Longevity spinach is a vining vegetable that's used as a hot-weather replacement for cold-loving spinach. Huan Song will share growing and care tips for this perennial spinach used for cooking and for it's medicinal value. Longevity spinach (Gynura procumbens) is a popular vegetable grown in the tropics. While regular spinach is best grown in colder climates and tends to bolt in the heat, longevity spinach is perennial in warmer climates. It is a common cooking and medicinal ingredient throughout Southeastern Asia. As its name implies, this vegetable is celebrated for its health benefits. Eastern medicine practitioners use longevity spinach to assist in treating kidney problems, rheumatism, constipation, hypertension, diabetes, and more. It can be ingested or topically applied. In Malay, this spinach is called Sambung Nyawa, which means “prolongation of life” and in Chinese, it is known as Bai Bing Cao, which translates to “the grass that heals 100 diseases.” There is ongoing scientific research on the pharmaceutical potential of longevity spinach. Although there is no such thing as a miracle species, this one could easily be incorporated as part of a healthy diet. This spinach would be an excellent addition to gardens in North America and a perennial in USDA zones 9-11. It can also be planted as an annual in cooler growing zones. Different parts are edible raw in salads and smoothies or cooked in stir-fries and soups. When heated, it has a viscous consistency and may leave a sticky residue akin to okra or Malabar spinach. Those with food allergies should first try a few leaves before making a big batch. It’s easy to propagate, so you can take as many cuttings as you like to share with curious family and friends! What is Longevity Spinach? Longevity spinach, Gynura procumbens, is a low-growing perennial in the Gynura genus belong to the aster family (Asteraceae). It has a climbing growth habit which gave this spinach one of its common names – the scrambling gynura. This spinach can be grown directly in the ground and let sprawl as an attractive ground cover or grown in containers to manage the vines and move indoors. Native Area Longevity spinach is native to Southeast Asia, China, and Africa. In the wild, it can be found in forests by streams or climbing on trees. Like its sunflower cousins, longevity spinach also produces beautiful yellow flowers that then produce seeds. However, if you plan to cook with it instead of using it as an ornamental, you should remove the flowers to promote lush leaf growth. Characteristics The fleshy leaves are round to ovate in shape with a smooth green upper surface, making them semi-succulent. The leaves are configured in an opposite pattern and can reach up to six inches long. The stems are also edible but will root wherever they touch the soil. The underside of leaves, stems, and buds may have purple hues. Leaves can be harvested as soon as one month after planting, but make sure not to over-harvest during the early stage of planting. Regularly harvesting the leaves can help it look bushier. Planting If you order online from garden suppliers, you will most commonly receive cuttings instead of seeds. Seeds are very difficult to germinate, even at the hand of experienced gardeners. Cuttings can be planted directly in nutrient-rich soil after the last frost. Take care not to set them out any sooner, as the young cuttings will need time to adjust to your garden and are not very cold-tolerant. Longevity spinach should be planted in partial shade and well-draining soil. While they can tolerate full sun, too much sun exposure will cause the leaves to develop a bitter taste. Leave plenty of space between each, as they will easily sprawl. Because they are not native to North America, they may become mildly invasive if not pruned. If you’re planting longevity spinach in containers, the containers should be at least three gallons to accommodate vigorous growth. Fertilize container spinach more frequently than those grown in the ground since nutrients in the containers tend to deplete faster. How to Grow It is easy to grow longevity spinach indoors or outside. This spinach is not susceptible to many diseases or pests and can thrive under favorable conditions. Maintenance Longevity spinach enjoys vigorous growth but tends to take over an area if left unpruned. The best method of pruning is to simply harvest the leaves and cut back the vines. Mature spinach can grow up to a foot tall with scrambling vines. In the wild, it tends to climb trees, so it can be trained to grow upwards using supports like bamboo stakes.

