English Lavender, True Lavender, Common Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

Lamiaceae

NE Easy ⚠️ Mildly Toxic

☀️SunFull Sun

💧WaterWater regularly during the first growing season to establish roots. Once established, irrigate only during prolonged dry periods.

🗺️Zone5a - 9a

📏Height1-3 feet

Ideal pH6.5 – 8

Escarole, Broad-Leaved Endive, Batavian Endive, Scarola

Cichorium endivia

Asteraceae

LC Easy

☀️SunFull Sun, Partial Sun

💧WaterProvide steady, deep watering (1 inch per week) to prevent leaf toughness and excessive bitterness.

🗺️Zone4a-10b

📏Height10-14 inches (25-35 cm)

Ideal pH6 – 7.2

Flowering Dogwood, Eastern Flowering Dogwood, American Dogwood

Cornus florida

Cornaceae

LC Moderate

☀️SunFull Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

💧WaterMaintain consistent moisture through summer dry spells; provide 1 inch of supplemental irrigation weekly during establishment. Avoid overhead watering to mitigate foliar fungal spore germination.

🗺️Zone5a-9a

📏Height15-30 feet (4.5-9 m)

Ideal pH5.5 – 6.5

Chinese Fountain Grass, Swamp Foxtail Grass

Cenchrus alopecuroides

Poaceae

LC Easy

☀️SunFull Sun, Partial Sun

💧WaterEstablish with regular watering; mature clumps are highly drought-tolerant and require supplemental irrigation only in severe heat.

🗺️Zone5a-9b

📏Height2-4 feet (60-120 cm)

Ideal pH6 – 7.5

French Marigold, Marigold

Tagetes patula

Asteraceae

NE Easy ⚠️ Mildly Toxic

☀️SunFull Sun

💧WaterWater regularly at soil level to keep young plants moist. Once established, allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings. Avoid wetting foliage to prevent fungal outbreaks.

🗺️Zone2a - 11b (Grown as Annual)

📏Height0.5-1.5 feet

Ideal pH6 – 7.5

French Tarragon, Estragon, Dragon's Mugwort

Artemisia dracunculus

Asteraceae

LC Moderate

☀️SunFull Sun, Partial Sun

💧WaterDraught-tolerant once established; avoid overwatering, especially in winter when wet soils rot crowns.

🗺️Zone4a-8b

📏Height2-3 feet (60-90 cm)

Ideal pH6.5 – 7.5

Garden Cosmos, Mexican Aster, Cut-Leaf Cosmos

Cosmos bipinnatus

Asteraceae

LC Easy

☀️SunFull Sun

💧WaterDeep, infrequent watering during prolonged droughts. Once established, plants thrive under low-moisture regimes.

🗺️Zone2a - 11b

📏Height3-6 feet

Ideal pH6 – 7.5

Garden Pea, English Pea, Snap Pea, Snow Pea, Shelling Pea, Field Pea

Pisum sativum

Fabaceae

LC Easy

☀️SunFull Sun, Partial Sun

💧WaterConsistent moisture required during flowering and pod fill. Approx. 1 inch per week. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal foliar diseases.

🗺️Zone3a - 11b (Cool-season annual; thrives in 55-70°F / 13-21°C)

📏Height1-2 feet (bush), 4-6 feet (climbing)

Ideal pH6 – 7.5

Chinese Peony, Garden Peony, Common Garden Peony

Paeonia lactiflora

Paeoniaceae

LC Easy ⚠️ Mildly Toxic

☀️SunFull Sun, Partial Sun

💧WaterProvide 1 inch of water weekly during spring growth and bud swell. Once established, deep taproots tolerate dry periods; avoid overhead watering to prevent Botrytis.

🗺️Zone3a - 8b

📏Height2-3 feet

Ideal pH6.5 – 7

Garlic, Cultivated Garlic, Hardneck/Softneck Garlic

Allium sativum

Amaryllidaceae

LC Easy ⚠️ Mildly Toxic

☀️SunFull Sun

💧WaterWater regularly during spring vegetative and bulbing phases; withdraw irrigation completely 2-3 weeks before harvest to prevent bulb skin staining and rot.

🗺️Zone3a-9b

📏Height1.5-3 feet (45-90 cm)

Ideal pH6 – 7

Ginger, Culinary Ginger, Garden Ginger, Ginger Root

Zingiber officinale

Zingiberaceae

NE Moderate

☀️SunPartial Sun, Partial Shade

💧WaterMaintain constant, even moisture throughout the active vegetative cycle; decrease watering sharply as foliage begins autumn senescence.

🗺️Zone9a-12b

📏Height3-4 feet (90-120 cm)

Ideal pH5.5 – 6.8

Gladiolus, Sword Lily, Garden Glad

Gladiolus hortulanus

Iridaceae

NE Moderate ⚠️ Mildly Toxic

☀️SunFull Sun

💧WaterMaintain 1 inch of water per week during active growth; avoid overhead watering to prevent botrytis.

🗺️Zone7a-10b

📏Height2-5 feet (60-150 cm)

Ideal pH6 – 7