICH, SANDY, WELL DRAINED soils with a pH close to 7; YEARLY APPLICATION OF COMPOST are recommended. Very salt tolerant. APPLY COMPOST Pruning or Thinning: CUT BACK in late fall. Transplanting: In amended well worked soil, plant crowns 6"-8" deep then cover with 2" of soil, as the shoots grow continue to fill in the hole. Propagation: Usually grown from asparagus crowns (divisions). Difficult and slow from seed, allow 4-5 weeks for germination. blight. Minimize these problems by planting resistant varieties and Pests & Diseases: ASPARAGUS BEETLE, spotted asparagus beetle, APHIDS, FUSARIUM, RUST and needle removing all foliage after it dles back in the fall. LANDSCAPE USES For foliage texture, plant in the back of perennial borders. EDIBILITY Harvest: Do not harvest any shoots the first year, and harvest sparingly the second year in order for the plant to become established. Only remove the largest shoots from immature plants. To down over where they are growing. The harvesting season for young asparagus shoots lasts blanching the stems; as the shoots grow mound soil around them, or place a large pot upside- harvest shoots, cut or snap them off at ground level. White asparagus can be achieved by between 6-10 weeks in the spring. A single asparagus plant has the potential to be harvested for over 15 years. raw, steamed, roasted or sautéed. Nutritionally asparagus is a fine source of Vitamins A, C Culinary Uses: Young shoots are highly prized culinary vegetables. Asparagus can be enjoyed folate, and iron. (National Geographic 342) Other Uses: Considered a useful companion plant; Asparagus contains asparagusic acid, which has nematocidal properties.

Helianthus tuberosus Jerusalem-artichoke

FAMILY Asteraceae (Aster Family) NATIVITY E North America NATIVE Form: TOUGH Herbaceous perennial with tuberous roots and erect, branching stems. AGGRESSIVE CAN GROW IN CONTAINERS Landscape Size : 6'-12' high Texture: Coarse Growth Rate: Fast Foliage: TOUGH. WINGED PETIOLE. ALL FOLIAGE IS HAIRY. Upper leaves have alternate leaf arrangement, lower leaves are opposite, lance-shaped to oval, 6"-10" long pointed, dentate to serrate, covered in short bristly hairs, long winged petiole. No fall color. Stems: Branching, covered in short bristly hairs. Flower: BEAUTIFUL BRIGHT YELLOW, heads to 3 1/2" in diameter, with 12-20 rays, arranged in a simple cyme; blooming in summer. Fruit: Insignificant, like tiny sunflower seeds. Light: Full Sun Soil: TOLERANT of a wide variety of soils, but moist, well-drained, rich soils will yield better crops. Pruning or Thinning: Cut stems to the ground in autumn, after frost. Transplanting: Easy Propagation: Easy by dividing tubers into small pieces. Pests & Diseases: None serious. LANDSCAPE USES Grow for late summer flowering, cut flowers; effective planted en masse as a deciduous screen difficult to eradicate once it has become established. or windbreak. Make sure you plant Helianthus tuberosus where you want it, for it can be very clue to help archeologists locate ancient settlements. INSTRUCTOR Widely cultivated by First Nation People, the presence of Helianthus tuberosus is sometimes a is 2 cornupion of the italian word Girasole which means The word 'Jerusalem' in Jerusalem Artichoke has nothing "facing toward the sun". This name to do with the famous city, but rather describes the way the flower heads track the sun throughout the day. EDIBILITY Harvest: The TUBEROUS ROOTS contain inulin starch unpleasant flavor. In cold weather the inulin sugars. For this reason, it is best to harvest until WINTER AND/OR EARLY SPRING. A single plant can produce between 2-5 pounds of tubers in a single season; so harvest the tubers after several hard frosts. restraint is unnecessary when digging the tubers. The tubers do not store well, so use them Harvest late fall converted into digestible and tasty natural which humans cannot digest, and has an shortly after harvesting. slices from becoming artichoke hearts. Slice them tuber does not need to be peeled, however, if cooked discolored, place them in a bowl of cold water with vinegar or lemon thinly and add to salads. To prevent the raw Culinary Uses: The tubers are sweet and crunchy raw, with a sweet nutty flavor similar to juice. When used raw, the the peel becomes unpleasant. The easiest way to peel the tuber is to cut off all the the side knobs individually savory pies boiled, baked, roasted, pureed or even pickled. Use the tubers like potatoes in soups, or just replant the little pieces. The tubers can be steamed, fried, knobby side projections, peel the main tuber and then and gratins. Nutritionally, the tubers are vitamin C as well as a contributing source of potassium. (National Geographic 340) The tuber low in calories and a fine source of folate, fiber and the tubers are used as a source of fructose and to make gluten free eating it. Cooking H. tuberosus converts insulin to sugar, making it easier to digest. Commercially diabetics. The inulin in Helianthus tuberosus often causes stores its carbohydrates in the form of inulin rather than starch, making this a safe food for flatulence in people unaccustomed to artichoke pasta, as well as an ingredient in Odwalla' "Super Food" drink. Ethanol and butanol, two fuel grade alcohols, can also be produced from this plant; however it Other Uses: The tubers of Helianthus tuberosus has been used to make wine and beer in France. is not yet competitive with current gasoline prices. (Cosgrove)

Helianthus annuus Sunflower

FAMILY Asteraceae (Aster Family) NATIVITY NORTH & SOUTH America-(North American native) HARDINESS USDA Zones 2-9 (may very by cultivar) Form: TRUE ANNUAL. A wide varicty of sizes are available from single stalk with one flower at top or multi- branched and shrubby with many flowers. Standard sizes: 4-12' high to dwarf selections: 12- 15 high. Foliage: Leaves are ALTERNATE, but some lower leaves may be opposite. TRIANGULAR TO OVATE, with TRUNCATE TO CORDATE BASE . Leaves may be up to 1' long and ROUGH and BRISTLY WITH HAIRS. Margins are entire to serrate and undulate (wavy). PETIOLES can be UP TO 12" LONG. Green to maroon, depending on cultivar. SANDPAPERY Stems: Thick, upright, branched or unbranched, covered in bristly hairs. Flower: ORNAMENTAL FLOWER HEADS are usually SOLITARY and come in an assortment of colors: white, many shades of yellow, orange, chestnut, maroon and bicolored with purplish to chocolate brown disc flowers. Flowers heads may be 1' or more across and stand on stems that are up to 1' long. Blooms all summer. Fruit: ACHENE, CONTAINING a SINGLE SEED. The shell varies in color, solid or striped with white, 1/4-3/4" long, obovoid, compressed, slightly 4-angled, thin. The inner seed is tan-white and oily. Light: Full Sun Soil: Any ordinary, well-worked garden solil. Will do well in poor soil. TOLERATES DROUGHT but performs better if watered sparingly as needed. Transplanting: Transplant seedlings while they are young and before they become spindly. Thin to stand 12"-36" apart. Even the 5'-6' branching forms can be grown very close together (as little as 2' apart). temperatures have warmed. planting seeds indoors 1-2 weeks before planting Propagation: Sow directly in the garden, where plants are to bloom, when day and night Germination will take 10-14 days. Some seed companies suggest outside. Sunflowers grow very quickly from unless very accurate control is required to protect seed, so indoor planting is not necessary young seedlings from rabbits. Pests & Diseases: None serious. Rabbits can be a big problem for young seedlings. LANDSCAPE USES Grow as a FLOWERING ANNUAL HEDGE, screen, windbreak or background planting. Use as a living Helianthus annuus provides height and trellis for annual vines such Phaseolus coccineus. in children's gardens, borders and beds. It provides helght, structure, and/or architecture to the garden bed. They are old-fashioned Looks very nice in a naturalized garden or rustic setting. structure; also great for cut flowers and attracting wildlife. Vegetable gardens, impressive effect flowers, but are developing appeal. ECOLOGICAL Sunflowers are commercially cultivated for their edible seeds, bird and poultry feed, and oils Grow sunflowers to FEED your BIRDS and your friends. GENERAL Easy and carefree plant. BIRDFEEDERS, so perhaps it's the HULLS that cause the problems. Some research has been done can kill lots of things under t. USING HULL-LESSS seeds has been recommended for garden germination and/or growth of other plants around it. Sunfiower seed bird feeders in your garden Helianthus is ALLELOPATHIC which means it produces a toxin that inhibits exploring the possibility of growing sunflowers as a NATURAL HERBICIDE. INSTRUCTOR During the last 3000 years First Nation's Peoples increased Helianthus annuus seed size approximately 1000 percent, by selecting and growing only the largest seeds. (Yarnell 1978). Immature flower buds of Helionthus annuus DISPLAY SOLAR TRACKING, FOLLOWING the SUN as it moves across the sky; as weli as an INNATE CIRCADIAN CLOCK, as shown by flower heads returning to FACE EAST PRIOR TO SUNRISE. EDIBILITY Harvest: Cut off ripe seed heads, and scrape the seeds out. To store the seed, first freeze it for several days in order to kill off insect eggs. Raw seeds do not keep for very long. Seeds can be dried in mesh bags at room temperature. Sunflowers require about 70-85 days from sowing to harvest, depending on the cultivar. Culinary Uses: Sunflower seeds have a rich nutty flavor that is delicious raw or roasted. The tough seed coating should be removed before the seeds are eaten, or just spit the shellls out as you snack. For a quick shelling method, place the seeds in a blender with water and process for several seconds. The shells should float, and the seeds sink. (Tozer 95) Use the seeds in baked goods, granola and on salads. The seeds can be pressed or boiled to extract a useful and tasty oil. Roasted shells can be used as a coffee substitute. Nutritionally, the seeds contain vitamins A, B, D and E, as well as calcium, fatty acids, iron, and phosphorus. (Tozer 95, Brill 94) Other Uses: Used traditionally to make yellow purple and black dyes. The plant fibers are used in textile and paper production. Oil from the seeds can be used as a substitute for petroleum based oils, and burns 75 percent cleaner than petroleum based diesel. Hydroponically grown HELIANTHUS GROWN ON FLOATING islands have been used to decontaminate polluted water, removing toxic metals, including uranium. Helianthus was used for this purpose to clean up after the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. (Nebraska Statewide Arboretum)

Corylus americana American Filbert

FAMILY Betulaceae (Birch Family) NATIVITY E North America HARDINESS USDA Zones 4-9 Form: Deciduous multi-stemmed SHRUB densely SUCKERING with a broad-rounded top, and wide arching stems. CATKINS FOR WINTER INTEREST. Landscape Size: 8-18' high 6'-10' wide Texture: Medium-coarse. Growth Rate: Medium to fast. Foliage: ALTERNATE, simple, 2 1/2" -6" long, 1 1/2"-2 1/2" wide, broad-ovate to broad-elliptic with SHORT-ACUMINATE apex, rounded or cordate base, finely doubly serrate margins. Dark green with some pubescence above, soft and VERY PUBESCENT BENEATH; petiole 1/2" long, covered in glandular hairs. Foliage SCRATCHY, SOME PELTATE, VERY TEXTURED. HAIRY PEDUNCLES very thin with prominent venation underneath. VARIABLE FALL color highly variable between plants, usually green-yellow, but occasionally red-bronze specimens occur. Stems: Young branches glandular SCRATCHY HAIRY , brown; pith 3-sided. Flower: Ornamental male catkins 1 1/2"-3" long, yellowish brown on woody peduncles. Inconspicuous female flowers, red, subtending a bract. Flowers in late winter or early spring, before foliage emerges. WINTER CATKINS ARE KINETIC AND ATTRACTIVE Fruit: 1/2" TRUE LONG NUT(SEED) set in LEAFY LETTUCE LIKE INVOLUCRE nearly twice its length. Involucres downy and deeply notched. While perhaps too inconspicuous to be considered ornamental, the involucres are certainly a curiosity. NUTS MATURE IN SEPTEMBER. Corylus is SELF-STERILE. 2 genetically different plants in close proximity to each other are required to produce nuts. Light: Full Sun- part shade Soil: Prefers well drained, loamy soil; adaptable, DROUGHT TOLERANT ONCE ESTABLISHED. Pruning or Thinning: ANYTIME. Can be trained as a single stemmed tree, or to sculpted shapes. Transplanting: Easy; bare root, container or balled and burlaped. Propagation: Tip layering is the most reliable method. Does not grow true to seed. Pests & Diseases: Eastern filbert blight, crown gall, black knot, leaf spot, caterpillars, scale, Japanese beetles and squirrels. LANDSCAPE USES Winter interest, back of the border shrub or hedge; great for a dry difficult sites and naturalistic areas GENERAL The NCGR-Corvallis Corylus Catalog of Hazelnut Cultivars and Selections is a highly comprehensive source for information on specific cultivars and to request germplasm. When buying cultivars choose carefully, not all varieties are genetically compatible with each other. Nurseries selling Corylus will usually recommend which pairings are best for good production. EDIBILITY Harvest: Nuts ripen in fall. Covering your Corylus with bird-netting may be used to help prevent squirrels from getting them all before you do. Collect ripe nuts after they fall to the ground. A mature Corylus can produce 25 lbs. of nuts. Nut production is usually heavier in alternate years. Unshelled nuts can keep for up to 12 months. Culinary Uses: Hazelnuts are absolutely delectable raw or roasted and salted on their own. They can turn an ordinary dish into something special. Add to granola, yogurt, stuffing, salad, cooked vegetable dishes and desserts. Historically the Chippewa, Dakota, Iroquois, Meskwaki, Ojibwa and Omaha people used the nuts in season and stored them for winter use. Eating them plain, raw with honey, as a body for soup, mixed with cornmeal and beans or berries and made into bread, made into gravy, crushed boiled and liquid used as a drink

Brassica rapa ssp. nipposinica Mizuna

FAMILY Brassicaceae (Mustard Family) NATIVITY Asia HARDINESS USDA Zones 4-9 Form: Cool season clump forming BIANNUAL. Landscape Size: 5"-12" high and 10"-15" wide; 16" high in flower. Texture: Fine Growth Rate: Fast Foliage: BASAL ROSETTE, NARROW, DEEPLY DISSECTED or SERRATED on LONG THIN WHITE PETIOLES. Frilliness, coloration of foliage and petioles can vary greatly by cultivar, from green to dark purple. Flower: BRIGHT YELLOW, PERFECT, with 4 evenly spaced petals in a cross shape, 1/3" diameter, arranged in racemes up to 16" high. Flowering (bolting) is initiated when weather warms in spring; however, mizuna it is much slower to bolt then most other brassica species, and some cultivars have been selected for even greater resistance to bolting; SELF-FÈRTILE. Fruit: SILIQUA, a DRY DEHISCENT POD-LIKE fruit; seed is spherical, approximately 1/8" diameter, brown to black. Spacing: 1" between seeds. Light: Partial Shade -full sun (preforms better in partial shade). Soil: Prefers evenly moist, nitrogen rich soil. For best results, work compost to a depth of 12" before sowing seed Pruning or Thinning: Thin to 6"-12" between plants in a row, 18"-24" between rows. Transplanting: Sow directly in early spring or late summer/early fall; seeds germinate at soil temperatures of 40 F and above. Succession planting every 2 weeks will ensure a continuous crop. Mizuna is exceptionally heat and cold tolerant. Propagation: From seed. Pests & Diseases: Flea beetles, Whiteflies and aphids can supposedly be a problem early in the season; resistant to browsing mammals. LANDSCAPE USES Attractive foliage, particularly purple or streaked leaf varieties; in mixed planting beds or containers. EDIBILITY Harvest: Foliage before the flowering, as early as 20 days after planting. Once the plant bolts, the foliage becomes increasingly fibrous. Foliage can be cut back to a height of 1-2" several times allowed to regrow, or pinch off individual leaves. Flowers and flowering stalks are also edible, but a bit more pungent. Culinary Uses: Raw, cooked or pickled, with a fresh flavor similar to mild arugula or mustard greens; add to salads, sandwiches, stir-fry, soups and more. The fibrous flower stems do benefit from cooking.

