Annuals

African Marigold

Tagetes erecta

This upright yellow-flowering plant, with its distinctive odor, is a classic of the summer border.

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Balsam

Impatiens balsamina

This plant is ideally used in the front of the flower border and is prone to reseeding. It was a common garden plant in the 18th century.

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Basket of Gold

Aurinia saxatilis

These sweet-smelling golden flowers are ideal for the front of the border in spring when bulbs are blooming.

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Beets

Beta vulgaris

Beets are a popular root crop used for pickling, roasting, and salads. They come in an array of colors, including red, yellow, and red and white striped.

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Boston Marrows are large, bright orange squashes that can weigh anywhere between 10 and 50 lbs., although 25 lbs. is more common. They are an excellent eating squash and can be turned into soups or pies.

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Breadseed Poppy

Papaver somniferum

This elegant annual forms an attractive seedhead after blooming and is ideal for the middle of the border in the spring garden. It self-sows reliably, but does not transplant well.

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Broccoli

Brassica oleracea (Italica)

Broccoli is a cool season vegetable which has been cultivated since the Roman Empire. It is grown for its tender florets which can be eaten raw or cooked.

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Broom Corn

Sorghum vulgare

This large plant is used to make brooms. However, it is not a true corn.

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Browallia

Browallia americana

Airy blue flowers form a stunning mass mid-border late in the season when many other flowers are fading. In southern climates, this plant self-sows with vigor.

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Bullnose Pepper

Capsicum annuum

The bullnose pepper is a type of sweet pepper which produces abundantly. Its fruits are somewhat smaller than modern bell peppers and they are susceptible to sunscald. However, they have an excellent flavor.

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Bush Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris

Bush beans are compact, low growing plants that produce large crops of beans. They can be used for fresh eating or as dry beans.

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Cabbage

Brassica oleracea

Cabbage is a cool season annual that was a staple crop in the colonial period and continues to be so today.

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Calendula

Calendula officinalis

Calendulas are an old fashioned herb with bright yellow or orange flowers. They are profuse bloomers in the spring and fall, but will stop blooming during the hot part of the summer. Their flowers can be used in salads and soaps.

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Carrot

Daucus carota var. sativa

Carrots are a root crop which comes in a wide variety of colors. They can be yellow, orange, or purple. While the purple colored varieties are some of the oldest types, orange varieties of carrots were popular by the mid-1700s. They can be served fresh in salads, or cooked.

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Cauliflower

Brassica oleracea (Botrytis)

Cauliflower is a cabbage relative with broad blue-green leaves and a large white head. It is slow to harvest and benefits from a long cool season.

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Cayenne Pepper

Capsicum annuum

Cayenne peppers are large prolific plants. They produce bountiful crops of slender, spicy red peppers that can be used fresh or dried.

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China Aster

Callistephus chinensis

The pink, purple, or white flowers of this cheerful daisy are an excellent midsummer accent in any flower garden.

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Cockscomb

Celosia argentea var. cristata

A sturdy long-blooming annual, this impressive plant is ideal for the back of the border. Its bright flowers come in many colors, including hot pink, peach, deep rose, yellow, and red.

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Cowpea

Vigna unguiculata

The name "cowpea" was probably coined for their use as a fodder crop for cows, and while grown for their edible bean, the leaves and pods can also be consumed. Black-eyed peas can be harvested as a snap bean, or dried, and are the main ingredient in Hoppin' John, a traditional Southern dish ritually…

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Crimson Clover

Trifolium incarnatum

This clover is used primarily as a cover crop and fodder, but it is also a good nectar source for bees.

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African Marigold

Tagetes erecta

Balsam

Impatiens balsamina

Basket of Gold

Aurinia saxatilis

Beets

Beta vulgaris

Boston Marrow Squash

Cucurbita maxima 'Boston Marrow

Breadseed Poppy

Papaver somniferum

Broccoli

Brassica oleracea (Italica)

Broom Corn

Sorghum vulgare

Browallia

Browallia americana

Bullnose Pepper

Capsicum annuum

Bush Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris

Cabbage

Brassica oleracea

Calendula

Calendula officinalis

Carrot

Daucus carota var. sativa

Cauliflower

Brassica oleracea (Botrytis)

Cayenne Pepper

Capsicum annuum

China Aster

Callistephus chinensis

Cockscomb

Celosia argentea var. cristata

Cowpea

Vigna unguiculata

Crimson Clover

Trifolium incarnatum