Primer of Poetic Plants

Flowers

Anemone--Any of a number of related wildflowers of a genus (Anemone) of the buttercup family with cup-shaped flowers that are usually white, pink, red or purple. The perennials grow from a tuberous or fibrous root, and their sunlight needs depend on the variety. The tubers--A. blanda, A. coronaria and A. fulgens--need some shade every day, and late fall is a good time to plant them. Some people soak A. coronaria tubers for a few hours before planting. Plant tubers 1 to 2 inches deep, 8 to 12 inches apart in rich, light, well-drained garden loam. Set out in garden when leaves are a few inches tall. Keep soil moist. Protect from birds until leaves toughen. Excess moisture induces rot.

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus)--There are more than 300 species of Dianthus, including what Shakespeare referred to as gillyvors (gillyflower) or pinks (clove pink). They are relatives or precursors of the modern carnation. Cottage pink (D. plumarius) makes a popular border flower where there is fast-draining, fairly rich soil; the pinks with the smallest flowers are a good choice for rock gardens. Avoid overwatering.

Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris)--European columbine, a hardy perennial that likes full or filtered sun but tolerates some shade. Nodding flowers, blue-purple or white, up to 2 inches across bloom in spring and early summer and will self-seed or replace about every three years. Requires moderate water and little other care; grows to 1 to 2 1/2 feet tall.

Cowslip (Primula veris), oxlip (P. elatior)--Cowslip is a type of primrose (Primula) that tolerates shade. Its bright yellow flowers are fragrant, and the one-half- to 1-inch-wide blooms appear in early spring. The plant, with stems 4 to 8 inches high, tolerates shade and will naturalize in a wild or rock garden. Oxlip’s yellow flowers bloom in early spring.

Crown imperial (Fritillaria imperialis)--Plant the bulbs in spring, then cross your fingers--they have varied success here. They can be grown in rock garden, in sun or light shade. Mostly summer-dry plants with low water needs. Stout stalk 3 1/2 to 4 feet tall, clothed with broad glossy leaves. At the top of the stalk are clusters of large, drooping, bell-shaped flowers in red, orange and yellow. Tuft of leaves above flowers. Can be used in borders or grown in containers. Bulbs and plants have a somewhat unpleasant odor.

Cuckoo-bud--Or cuckooflower; a bitter cress (Cardamine pratensis) bearing white or rose flowers; also lady’s-smock.

Daisy--A common plant (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum) of the composite family, bearing flowers with white rays around a yellow disc; especially the English daisy.

Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia)--Upright or spreading, simple or with many branches, 6 to 20 inches tall. Leaves are green or sometimes slightly gray. Basal leaves roundish, long-stalked, 1 inch across. Stemleaves grasslike, 2 to 3 inches long. May dry up before blooming in July and August. Flowers are broad, bell-shaped, bright blue, 1-inch across, one or a few nodding in open clusters. Flower color is variable, sometimes in shades of lavender, purple or white. Self-sows in favorable situations. Good for rock gardens and borders.

Marigold (Tagetes)--A summer annual, but in parts of the county some species might grow as perennials. They grow in range of yellows from butter pale to orange and brown maroon. They like full sun and regular water. Colorful warm season annual. Tagetes lemmonii is good for arid gardens.

Pansy--Any of various violets, especially a popular garden hybrid (Viola tricolor hortensis), with flat, broad velvety petals in many colors. The hardy annual with 1-inch flowers (also known as hearts-ease) has a faint mild-wintergreen flavor. A cool-season annual, the blossoms can be used as garnish for a cheese plate, sliced fruit, cake or salad. The shade- and weather-tolerant, long-blooming plants are good for edging or grown in containers and will self-sow readily. The spreading plant will do well in sun or light shade, growing to 6 to 8 inches tall. Violet--Any of a genus (Viola, especially V. odorata) of plants of the violet family having white, purple, blue or yellow irregular flowers with short spurs. Johnny-jump-up--Wild pansy, daffodil or any of various American violets.