Ipomoea aquatica Water-spinach

FAMILY Convolvulaceae (Morning -glory Family) NATIVITY AFRICA, ASIA & AUSTRALIA HARDINESS USDA Zones 9-10 Form: ORNAMENTAL FOLIAGE AND FLOWERS Tender perennial vine with prostrate growth habit. Landscape Size: 1' high, up to 70' wide Texture: Medium Growth Rate: FAST Foliage: Alternate, simple, 6"-10" long and 1/2"-2" wide,NARROW SAGITATE. glabrous, held above the water. ARROW SHAPED LEAF Stems:. The white or green jointed stems are hollow. Roots form at the nodes. The sap is milky white or green. VINEY Flower: WHITE open trumpet, 1"-2" in diameter, sometimes with a pinkish eye. Solitary arrangement or in small clusters at leaf axils; often hidden the foliage. Shorter day length triggers blooming in midsummer. Fruit: Capsule, 1/2" in diameter, oval or spherical and woody at maturity; holding 1-4 grayish seeds. Light: Full Sun Soil: Aquatic or wet, fertile soils Pruning or Thinning: Cut back tips to encourage branching and new growth. Transplanting: Easy. Propagation: Cuttings or seed, in late spring, once temperatures have warmed. Pests & Diseases: Aphids and leaf spot. LANDSCAPE USES Trailing vine for aquatic containers and artificial ponds. be dry and not as tasty as those grown specifically for food. (http://www.mobot.org) GENERAL Ipomoea aquatica is classified as a noxious weed in the United States. Growth of this plant is climates; however it is advisable to grow this plant away from natural wetland areas. forbidden in Florida, where it has become highly invasive. This should not be a problem in cooler particularly Malaysia and western Indonesia; where "many consider water spinach second in INSTRUCTOR aquatia has been an very important food for people living in many parts of Southeast Asia, importance to pak choi." (Tay & Toxopeus 1993) insulin-like compounds, and is used to treat diabetes in Africa and Sri Lanka (Iwu 1993, (Burkill 1966, Read 1936, Van Valkenburgh & Bunyapraphatsara 2001). I. aquatica contains Medicinal uses: laxative, calmative properties, useful as sleep aid, and eleviating headaches. Malalavidhane et al. 2000). EDIBILITY Harvest: Regular harvesting encourages new growth. Remove 8"-12" long tips. Tips should be harvested only before flowering. The tips do not store well so use shortly after harvesting. The first harvest occurs around 60 days after sowing. Culinary Uses: SAUTÉ LIKE SPINACH. The young leaves and stems are edible. The leaves have a mild sweet flavor, with a somewhat mucaligeonous texture. The stems are crisp. Ipomoea can be eaten raw but is usually cooked. Prepare like spinach; boil, steam and add to stir-fries and soups. The leaves are quick cooking and shrink a lot during cooking. To preserve the bright green leaf color when cooking, first blanch the leaves in hot water. Nutritionally, the leaves are a good source of iron, vitamin A and E as well as high in anti-oxidants. (National Geographic 342)

Cornus mas Cornelian-cherry

FAMILY Cornaceae (Dogwood Family) NATIVITY C&S EUROPE & W ASIA HARDINESS USDA Zones 4-8 Form: URBAN TOLERANT, Large, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with oval-round outline. Low branching, but can be limbed up. Landscape Size: 20'-25' tall; 15'-20' wide. FLOWERS IN LATE WINTER, 3 SEASON INTEREST Growth Rate: Moderate Foliage: Opposite, simple, entire, 2"-4" long, ovate to elliptic, pointed tip, with 3-5 pairs of prominent veins. Fall color, variable purplish color to yellow. Stems: Young stems are usually red above and green below. Buds: Valvate, yellow-green, on short stalks. Flower: Ornamental, yellow umbels about 3/4" in diameter. Blooms for over 3 weeks, in late winter and early spring before the leaves emerge, the flowers can tolerate some frost. Fruit: Ornamental, DRUPE, bright red, hanging fruit sometimes maturing to a plum-purple, 1/2" oval fruit, containing a single elongated stone, similar to a cherry pit. *SELF-STERILE,VARIABLY SELF FERTILE, BUT DOES BETTER WITH ANOTHER POLLINATOR. ripening in JULY AUGUST. Yellow fruited selections are available. Bark: Mature bark is HANDSOME, MOTTLED, EXFOLIATING, dark grey to reddish brown. Light: Full Sun - light shade Soil: ADAPTABLE to many types of soil. Prefers rich, moist well-drained soils. Transplanting: Easily moved. Propagation: Often grown from seed resulting in variable fruit quality. Selections are usually propagated by suckers taken in autumn or layering. Softwood cuttings can be taken in July and early August. Pests & Diseases: None serious. GENERAL Fruit is highly desired for jams, jellies, and other preserves. Also used for medicinal purposes. BIRDS EAT INSTRUCTOR Cornus mas is a long lived tree, with specimens of 150-200 years old still bearing fruit. (Riech Romulus, legendary founder of Rome, hurled a spear, and where it struck the earth it grew into a Cornus mas tree; marking where Rome should be built. Archeological sites in Greece reveal that the fruit of the Cornelian Cherry has been enjoyed by humans for at least 7,000 years. The Cornelian Cherry was popular in Europe from the middle ages into the 18th century. Today in Europe and North America it is grown almost exclusively as an ornamental. (Reich 213) The fruit can still be found in markets of Turkey and the Ukraine, where it is often juiced to make fruit drinks, flavor sodas, or ferment into wine and liqueur. (Brill 101) EDIBILITY Harvest: Fruits ripen over a long period of time. Under-ripe fruits are bitingly sour, so harvest the very ripe, soft fruits. Leaving the fruits to ripen indoors for a few days will give them time to develop more sweetness. It takes 6-12 years to begin bearing and a single tree averages a yield between 30 and 70 pounds a year. Culinary Uses: COOK WITH PITS, THEN USE SIEVE. Fully ripe Cornelian cherries possess a flavor and texture similar to a tart sour cherry or plum. Flavor both in acidity and sugar content varies between bushes, If you like Crybabies or Sourpatch Kids candy, you may enjoy fruits picked directly from the tree. The fruits reach peak ripeness off the tree, so if you prefer less lip puckering foods, then leave these fruits for a few days and they will sweeten up. Sour fruit flavors can also be counterbalanced in sweet dishes, such as tarts, jams and syrups, or to flavor sorbet or cider. In parts of Europe, immature fruits are pickled, and can be used as a substitute for olives. Nutritionally C mas fruits have twice the vitamin C of an orange. (Staub 54)

Eleocharis dulcis Chinese Water-chestnut

FAMILY Cyperaceae (Sedge Family) NATIVITY AFRICA, ASIA & Australia HARDINESS USDA Zones 8-11 KEY ID TRAITS Green "drinking straws". Form: ORNAMENTAL LONG NARROW ROUND STALKS. Deciduous emergent aquatic perennial, spreading by long horizontal rhizomes. Landscape Size: 1 1/2-3' high. Texture: Fine Growth Rate: Medium Foliage: Basal, 2 leaves per culm, very narrow, hollow and green. Stems: Corm, round, 1 1/2"-2" in diameter, with a glossy surface covered in brown, papery layers attached to the skin, coming to a point at the top, slightly flattened on the bottom. The inner flesh is firm and white. Flower: Small terminal spikelet. Light: Full Sun Soil: Shallow aquatic (1"-4"), slightly acidic, fertile. START OUTSIDE THE WATER AND SUBMERGE WHEN 4" growth Pruning or Thinning: None required. Transplanting: Plant out in spring after all risk of frost, or start inside. Propagation: Division. Pests & Diseases: None serious. LANDSCAPE USES A linear accent for ponds, bogs or aquatic and bog containers. Great containerized plant makes it easy to harvest corms. GENERAL Eleocharis is best grown inside a wide shallow pot, submerged 1"-4". To overwinter corms for next year's crop, replant in fresh soil, keep moist in a cool dark place. HARVEST AFTER FOLIAGE DIES BACK. INSTRUCTOR Other names: China: mai taai (Cantonese), po-chi, Japan: kuro-kuwai, India: pani phul, Indonesia: tike, Philippines: apulid, Thailand: haeo-song krathiem, haeo cheen. EDIBILITY Harvest: Harvest the corms in fall, drain off the water and wait until the foliage has died back, but the soil is still moist before can be stored in damp sand for several months, or peeled and frozen gathering the corms. (Hanson 43) Bare corms keep at least 2 weeks refrigerated. Corms for later use. E. dulcis requires a 6-7 month frost-free growing season in order to produce a crop. Culinary Uses: CAN BE EATEN RAW BUT USE CAUTION FOR PATHOGENS FROM WATER. The inner flesh of raw Use raw corms in fresh salads or Thai coconut milk desserts. The corms has a refreshing crispness with a mildly sweet, rich flavor reminicient of coconut. corms retain their crispness even after cooking, makes them an excellent addition to stir-fries or stuffing and can also be grilled or pickled. The (though they will lose their rich flavor) which source of riboflavin, fiber, potassium and vitamin B6; a contributing source of thiamin, niacin, used as a thickener and to coat foods before deepfrying. Nutritionally the corms are a fine corms are fairly easy to peel. Commercially water chestnuts are dried and ground into flour, vitamin C and E. (National Geographic 340) Other Uses: The thin leaves can be used for weaving household objects such as mats and bags.

Diospyros virginiana Common Persimmon

FAMILY Ebenaceae (Ebony Family) NATIVITY E United States NATIVE HARDINESS USDA Zones 4-9 KEY ID TRAITS The dark gray almost black bark is thick and broken into distinct squarish blocks. The large almost round orange fruit has a persistent woody 4-lobed calyx Form: Deciduous tree with a narrow oval crown, drooping branches and suckering habit. Landscape Size: 40'-70' high by 20'-30' wide Texture: Medium Growth Rate: Slow Foliage: ALTERNATE, SIMPLE, up to 6" long and 2" wide, ovate to elliptic, ACUMINATE APEX and rounded base, MARGINS ENTIRE. ELONGATED. Leaf color is DARK GREEN and SHINY ABOVE, WHITISH -green beneath, with variable yellow to reddish-purple fall color. PETIOLE IS HEAVILY PUBESCENT. LEAVES HAVE BLACK SPOTS Stems: Slender, gray or reddish-brown, slightly hairy or smooth, slightly zigzag and often tomentose. LIGHT WAXY BLOOM AT END OF TWIG. NEW GROWTH CAN BE RED ORANGE Buds: Reddish-black, 1/8"-1/4" long, with two overlapping scales; lacks terminal bud. Flower: DIOECIOUS (occasionally both sexes are present on the same tree), MOST CULTIVARS ARE SELF FRUITFUL FEMALES. flowers, solitary, 5/8"; male flowers, 2-3 at each axil, 3/8. White, bell shaped, 4-lobed, not showy. Blooms in late spring or early summer. Fruit: BERRY Orange, 1"-2" berry, tomato shaped, covered by a thin leathery skin and waxy bloom, containing large brown seeds. Can be very ornamental, especially after leaves have fallen. Fruit ripens in fall and sometimes persists into December. Bark: Mature bark is dark-brown, THICK AND BLOCKY. This is one tree that can be identified by just the bark. Light: Full Sun - part shade Soil: Moist, TOLERANT of a wide range of soils, but prefers GOOD DRAINAGE. Pruning or Thinning: Developmental pruning in winter and REMOVING UNWANTED SUCKERS. Transplanting: Easy from container; moderately difficult if balled-and-burlapped, due to taproot. Plant in early spring. Propagation: Cuttings, grafting or seed. Pests & Diseases: None serious; leaf spot. LANDSCAPE USES A native shade tree or screen, with interesting bark, good fall color and ornamental, edible fruit. Diospyros is a good tree for wildlife and will tolerate urban environments; however avoid planting near paved areas where fruits may make a mess. ECOLOGICAL The fruit is a valuable food for deer, skunk, racoons and fox. GENERAL The fruit are delicious and make great jams, pie, pudding and candy. In our area fruits must be exposed to a frost to remove the astringent taste caused by tannin. In the south many cultivars become sweet at maturity when the pulp softens. The wood is very hard and strong and has been used for golf clubs, flooring and wood turning. Trees must be at least one hundred years old for a viable commercial yield. EDIBILITY Harvest: Unripe fruits are extremely astringent and MUST BE ALLOWED TO BECOME SOFT AND JUICY BEFORE CONSUMING. The fruits can be stored refrigerated for over a month. The fruits can be dried or frozen for later use. D. virginiana produces 25-30 lbs. a year. Culinary Uses: The inner flesh of ripe fruit has a wonderfully smooth texture and sweet flavor. Eat the pulp fresh of use in baked goods, puddings and preserves. DONT EAT WITH CRAB AND SWEET POTATO

