Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea. This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds. Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater. Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season. Other details: May be a noxious weed or invasive. The bad news is that foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) does not occur as a perennial. It is a biennial, meaning that …

Green beans, also known as string bean, snap bean in the northeastern and western United States, or ejotes in Mexico, are the unripe fruit of various cultivars of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris).[1][2] Green bean cultivars have been selected especially for the fleshiness, flavor, or sweetness of their pods. Green beans are found in two major groups, bush beans and …

This unusual deep purple tomatillo makes an ideal salsa with its sweet tart flavor. The plant has striking purple veins in the leaves, and the husks are light green to buff colored. Very decorative as a garnish. We’ve noticed that after harvest when husks are completely removed, the skin becomes more uniformly purple. It takes 70 days from seed to …

Eggplant, Solanum melongena var. esculentum ‘Pingtung Long’   Family: Solanaceae (so-lan-AY-see-ee) (Info) Genus: Solanum (so-LAN-num) (Info) Species: melongena var. esculentum Cultivar: Pingtung Long   Category: Annuals Vegetables   Height: 24-36 in. (60-90 cm)   Spacing: 18-24 in. (45-60 cm) 24-36 in. (60-90 cm)   Hardiness: Not Applicable   Sun Exposure: Full Sun   Danger: Parts of plant are poisonous if …

In the summer, when you have more string beans than you can eat fresh, consider Dilly Beans.

Pork, tomatillos, chiles and verdolagas (purslane) are a traditional combination in Mexican cuisine.

Horseradish, Armoracia rusticana. Horseradish is easy to grow, provides pretty foliage, and produces that wonderful hot sauce. it can grow in a one foot patch and only 8 to 12 inches of soil. Horseradish roots taste better if they experience a night or two of frost. In Sunnyvale, this typically means late December or early January. But if you need horseradish …

Borage is a pretty herb for summer and fall. Borage is a freely seeding, easy growing annual plant with vivid blue flowers and leaves with the flavor of cucumbers. It is consider an herb, but is often grown as a flower in vegetable gardens where it attracts pollinating bees and is considered a good companion plant for tomatoes, squash and …

Many gardeners have learned the value of Cuphea for summer long flowers. We value them not only for the small, attractive flowers, but also for the hummingbirds, butterflies, and nectar-feeding insects that swarm around them. Aka Bat-Face Cuphea, St. Peter’s Plant, Tiny Mice, Bunny Ears, Cuphea llavea. Cuphea is a family of plants containing about 115 species according to the …

Walker’s Low Flower, aka Catmint. Catmint is one of the toughest perennials you can grow. It’s a proven performer during hot, dry weather, and the silvery foliage and blue flowers look great most of the season. Deadhead or cut back hard after first flush of bloom to encourage more flowers. Average, well-drained soil is usually sufficient. Tall types may need …