Rose, red and white--Any of a genus (Rosa) of shrubs of the rose family, characteristically with prickly stems, alternate compound leaves and five-parted, usually fragrant flowers. Musk-rose--A Mediterranean rose (Rosa moschata or R. arvenis) with fragrant, usually white flowers. Eglantine--A European rose (Rosa eglanteria or R. rubiginosa) with hooked spines, sweet-scented leaves and usually pink flowers; also sweetbrier. Naturalized in the West.

Woodbine--A European climbing honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) with fragrant yellowish-white flowers.

* Other flowering plants mentioned in Shakespeare’s works include belladonna, chamomile, foxglove and the California state flower, the poppy, all of which were believed to have pharmaceutical properties, as well as lilies, clover and rushes.

Herbs

Lavender (Lavendula)--Its green-gray foliage makes it perfect for landscapes or containers; the hardy perennial is easy to grow in any sunny location with well-draining soil. Good for arid areas. Shrub. Flowers in summer.

Marjoram (Origanum vulgare or sweet marjoram, Origanum majorana)--The tender perennial herb is sweeter and lighter scented than its relative oregano. Easily grown from seed, it grows into an attractive mound of small-leafed green sprigs. The versatile, all-purpose kitchen herb combines well with onion, bay, thyme, basil and garlic and is excellent with eggs, cheese, sausage or beans and in herb bread.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)--An evergreen perennial herb of the mint family, native to the Mediterranean region, with clusters of small, bright blue flowers and leaves that yield a fragrant essential oil. In our moderate climate, it can grow into a scented, strong shrub 2 to 6 feet high, which can be grown as a hedge or screen; lower-growing varieties are suitable for ground or bank covers. It tolerates hot sun and cool ocean spray and sports showy flowers in spring. The herb has a strong but subtle piney mint taste that makes it ideal for lamb, potatoes, tomatoes and cheeses.

Savory--(Satureja montana, or summer savory, Satureja hortensis) can grow to 18 inches tall. The herb, which tastes like spicy thyme, is good in vegetable dishes and with chicken and blends well with most flavors.

Thyme, wild--Thymus serpyllum or any of a genus (Thymus, especially T. vulgaris) of shrubby plants or aromatic herbs of the mint family, with white, pink or red flowers and with fragrant leaves.

* Edibles mentioned in Shakespeare’s works include apricot, blackberry, cherry, fig, garlic, grape, lettuce, mulberry, onion, pomegranate, strawberry.

* Other herbs include fennel (Foeniculum vulgare); herbs of grace (Ruta); hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis; rue (Ruta graveolens); peppermint (Mentha piperita); spearmint (Mentha spicata).

Trees

Boxwood (Buxus)--Common or English boxwood, which grows to a height of 15 to 20 feet, was probably the “boxtree” in which Sir Toby and his companions hid in “Twelfth Night.” Unfortunately, this type of boxwood dies in alkaline soil or hot summer areas, although it does well in Northern California. Species that do grow well here include Japanese (B. m. japonica) and Korean (B. m. koreana) boxwoods and B. harlandii, which is commonly called Korean boxwood; all are hardy and easy to grow and are used widely for edging and hedging.

Crab apple--Small, very sour apple trees grow wild or cultivated. The genus Malus, a flowering tree, is valued more for its springtime flowers than its fruit; there are more than 200 kinds of these named ornamentals, with more appearing each year. Deciduous trees require full sun and moderate water; most grow to 6 to 30 feet tall. The leaves are pointed ovals, often fuzzy, from deep green to nearly purple, and the flowers range from white and pink to scarlet and purple-red. They make good lawn trees and look nice lining a drive or walkway; near fences they will add to the screening effect and still leave room for planting primroses (another English favorite), spring bulbs or shade-loving summer bedding plants. Plant bare-root varieties in winter or early spring; set out containers any time.