Vaccinium corymbosum Highbush Blueberry

FAMILY Ericaceae (Heath Family) NATIVITY E North America - NATIVE Maine to Minnesota south to Florida and Louisiana. Native to acid marshy areas; does extremely well in acid, sandy conditions. Often found in relatively open woods or in clearings. Open swamps and bogs, sandy lake shores, upland woods, ravines and summits. Some species form continuous thickets. The oldest parts of the colony may be hundreds of years old. HARDINESS USDA Zones 3-7 Form: 4 SEASONS ORNAMENTAL INTEREST.Deciduous shrub forming a dense thicket of erect, multi-branched stems; irregularly rounded, Often lacks foliage on lower part of the plant. Landscape Size: 6-12 in height with a spread of 8-12 Texture: Fine to medium in all seasons. Growth Rate: Slow Foliage: Alternate, simple and entire, ovate to elliptic, 1"-3" long, tapering at both ends with a short petiole. Summer color is a glossy dark green. GREAT RED ORANGE FALL COLOR. In WINTER, TWIGS ARE BRIGHTLY COLORED YELLOW TO RED depending on cultivar. Flower: Ornamental; the 1/3" long white blossoms look like small, upside-down urns. They are borne in racemes from the leaf axils in May just before leaves completely unfold; slight fragrance. Easy to grow provided attention is paid to the acidity of the soil. Grow with azaleas and rhododendrons. Blueberry could be more widely used for many landscapes because it grows in a variety of light and soil conditions. Great plant for children's garden or at the edge of a food forest. Fruit: Edible berries that change from green to a glaucous blue, to 1/2" on cultivated hybrids but smaller on wild plants; ripen from mid- to late summer. For best fruit production, plant more than one cultivar. Fruit litter is never a problem. Light: Full Sun - Will tolerate light shade but produce less fruit. Soil: Good garden soil that is acidic (pH 4.5-5.5). Requires moisture but does not tolerate saturated soils. Pruning or Thinning: Light pruning in winter when plants are dormant. Pruning to regulate crop load will extend life. Remove older weaker canes and thin out shorter thinner shoots to stimulate strong new growth. Transplanting: Not difficult. Propagation: Softwood cuttings root with 0.1 percent IBA powder; semi-hardwood cuttings root easily with 0.8 percent IBA powder., Pests & Diseases: Not usually a problem in the home garden; and stem borer. Commercial growers often occasionally caterpillars, have a control program because of birds. leafhopper LANDSCAPE USES In a mixed shrub border offer excellent fall color and winter featuring acid-loving plants. It will not only provide edible fruits but interest for the colored branches. Nice as an informal hedge. ECOLOGICAL Attracts pollinators and wildlife. Vaccinium, to achieve the best fruit set, it is best to choose two different BIRDS GENERAL When selecting cultivars with overlapping bloom times. Blueberries were not cultivated in the United States commercially until the 1920's. New Jersey was the first state to grow blueberries as a cash crop; today it is their official state fruit. (National Geographic 127) Medicinal Uses: Blueberry fruits are very high in antioxidants, which may help prevent cellular damage. Supposedly the berries also prevent flatulence and cleanse the blood. Traditionally a tea was made from the leaves which lowered blood sugar levels and was used to treat diabetes: however this is not recommended as the tea is also somewhat toxic. (Tozer 212) EDIBILITY Harvest: Collect the ripe blue fruits when they come off easily in your hand; a mature shrubs vield about 5-6 pins of fruit per year. Blueberries last about 1 week refrigerated, but can be frozen for later use. Culinary Uses: The berries have a sweet, mildly tart flavor that is excellent both raw and cooked. Blueberries are usually used in sweet foods, like muffins, pancakes, fruit salads lemonade and ice cream; however they can also be paired with savory foods. Nutritionally blueberries are a fine source of vitamin C and fiber as well as high in antioxidants. (National Geographic 340) Other Uses: Juice from the berries has been used as a dye, for food and cloth. (Tozer 212)

Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisia' Yellow Locust

FAMILY Fabaceae (Bean Family) NATIVITY Eastern North America NATIVE HARDINESS USDA Zones 4-8 Form: TOUGH LARGE EROSION CONTROL. URBAN TOLERANT. Deciduous tree; upright with a forking, crooked trunk and irregular open crown. Landscape Size: 30-50' high, 20'-35' wide. Texture: Fine Growth Rate: Fast Foliage: ALTERNATE, PINNATELY COMPOUND leaves 6"-12" long with 7-19 SMALL OVATE LEAFLETS; leaf color chartreuse above, pale beneath; pubescent when young. The leaflets droop and fold at night. Slow to leaf out in spring and usually drop early in autumn with POOR FALL COLOR. Stems: Twigs are reddish to greenish brown, thin, smooth and have hard paired 1/4"-1/2" TWIN LONG PRICKLES AT NODES. The bark is light grey, thick with deep furrows forming long ridges. Flower: ORNAMENTAL, FRAGRANT, white tinged with lavender 3/4" flowers hang in 4"-8" panicles. VERY FRAGRANT; blooming in late spring. EDIBLE TASTE LIKE FLORAL SNAP PEAS Fruit: Dark brown, 2"-4" long, leathery, flat pods containing 3-14 seeds. Pods persist on the tree into winter. Light: Partial Sun - part shade Soil: Very adaptable; moist to dry, sandy to rocky soil; tolerant of salt spray Pruning or Thinning: Developmental pruning required, to train a central leader and prevent narrow crotch angles; remove suckers. Transplanting: Easy Propagation: Root cuttings, suckers or grafting. Pests & Diseases: Canker, leaf spots, powdery mildew, locust borer, carpenter worm, locust leaf miner and scale. LANDSCAPE USES Grow for ornamental, fragrant flowers; makes a good shade tree and useful for erosion control. Robinia roots host nitrogen fixing bacteria, making them useful in reclamation planting. GENERAL Caution: EXCEPT FOR THE FLOWERS IT IS POISONOUS; all parts of this tree contain a potent phytotoxin, which -if ingested- may be harmful to horses, cattle, chickens, and children. R. pseudoacacia are generally short lived trees with brittle branches, making them vulnerable to storm damage. They also sucker profusely and have a tendency seed around. The common name "Locust" refers to this tree's persistent seed pods, which, if you use your imagination, look like locust insects hanging from the tree in winter. EDIBILITY Harvest: Pinch or cut flower panicles from low hanging branches. Culinary Uses: The FLOWERS have a wonderful floral sweet pea flavor. Enjoy them fresh on their own, or scattered across a cold salad. Whole panicles can also be dipped in tempura batter and deep-fried. Other Uses: First Nation peoples planted R. pseudoacacia for use in making bows. Early colonists to North America used the highly durable decay resistant wood to make nails and as corner posts to their homes. (National Audubon Society 527)

Castanea mollissima Chinese Chestnut

FAMILY Fagaceae (Beech Family) NATIVITY CHINA & KOREA HARDINESS USDA Zones 5-8 KEY ID TRAITS A rounded shaped tree with long, large branches near the base. Leaves alternate, simple, teeth triangular coming to a sharp point. Veins end at tip of teeth. Fruit is a spiny capsule with 2-3 shiny brown nuts. Form: LONG LIVED. Round topped, spreading, sturdy form with low branches. Landscape Size: 40-60' tall with similar spread. Texture: COARSE Growth Rate: Slow to medium. Foliage: ALTERNATE, SIMPLE, 5"-8" long, LANCEOLATE, margins coarsely SERRATE with TRIANGULAR TEETH that come to a sharp point. VEINS END at TIP of TEETH. GLABROUS and SHINY green above, pale green and PUBESCENT BENEATH; COPPER-YELLOW FALL COLOR. Stems: Tan to olive-brown, stout stems, with prominent lenticels Buds: Rounded, 1/4" with 2-3 scales; tan in color. Pubescent. Flower: *SELF STERILE*MONOECIOUS; MALE flowers are small, yellow-white, borne in SHOWY 4"-5" CATKINS which have a HEAVY SWEET and somewhat FISHY odor for a short period of time; FEMALE flowers are borne on SHORT 1/2"-3/4" catkins. ORNAMENTAL BLOOMS in EARLY SUMMER. Fruit: Green 2"-3" BURRS borne singly or in clusters, covered In very SHARP SPINES. The burs split open into 4 parts when ripe revealing 2-3 LUSTROUS BROWN, 1"-1 1/2" NUTS. The nuts, referred to as chestnuts, are thin shelled and shiny smooth and usually flesh of the inner nut is creamy white and hard. Ripening flattened on one or two sides. The occurs in late summer. Castanea are SELF STERILE; NEED 2 GENETICALLY DIFFERENT trees are required for nut production. Bark: Young branches olive brown in color, mature bark ridged and furrowed grey-brown in color. Light: Full Sun Soil: WELL DRAINED SOILS; TOLERANT of hot, DRY CONDITIONS. Requires space for wide spreading natural form. Pruning or Thinning: MINIMAL structural pruning in winter or spring, usually only after the tree begins bearing fruit Transplanting: Transplanting may be hampered by a taproot. Difficult. Propagation: Grafting or sow fresh seed outdoors in a place protected from mice and squirrels. Pests & Diseases: None serious; occasionally canker, leaf spot, root rot. Not immune to chestnut blight, but is RESISTANT, rarely does the disease damage or kill the tree. LANDSCAPE USES Specimen trees with showy inflorescence, Grown for the edible nuts, but the spiny capsules are a serious clean up problem. Plant in an area where there is little human activity and away from streets and parking areas due to the spiny fruit coverings. ECOLOGICAL Good for ATTRACTING WILDLIFE. Man and many animals enjoy the edible fruit. EDIBILITY Harvest: Collect nuts shortly after they fall, otherwise they will quickly become infested with weevil larvae. Thick shoes and gloves are recommended. Open the spiny burs with your feet, and pull the nuts free. Whole fresh chestnuts dry out quickly; keep in a cool dry place for up to a week. Alternately store in a perforated bag in refrigerator crisper for up to one month (if there is poor air circulation the nuts will become moldy), or freeze for up to 4 months. Cooked chestnuts can be refrigerated for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 8 months. Castanea trees grown from seed usually require 30-40 years before they begin to bear fruit, however grafted trees can begin to bear in 2-5 years; producing 20-40 lbs. at peak maturity. (Jacke 437) PUT IN FREEZER. Culinary Uses: Cooked chestnuts have a STARCHY SWEET flavor like a slightly sweet nutty potato. Chestnuts SHOULD BE COOKED because the raw nuts contain HIGH LEVELS OF TANNIC ACID which can cause digestive discomfort and flatulence. A well cooked chestnut is delicious alone but also works well in both desserts and savory dishes. Chestnuts are often used as a stuffing for meats, pasta and vegetables such as pumpkins. They make a great addition to rice dishes, warming fall and winter soups or pureed with mashed potatoes. Nutritionally, chestnuts contain twice as much starch as potatoes, making them an excellent source of carbohydrates. Chestnuts are also a good source of vitamin B6 and C; a fine source of thiamin, riboflavin, folate, fiber and potassium; a contributing source of niacin, protein and iron. (National Geographic 346) The trickiest part of preparing chestnuts is shelling them; the inner skin which clings to the nut has an unpleasant bitter taste. I have tried many cooking methods including microwaving, boiling and baking in the oven. II highly recommend the most traditional method, roasting in a fire or hot coals. This method imparts the greatest flavor and results in nuts that are easy to peel. No matter what method of cooking you use, begin by slicing a 1/8" deep slit across the outer shell on the rounded side or an "X" on the flat side. This creates a vent, which prevents the nuts from exploding. To prevent the nuts from sliding around while you cut, use a dish towel on the cutting board to corral them. (Special chestnut knives or scoring devices are also commercially available and may be worth it if you plan to cook a lot of nuts.) Once all the nuts are scored, soaking the nuts in room temperature water for 4hr. to overnight will help the nuts plump up and loosen the inner skin, but is not necessary. If coolking in coals, fully preheat the coals. Before putting chestnuts into the coals, they may be wrapped in a pouch of aluminum foil punctured with a few venting holes; this keeps the outer shells cleaner and makes it easier to remove all the nuts quickly, but is not necessary. Bury the chestnuts in the hot coals for around 20 minutes. Remove a nut occasionally to check for doneness. Use a knife to shell the nuts while they are still warm. To cook chestnuts over a bonfire use a long handled metal-pan and turn nuts frequently to prevent scorching, this should take only 5-10 min. If cooking chestnuts in the oven; spread on a cookie sheet and bake at 400F degrees for 25-30 min.

Ginkgo biloba Ginkgo

FAMILY Ginkgoaceae (Ginkgo Family) NATIVITY CHINA-geological records indicate this plant has fossils have been found in Pennsylvania. grown on earth for 150 million years. Recent HARDINESS USDA Zones 3-8 KEY ID TRAITS GYMNOSPERM Leaves fan shaped, 3-5 in clusters on short parallel but occasionally fork, called DICHOTOMOUS VENATION. similar to a golden yellow plum but is a seed with a fleshy coating that is foul smelling. spurs, or singularly on long shoots. The veins appear Fruit, actually a naked seed, looks Form: LARGE, LONG-LIVED, TOLERANT OF URBAN ENVIRONMENTS. FALL COLOR ARIAL ROOTS. Upright, pyramidal and open when young, URBAN TOLERANT Landscape Size: 50-80 (120) tall, half as wide becoming broader and regular with age. Growth Rate: Slow to medium parallel veins. Foliage: Alternate, simple, 1"-2" long Fall color is a bright yellow. (in clusters of 3-5, on spur shoots on second year twigs). Fan-shaped with forking, parallel veins. Leathery, glaborous texture, that is consistent from year to year if leaves are not damaged by an early frost. REPRODUCTION: MALE CATKINS, immature female OVULES. when pollen reaches POLLEN CHAMBER, 2 MOTILE SPERM ARE PRODUCED WHICH FERTILIZES OVULES. NOT FRUIT, SACROTESTA, hard SCIEROTESTA, papery ENDOTESTA Stems: Stout, light brown, becoming gray-brown in age. Stems have many short spurs that bear leaves and fruit. Stems may have a terminal singular leaves. In age spur growth or an elongated terminal stem that has growths may change to elongated stems. Buds: Mounded, with distinct form and leaf scars. Cones: DIOECIOUS. Ginkgo trees are gymnosperms, and therefore, do not bear true fruit, rather their naked seeds are covered in a fleshy turning tan-yellow/orange after falling: 1"-1 1/2" long, ovate, like a large olive. Inside the seed seed coat. This seed coat is green with a silver shine, sclerotesta. The sclerotesta is made up of 2 or 3 loined coat is a small white fleshy seed, surrounded by a tan, woody, shell-like layer called the rotting cone produces butyric acid, which smells sections. The seeds are borne only on the Bark: Light brown first year, becoming woody structures commonly referred to as chi-chi, often develop on the lower side of the limbs furrows and grey-brown ridges. The wood is yellow. Pendulous gray with peeling bark. Older branches have prominent strongly of rancid butter or vomit. Takes twenty years before short shoots, usually in pairs or threes. The ripe, bearing cones. Seeds are edible. dark spurs. Bark develops dark of older trees. Light: Full Sun Soil: Well drained soil; adaptable to many soils, urban pollution and drought tolerant. Pruning or Thinning: Best in spring when needed. Transplanting: Easily transplanted ball and burlapped. Propagation: Seed or grafted; grafted cuttings make it possible to select for either male or female plants. Pests & Diseases: None serious; extremely pest and disease resistant. are tolerant of pollution however, avoid planting female trees over paved areas and paths. Select male clones to avoid and salt, making them good street trees in urban environments LANDSCAPE USES Grow this tree for its excellent fall color; can be trained as an espalier, hedge, or pole. Ginkgo fruit liabilities. Spectacular gold fall color. GENERAL Fossil evidence of Ginkgo trees date back almost 200 million years. (Fern, 28) This tree, once native throughout the Northern Hemisphere, went extinct in North America and Europe during the Pleistocene Ice Age. Ginkgo are one of the world's longest lived trees with some estimated at well over 1,000 years in age. The largest Ginkgo in the world is the Li Jiawan Grand Ginkgo King, which shades 13,000 square feet and has a maximum estimated age of around 4,000 to 4,500 years. (Xiang.zhun) Mature Ginkgo trees have been known to spontaneously change their sex. In one case, a male Ginkgo tree planted in 1762 at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, began to produce fruit at around 250 years of age. COOK NUT-LIKE GAMETOPHYTES. SLIGHTLY TOXIC UNCOOKED. EAT IN SMALL QUANTITIES

