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‘Purple Ruffles’ is both a culinary and ornamental basil featuring a strong sweet-basil flavor with a hint of anise and cinnamon. This striking variety was released in 1984 by breeder Ted Torrey and later became a 1987 All-America Selections winner for both flavor and appearance. The large leaves are a glossy, deep purple with a crinkled texture and jagged fringe. ‘Purple Ruffles’ is uniquely heat tolerant and slow to bolt, with pale pink flowers that provide dramatic contrast with the dark leaves late in the season. This dual-purpose herb is a beautiful addition to kitchen gardens, flower beds, and container gardens.

False Aster, also known as Eastern Doll’s Daisy or White Doll’s Daisy, is a perennial from the eastern half of the U.S. and Canada. Plants have sturdy stems, narrow gray-green leaves and produce beautiful sprays of numerous white flowers in late summer and fall. Plants spread by rhizomes but do not spread aggressively. This species typically occurs in sunny to lightly shaded forests, thickets, stream banks, moist meadows and prairies. Plants endure seasonal flooding and tolerate standing water for short periods. Flowers are attractive to many pollinators such as bees, beetles, butterflies, flies, moths and skippers. Plants also attract beneficial insects that prey upon pest insects. Recommended for pollinator gardens, wet meadows, detention basins, and rain gardens.

Sweet Basil ‘Italian Large Leaf’ is a tender annual that comes from the Old World tropics. It prefers sunny locations and rich soil. Appreciates afternoon shade in hot, southern climates. Can be grown in containers indoors as well as outside. Flowers are very attractive to honey bees. Basils have a clove-like scent and taste. Our Italian Large Leaf has a milder and more citrusy taste than our Genovese Type. Culinary uses: Mediterranean cuisine; tomato-based sauces, soups, salads, pasta, pesto, chicken, fish seafood, vegetables and vinegars.

Dwarf Pink Sweet Alyssum is a favorite of gardeners, prized for its masses of fragrant flowers and used as an edging plant or addition to the border. Plants bloom quickly from seed. Plants tolerate a range of growing conditions and are easily grown. ‘Dwarf Pink’ makes an excellent edging plant as it grows only 2-4 inches tall.

Tall White Sweet Alyssum flowers are sweetly fragrant and excellent for attracting beneficial insects. Plants are highly adaptable and bloom all year round in warm climates. They bloom quickly from seeding and grow to 16 inches tall.

A drought tolerant annual growing from British Columbia to central California and east to Idaho, Globe Gilia is an adaptable plant with blue flowers, tolerating full to part sun and dry to moderate moisture. Honey bees, wild bees and other pollinators are attracted to its nectar.

This yellow perennial is native to the eastern and midwestern U.S. The long-blooming plants grow to 36 inches tall. Suitable for cutting, beds and borders, wildflower mixtures, and pollinator gardens. Flowers attract beneficial insects and will feed honey bees and wild bees. Tolerant of dry to moist soils and recommended for rain gardens and bioswales.

Shasta Daisy ‘Alaska’ is an old-fashioned variety that is perfect for cut flowers and cottage gardens. The 3 inch wide flowers have white petals and a yellow center. Plants grow to 30 inches tall. Attracts beneficial insects to the garden. Remove spent flowers to promote longer bloom.  Plants are somewhat short-lived.

Basket-of-Gold is an old-fashioned perennial from Europe and adds sunny color to the garden in springtime. Plants grow in low mounds of 8-12 inches tall, and flowers are bright yellow with 4 petals. It is right at home in the rock garden or along border edges. It prefers sunny locations and drier soils. Plants are evergreen and provide winter interest.

White Yarrow as finely divided, fern-like leaves and a pungent scent.  Flowers are white and occur in flat-topped flower clusters. This species has rhizomes and can spread aggressively in home gardens or where soils are moist.  It is best used in dry areas where soil stabilization is needed, or as an aggressive ground cover to help choke out weeds. Mature plants can be mowed on a high setting. Flowers attract beneficial insects.

This annual herb is a member of the carrot family and has two different uses as a culinary herb. The young leaves are used as cilantro while the dried seeds are known as coriander. Plants bolt quickly – staggered plantings extend availability during the growing season. Culinary uses for Cilantro: Mexican, Mediterranean and Asian dishes; garnish, guacamole, chicken, beans, pork, rice, salsas, sauces, fish and shellfish. Culinary uses for Coriander: Indian, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Asian dishes; curries, curry powder, pickling, sausages, sauces, soups and stews.