Known as the edible honeysuckle, honeyberry shrubs are cold-hardy and easy to grow and maintain. They flower in winter when most other plants are dormant, and the creamy, tubular flowers have a lovely honeysuckle fragrance. They taste similar to blueberries, but with raspberry and blackberry undertones. This unique fruit is a member of the honeysuckle family and is easy to grow with few pests and diseases. The fruit appears in spring and is very high in antioxidants and other beneficial nutrients. Honeyberry is a good ornamental plant and an edible for the food garden. With very little care but for annual feeding and pruning after a few years, they will perform well for many years to come. Read on for more about this great perennial. What Is It? Lonicera caerulea is a member of the honeysuckle family and has various common names, including haskap (from Japan), zhimolost (from Russia), blue honeysuckle, and honeyberry. The Russian and Japanese varieties have some subtle differences. Honeyberry is a tough, deciduous shrub that is winter-hardy and produces a fruit crop in early spring. Native Area Honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea) has origins in the temperate regions of most of Europe, Asia, and parts of the US, including an area from California to Wyoming and north into Canada. Several hybrids have been bred, many Russian and some from Canada. Characteristics Honeyberry shrubs grow 4-6 feet tall and have a girth of about the same size, but they can be pruned to keep them more compact. There are also compact varieties to choose from. The flowers are a creamy yellow color, and a tubular shape, and appear in late spring and early summer. They also have the wonderful honeysuckle fragrance that permeates the air, especially at night. The fruits are used for jams, jellies, juices, and wine. They are great for eating fresh and melt in your mouth with their rich, unique berry flavor. They also make a unique sweet sauce for ice cream and cakes. To preserve them, they can be frozen but will burst through their skins when they defrost – good for winemakers, not so good for eating fresh. Honeyberries are also pickled and dried. One reason honeyberries are grown is their health benefits. They are rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and vitamin B, as well as iron, calcium, phosphorous, and especially magnesium. These shrubs are not self-pollinating and require another variety to help pollinate the flowers. Before planting, ensure you have enough space for at least two shrubs. These extremely hardy shrubs can fruit for up to 30 years or more once you have them planted and look after them with some annual care. Planting Ensure plenty of space between bushes, at least five feet, to account for their mature size. Choose a position with full sun or partial shade. They will grow to around six feet high when mature, but there are also compact varieties that are perfect for container growing and smaller gardens. The best time to plant honeyberry bushes is spring, so they have time to acclimate to their soil and surroundings before the following season. Soak plants in water 30 minutes before planting to help release their roots from the nursery container. Dig a hole at least twice the width of the rootball. This will allow the roots to spread and secure the plant in the soil. Add plenty of compost to the soil and mix well before using it to plant the shrub in the hole and backfilling. Press down to release air pockets, make a basin around the plant, and water well. Add a layer of organic mulch around the plant, making sure to keep the mulch off the plant’s stems.

Ammi is a lovely little plant that looks great in the garden with its feathery foliage and lacy flower umbels. It's also a wonderful addition to the cutting garden. Gardening expert Melissa Strauss has the lowdown on growing this pretty plant in your garden. If you’ve ever admired the look of delicate Queen Anne’s lace flowers bouncing around by the roadside, I’ve got the perfect flower for you. Cut flower gardeners, stay tuned because if you’re not growing ammi, you must plant some. Let’s talk about this pretty plant that makes a wonderful cut flower and all-around beauty in the garden. What is Ammi? Ammi, also known as False Queen Anne’s lace, is a delightful little annual considered to be ‘self-sowing.’ That means you only have to plant it once, and as long as you leave some seed heads on to dry, this plant will stick around for years. While it bears a striking resemblance to Queen Anne’s lace, it has a distinct advantage. You won’t find this species on the invasive species list anywhere in the United States. This easy-to-care-for flowering annual adds a ton of texture and personality to the summer garden. It also makes a stellar addition to the cutting garden for much the same reason. At least one species carries the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. Let’s talk about what is so special about amiable ammi and how you can grow it at home. History Historically, this plant was well regarded for its medicinal applications. The name is one given to this plant long ago by the Greek physician and botanist Pedanius Dioscorides. The name comes from the Greek word for sand, which is where the plant commonly grows in the wild. Other names over the years include visnaga, meaning doubly-pointed. German botanist Adam Lonicerus wrote that ammi is a hot, dry plant. This made it a treatment for ailments thought to be the result of cold conditions. Native Area This flowering member of the Apiaceae family hails from the Mediterranean Basin. The native area includes parts of Europe, southwestern Asia, and northern Africa. It grows in mainly temperate climates and is thought to have originated in the Nile River Valley. Characteristics You could easily mistake plants in the Ammi species for Queen Anne’s lace, or Daucus carota. In fact, some varieties of Daucus share the same common name due to the similarity of their appearance. However, alike as they are in appearance, the two are not closely related. Queen Anne’s lace is a form of wild carrot, while ammi is in the same family, but a different genus. There are about six known species in the genus. This flower has wonderful, delicate, fernlike foliage. Leaves grow both from the base of the plant and up the sides of the stems. The leaf structure is similar to dill or fennel, with thin branching structures. This textural element looks beautiful mixed with broadleaf neighbors. The flower umbels sit high atop slender, but strong stems. They range in diameter up to about three inches wide. When they first appear, the flowers in the bud are pale green, as is the foliage. As they open they reveal a mass of tiny, white flowers that look like lace. It is often referred to as lace