Ribes x nidigrolaria 'Jostaberry' Gooseberry

FAMILY Grossulariaceae (Currant Family) NATIVITY Garden origin HARDINESS USDA Zones 3-8 Form: Deciduous shrub; multi-stemmed, with an upright spreading habit. TOLERANT OF OUR HEAT AND HUMIDITY Landscape Size: 4'-6' high with similar spread. Texture: Medium Growth Rate: Fast Foliage: Alternate, simple, up to 4 1/2" long with 3-5 PALMATE LOBES, CHRYSANTHEMUM LIKE. wrinkled surface, dark green, glossy on 1"-3" long petioles, with sparse hairy filaments near palmate lobes, coarsely toothed margins base. Variable yellow color in autumn, but not particularly showy. Stems: Very STOUT, typically without thorns. (THORNS ON THE SAMPLE) Flower: Perfect 1/2" in diameter, with 5 burgundy recurved sepals, surrounding 5 white petals, encircling protruding stamens. PERFECT. Fruit: EDIBLE BERRIES that ripen to dark burgundy, nearly black, spherical, 1/2"-1" the dried calyx at the end, borne in clusters of 3-7. SUMMER. PRODUCED on YEAR OLD WOOD, and fruiting diameter, with spurs of older wood; *SELF-FERTILE*, though it may fruit more heavily if grown near a related species. PRODUCE ON 1 YR WOOD. Bark: New bark is reddish tan and smooth; older bark has tissue-paper like exfoliation; mature bark is Reddish-brown with light striations and small bumpy lenticels. Light: Full Sun - light shade; Soil: Adaptable, tolerant of poor benefits from afternoon shade in hotter climates. conditions, but prefers well drained, rich, slightly acidic soil; benefits from annual compost application and mulching. Pruning or Thinning: LATE WINTER, to REDUCE UNWANTED SPREAD , or for rejuvenation selectively remove older branches to the ground, and remove crossing and damaged branches. Transplanting: Easy in spring. Propagation: STEMS TOUCHING the GROUND EASILY ROOT and can be divided from the central plant; or root stem cuttings. Pests & Diseases: None serious. Be sure to harvest before the catbirds get all your berries. Pine blister rust is theoretically possible Cultivating Ribes species is prohibited in some areas of the United States because they can be an alternate host to white pine blister rust, which is a serious threat to American white pine trees, however Jostaberries are highly resistant to white pine blister rust LANDSCAPE USES Shrub boarders, mixed hedgerows, and be trained into espalier. BIRDS EDIBILITY Harvest: Berries ripen in JUNE, producing abundantly. Culinary Uses: Somewhat tart but sufficiently sweet to be enjoyed raw out of hand. Rich flavor is excellent for jams, jellies, syrups and pies. Jostaberries are high in vitamin C

Carya ovata Shagbark Hickory

FAMILY Juglandaceae (Walnut Family) NATIVITY NATIVE, E & C North America - Quebec to Florida, west to Minnesota and Texas; forest tree but not common as Pignut Hickory. NATIVE HARDINESS USDA Zones 4-8 KEY ID TRAITS ALTERNATE, PINNATELY COMPOUND LEAVES with 5 rarely 7 leaflets. TERMINAL LEAFLETS MUCH LARGER than lower leaflets. Fruit is large, up to 2" in diameter with a thick husk. BARK IS grayish-brown and PEELS AT BOTH ENDS and attached in middle, giving a shaggy appearance. Form: LONG-LIVED. Single-stemmed tree, with a very straight cylindrical trunk and an oval crown. Landscape Size: TALLEST 60'-80 high 25'-35' wide. Texture: COARSE Growth Rate: Slow to establish, then fast. Foliage: LARGE Alternate, pinnately COMPOUND to 14" long composed of 5-7 leaflets 8"-14" long, elliptic acuminate and serrate. YOUNG leaves are PUBESCENT. MATURE leaves are GLABROUS green with excellent deep YELLOW FALL COLOR. APPLE SMELL WHEN CRUSHED. Stems: Stout, reddish-brown to grayish-brown. Buds: Imbricate, terminal, 2 1/2"-4 1/2" long. Buds have 4-6 scales with the outer scales loosely fitted over hairy inner scales. Flower: SELF FERTILE, Monoecious, PRODUCTION IS BETTER WITH 2. MALE flowers form long stalked 3's BRANCHED CATKINS at END OF PREVIOUS YEAR's GROWTH, in spikes on current seasons growth. The flowers are groups of three. FEMALE flowers occur in short somewhat showy, blooming IN TERMINAL SPIKES Fruit: DRUPE WITH EDIBLE SEED. THICK HULL. Brown-green, sweet, edible, spring. which splits open when mature. Carya is self seedlings to ensure a large crop. Abundant rounded nut, surrounded by a thick green 4-valved husk SELF FERTILE; HOWEVER it is BEST TO PLANT MORE,at least 2 CROPS happen every 3-5 YEARS with minimal crops in between. Nuts ripen in fall. Bark: Reddish brown to grey, stout, with many pale lenticels. Bark on mature trees has an attractive SHAGGY appearance, with long flat plates attached at the center and free at one ог both ends. Light: Partial Sun-full sun Soil: Prefers RICH, WELL DRAINED-SOIL. Pruning or Thinning: None needed. Transplanting: Taproot makes this tree very difficult to transplant, plant small specimens start from seed. Propagation: Carya offspring grown from seed can vary greatly from their parent; however, if desired use ripe nuts planted immediately in a place protected from rodents. Pests & Diseases: Aphids, leaf stem gall, hickory bark beetle; anthracnose may be a problem in wet conditions. LANDSCAPE USES A long lived shade tree with beautiful fall color and winter interest - gorgeous, and stately. Good for wildlife and naturalizing. Carya a heavily fruiting tree should be planted on lawns rather than near driveways and other areas where there is a great deal of activity to prevent injury from the falling fruit. ECOLOGICAL The shaggy bark of mature Carya ovata provides summer roosting habitat for the endangered Indiana bat, and nesting habitat for Brown Creepers. The nuts are consumed by many mammals, including Squirrel, Chipmunk, Racoon and Bear, as well as several bird species, such as Red- bellied Woodpecker, Crow, Blue Jay, Wild Turkey and Ring-Necked Pheasant. The wood, foliage and sap, support many insect species, which in turn supports many species on insectivorous birds. Carya is a larval host species for at least 42 species of moths, particularly Hickory Hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorum) and Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus falacer). It is also one of the host species for the lovely Luna Moth (Actias luna) and the impressive Regal Moth / HICKORY HORNED DEVIL. caterpillar (Citheronia regalis). BARK IS PROTECTION FOR BATS GENERAL The wood of Carya is strong and resilient, and is therefore used for tool handles, ladders, and wagon wheels. It is also one of the best woods for fires, and is often used in smokine food. Bark was used for yellow dye. Shagbark Hickory trees will develop fruit after ten years, but heavy production comes from trees 40-100 years old. EDIBLE: SEED, BARK, SAP

Salvia officinalis Garden Sage

FAMILY Lamiaceae / Lablatae (Mint Family) NATIVITY MEDITERRANEAN & N AFRICA - SOUTHERN EUROPE Form: Short lived, semi-woody perennial. HARDY Landscape Size: 2' high, 2'-3' wide. Texture: Medium Growth Rate: Medium Foliage: ORNAMENTAL, opposite, evergreen, 1"-2" long, oblong, entire, sometimes minutely serrate and MINUTELY WHITE TOMENTOSE. The straight species has GREY-GREEN Leaves, but many selections have been made for leaf forms ranging in color from purple TO chartreuse, and variegated. The leaves are VERY FRAGRANT when crushed. Stems: Grey-green to purple, thin and semi-woody. Flower: Grown for foliage. If wintered over indoors or in mild climates, it may bloom with violet- blue flower spikes the second year. FLOWERS ARE EDIBLE Fruit: Papery seed heads containing tiny dark brown seeds. Light: Full Sun Soil: REQUIRES GOOD DRAINAGE. Pruning or Thinning: Woody stems die-back somewhat over winter, WAIT until NEW GROWTH IN SPRING before cutting back any old growth. Dead head after flowering. Transplanting: Easy; in spring. Propagation: Sow inside 6-8 weeks before last frost. Germination takes 14-21 days at 60-70° F. Pests & Diseases: None serious under normal growing conditions. LANDSCAPE USES Grow this plant for its foliage and flowers, as a groundcover in a mixed flowerbed, rock garden, herb garden or scented garden; also works well in containers and window boxes. GENERAL S. officinalis plants become woody and less productive with age, and usually require replacement every 3 to 4 years. linked with immortality. The motto of one medical school in Italy, during the eighth century AD, INSTRUCTOR Sage's medicinal properties have been lauded since ancient times; so much so that it was often translates to: "How can a man die who grows sage in his garden?" (Staub 75 Exceptional Herbs 201) Medicinal uses: Extracts from sage have antiseptic, estrogenic, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties. In Germany, sage has been approved for internal use in the treatment of digestive distress and excessive sweating, as well as topical treatments for inflammation of the mucous membranes of the throat and nose. In a double blind study, a sage throat spray was found to reduce sore throat pain. Studies have also been performed to assess sage's usefulness in improving mood, mental function and treating Alzheimer's disease. (NYU Langone Medical Center) EDIBILITY Harvest: Remove leaves as needed throughout the spring and summer. Harvest lightly during the plant's first year. Leaves can be dried for later use. Culinary Uses: PUT IN THE BEGINNING OF COOKNG. The leaves have a soft sweet-savory slightly lemony flavor, which complements cold drinks, pesto, soft cheeses, and salad dressings; cooked, it is often used to flavor rich many foods. Sage is a strongly flavored herb, best used with restraint. Raw, use sage to flavor meats, sauces and baked goods.

Mentha suaveolens 'Variegata' Pineapple Mint

FAMILY Lamiaceae /Labiatae (Mint Family) NATIVITY Europe Form: Herbaceous perennial. SLIGHTLY LESS THUGGY Landscape Size : 2' high. Texture: Medium Growth Rate: Fast Foliage: SOFT PUBESCENT. Opposite, simple, 2" long, oblong with ornamental green with white variegation. The varlegation is concentrated around the margins. The margins are serrate to crenate. The leaves are sessile, very pubescent and fragrant Stems: Erect, square, green and very pubescent. The rhizomes form a spreading colony. Flower: White-pink, tiny, labiate flowers, arranged in dense, erect spikes; blooms July September Fruit: Small dry capsule containing one to four seeds. Light: Partial Sun -full sun to part shade. Soil: Moist and fertile; adaptable to poor soil, but not dry conditions. Pruning or Thinning: Cut back after flowering; remove any all white-leaved and all green-leaved stems. Transplanting: Easy Propagation: Division and cuttings. Pests&Diseases: None serious. LANDSCAPE USES As a groundcover, or container planting for attractive foliage; good for butterfly or fragrance gardens. GENERAL If plants are grown in borders, use soil barriers 10" deep, to restrain rhizomatous spread. Synonym: Mentha rotundifolia INSTRUCTOR in anclent Rome, Pliny the elder instructed that students should wear crowns made of mint, because it would stimulate their brains. (http://ag.arizona.edu/yavapai/publications/yavcobulletins/Growing%20Herbs pdf) The Romans regarded mint as a tables and floors at banquets as a welcoming sign to guests; with the added benefit of repelling symbol of hospitality. They would scatter the leaves across the vermin. (Staub, 75 Exceptional Herbs 177) Medicinal uses: Mint has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, insect bites and muscle aches. (www.caip.rutgers.edu/govindra/aid_india/focus.doc) Used Internally for travel sickness, fainting and nausea; externally for itching skin, toothaches, antispasmodic and decongestant powers. EDIBILITY Harvest: Pinch off young leaves throughout the growing season. Best if used fresh, but may also be dried or frozen for later use. to flavor teas, mojitos, salads and desserts or use as a garnish. Mint jelly Culinary Uses: The leaves have a fruity slightly pineapple fragrance and taste, and may be used sauce is often paired with lamb. Other Uses: During the Middle Ages, from mint essential oil is used today as an ingredient of many cosmetics, some perfumes and powdered mint leaves were used as a cleanser. Menthol shampoo products

Thymus x citriodorus Lemon Thyme

FAMILY Lamiaceae/ Labiatae (Mint Family) NATIVITY Garden Origin Form: Herbaceous semi-woody perennial, with spreading growth habit. LOW GROWING Landscape Size: 4"-12" high, 12"-18" wide. Texture: Fine Growth Rate: Medium Foliage: Opposite, 1/2" long leaves, ovate to lanceolate, dark green and margins entire; STRONG LEMON FRAGRANCE WHEN CRUSHED; evergreen USDA zone 8 and warmer. Stems: Thin, string-like stems, light green, and branching; maturing to somewhat stout and woody. Flower: Light pink, small, labiate flowers, arranged in dense, rounded verticillasters (A cymose inflorescence resembling a whorl but actually arising in the axils of opposite bracts); blooming in summer. Fruit: Tiny papery seed capsules containing rounded seeds. Light: Full Sun Soil: Dry to medium, well drained sandy soil; tolerant of drought and low fertility. Pruning or Thinning: To control spread throughout the season; may sheer in late winter to rejuvenate Transplanting: Easy Pests & Diseases: None serious; root rot can be a problem if drainage is poor. LANDSCAPE USES Low maintenance groundcover or edging; use in herb gardens, rock gardens, ledges, containers, and between stepping stones; flowers attractive to bees. GENERAL Thymus x citriodorus is generally considered to be a hybrid of T. vulgaris x T. pulegioides. (University of Connecticut) Thymus plants often become woody and less productive age, and usually require replacement or propagation every 3 to 4 years. Synonyms: Thymus limoneum, Thymus serpyllum var. citridorus INSTRUCTOR The ancient Egyptians used Thymus as part of their mummification process, and the ancient Thymus, meaning "smoke" is referential to this herbs use in ancient Greece, as both incense to Greeks placed this herb in coffins to assure a safe journey to the afterlife. The genus name purify sacrifices made to the gods and a fumigant to drive off stinging insects. (Staub 75 exceptional herbs 223) During the Middle Ages, thyme was a symbol of courage. Medicinal uses: Medical studies have supported the traditional use of Thymus as an effective antispasmodic and cough suppressant. (Armitage, Herbaceous Perennial Plants 976) In Germany, Thymus is approved for therapeutic use in treating a variety of respiratory ailments including bronchitis. (National Geographic 272) EDIBILITY Harvest: Trim stems as desired, throughout the growing season; run your fingers downward on the cut stems to strip them of their leaves. Dry or freeze for later use. Culinary Uses: The leaves of T. x citriodorus have a bright lemon flavor which is a good complement to seafood and excellent for flavoring vinegar, and herb butter. Thyme is used fresh or dry to flavor a wide variety of dishes including meats, roasted vegetables, soup, sauces, desserts and cold drinks. Thyme flowers are also edible, with the same flavor as the leaves only milder. OTHER USES: Thymus extracts have antiseptic, deodorant and disinfectant properties.