Verbenas are purple-flowered plants with immense value in ornamental, pollinator, and herb gardens. Tall verbena is a hardy specimen that sometimes escapes cultivation. Learn how to cultivate it and manage its spread with seasoned grower Jerad Bryant. Easy-spreading plants are incredibly valuable in the home garden. You won’t have to fuss over their soil quality, their nutrient needs, or how moist they are. They’ll thrive whether you cater to them or not! Verbena bonariensis, or Brazilian vervain, is one such plant that spreads rapidly, readily, and without help from gardeners. You’ll spend more time pulling up its volunteer seedlings than you will caring for it! An herbaceous perennial, it’ll grow in the same spot from year to year and self-sow at the end of the growing season. With two spreading strategies, this clumping wildflower is ideal for wild, open spaces. Let it fill empty cracks and crevices of your flower beds, or have it roam freely between your vegetables and lure pollinators to your crops. What Is It? Verbena bonariensis is a clump-forming perennial with long, wiry stems. It stays low to the ground early in the growing season, then it sprouts tall-reaching flowering stems to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in late spring and summer. Native Area Native to Brazil and Argentina, this vervain thrives in warm regions throughout these countries. It sprouts amongst tropical and subtropical trees, shrubs, and similar perennials. Though native to South America, it’s popular as an ornamental garden species, and its weedy tendencies allow it to escape gardens. This Verbena species has naturalized in the warm, subtropical climates of North America, Asia, Africa, and Australia. It self-sows readily and resprouts from perennial roots in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 11. In colder climates, it grows well as an annual wildflower during the warm months. This is one of many species that thrive on the continent. Many growers confuse it with the similar Brazilian type, V. brasiliensis. Though these South American verbenas are gorgeous and hardy, they are aggressive spreaders in the U.S. There are similar options native to the country that thrive in home gardens. Consider mixing Verbena bonariensis with native species like hoary and blue vervains. Characteristics Verbena bonariensis sprouts clumps of rosettes in early spring. The leaves are deep green on top and gray-green underneath, with serrated margins. As the days lengthen and warm in spring, spongy, square stems emerge from the rosettes. They reach two to four feet tall and sprout flower clusters on their tips. The flowers are small but mighty! They’re full of nectar and pollen, and they attract a wealth of beneficial insects and pollinators. The tiny blossoms are light pink-purple; they sprout from dark pink tubes to create a lovely, contrasting effect. After flowering, the pollinated blooms form many seeds that fall to the ground in the fall and winter. These seeds sprout into volunteer seedlings that will flower the following spring. The main plant will enter a winter dormancy, conserving its energy in its roots and crown. Planting Many nurseries offer potted plants, while seed retailers offer viable seeds. Both seeds and potted plants are easy to cultivate. Potted plants may bloom sooner than those grown from seed, though seeds are often much cheaper than whole plants. You pay for the seeds rather than the pot, the dirt, and the plant!

Are you looking for an easy-to-grow and diverse flower to plant this year? Campanula flowers (bellflowers) are beginner-friendly and produce adorable bell-shaped flowers that come in several colors. In this article, horticulture expert Matt Dursum covers how to plant, grow, and care for these eye-catching bloomers. Campanula flowers, also known as bellflowers, are gorgeous spring and summer bloomers. They put on majestic little tubular to bell-shaped flowers that bloom in striking hues of blues, purples, pinks, whites, and violets. Bellflowers grow low to the ground or tall and upright. Some species have a beautiful trailing growing habit, while others form big clumps of flowers. They’ll quickly form beautiful patches of color in flower beds, cut beds, or garden barriers. These stunning bloomers are easy to plant and care for, making them perfect for beginner flower gardeners. Let’s dive into how to plant, grow, and care for these compact and colorful plants. What Is Campanula (Bellflower)? There are over 300 species of Campanulas to choose from, each one with its own growing habit, color profile, and shape. Depending on your climate zone, you can find annual, perennial, and biennial varieties to plant. Today, these flowers are some of the most widely planted ornamental plants in the US. They thrive in a variety of climates and soil types. They spread quickly and form large clusters or areas of creeping foliage. Some species are considered invasive because of their easy-growing and fast-propagating nature. Others, such as the fairy bellflower (Campanula persicifolia), are easier to control because of their upright nature. One of the best traits of Campanula flowers is their ability to attract beneficial pollinators. Once these tiny flowers bloom, hummingbirds, bees, and other insects will swarm around them. Characteristics Bellflowers come in a huge variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Some species grow upright while others form a trailing or clumping structure. The flowers usually have a bell or tubular shape. Some species appear to have star-shaped blooms. They come in many colors, including violet, white, blue, purple, and pink. The foliage is light to dark green and beautiful. Some species stay low-lying and barely reach 6 inches tall. Others can reach heights of over 3 feet in the right growing conditions. Many species, such as the creeping bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides), are invasive in many parts of the US. Because of this, it’s best to stick to non-invasive campanula species, such as the American bellflower and the Dalmatian bellflower. Native Area Bellflowers are native to Europe, Asia, and North America, where they grow in meadows, forest margins, and forests. They adapted to multiple habitats and climates, producing over 300 species. Some species are edible and were consumed regularly in medicinal teas and as foraged food. These edible flowers also became choice ornamentals in many regions of Europe and Asia because of their easy-growing nature. In the 18th and 19th centuries, European gardeners brought them to North America. The plants quickly naturalized in many parts of the US. Today, several species are seen as invasive and grow wild. Planting Bellflowers are easy to grow from seed. Plant them as colorful ground covers or in garden borders. Many gardeners plant them along rock walls or hillsides for a dramatic effect. I enjoy planting taller annual varieties along the borders of my cut gardens. They frame taller flowers nicely and contrast with deeper and darker colored flowers. Be aware that some perennial varieties grow quickly and can become invasive in some locations. Because of their vigorous growing habits, it’s best to stick to annuals unless you’re ready for consistent pruning and upkeep. Some trailing varieties grow well in hanging planters. You can hang these containers on porches and decks that get direct sunlight.