flower. When left to dry on the plant, the flowers will go to seed and this plant will re-seed itself effectively. Uses The Ancient Egyptians used the flower as a medicinal preparation. It’s used as an antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial, as well as for treating skin ailments, kidney stones, and gallbladder stones. The stems were also fashioned into toothpicks. The ripened seeds have also been useful for treating menstrual irregularities and leprosy. Today, it’s primarily an ornamental. It makes a striking border, particularly when combined with other textures. It is well-loved in the floristry trade for its lacey appearance, which adds airy beauty to floral arrangements. Many people love this flower as a dried floral, as it retains its shape well with stiff stems and umbels. Where to Buy As an annual, it is most often grown from seed. The seeds are not difficult to find, as this is a popular plant. Planting In warmer climates, sow your seeds in the fall for larger plants earlier in the season. In cooler climates, start your seeds indoors one to two weeks before your last frost date and transplant as soon as the soil is workable. However, this plant prefers direct sowing in the garden. This plant is surprisingly cold-tolerant and will survive some frost. You can also plant these seeds every two weeks for a longer flowering period in the summer. You’ll want your plants spaced about one foot apart to give them room to spread out. They may ultimately need staking or some other type of support, as they get quite tall and the stems are thin. Give them some protection from strong winds that can blow them over. Avoid areas with poor drainage, or more than partial shade. How to Grow Ammi is a fairly low-maintenance plant. Once you get the hang of it, it’s a big bloomer that will provide an abundance of flowers for about four to six weeks during the summer. It prefers cool weather and will do much of its growing in the spring. Maintenance This lacy bloomer doesn’t require much maintenance. It is, however, considered a cut-and-come-again plant. To maximize the blooming season, cut the flowers as often as you’d like. The more you cut them, the more flowers the plants will ultimately produce. The plants tend to get rather tall, and in some cases, they may require support. To keep your plants from falling over from strong winds or heavy rain, it’s good to give them a hand in this area. Staking is an effective way to support your plants, and you can also use nets or wire supports.

Sometimes, you’re looking for a flower that’s showy but not gaudy, delicate looking yet hardy, likes a partially shaded location, and perhaps even makes an excellent cut flower. Astrantias certainly fit this description with their sturdy pincushion-like flowers and neat clumps of vegetation. In this article, gardening enthusiast Liessa Bowen will discuss everything you need to know to grow a beautiful, long-lasting astrantia patch in your moist, shaded garden plot. Astrantia, also known as masterwort, is a group of showy plants with long-lasting papery bracts that make excellent fresh-cut flowers and dried flowers. You certainly don’t have to cut them to enjoy them, however. Astrantias make fabulous garden plants. They add charm to your cottage garden and a dash of color to your shade garden. Or place them along a perennial border and enjoy their beauty anytime. These plants make an excellent filler for edges, borders, and corners. They are compact, with a low to medium height. Their neat clumps will slowly expand over time to fill in their available space without becoming aggressive or invasive. Their unusual flowers add both subtle charm and character to your flower garden, politely complimenting their neighboring plants. No matter where in your landscape you decide to grow astrantia, they are sure to be a pleasure. These plants are easy to grow and low maintenance. You’ll need a relatively moderate to cool climate, however, as they don’t like heat and humidity. Otherwise, place them in a location with partial shade and rich, moist, well-drained soil. Do you have just the spot for a showy and well-behaved perennial flower? Let’s dig right in to learn more about astrantia and how you can help these plants thrive in your home garden. Plant Natural History Astrantia is a member of the carrot family (Apiaceae) that’s native to Europe and western Asia. In its native habitat, astrantia grows in fields, meadows, and grasslands. It is also found in open woodlands and along streamsides because of its affinity for moist soil. Astrantia is a genus with at least six different species. Astrantia major is the most widely cultivated and is commonly available in the nursery and garden trade. Astrantias have a long history of cultivation and have been bred into numerous showy cultivars. Astrantia is also commonly known as masterwort. Characteristics Astrantia is an herbaceous perennial flower that grows two to three feet tall. These mounding plants form attractive rounded clumps. Within a few years of growth, your plants will start to spread by self-seeding and root stolons. They form colonies but are not considered invasive because it’s easy to control any unwanted spread. Astrantia leaves are palmate and typically have five deeply cut lobes. The number of lobes per leaf ranges from three to seven, and each lobe is toothed along the edge. The leaves typically remain dark green throughout the growing season, then turn brown in the fall and go dormant until the following spring. The flowers of astrantia are naturally greenish-white, although the cultivars display a variety of showy colors in the pink and purple range. At the outer edge of each inflorescence are stiff, papery bracts. At the center of the inflorescence is a pincushion-like formation of a cluster of tiny flowers. The larger papery bracts completely surround the internal mass of tiny flowers. Astrantia blooms anytime from late spring into fall, depending on the local climate conditions. Propagation You can easily propagate your astrantia plant by seed and division of established plants. Since seeds collected from cultivars and hybrids generally don’t grow true to the parent plant, and some varieties may be infertile, you’ll have the most consistent results propagating your plants by division. How to Grow In favorable climate conditions, astrantia is easy to grow. You will need a mild climate with a partially shaded location and rich, moist soil. Maintenance A healthy astrantia is a low-maintenance plant. It appreciates the same good garden maintenance practices that will benefit your entire landscape. Keep your garden free of weeds, check regularly for pests and diseases, and remove dead vegetation each winter. You can add mulch around the roots to help maintain soil moisture.