Agastache foeniculum Anise-hyssop

FAMILY Lamiaceae/Labiatae (Mint Family) NATIVITY N North America NATIVE HARDINESS USDA Zone 4-8 Form: TENDER PERENNIAL herb that may be grown as a hardy annual. Upright, narrow, but full; branched at top. EDIBLE FOLIAGE AND FLOWER Grows 24"-36" tall, 18"-24" wide when grown as an annual. Texture: Medium Growth Rate: Fast Foliage: FRAGRANT. Stems are square in cross section. Petioled leaves are opposite and somewhat whorled around the stem; ovate, to 3" long and 2" wide; acute to acuminate; whitish beneath. Margins are crenate to serrate. Leaves smell like LICORICE when crushed. Stems: Square, branching, glabrous or slightly pubescent. Flower: SMALL , densely arranged in many flowered, 2"-4", cylindrical, violet-colored spikes. Calyx is tubular and toothed; corolla is bilabiate. Blooms early to late summer and on to frost (depending on planting size and time). LONG BLOOMED. Fruit: Flower spikes gone to seed become ornamental in winter and birds devour their seeds. Readily self seeds, but unwanted seedlings are easily scratched away. Light: Full Sun - Tolerates some light shade. Prefers warm weather. Soil: Well-drained, well-worked garden soil. Prefers soil of average fertility. Tolerates poor soil. Drought resistant. Propagation: Sow seed inside 6-8 weeks before planting out after last frost. Germination occurs in two to three weeks at 55 F. Very easy to grow from seed. Readily re-seeds or may return the next year as a short-lived perennial after a mild winter. Pests & Diseases: Nothing significant under normal growing conditions. Although bees and other bugs" will cover Agastache foeniculum they are all harmless polinators (unless you're allergic to bee stings) and the follage is rarely affected. Mildew may be a problem. LANDSCAPE USES LEAVES AND FLOWER HEADS ARE EDIBLE. FLOWERS ARE GREAT IN BAKE GOODS. SWEET LICORICE TASTE. Use in cutting gardens, herb and for making tea. Adds a medium-sized, upright presence when planted singly or in small gardens, or children's gardens. Leaves may be used for seasoning groups. ECOLOGICAL Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. It's a beekeeper's favorite plant.

Ficus carica Common Fig

FAMILY Moraceae (Mulberry Family) NATIVITY N Africa, W Asia & S Europe HARDINESS USDA Zones 8-10 Form: Deciduous shrub with a broad rounded habit. GROW FOR FRUIT AND BOLD FOLIAGE. LIKES URBAN HEAT. 'CHICAGO HARDY' SUMMER LEAVES CAN BE USED FOR STEAMING Landscape Size: 15'-30' high. Texture: Coarse Growth Rate: Fast Foliage: Alternate, simple, 4"-9" long, variable leaf shape from ovate to cordate, palmately lobed, with 3 or 5 lobes, rough texture, covered in short stiff hairs, margins entire and wavy. TERRIBLE FALL COLOR. CULTIVARS HAVE VARIABLE LEAF SHAPE Stems: STOUT, new growth, sometimes pubescent, terminal bud conical, wrapped in a single scale. On overwintering twigs, flower buds are nearly round. The bark is a smooth, silvery gray. MOST PRODUCE IN SECOND YEAR STEMS Flower: BEARS EITHER MALE AND FEMALE OR ALL FEMALE FLOWERS. The flowers are green, fleshy and rounded. The actual flowers are minute, located on the inner surface of a hollow receptacle, known as a syconium, more commonly referred to as a fig.. Each fig contains hundreds of flowers. Figs range in color from green to purplish-black, and have a pear or elongated onion shape, 2" by 4" in size, with a somewhat leathery skin. The inner flesh is pink to red. At the base of each fig, there is a tiny orifice for a fig wasp to enter. The flowers are generally not pollinated in North America because the pollinating wasp is not present; however nearly all selections grown in North America are SELF FRUITFUL. Fruit: A multiple of tiny DRUPES which are seed-like in appearance, held within the SYNCONIUM. Light: Full Sun - part sun Soil: AVERAGE TO LEAN, well-drained; DROUGHT TOLERANT, once established. For containerzed plants overwintered Pruning or Thinning: In colder climates, PRUNE out DEAD WOOD AFTER NEW GROWTH EMERGES in spring. indoors, prune the roots in spring once every three years. Transplanting: Easy Propagation: Root suckers, layering or cuttings in midsummer. Pests & Diseases: None serious; fruits attract wasps, brown marmorated stink bug. LANDSCAPE USES A tropical looking tree or shrub, for a south facing wall or attractive container plants. This is a good selection for urban patio area. Dwarf selections make heat-islands cities create. gardens, taking advantage of the GENERAL With winter protection, F. carica can be grown as far north as zone 5. Mulch roots heavily in autumn to protect from cold. Even if frozen, figs often will resprout from the roots and produce a crop the following summer. Ideally create a warmer microclimate by planting against a south or west-facing wall. Overwinter containerized dwarf specimens in a cool protected area like basements and attached garages, given minimal water (no more than 1 cup per month). (http://www.italianfigtrees.com) INSTRUCTOR The edible fig is thought to be one of the first plants cultivated by humans, predating wheat, and beans. Arabs cultivated F. carica 6,000 years ago. Figs were an important food in ancient Greece and Rome. Figs were eaten by gladiators and athletes to give them quick energy, and are still used today in energy bars. (National Geographic 118) Victors of the first Olympic Games were crowned with fig leaves, rather than Laurels. (Staub 86) EDIBILITY Harvest: IN the FALL. In environments where stems overwinter, F. carica will produce a second harvest. This occurs in early summer, on the previous year's growth. Fresh figs are highly perishable. Do not refrigerate. Dried figs keep for months. F. carica may take 3-6 years to bear fruit. (Jacke 328) Culinary Uses: Fresh figs have a sweet flavor, and can be eaten in their entirety. They are delicious on their own, but can also be used in a wide variety of dishes and are often stuffed with prosciutto, soft cheeses, nuts and chocolate; add figs to tarts, make into cakes and puddings and use as a filling for pastries. Fig jam and compotes go well with cheeses, duck and salmon. (National Geographic 118) The leaves can be used to steam foods inside of, imparting a spicy coconut-like flavor. Figs are nutritionally a good source of vitamin A; a fine source of fiber: a contributing source of folate and potassium as well being high in anti-oxidants. (National Geographic 338)

Nelumbo nucifera East Indian Lotus

FAMILY Nelumbonaceae (Lotus-lily Family) NATIVITY Asia & Australia HARDINESS USDA Zones 8-11 KEY ID TRAITS Large round leaves, seed pods. Form: ONE OF MOST BEAUTIFUL AND EDIBLE. ALL PARTS. Aquatic, perennial with upright growth habit. Landscape Size: 3'-5' above water surface. Texture: Bold Growth Rate: Medium Foliage: Mature leaves can reach 2 1/2' in diameter, round, PELTATE, with undulate margins, waxy and blue-green. No fall color. The first leaves to emerge float on the water. Later in the season the leaves are held above the water on long, cylindrical petioles. The interior of EACH PLANT IS FULL OF HOLLOW CHAMBERS THAT HOLD THE PETIOLE ERECT AND TRANSPORT OXYGEN TO THE ROOT SYSTEM. Stems: Pale fleshy rhizome, beneath the water; 3" thick and 2'-3' long, narrowing to form joints about every 5", like sausage links. Roots form at each of the joints. Inside the stems are hollow air passages which run its length, arranged in a pattern which, if sliced open, resembles the holes on the face of a rotary phone. Flower: Highly ornamental, pale pink or white sepals, solitary flowers, 12" in diameter, single or double, borne terminally on long peduncles. Each flower lasts for three days; very fragrant. DOUBLE S HAVE OVER 50 PETALS Fruit: Ornamental gynoecium (seed capsule), turning from bright green to dark brown. They are round, 3"-6" in diameter and flat-topped. The carpels are holes imbedded at the top of the gynoecium, each containing a single, very hard brown, ovoid seed. The gynoecium resembles the head of a watering can and is persistent, providing interest into the winter. Light: Full Sun Soil: Heavy, fertile, loam; the rhizome should be at least 8 inches below water. Fertilize regularly. Pruning or Thinning: Remove faded foliage. Removal of floating leaves as they yellow helps with pest control. Transplanting: Moderately difficult. Care must be taken when transplanting rhizomes. If growing is 3'-4' wide (for large cultivars). Containers damage rhizomes growing into the placing the container into a pond, you can accelerate the growth by holding off on placing it in inch of soil, taking care with new growth, and then fill the container, then place the tubers with the growing point facing the center. Cover them with an corners. Place 4"-5" of aquatic soil in the bottom of the with flat sides should be avoided because they may Nelumbo in a container: choose a round container that not to damage the delicate growing tips container with water. If you plan on the pond until after it begins to form leaves. Propagation: Division of rhizomes or from seed. Pests & Diseases: None serious; occasionally aphids are a problem. LANDSCAPE USES Specimen flowering plant for aquatic containers and ponds. Works well with other plants of similar texture. ECOLOGICAL Rhizomes, seed, stems and leaves all have culinary attributes. Seed pods often used for decorating. GENERAL Nelumbo are thermogenic plants. They have the ability to regulate their temperature; heating their blooms up to 85-96 F, even when air temperatures are as low as 50° F. It is believed the Nelumbo generates this heat in order to attract insect pollinators. (Yoon) Great conversation piece, beautiful in or out of flower with many interesting facts. INSTRUCTOR Nelumbo is the national flower of India and Vietnam. The water lotus is a symbol of purity, perfection and beauty, because it holds its flowers and leaves above the water's surface. Asian deities are often are depicted as seated on a lotus flower. See THE LOTUS EFFECT HOLDING WATER OFF THE LEAF, inspire many innovations Other common names include: Indian lotus, sacred lotus, bean of India, lotus, Cantonese: ngua, Hindi: bhe, Japanese: renkon. EDIBILITY Harvest: Dig up rhizomes only when they are dormant; rhizomes require 5-7 months to mature. The large seeds are best harvested just before they harden. (National Geographic 156) Culinary Uses : Almost every part of N. nucifera is edible, including the leaves, petioles, buds, sepals and seeds; however it is grown primarily for its rhizomes. The rhizomes are mildly flavored and moist with a wonderfully crisp texture which is not lost even after cooking. It is advisable to cook the rhizomes, because they may contain water-borne parasites. Ose the rhizomes in stir-fries, deep-fried as tempura, candied or pickled. Young Nelumbo leaves are often cooked as a vegetable. Mature leaves can be stuffed with other foods and then steamed or baked. The cooked nuts have a flavor similar to chestnuts, but with a lighter texture. They are roasted, used in stir-fries and dim sum, or ground to a paste as a filling for desserts. Even the petals are used as a beautiful edible garnish. Nutritionally the rhizomes are a good source of vitamin C; a fine source of vitamin B6, fiber and potassium; a contributing source of Thiamin. (National Geographic 342) Other Uses: The dry seed heads are often used in dried arrangements. Wax from the leaves has been extracted and used as a waterproofing agent. (Penn State Biology Dept.)

Nelumbo lutea American Lotus

FAMILY Nelumbonaceae (Lotus-lily Family) NATIVITY E &C North America NATIVE HARDINESSUSDA Zones 4-11 Form: Aquatic, perennial with upright growth habit. Landscape Size: 3'-5' above water surface. Texture: Bold Growth Rate: Medium Foliage: 1-2' in diameter, ROUND, PELTATE, with UNDULATE MARGINS, waxy and blue-green. No fall season the leaves are held chambers that hold the color. The first leaves to emerge float on the water. Later in the above the water on long, cylindrical petioles. The interior of each petiole is full of hollow petiole erect and transport oxygen to the root system. DONT PRUNE BELOW WATER LEVEL Stems: Pale fleshy rhizome, beneath the water; 3" thick about every 5", like sausage links, Roots form at each of the air passages which run its length, arranged in a pattern which, if sliced open, resembles the and 2'-3' long, narrowing to form joints joints. Inside the STEMS ARE HOLLOW. holes on the face of a rotary phone. Flower: HIGHLY ORNAMENTAL, PALE YELLOW solitary flowers, 10 in diameter, borne terminally Blooms late spring-summer. Each flower lasts for three days; VERY FRAGRANT. THERMOGENIC Fruit: ORNAMENTAL GYNOECIUM (seed capsule), on long peduncles. sepals, turning from bright green to dark brown. They are gynoecium, each containing a single round, 3"-4" in diameter and flat-topped. The carpels are holes imbedded at the top of the very hard brown, ovoid seed, resembling an acorn. The gynoecium resembles the head of a watering can and is persistent, providing interest into the winter, Light: Full Sun Soil: HEAVY, FERTILE, LOAM; the rhizome should be at least 8" below water surface and but not more than 30" GROW IN CIRCULAR POT DUE TO GROWTH PATTERN. HEAVY FEEDER FERTILIZE WHEN YOU GET YOUR FIRST ARIEL LEAF. STOP MID SUMMER. Pruning or Thinning: Remove faded foliage. Transplanting: Moderately difficult. Care must be taken not to damage the delicate growing tips is 3'-4' wide (for large cultivars). Containers when transplanting rhizomes. If growing Nelumbo in a container: choose a round container that with flat sides should be avoided because they may 4-5" of aquatic soil in the bottom of the damage rhizomes growing into the corners. Place container, then place the tubers with the growing point facing the center. Cover them with an inch of soil, taking care with new growth, and then fill the container with water. If you plan on placing the container into a pond, you can accelerate the growth by holding off on placing it in the pond until after it begins to form leaves. Propagation: Division of rhizomes or from seed. Pests & Diseases: None serious; occasionally aphids are a problem. LANDSCAPE USES Specimen flowering plant for aquatic containers and ponds. Caution: non-containerized plants may spread aggressively in ponds and waterways. GENERAL Nelumbo lutea has been hybridized with Nelumbo nucifera to confer its yellow flower coloration on progeny. Nelumbo are thermogenic plants. They have the ability to regulate their temperature; heating their blooms up to 85-96 F, even when air temperatures are as low as 50 F. It is believed the Nelumbo generates this heat in order to attract insect pollinators. (Yoon) INSTRUCTOR Other common names include: Water-chinquapin, yellow lotus, duck acorn, lotus lily, yellow Nelumbo, yanquapin, wonkapin, and pond nuts. Nelumbo lutea has been used as a food crop by many of eastern North America's Indian tribes. Method of preparation included: boiled roots used for food, sometimes cooked with meat or hominy; nut-like seeds roasted like chestnuts, cracked, freed from the shells and used with meat to make soup, cooked with corn, or roasted and made into a sweet meal (SEEDS ARE A PAIN TO HARVEST); shoots cooked with venison, corn or beans; shoots cut crosswise, strung on string and dried for winter use. The Dakota, Omaha, Pawnee, Ponca, and Winnebago people characterized this plant as having mystic powers. (http://herb.umd.umich.edu/) EDIBILITY ALL PARTS ARE EDIBLE Harvest: Dig up rhizomes only when they are dormant; rhizomes require 5-7 months to mature. The large seeds are best harvested just before they harden. (National Geographic 156) Culinary Uses: Almost every part of Nelumbo lutea is edible, including the leaves, petioles, buds, sepals and seeds; however it is grown primarily for its rhizomes. The rhizomes are mildly flavored and moist with a wonderfully crisp texture which is not lost even after cooking. (See comments section for more information on the many ways in which this plant was traditionally prepared.) It is advisable to cook the rhizomes, because they may contain water-borne parasites. Nutritionally the rhizomes are a good source of vitamin C; a fine source of vitamin B6, fiber and potassium; a contributing source of Thiamin. (National Geographic 342)

Ziziphus jujuba Common Jujube

FAMILY Rhamnaceae (Buckthon Family) NATIVITY TEMPERATE ASIA HARDINESS USDA Zones 6-9 Form: Large shrub or SMALL tree, with a rounded outline. Landscape Size: 15'-20' high Texture: Fine Growth Rate: Slow to moderate Foliage: 3 NERVED AT BASE. Alternate, simple, 1"-2 1/2" long oval; margins are crenate-serrulate; dark green and GLOSSY with variable yellow fall color. Stems: Smooth, flexible, distinctly zigzag twigs; PAIRED STIPULAR SPINES up to 1 1/4" long at the nodes. The old bark becomes BLOCKY. NEW STEMS ARE RED WITH A POLISHED FEEL. Flower: YELLOWISH, 1/4" flowers, borne in clusters of 2-3. Blooms from the leaf axils, on new wood; slightly FRAGRANT LIKE GRAPE SODA. Fruit: DRUPE. Dark red, 1/2"-2" LONG DRUPE, smooth and EGG-SHAPED . Most cultivars produce fruit without cross-pollination. SELF FRUITFUL BETTER WITH POLLINATOR Light: Full Soil: Soil: DRY, WELL-DRAINED soil; TOLERANT OF DROUGHT, HEAT and SALT. Pruning or Thinning: REMOVE SUCKERS; may also be PRUNED MODERATES -HARD in winter to promote good health and keep the fruit easy to reach. Transplanting: Easy Propagation: Seed and cuttings. Pests & Diseases: None serious; SQUIRRELS eat the fruit; brown marmorated stink bug may be a pest. LANDSCAPE USES Grow as a SMALL TREE for HANDSOME FOLIAGE and FRUIT. This is an excellent plant for XERISCAPING. GENERAL In USDA Zone 6 it is advisable to site this tree in an area protected from winter winds; however a hot dry location is necessary for best fruit set. INSTRUCTOR Other common names include: red dates, Korean: daechu, daechoo, Manderin: hong zao. In Korea, sahm-gyae tahng is the name of a traditional soup containing a whole chicken stuffed with ginseng and jujube; this is considered to be a healing food equivalent to "Mom's chicken soup" Medicinal uses: Tea made from the leaves is very high in vitamin C, and has long been used for panacea for a wide variety of conditions including: appetite stimulant, disease prevention, sore throats. In ancient China, Pakistan and India the fruit and seeds were prescribed almost as a insomnia, stamina, illness, malnutrition and stress. (Plants for a Future) EDIBILITY Harvest: Pick fully ripened fruits. Ripe fruits may be stored at room temperature for about a week. Dry or can the fruit for later use. Culinary Uses: The fruits are commonly known as jujubes. Fresh jujubes have a sweet flavor and crisp texture. The dried fruits are often made into herbal teas, to flavor desserts, substituted for apples in pies and cakes or to stuff poultry.

