Tag: garden plant

HIBISCUS: Properties and Benefits of a Beautiful Flower

Freak of Natural Staff

  Family: Malvaceae Gender: Hibiscus Common names: Hibiscus, Rose Mallow, Rose of Sharon Hibiscus genus include hundreds of species widely cultivated and appreciated for their large, showy flowers. They are large with five or more petals, typically trumpet-shaped and come in all types of colors. Leaves are alternate, deep green lanceolate, often with a toothed margin. Hibiscus is a perennial and flowers through the year attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. These plants are generally very hardy and versatile, thrive in tropical conditions but can enhance the beauty of one’s garden in…

STEVIA: Your Own Calorie-Free Natural Sweetener

Freak of Natural Staff

  Family: Asteraceae Genus: Stevia Common Name: Stevia Rabaudiana, Sugar leaf, Candy leaf   Stevia is a perennial herb that reaches up to 50-80 cm  in height. The oblong aromatic leaves are times sweeter than traditional white sugar, containing neither calories nor carbohydrates. CULTIVATION Germination from seed is difficult, comparing to other aromatic plants; reason why most plants are grown from cuttings rather then from seeds. The plant requires rich well-drained soil and thrives in warm humid climates. Once established, Stevia is a low water, low maintenance plant, but tender young…

SEDUM: Properties, Uses and Benefits

Freak of Natural Staff

  Family: Crussulaceae Species: Sedum Common Names: Sedastrum, Sedum, Stonecrops There are an impressive 300 more different species of these succulent plants, which are also called Stonecrop as they are often found in the wild growing on rocky ledges. They are native to the Northern Hemisphere. Mostly is a perennial plant with thick, succulent leaves, fleshy stems, and clusters of star-shaped flowers. So many varieties of this plants makes them suitable for almost all types of garden designs. Use low–growing ones varieties as ground covers and in rock gardens, and…

JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE: Properties, Uses and Benefits

Freak of Natural Staff

Common Name: Jerusalem Artichoke, Sunroot, Sunchoke, Topinambour Species: Helianthus Tuberosus Family: Asteraceae   Jerusalem artichoke is a herbaceous perennial related to sunflower and native to North America. Today it’s widely cultivated across the temperate zone for its tuber, which is used as a root vegetable, eaten both raw and cooked. Other uses come from Industry being tuber a great source of biomass, as well as high quality alcohol is extracted from tuber fermentation. CULTIVATION Needing plenty of space to grow, this perennial is ideal when planted as a windbreak or screen. Its stem…

TULSI: The Golden Remedy of Ayurveda

Freak of Natural Staff

  Family: Lamiaceae Genus: Ocimum Common Name: Ocimum Tenuiflorum, Holy Basil, Tulsi, Sacred Basil   Tulsi is an aromatic perennial plant in subtropical regions, while became an annual in cold and temperate climates, indoor can be grown all year round independently. losely related to Basil, it is widespread and cultivated throughout all Asia, for its religious and medicinal purposes. Tulsi shrub grows up to 50 cm in height and boasts stems which are covered with fine hairs. Leaves are opposite and ovate, ranging from green to purple depending upon the variety, and have slightly…

CALENDULA OFFICINALIS: Not Just a Bless for Your Skin and Garden

Freak of Natural Staff

  Common Name: Pot Marigold, Common Marigold, Calendula Species: Calendula Officinalis Family: Astareaceae   Calendula Officinalis is an annual short-life aromatic plant native to the Mediterranean, but widely spread around the globe and cultivated for centuries as food and for its medical many uses. Calendulas are considered by many gardening experts as among the easiest and most versatile flowers to grow in a garden, especially because they tolerate most soils and climates. CULTIVATION Seeds have a distinct curved shape almost looking like little worms, and are sown in spring in temperate climates…

