Acorn Squash, Des Moines Squash, Pepper Squash

Cucurbita pepo

Cucurbitaceae

LC Easy

☀️SunFull Sun

💧WaterProvide 1 inch of water weekly at the soil base. Avoid overhead sprinkler irrigation to reduce powdery mildew susceptibility.

🗺️Zone3a-11b

📏Height1.5-3 feet (45-90 cm)

Ideal pH6 – 6.8

Carpet Bugleweed, Bugle, Blue Bugle, Carpenter's Herb

Ajuga reptans

Lamiaceae

LC Easy

☀️SunPartial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade

💧WaterWater moderately until established; tolerates brief dry spells once rooted but performs best with consistent moisture in well-draining soil.

🗺️Zone3a - 9b

📏Height3-6 inches (up to 9 inches in bloom)

Ideal pH4.5 – 6.8

Giant Allium, Ornamental Onion, Giant Onion

Allium giganteum

Amaryllidaceae

LC Easy ⚠️ Mildly Toxic

☀️SunFull Sun

💧WaterWater moderately during spring growth; requires dry soil conditions during summer dormancy to prevent bulb rot.

🗺️Zone4a-9b

📏Height3-5 feet (90-150 cm)

Ideal pH6 – 7.5

Aloe Vera, True Aloe, Medicinal Aloe, Barbados Aloe

Aloe vera

Asphodelaceae

LC Easy ⚠️ Mildly Toxic

☀️SunFull Sun, Partial Sun

💧WaterEmploy the 'soak and dry' method: saturate root zone completely, then allow medium to become 100% dry before re-watering. Reduce watering by 70% in winter.

🗺️Zone9a-11b

📏Height1-2 feet (30-60 cm) (foliage); up to 3 feet (90 cm) in flower

Ideal pH6.5 – 8

Blood Amaranth, Purple Amaranth, Red Amaranth, Grain Amaranth

Amaranthus cruentus

Amaranthaceae

LC Easy

☀️SunFull Sun

💧WaterLow to medium. Once established, requires little supplemental irrigation except during severe hot dry spells.

🗺️Zone2a-11b

📏Height4-8 feet (120-240 cm)

Ideal pH6 – 7.5

Arugula, Garden Rocket, Roquette, Eruca

Eruca vesicaria

Brassicaceae

LC Easy

☀️SunFull Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

💧WaterMaintain even moisture with 1 inch of water weekly. Inconsistent moisture induces premature bolting and leaf bitterness.

🗺️Zone3a - 11b

📏Height1-2 feet (30-60 cm)

Ideal pH6 – 7.2

Garden Asparagus, Edible Asparagus, Sparrow Grass

Asparagus officinalis

Asparagaceae

LC Moderate ⚠️ Mildly Toxic

☀️SunFull Sun, Partial Sun

💧WaterDeep watering during dry spells, especially during the fern-recharging summer phase; mature crowns tolerate drought.

🗺️Zone3a-9b

📏Height4-6 feet (120-180 cm)

Ideal pH6.5 – 7.8

Chinese Astilbe, False Spirea, False Goat's Beard

Astilbe chinensis

Saxifragaceae

LC Easy

☀️SunPartial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade

💧WaterHigh. Requires consistent moisture. Foliage scorches quickly if allowed to dry out in full sun.

🗺️Zone4a-9a

📏Height1.5-3 feet (45-90 cm)

Ideal pH5.5 – 6.8

Indica Azalea, Southern Indica Azalea, Satsuki Azalea

Rhododendron indicum

Ericaceae

LC Moderate ⚠️ Highly Toxic

☀️SunPartial Sun, Partial Shade

💧WaterShallow root system requires consistent moisture; water deeply 1-2 times weekly during dry spells. Mulch heavily with pine bark or pine needles to retain moisture and maintain soil acidity.

🗺️Zone6a - 9b

📏Height3-6 feet

Ideal pH4.5 – 6

German Bearded Iris, Flag Iris, Common German Iris

Iris germanica

Iridaceae

NE Easy ⚠️ Mildly Toxic

☀️SunFull Sun

💧WaterLow. Drought tolerant once established. Water primarily during active spring growth and late-summer root establishment.

🗺️Zone3a-9b

📏Height2-3 feet (60-90 cm)

Ideal pH6.5 – 7.5

Beet, Beetroot, Table Beet, Garden Beet

Beta vulgaris

Amaranthaceae

LC Easy

☀️SunFull Sun, Partial Sun

💧WaterUniform watering (1 to 1.5 inches weekly); fluctuating soil moisture causes woody, cracked, or irregularly zoned roots.

🗺️Zone2a-11b

📏Height1-1.5 feet (30-45 cm)

Ideal pH6.5 – 7.5

Bell Pepper, Sweet Pepper, Capsicum

Capsicum annuum

Solanaceae

LC Easy ⚠️ Mildly Toxic

☀️SunFull Sun

💧WaterProvide consistent moisture, approximately 1-2 inches per week. Mulch to stabilize soil moisture and reduce blossom end rot.

🗺️Zone9-11 (grown as annual in zones 2-8)

📏Height30-90 cm (12-36 inches)

Ideal pH6 – 6.8