Hovenia dulcis Japanese Raisin-tree

FAMILY Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn Family) NATIVITY CHINA & HIMALAYAS HARDINESS USDA Zones 6-8 Form: MEDIUM. A rounded tree. This tree tends to keep growing late into the fall, predisposing the yourng plants to dieback in our area. SHELTERED LOCATION. Landscape Size: Grows to 30-50' tall. Texture: Medium. Growth Rate: Medium fast Foliage: ALTERNATE SIMPLE, BROADLY OVATE, 4"-6" long. Acuminate apex, cordate to rounded base and coarsely serrate margins. Poor yellow-green fall color. Stems: Warm brown, slender, zigzag, villous to glabrous. The BARK of mature trees has wide ridges with shallow dark furrows, shining with a very ORNAMENTAL CINNAMON LUSTER. Buds: Small, superposed buds with 2 scales. Flower: Cream-white, small, perfect flowers, in terminal CYMES, 2"-3" in diameter; SWEETLY FRAGRANT; blooming in SUMMER; attracts many bees and other pollinators. Fruit: Brown DRUPES, 1/2" in diameter, is reddish-brown, soft, fleshy and fragrant with an very scrawny ginger rhizome. The trees are SELF-FERTILE, hard and round, borne on branching peduncle. PEDUNCLE EDIBLE interesting gnarled appearance, similar to a with drupes ripening in September and persisting into the winter. Light: Full Sun Soil: ADAPTABLE plant TOLERANT of many soil conditions but not wet soil. Pruning or Thinning: AS NEEDED. Prefers well drained soils Transplanting: Not difficult. Propagation: Seed requires acid scarification. Cuttings. Pests & Diseases: None serious. LANDSCAPE USES A specimen shade tree, with attractive flowers, bark, and interesting peduncles. Good, medium- sized tree for residential landscapes GENERAL Young plants are tender and get established through their first few winters describes the appearance quite accurately. (National Geographic 120) The Chinese name for this plant's peduncle is chi-chao li, meaning "chicken claw pear"which EDIBILITY Harvest: Cut swollen peduncles from the tree in autumn. The flavor is best when they have become slightly shriveled. Culinary Uses: The swollen peduncle has a sweet flavor similar to raisins and Asian pears. It can be eaten RAW OR COOKED, in anything you would add raisins to. Nutritionally Hovenia peduncles are a good source of potassium; a fine source of fiber and iron; a contributing source of thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, protein and calcium. (National Geographic 340)

Aronia melanocarpa 'Viking' Black Chokeberry

FAMILY Rosaceae (Rose Family) NATIVITY Eastern North America NATIVE PARENT, BRED IN FINLAND HARDINESS USDA Zones 3-8 Form: Upright, densely branched, spreading deciduous shrub. MORE COMPACT THAN SPECIES. SUCKERS Landscape MEDIUM Size: 3'-6' high, 2'-6' wide Texture: Medium Growth Rate: Medium Foliage: Alternate, simple, 1"-3" long, elliptic to obovate, with serrulate margins, glabrous, DARK GLOSSY GREEN; on short 1/4" petioles. The upper leaf surface has reddish glands on either side of the midvein. The lower surface is glabrous or sparsely haired. EXCELLENT orange, red, and purple FALL COLOR. GLANDULAR DOTS ON MIDVEIN Flower: Showy white 5 petaled, up to 1/2" in diameter, with PINK TIPPED STAMENS; flowers are arranged in corymbs 2"-3" across. Blooms for a few weeks in EARLY SPRING late April and early May BEFORE FOLIAGE EMERGES Fruit: GLOSSY, PURPLE-BLACK POMES, SELF FERTILE. up to 1/2" in diameter, on ED PEDICELs. Fruit develops purple- black color in July, but not FULLY RIPE until AUGUST. SOME HAIRS. HIGH IN PECTIN Bark: Young twigs are reddish, with white lenticels. Older bark is grey and smooth, Plants are self-fertile. LIGHT: Full Sun-part shade SOIL: Adaptable to a wide range of soils, from dry and sandy to wet clay; tolerates salt and compaction. PRUNING OR THINNING: Remove suckers to control any unwanted spread. TRANSPLANTING: Easy Propagation: Softwood cuttings in early summer, or simple PEST & DISEASES: None serious; occasional leaf spot. layering, branches root easily. LANDSCAPE USES Mass plantings, hedges, windbreak, erosion control, natural areas, STREET OR LOT, but NOT DIRECTLY OVER CARS INSTRUCTOR While Aronia melanocarpa is native to North America, the Viking' cultivar was bred in Finland for compact form and fruit production in orchards. EDIBILTY Harvest: August into September. It is easy to collect quantities of fruit quickly by combing fruits off between fingers into a bucket. Culinary Uses: ADD SOME SUGAR. MUCH BETTER COOKED. The fruits are TOO ASTRINGENT TO EAT RAW, but cooked they make flavorful jelly, fruit compote, syrup, juice, wine, and tea. The fruits are naturally rich in pectin, which makes them particularly good for making jellies. The fruit is exceptionally high in antioxidants.

Pyrus pyrifolia Asian Pear

FAMILY Rosaceae (Rose Family) NATIVITY ASIA HARDINESS USDA Zones 5-8 Form: Deciduous medium tree, with a dense, broadly pyramidal to rounded form. Landscape Size: 25'-30' high by 25' wide. Texture: Medium Growth Rate: Fast Foliage: Alternate, simple, 2"-4" long, LARGER LEAF THAN STANDARD PEAR. ovate-oblong, acute apex, entire or FINELY SERRATED margin, CORDATE BASE, glabrous, shiny dark green above, paler and dull below; EXCELLENT ORANGE TO RED FALL COLOR Stems: STOUT, GOLDEN BROWN WITH WHITE LENTICELS Twigs are glossy brown to reddish brown, with spur shoots present. The bark is gray- brown to reddish brown, developing shallow furrows and flat-topped scaly ridges as it matures. Flower: Ornamental, white flowers 1"-1 1/2" in diameter, with 5 petals, arranged in corymbs of 6-9; blooming in early spring, before the leaves. Fruit: POME. Yellow to brown, spotted with white, round apple shape, pome, 3"-4" in diameter; ripens ... late summer and fall. The flesh contains grit cells (brachysclereids), which give the pear its characteristic texture. The fruit 's fragrance is floral. SELF FRUITFUL; HOWEVER better size and shape can be achieved with cross-pollination. For effective cross-pollination select different cultivars that bloom at the same time. Light: Full Sun Soil: Adaptable, but prefer neutral well drained conditions. Pruning or Thinning: Prune hard in winter. Keep the center open to promote good air circulation. Remove watersprouts, overly dense branches and shoots originating from the underside of branches. Remove any roots growing on or above the graft line. Transplanting: Easy in spring Propagation: Grafted usually from seed usually bear inferior fruit. onto P. betulifolia or P. calleryana rootstock, for fire-blight resistance. Trees grown Pests & Diseases: SEMI RESISTANT to FIRE-BLIGHT, in cool wet weather. Other pests include pear psylla, but not immune; prone to iron deficiency. Bacterial spider mites, canker can also be a problem codling moths, brown marmorated stink bug LANDSCAPE USES Specimen flowering tree, easily trained into almost any shape; espalier or fan; can even be grown in a large container if pruned hard GENERAL Pyrus pyrifolia is a long lived tree; living 250+ years. (National Geographic 89) Very mature trees in China have been trained to produce over 1 ton of fruit. INSTRUCTOR Other common names include: Chinese sand pear, apple pear, papple, Japanese: nashi, Mandarin: sha li. Medicinal uses: Pyrus bark has antibiotic properties and was used medicinally for renal and urinary infections. EDIBILITY Harvest: Thinning immature fruits to 1 per bud, and no closer than 4" apart, will improve harvest quality. Asian pears should be allowed to ripen on the tree, to achieve the best flavor. The fruit bruises easily, but stores well if kept refrigerated. P. pyrifolia trees begin to bear fruit at 2-4 years of age; 100-300 useful bearing years are possible. (Jacke 529) Culinary Uses: The fruits are crisp and juicy with a flavor something like a cross between an apple and a pear. Selections range in intensity of sweetness and floral aroma. Excellent raw on is own, but also Asian pear juice is often used in marinades for Korean grilled meats. Due to Asian pear's high water content, the fruits are not usually baked or made into jams. Nutritionally pears are a fine source of fiber, a contributing source of vitamin C and high in antioxidants. (National Geographic 336)

Chaenomeles speciosa Flowering Quince

FAMILY Rosaceae (Rose Family) NATIVITY CHINA, long cultivated in Japan. HARDINESS USDA Zones 4-9 KEY ID TRAITS Large, 5-petaled flowers in spring; PROMINENT ROUND STIPULES, THORNS, tangled criss-crossing stems. EARLIEST TO BLOOM, LATEST TO FRUIT. Form: Dense, tangled, thorny mass with rounded outline. Variable in habit. Spring interest. POME, COOKED. URBAN Landscape Size: 6'-10' high, the same or greater in width. Dwarf selections exist. Texture: Medium in summer, coarse in winter. Growth Rate: Medium Foliage: ROUNDED BRACTS ON NEW GROWTH IN LEAF AXIL. Alternate, simple, ovate to oblong, 1 1/2-3 1/2 long. Margins serrate, tip acute. Stipules on current season's growth look like round leaves, to 1 1/2" across. Summer's new foliage color emerges red bronze, and turns a glossy dark green. The foliage remains green until leaves fall, NOT ATTRACTIVE IN FALL. Stems: Grey-brown, arching, covered in long prominent thorns. EDGES CURLED UNDER SLIGHTLY Flower: SELF STERILE. Showy bright red/orange, pink or white, single or double, 1 1/2 "-1 3/4" in diameter. Borne singly or in clusters of 2 to 4 on previous year's growth in late March to mid-April. Floral buds require minimal or no chilling in order to open; therefore, sporadic flowers may be seen throughout the summer. Heavy flowering occasionally occurs in fall. Fruit: POMME Apple-like, pale green to yellow, interesting but not showy; useful in making jellies and jams. PLUM SIZE. Fragrant. Mature fruit has odd waxy, oily feel to the skin. Light: Full Sun-Best flowering in full sun but will take partial shade. Soil: Adaptable and does well in dry conditions. Tolerates wind. URBAN Pruning or Thinning: Renewal pruning BY REMOVE OLDEST BRANCHES IN WINTER. Prune anytime in winter to force cut branches into bloom. Otherwise, prune immediately AFTER FLOWERING, May be trained as an espalier. Transplanting: Easy Propagation: Cuttings collected in August. Seeds require 2 to 3 months of cold-moist stratification. Early spring color. Branches are easily forced into bloom - highly prized in the floral industry. Typically found on old farms along borders and hedge rows. Seed is carried by animals. flowers, 1 EDIBILITY Harvest: POMES ripen in fall and are long lasting. Culinary Uses: The raw fruits are too hard to eat. MUST COOK. Cooked fruits are highly aromatic, similar to (Cydonia). Use in tarts, bake, stew or make into jelly.

Amelanchier laevis Allegheny Serviceberry

FAMILY Rosaceae (Rose Family) NATIVITY E & C North America NATIVE HARDINESS USDA Zones 4-8 KEY ID TRAITS When leaves are half way emerged they are reddish to a purple-bronze in color, usually at bloom time. The LEAVES are also NEARLY HAIRLESS, unlike most other serviceberries. The fruit are on longer peduncles, (stems) up to 2". Most other serviceberries have fruit peduncles less than 1". Form: DECIDUOUS tree, URBAN TOLERANT, often multi-stemmed; single-stemmed trees have oval crowns. Landscape Size: 25'-40' high, 8-18' wide. Texture: Medium-fine in leaf; medium in winter. Growth Rate: Medium Foliage: EGG SHAPED. Alternate, simple, 1 1/4"-3" long, elliptic-ovate to ovate-oblong, acuminate, SUBCORDATE or rounded at base, finely serrate margins, glabrous, bronze-purple when young, grey-green at maturity, lighter underneath; FALL COLOR is YELLOW and ORANGE sometimes with RED and PURPLE and can be QUITE SHOWY. Stems: Slender, smooth, reddish brown first year, dull grayish brown in their second season. striations, providing winter interest. Mature silver-grey bark has white-ish vertical Buds: 3/8-5/8" LONG CONICAL buds have overlapping greenish-red scales that often have fine hairs along their edges. Flower: Ornamental, PERFECT, SELF-FERTILE, white, with 5 in EARLY SPRING before the leaves; lasting about a week Fruit: POME. ON LONG PEDUNCLES. Purple-black when ripe, berry-like 3/8" pome, juicy, containing tiny soft almond-flavored petals and yellow stamens, borne in 4" long panicles seeds, borne in racemes of 3-16 fruits Ripens in JUNE. Bark: Smooth, gray, fissured with dark line in age. Light: Full Sun, Partial Shade Soil: Moist, well drained soils. Will tolerate dryer soils... SENSITIVE TO DROUGHT Pruning or Thinning: In winter, remove older weak stems to rejuvenate. Transplanting: Easy. Ball & burlap or container. Propagation: Moderately difficult from suckers, softwood cuttings; moderately easy from fresh seed Pests & Diseases: Rust, leaf blight, fire blight, powdery mildew, leaf miner, borers. LANDSCAPE USES Specimen flowering tree, with year-round interest for foundation plantings, woodland edges, soil stabilization and wildlife gardens. May be trained as a small tree or shrub. ECOLOGICALAmelanchier is a primary larval food plant of several butterfly species, including tiger, viceroy and white admiral. The FRUIT is EATEN by BIRDS, small mammals including fox, bears and of course humans. GENERAL This serviceberry is popular in Europe and has naturalized itself there. INSTRUCTOR One explanation for how Amalanchier came to be known as the Serviceberry is that it is a corruption of the word "sarvisberry", a reference to the tree's similarity to the Sarvis tree, also known as the European Mountain Ash. (Cullina 43) The other possible explanation for the name is that Amelanchier blooms just as the last snows are melting, opening up the roads (in the days before snowplows), and thus allowing people to attend to religious services again. (Brill 124) However, some people would rather go fishing, and at the time Amelanchier blooms the Shad fish are migrating upstream, leading to this tree's other common name 'Shadbush' Amelanchier are promiscuous, hybridizing freely where their ranges overlap. For this reason, it is difficult to sort out their taxonomy. EDIBILITY Harvest: Collect ripe fruits by the handful. The most important thing to remember when harvesting Amelanchier is not to delay. Birds can strip a tree clean in just a few days. The fruits do not store long, so use quickly or freeze for later use. Culinary Uses: The ripe fruits are delicious, with an apple-blueberry flavor. Excellent raw, or cooked as you would a blueberry, in pancakes, muffins, pies etc.