COLEUS FORSKOLHII: Properties and Benefits

Freak of Natural Staff

  Family: Lamiaceae Species: Plectranthus barbatus Common Name: Forskolhii, Indian Coleus, Coleus Forskolhii, Coleus Barbatus   Coleus Forskolhii is a genus of perennial plants native to sub-tropical areas, they grow best in well-drained soil and warm climates exposed to sun. Their aroma’s similar to camphor and it’s extremely fragrant due to large amount of essential oils present. Leaves are ovate in shape and the spiked flowers are typical of the mint family. Unlike its ornamental relatives, Coleus forskohlii lacks the spectacular colored leaves. It has plain, bright green leaves and…

DIY Vertical Garden Worm Composting Planter

Freak of Natural Staff

    Today, I will share this great concept with you, one of the most cost and space-efficient, practical ways of growing ever conceived!   Whether you garden as a hobby that helps you unwind after a stressful day, or a necessity for living a homestead or off the grid lifestyle, we’re all looking for eco-friendly and cost-effective ways to grow our own food.   What’s even more appealing is having an affordable system from scrap material that allows you to extend your growing capacity transforming your organic waste in…

STINGING NETTLE: Properties and Uses of a Super Plant

Freak of Natural Staff

  Common Name: Stinging Nettle, Common Nettle, Nettle Family: Urticacea Species: Urtica Dioica   Stinging Nettle is a herbaceous, perennial flowering plant widely spread all over the world. Nettle grows up to 1 or 2 meter tall in summer, dying down to the ground in winter. The soft, green leaves are are borne oppositely on an erect,  green stem. Both leaves and stem  have many hollow stinging hairs called trichomes which act like needles, injecting histamine and other chemicals that produce a stinging sensation when contacted by humans and other animals.…

DIANTHUS: The Flower of The Gods

Freak of Natural Staff

  Family: Caryophyllaceae Genus: Dianthus Common Name: Dianthus, Sweet William, Carnations   Dianthus plants can be annual, biennial or perennial. The name refers to a genus of approximate 300 species distributed in Asia, Europe and Africa. The most common and cultivated varieties are Dianthus caryophyllus (carnation), D. plumarius (pink), D. barbatus (sweet william) and D.Chinensis. Flowers are most often in pink, salmon, red and white with a slender foliage spread on thick stems. CULTIVATION Dianthus are one of the oldest cultivated flowers, treasured for centuries for their scent and their ease of…

GOLDENBERRY: Benefits of a South American Super Fruit

Freak of Natural Staff

Family: Solanaceae Species: Physalis Peruviana Common Name: Ground Cherry, Goldenberry, Inca Berry, Cape Goosberry   Physalis Peruviana is a perennial plant closely related to Tomatillo and the Chinese Lantern plant, also members of the same genus. This variety native from the Andes, is nowadays called in various names and commercially grown around the globe. Its flowers are yellowish five petals and will bear fruit quick enough about two months from transplant, usually around August, continuing till frost. Goldenberry plant are generous and can bear up to 300 small fruits each.…

CHINESE LANTERN PLANT: More than just Ornamental

Freak of Natural Staff

  Common Name: Alkekengi,  Chinese Lantern Plant, Winter Cherry Species: Physalis Alkekengi Family: Solanaceae   Chinese Lantern Plant or Physalis Alkekengi is closely related to Physalis Peruviana (Ground Cherry) and Physalis Philadelphica (Tomatillo). This annual/perennial plant grow in warm temperate and subtropical regions. The real delight is their large, red-orange, inflated seed pod from which the plant gets its common name. These papery pods contain a fruit that is edible and nutritious, while the leaves and unripen fruit are mildly poisonous. CULTIVATION These plants can grow in partial shade, but especially in colder…

PEONY: Properties, Uses and Benefits

Freak of Natural Staff

  Family: Paeoniaceae Species: Peony Common Names: Peony, Paeony   Peony is a flowering plant  native to Asia, Europe and Western North America. They are among the most popular garden plants in temperate regions, with 40 distinguished species. Mostly are herbaceous perennial plants up to 1 meter tall, but some are woody shrubs can stretch up to 3.5 meters (11 ft) tall. They have  deeply lobed leaves and large, often fragrant flowers, in colors ranging from purple red to white or yellow, flowering from late spring.  Peonies are usually propagated by…