Rubus occidentalis black raspberry

FAMILY Rosaceae (Rose Family) NATIVITY E North America NATIVE HARDINESSUSDA Zones 4-8 Form: Deciduous suckering shrub; forming dense, tangled thickets. URBAN Landscape Size: 3'-6' high. Texture: Coarse in summer, medium in winter. Growth Rate: Very fast Foliage: ALTERNATE, USUALLY TRIFOLIATE, sometimes palmately compound, with 3-5 leaflets, each leaflet up to 3" long, OVATE, with DOUBLY SERRATED MARGINS, PRICKLES ON PETIOLES, light green above, PALE ALMOST WHITE BENEATH and tomentose. Stems: ORNAMENTAL, ESPECIALLY IN WINTER, PURPLE RED, ARCHED, branching canes, up to 10" in length, with a white glaucous bloom, covered in hooked prickles. First year canes are initially pale-green in color and do not produce branches, flowers or fruit. Each cane usually lives 2 years. Canes root in where they make contact with the ground. pistils and stamens. The Flower: Not showy, white, 1/2" in diameter, 5-petals and 5-sepals. Each flower contains many sepals are larger than the petals and triangular in shape. The flowers are borne in short tight racemes; blooming in late spring. Fruit: Somewhat ornamental, red turning to black when ripe, COMPOUND DRUPE, 1/2" diameter, ovid, very juicy. SUMMER. This is an AGGREGATE FRUIT, formed from MULTIPLE JOINED OVARIES, each maturing into a small drupe containing a single tiny seed. SELF-FERTILE Light: Partial Sun Soil: Prefer moist, fertile, well drained slightly acidic soil; however VERY ADAPTABLE and drought tolerant. Pruning or Thinning: Cut back older canes AFTER FRUITING Transplanting: Easy Propagation: Division, cuttings and layering. Pests & Diseases: Occasional borer damage to canes; brown marmorated stink bug; viruses may cause yellow mottling, wilting and stunted foliage. Fruit is subject to HEAVY BIRD LOSSES. LANDSCAPE USES Grow for winter interest as a background hedge, barrier plant, or trained on wires and trellises. Good for wild life gardens, providing both food and shelter. GENERAL The way to tell raspberries from blackberries is: the fruit of raspberries detaches cleanly and easily from their receptacles-like little thimbles, while the receptacles of blackberries remain attached-filling the fruit like a plug. INSTRUCTOR In Christian art, raspberries symbolize kindness; this is because their red juice resembles blood flowing through the heart, the organ believed to be the source of kindness. (Alexander) Medicinal uses: Raspberry leaves and fruit contain many minerals; juice and tea made of them has traditionally been given to pregnant woman to help with nausea and difficulties during labor. It is also taken to reduce menstrual cramps. The leaves are used in burn ointments. (Tozer 174) A brew of the roots was used to treat diarrhea and bleeding problems such as hemophilia. (Staub 75 Exceptional Fruits 201) EDIBILITY Harvest: Collect black raspberry fruits by hand as they ripen. Ripe fruit should pull easily away from the plug-like receptacle. It is a good idea to wear protective clothing while harvesting the fruit, to avoid getting scratched. The fruit are very fragile and perishable; to protect the fruit, use a wide shallow container while harvesting; after harvest refrigerate the fruits and use quickly, or freeze them for later use. Culinary Uses: The fruits have a sweet, tart flavor; excellent raw or cooked. There are countless ways to enjoy this fruit; on its own right off the bush; made into jams, juices, wine and beer; added to yogurt, ice cream and salad dressings. Raspberry fruits and leaves can be made into tea. The young shoots and leaves are supposedly edible raw or cooked, though I have not sampled them myself. (Tozer 174) Nutritionally the fruit are a good source of vitamin C and fiber; a contributing source of folate and potassium; also high in antioxidants. (National Geographic 340)

Fragaria vesca 'Semperflorens' Alpine Strawberry

FAMILY Rosaceae (Rose Family) NATIVITY EUROPE Form: Low growing, clumping, short-lived, perennial GROUND COVER. Landscape Size: 8" high, 12" wide. Texture: Medium Growth Rate: Medium-fast Foliage: Basal, arising from the base of the plant in tidy mounds, TRIFOLIATE, light green, with DENTATE MARGINS, on long thin petioles. ORANGE RED FALL color. Stems: Short, thick crown. Flower: White with yellow center, perfect, 1/2"-1" wide, 5-petaled, numerous pistils and 20-35 stamens. Flowers borne above the foliage on long thin peduncles. Blooms MAY-AUGUST. Fruit: What appear to be small white-tan seeds on the exterior of the strawberry are actually the true fruit; which are small achenes. The red fleshy body is technically an AGGREGATE ACCESSORY FRUIT, (FLESHY PART IS PERIANTH WITH ACHENES). growing not from the ovaries, but rather from the base of the flower. At their largest Alpine strawberries are 1/2" by 1", whereas the hybrid supermarket varieties be more than twice that size. They fruit heavily in late spring, continuing until frost. Very fragrant when ripe. Self fertile. Light: Partial Shade Soil: Moist, well drained, fertile and slightly acidic. Pruning or Thinning: None required. Transplanting: Easy. Propagation: From seed, sow indoors, in late winter for spring planting. Divide mature crowns in early spring to rejuvenate. Pests &Diseases: None serious; slugs and birds are sometimes a problem. LANDSCAPE USES An attractive flowering groundcover, good for edging, or in containers. GENERAL F. vesca is a short lived perennial that should be replaced or divided every 3-4 years. Yellow fruited cultivars are less attractive to birds. (Reich 151) INSTRUCTOR One explanation "strewberry", which describes the way most Fragaria spread, as if strewn about on lone for the common name "strawberry" is that the name was derived from horlzontal runners. (National Geographic 119) Owing to strawberries' blood red color and heart shape, it is associated with the Roman and Norse goddesses of love, Aphrodite and Freyja. Aphrodite at the death of her beloved Adonis wept tears which fell to the ground as strawberries. http://www.fruit.cornell.edu/Berries/genprodpdf/berryfolklore.pdf) (Staub 213, Other common names include: French: fraise des bois, Greek: fraoules, Italian: fragola, Japanese: ichigo, Ojibway: ode'imin, Spanish: fresa. not ripen off the plant, so collect them pick and freeze strawberries, until you achieve the desired only when fully ripened. Alpine strawberries are highly EDIBILITY Harvest: Alpine strawberries ripen a few at a time over a long growing season. Strawberries do perishable. For larger recipes, quantity. much sweeter than any supermarket varieties. They are great fresh, out of hand, and Culinary Uses: SWEET INTENSE STRAWBERRYFLAVORS Alpine strawberries may be tiny, but they are packed with intense flavor and are as a contributing source of folate and fiber. (National Geographic 338) sweet fruit and berry pastries. Nutritionally strawberries are a good source of vitamin C as well raw strawberries to be more flavorful; however Alpine strawberries may be cooked in all sorts of ice cream and shortcake with cream and sugar or make them into raw jams and syrups. I find complementary to almost any dessert imaginable. Add Alpine strawberries to smoothies, yogurt, Other Uses: The leaves and fruits of Fragaria are used in cosmetics to tone skin and close pores. The juice can also be used to treat oily and sunburned skin. (Brill 93)

Prunus maritima Beach Plum

FAMILY Rosaceae (Rose Family) NATIVITY NE United States Along coastal areas from Maine to Virginia. HARDINESS USDA Zones 3-8 Form: Woody round open branched multi-stemmed suckering shrub or small tree, developing sculpted branches with age. SMALL, ORNAMENTAL BARK, NICE FALL COLOR, SPRING FLOWERS Landscape Size: 4'-10 high and wide (typically 6'high when grown in garden setting). Texture: Medium Growth Rate: Fast (it grows quite slowly in its natural habitat of sand dunes, however in a garden setting with higher fertility soils, growth is fast). Foliage: Alternate, simple, ovate-elliptic 1 1/2"-3" long, 3/4"-1 1/4" wide, acute cuneate, serrate sharply and evenly. Deep green, glabrous above, dull green below. Soft pubescence below often glandular NICE YELLOW FALL COLOR. Flower: White single 1/2" across, 2-3 together in axillary clusters, BLOOMS APRIL MAY, BEFORE FOLIAGE emerges. POLLINATED BY BEES AND WIND. Flower turns pink when pollinated. Has a somewhat UNPLEASANT FRAGRANCE. red with yellow flesh containing a SELF STERILE Fruit: DRUPE, 1/2"-1" in diameter. Skin typically ripens to dark single large seed, in late summer. SELF-STERILE, requires cross-pollination of two unrelated plants to produce fruit. Heavy fruit production typically comes regular for some cultivars and when grown in a garden environment. HEAVY PRODUCTION CYCLE. once in a 3-4-year cycle, though is more STARTS GREEN, TURNS PURPLE Bark: Dark reddish-brown with horizontal lenticels. to this being somewhat short-lived plant. problems. Soil: Sandy well drained soil; will tolerate heavier soils if drainage is adequate. Tolerant of salt and drought. crossing branches; it can also be beneficial to thin Pruning or Thinning: In later winter or early spring, remove dead, diseased, weak wood, and branches to improve air circulation, Older plants may be pruned to the ground in order to rejuvenate. REMOVE SUCKERS TO PREVENT UNWANTED SPREAD. STOOL TO REGENERATE Transplanting: As the plant is moved inland, it has the tendency of getting taller and wider. Very deep roots, drought tolerant. Spring. Propagation: Most reliable method of asexual propagation is root cuttings. Take root cuttings in fall, approximately the diameter of a pencil, 2"-3" long and bury a few inches deep outdoors in sandy soil. To grow from seed, the University of Maryland crack pit to remove seed and cold stratify in moist sand or sphagnum moss at 40 F for 2-3 152 Extension recommends: remove flesh, Seed collected in late summer and sown directly may take 2 years to germinate. Pests & Diseases: Prone to many pests and diseases, months; Plum gouger and plum curculio can reduce Eastern tent caterpillars, fall webworm, European red particularly if stressed, which contributes mites and brown rot are all common crops. STEM BORERS are often the most serious threat. ESPECIALLY IF OVER WATERED OR UNHAPPY LANDSCAPE USES Wonderful shrub for difficult areas, Used in mass. it is beautiful in bloom and in fruit. Used at jams, jellies, and wine. There are numerous cultivars not readily available. Highly salt tolerant. shore points to stablize dunes. Attracts wildlife, rabbits, birds, and pollinators. Fruit makes great GENERAL Due to habitat destruction, Prunus maritima is listed as endangered in three states: Maine, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. EDIBILITY Harvest: Pick ripe fruits in late summer. Culinary Uses: JAMS JELLIES SYRUP SOAK WATER N BRANDY. Sweetness and astringency of the fruit can vary greatly between plants. Some are good to eat fresh out of hand, others are not. The fruit makes delicious jams, jellies and syrups For a tasty cordial, soak whole fruits in either cognac or brandy with sugar, from the time of harvest until Thanksgiving at which time it is ready to be enjoyed.

Prunus cerasus Sour Cherry

FAMILY Rosaceae (Rose Family) NATIVITY ONLY CULTIVATED HARDINESS USDA Zones 4-8 Form: Small deciduous tree, with a broad rounded crown. Landscape Size: 30' high (usually 15' in cultivation). Texture: Medium Growth Rate: Medium Foliage: Alternate, simple, 2-4" long, ovate to obovate, acuminate apex, serrate margins, glabrous dlu and light green; DARKENED GLANDS ON PETIOLES. NO FALL COLOR. Stems: Twigs are grey and stout. The bark is red to gray-brown, somewhat rough, with prominent horizontal lenticels, often peeling. OLDER TWIG BARK GETS SHINY. PETIOLES MAY NOT HAVE GLANDS, BUT LEAF BASE DOES. STOUTER TWIGS, MORE PROMINENT LENTICELS THAN AMELANCHIER Flower: White flowers, 1" in diameter, with 5 petals, in small corymbs of 2 to 5, usually on short spurs; blooming in mid-spring. LATEST BLOOMING STONE FRUIT. Fruit: Bright red to black, round drupe, 1/2"-1" in diameter, soft and fleshy, containing a single round stone. The fruit ripens MID JULY-EÀRLY AUGUST; SELF POLLINATING SELF FRUITFUL Light: Partial Sun Soil: Moist, can tolerate poor drainage long as it is not waterlogged, pH 6-7, fertile. Pruning or Thinning: Remove suckers around the base of the tree, in spring or summer, prune out dead, diseased and congested growth. Transplanting: Easy in spring. Propagation: Graft. Pests & Diseases: Insects: aphids, fruit flies, saw flies, scale, and brown marmorated stink bug Diseases: LANDSCAPE USES Grown for spring flowers and train as a standard, low bush or esplanade, for easy picking. GENERAL Though the fruit of P. cerasus is safe, many Prunus species produce hydrogen cyanide, usually in their leaves and seeds. Hydrogen cyanide is a toxin that can be detected by its bitter taste. It is usually present in harmless quantities; however, avoid eating bitter seed or fruit. The leaves are poisonous to livestock. INSTRUCTOR In Japan, cherry blossom viewing called Hanami, has been a celebrated activity for many centuries. In spring people hold large hanami parties enjoying picnics under the cherry trees. It is such a popular activity that people will reserve spots early in the morning or even the night before, just to make sure they get a good location. During the season when the cherries are in flower, newspapers and TV provide cherry blooming forecasts along with the usual weather forecast. The top three producers of sour cherries are Russia, Poland and Turkey, in that order. Michigan is the leading producer of sour cherries in the United States, accounting for over 70 % of production. (University of Georgia) Traverse City, Michigan hosts The National Cherry festival; lasting for a week every July. Other common names include: Morello cherry, pie cherry, French: cerise, Italian: cerasa (Southern dialect) ciliegia (standard Italian), Spanish: cereza. EDIBILITY Harvest: Pick ripe fruit by hand. Sour cherries discolor easily and should therefore be used shortly after harvesting. The fruits may also be dried, canned or frozen to store for later use. Each tree yields approximately 1-2 bushels of sour cherries. Trees usually begin bearing at years and are productive for between 15 to 20 years. (Jacke 529) SOME CYANIDE, AVOID BITTER FRUITS AND SEEDS Culinary Uses: The fruit has an excellent tart flavor. Sour cherries are used primarily in cooking; the raw fruits are too tart for many people to enjoy. Remove the pit before cooking. Cooked sauces and chutneys to be served with rich meats. Sour cherries can also be dried for later use Sour cherries are used in desserts like cakes, pies and jams, as well as in savory dishes like or preserved in brandy. Nutritionally cherries are a good source of vitamin A and C, as well as high in anti-oxidants. (National Geographic 336) Other Uses: The close grained wood is used for cabinet-work, smoking pipes and walking-sticks.

Citrus 'Meyer' Meyer Lemon

FAMILY Rutaceae (Rue Family) NATIVITY CHINA HARDINESS USDA Zones 8b-10 MUST GROWN IN CONTAINER AND BRING INDOORS. OR WRAP IN LIGHTS. WINTER INTEREST INDOORS Form: Broadleaf evergreen tree. THORNY Landscape Size: 6'-10' high, 4'-8" wide. Texture: Medium Growth Rate: Medium-slow Foliage: Simple, ovate to conduplicate, 2 1/2"-4 1/2" evergreen, dark green, glabrous, VERY GLOSSY, margins with widely spaced, SHALLOW, BLUNT SERRATION. Crushed foliage has LEMON FRAGRANCE. Stems: Young stems are dark shiny green and smooth, often WITH GREEN THORNS. Older branches and trunk are tan. Mature trees rarely have thorns. Flower: Ornamental, 1" white 5-petaled flowers, borne in clusters, VERY FRAGRANT. Fruit: Ornamental yellow HESPERIDIUM, up to 3" in diameter, round, glabrous and shiny, leathery, fragrant rind; inside yellow juicy pulp divided into segments; containing up to 10 seeds, self- fertile. Heaviest fruiting is typically IN WINTER. Esperidiem Light: Full Sun Soil: MOIST, WELL drained, SANDY SOIL. Pruning or Thinning: MINIMAL; in spring remove congested branches. FOR REJUVENATION PRUNE branches back BY TWO thirds. Thorns may be pruned off. Transplanting: Grow in a container. If you receive the plant bare-root, it can sometimes take 3-6 weeks for the plant to fully recover from transplant shock; do not be alarmed if your tree initially drops its leaves. Propagation: Grafted cuttings. Pests & Diseases: SCALE, MEALY bug, white flies, brown marmorated stink bugs ESPECIALLY WHEN STRESSED LANDSCAPE USES Patio container plant, with dark glossy leaves, fragrant flowers and beautiful fruit; overwinter indoors in a cool, sunny location. GENERAL Prior to moving your Citrus tree indoors for the winter, it is best to place it in partial shade for a COMMENTS HESPERIDIA MODIFIED HAIRS. Takes few weeks to acclimate it to lower light. The same practice should be followed when bringing the tree back outdoors in spring. Drainage is essential; if growing in a plastic pot it may be a go0od idea to drill a few extra holes in the bottom. Keep the soil on the dry side of moist. Water deeply once or twice a week during the summer, rather than frequent shallow watering. The exact parentage of Citrus'Meyer' is unknown. It may be simply a selected cultivar of C limon (true lemon); however some authorities believe that it is a hybrid between a C. limon and either C sinensis (sweet orange) or C. reticulata ( mandarin orange). Citrus 'Meyer' is hardy for a citrus tree, able to survive temperatures into the high 20's. Citrus 'Meyer' doesn't like to be too hot or cold; a cool sun room is ideal location for overwintering. All the Meyer lemons grown today are actually "Improved Meyer Lemon". The original Meyer lemons turned out to be symptomless carriers of a virus (tristeza) that killed many other types of citrus trees. For this reason, all the original Meyer lemon trees were destroyed and replaced with a virus-free variety called "Improved Meyer lemon". EDIBILITY Harvest: Pick ripe yellow fruit, as desired. Culinary Uses: The fruit of Citrus 'Meyer is sweeter than that of common grocery store lemons, which makes them better suited to sweet desserts. The fruit can also be made into jam. marmalade, or juiced. Grated zest from the fruit's peel can also be used to add lemon flavoring to foods and liqueurs. Nutritionally, lemons are high in anti-oxidants and out of all citrus, they contain the most concentrated vitamin C. (National Geographic 69) Citrus foliage can be used as side of the leaf in melted chocolate, allow the chocolate to fully harden a mold to make chocolate leaves for decorating desserts. Simply dip one and then peel off the leaf Other Uses: Lemon oil is commonly used in perfumes and air-fresheners. The citric acid in lemon. juice can be used to remove countertop stains. Lemon mixed with salt or baking powder can be used as a non-toxic way to clean copper. Lemon juice can also be used to naturally lighten hair color.

Capsicum annuum 'Fish' Hot Pepper

FAMILY Solanaceae (Potato Family) NATIVITY South America Landscape Size: 3' tall and wide, if given adequate space. Foliage: ALTERNATE, SIMPLE, ovate to lanceolate, GREEN MOTTLED with WHITE VARIEGATION; some leaves are fully green, some fully white; degree of mottling varies between plants. Stems: Green with white mottling, and swollen purple nodes. Flower: WHITE, SOLITARY AT EACH NODE, 1/2" across, NOT SHOWY, flowering during the summer. Fruit: ORNAMENTAL BERRY, up to 2" long, conical with a blunt apex, soft, hollow and filled with seeds. Fruits are glossy and start out CREAM WHITE IN COLOR, DEVELOPING GREEN STRIPES as they mature, then the cream-colored areas become orange, and FINALLY the entire FRUIT BECOMES RED IN COLOR, typically LOSING its STRIPES. Light: Full Sun Soil: MOIST, FERTILE, and WELL-DRAINED. Pruning or Thinning: NONE REQUIRED; thin plants to 3'-4' apart. Transplanting: In late spring after soil temperatures have warmed up. Propagation: From seed, sow indoors; 8-10 weeks before the last frost date. Pests & Diseases: Mites occasionally a problem. LANDSCAPE USES Containers or annual borders for ornamental multi-colored fruit and foliage. GENERAL Fish Pepper is an heirloom variety that was GROWN EXCLUSIVELY BY the AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY in the PHILLY-BALTIMORE region. It was nearly lost during the shift to urbanization in the early 20th century. The preservation of this cultivar is attributed in part to Horace Pippin, an African-American artist from West Chester, PA. Other common names include: French: poivron, Italian: pepperoni, Japanese: piman, Spanish: pimiento. Other Uses: Capsicum is being looked at for its usefulness as a barnacle, squirrel and rodent repellent, not to mention its human repelling ability in the form of pepper spray. Paprika, a spice derived from Capsicum is used sometimes in food for improving the feather color of flamingoes in zoos and koi fish, INSTRUCTOR Medical uses: Capsaicin relieves arthritic symptoms and improves joint flexibility and is believed to have antibiotic properties. Ancient Mayan peoples used Capsicum to treat respiratory ailments and the Aztecs used them to relieve toothaches. Today Capsaicin is used in topical applications as a counter-irritant, for sore muscles, severe itching, cluster headaches, post- operative pain and phantom limb pain. Studies are being done to look at new medical applications of capsaicin. Capsaicin has many therapeutic actions associated with it, including aphrodisiac, expectorant, lowering cholesterol, neural stimulant, and topical vasodilator used in arthritis and rheumatism treatments. (Bosland) In moderation hot peppers stimulate metabolism and may also curb hunger, but in excess can cause irritation to the mouth and stomach. (National Geographic 193) EDIBILITY Harvest: Care should be taken when harvesting and preparing Capsicum, because the fruit and seeds contain a chemical that can cause irritation to the skin and eyes. Cut mature fruits from the plant, at any color stage. The longer the fruit are allowed to mature, the more flavor and heat they will develop. Drought and heat stress to Capsicum plants will also increase the resulting amount of capsaicinoid level in the peppers, causing them to become hotter. Culinary Uses: The fruits of Capsicum, usually referred to as peppers, are used as a pungent seasoning. Fish peppers are hot and flavorful; cooking them brings out more of their sweetness. Historically this cultivar was popular in seafood restaurants, because the immature white peppers added invisible heat to the cream sauces which accompanied the seafood. WONT COLOR WHITE SAUCES

Typha angustifolia Narrowleaf Cattail

FAMILY Typhaceae (Cat-tail Family) NATIVITY Temperate Regions HARDINESS USDA Zones 3-10 Form: FOUR SEASON Upright perennial, spreading by rhizomes. SMALLER THAN T. LATIFOLIA. CAN NATURALLY HYBRIDIZE WITH T. LATIFOLIA. Landscape Size:5' high Texture: Fine Growth Rate: Very fast Foliage: Linear, 1/4"-1/2" wide, 3'-6' long, erect, sheathing, flat and grey-green; containing many air filled cavities. The leaves extend above the flowering spike. Stems: Thick, aggressively spreading, rhizomes. Flower: GREEN , THICK, DENSE SPIKE, with MALE AND FEMALE PARTS SEPARATED by a gap of 1/2"-5" on the peduncle. The male stamens are on the upper part of peduncle and female pistils on lower part of peduncle. The peduncle is cylindrical and vertical. Fruit: Ornamental, reddish-brown seed heads, resembling velvety hotdogs, made up of many persistent stigmas. Seed heads have a minutely bristly texture. They persist through the winter, eventually disintegrating in spring. Individual seeds are very tiny; one plant can produce over 250,000 seeds. T. LATIFOLIA HAS A GAP BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE PARTS, T. ANGUSTIFOLIA HAS NO GAP. Light: Full Sun Soil: Wet at ground level or submerged up to 2' deep; alkaline soils. SMALL ENOUGH TO BE HAPPY IN CONTAINER Pruning or Thinning: To maintain a tidy appearance, CUT BACK IN LATE WINTER. Transplanting: In late fall, transplant young 6"-12" shoots into moist (not flooded) soil. Propagation: Division of rhizome. Pests & Diseases: MUSKRATS feed on the rhizomes. LANDSCAPE USES Grow for attractive foliage and seed heads; along pond edges, in water gardens or large containers. In natural plantings it is BENEFICIAL TO WILDLIFE, creating habitat for certain birds and food for muskrats; Typha is often used in wetland restorations. INSTRUCTOR Wild food expert, Euell Gibbons nicknamed Cattails the "Supermarket of the Swamps". (Whitley 78) Other common names include: blackcap, bulrushes, cat o'nine tails, cooper's reed, reed mace, water torch, Pawnee: kirit-tacharush (eye-itch), Spanish: tule espadilla, (little sword reed), Winnebago: ksho-hin (prairie-chicken-feather). (Whitley 80) EDIBILITY Harvest: Collect the hearts of non-flowering shoots, yanking or cutting them from the rhizomes; peel off tough outer foliage, keeping only the tender base. In late spring and early summer collect immature green flower spikes. Pollen can be collected in early summer; bend male spike into a clean plastic juice container or large bag, and shake. Sift to remove debris and place in an oven on warm for several hours before storing. Culinary Uses : NEARLY EVERY PART IS EDIBLE. CAN EAT IMMATURE FLOWER SPIKES., YOUNG UNDERWATER SHOOTS. POLLEN IS HIGH IN PROTEIN AND CAN BE USED IN BAKINGThe heart of the shoots has a mild flavor and can be boiled or roasted like potatoes. Immature green flower spikes are best cooked and have a mild corn flavor. Prepare them as you would corn; removing any sheath and then steam, microwave or boil. The pollen is high in protein and can be used to replace a portion of the flour in baked goods. been used traditionally for tinder, Other Uses: Foliage can be used for weaving baskets and mats. The mature seed heads have torches and insulation; in more recent times they have been While many sources claim that the fluffy seed heads used in life preservers and soundproofing. make excellent stuffing for bedding, who have tried this and experienced there are also quite a few first-hand accounts from people severe skin irritation, like breaking out in hives, as a result.

Matteuccia struthiopteris Ostrich Fern

FAMILY Woodsiaceae (Cliff Fern Family) NATIVITY Europe, E Asia & E North America - Native to swampy areas where it can reach 6' and taller. Form: NO TRUE FRUIT. Herbaceous, deciduous, perennial; clumping with vase-shaped habit, spreading by rhizomes. MOUND OVER TIME Landscape Size: 3-4' high Texture: Bold Growth Rate: Vigorous Foliage: Composed of two types of fronds; sterile and fertile. The larger sterile feathery fronds are deeply 2-pinnatified, up to 5' long, and 1' wide, emerging from the base forming an erect vase-like crown which surrounds the later emerging, fertile fronds. PERSISTANT FERTILE FRONDS, ORNAMENTAL are 2' in height, dark olive green turning to brown. They emerge in summer, remaining upright and ornamental through the winter. EAT EARLY CROZIERS Stems: A brown scaly rhizome, up to 9" high, covered in old frond bases. Stipes, rigid; dark brown and deeply grooved at the base, green and ungrooved above. PROMNENT U SHAPED GROOVE UP THE RACHIS. Flower: A flowerless plant. Fertile fronds are produced after the first flush of vegetative fronds and persist throughout the following winter. Light: Partial Shade - Intolerant of drought and drying winds (these will cause fronds to scorch). Soil: Average to moist or wet humusy soil. Transplanting: Not difficult. Propagation: Division in spring; spores. Pests &Diseases: Other than Japanese beetles, none serious LANDSCAPE USES Low maintenance groundcover, for moist woodland, pond or stream edges; as a cut ornamental, fresh sterile fronds and dried fertile fronds. Just about anywhere except hot dry areas of the landscape. Use this fern when you need vast areas covered in a reasonably short amount of time. Easy to grow, easy to remove, durable and delightful. GENERAL Beautiful fresh green growth in spring when fronds emerge and lush dark green architectural form through summer. A very good starter plant, high success rate! INSTRUCTOR Inexperienced foragers sometimes mistake Osmunda cinnamomea, the Cinnamon fern or O. claytonia, the Interrupted fern, for Matteuccia resulted in the spread of the mis-information that uncooked Matteuccia is poisonous. (Thayer including severe headache, nausea and dizziness. This has struthiopteris. Both Osmunda species are bitter and poisonous, causing symptoms EDIBILITY Harvest: In early spring, cut or snap off fronds before they uncurl. Take no more than 1/3 of the fronds from a single rhizome. Once uncurled, the frond becomes tough and inedible. Fiddleheads may be canned or frozen for later use. simply, sautéed in olive oil, with salt, pepper and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Nutritionally and spinach. They can be served raw, sautéed, or steamed. Fiddleheads are excellent served LIKE ASPARAGUS TASTE Culinary Uses: The curled fern fronds, known as fiddleheads, have a flavor similar to asparagus fiddleheads are a good source of vitamin A and C. (www.nutritiondata.com)