(Pimpinella anisum ‘Anise’)
Anise is a clump-forming tender perennial herb that is native to the Mediterranean region but can be commonly found growing throughout the north-central United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 3-4' and features green stems, feathery, fern-like foliage with numerous umbels of clustered white flowers. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and parasitic wasps, is used to flavor perfume and toothpaste, makes insect repellent, essential oils, potpourri, and mouthwash, and is edible and medicinal!
Genus: Pimpinella
Species: anisum
Variety: Anise
Also Known As: Aniseed
Native to: Cyprus, Lebanon-Syria, Palestine, Turkey.
Introduced into: Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil South, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Aegean Is., France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kriti, Laos, Leeward Is., Massachusetts, Michigan, Morocco, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Romania, South European Russi, Spain, Tadzhikistan, Trinidad-Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Xinjiang, Yugoslavia.
Ease of Growing: Moderate
Grown as: Annual
Maturity: June–August
Hardiness: Tender-Anise is tender and will not tolerate any frost.
Crops: Spring Transplant, Spring
Growing Season: Long
Growing Conditions: Cool, Warm. Anise grows well in full sun and temperatures around 70˚ F.
Outdoor Growing Temp: 50°F - 90°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 60°F. Germination is best at 70˚ F, but you can plant outside once the soil reaches 60˚ F.
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: Yes
Light: Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Cool, Warm). Plant Anise in full sun.
Water: Moderate. Keep soil evenly moist (but not soggy) while germinating, watering once a day if necessary. Continue to keep the soil moist throughout the plant's life, especially during flowering and seed production - this is the most crucial time for the plant.
Feeder: Moderate. Anise has moderate nutrient requirements.
Small Gardens?: Yes
Attracts beneficial insects?: Yes
Containers?: Yes. Anise grows easily in containers. Containers should be at least 8" deep and wide.
Height: 24-36”
Plant Diameter: 6-8"
Spacing: 10-15"
Sow Depth: ¼”
Produces: green stems, feathery, fern-like foliage with numerous umbels of clustered white flowers.
USDA Grow Zone: 4-9
Soil pH: 6.0-7.3, Ideal 6.5-7.0. Anise prefers a light, sandy soil that drains well.
Soil Preparation:
Compost (Nitrogen), 2", in top 6" of soil, 1 time: Apply 2" of compost as a mulch to help suppress weeds and provide nutrients.
Water Needs: Moderate. Keep soil evenly moist (but not soggy) while germinating, watering once a day if necessary. Continue to keep the soil moist throughout the plant's life, especially during flowering and seed production - this is the most crucial time for the plant.
Fertilizer Needs: Moderate. Anise has moderate nutrient requirements.
Watering, regularly: Water, 0.5 inch(es), regularly, 2 times a week. Watering also depends on your local weather; don't water if it's raining, or water more frequently if it's dry. Just be sure to keep soil moist but never soggy for the best crop. The best way to know how much moisture is in your soil is to feel 2" below the soil line. If it's dry, water.
Weeding, regularly: regularly, every 3 weeks. Keep Anise well weeded, especially while young.
Thinning, when 4" tall: 8 inch(es) apart, when 4" tall, 1 time. When plants are 3 to 4" tall, thin them to their final spacing of 8 to 15" apart. You can thin to 8" apart and wait a couple weeks to see if you plants need more space.
Support: No
Harvesting
Storage
Storage Req: Cool, Dry
Storage Temp: 60-70°F
Storage Length: 180-360 days
Seed Viability in Years: 2-3 years
Germination Percentage: 70%
Culinary
The seeds are famous for their licorice flavor. Their leaves have a similar flavor. Great in baked good.
Culinary Use:
Seeds are often used in applesauce, breads, soups, and teas for their licorice-like flavor. Leaves can be used in salads.
Young leaves: raw or cooked. The leaves have a sweet aniseed flavor, they are very refreshing to chew and are also nice as a flavoring in salads, puddings, soups, stews etc. When adding to cooked dishes, only add the leaves for the last few minutes of the cooking or the flavor will be lost.
Seeds: The aromatic seed is eaten raw or used as a flavoring in raw or cooked foods such as soups, pies, bread and cakes. A distinctive sweet licorice flavor, its use improves the body's ability to digest food. The seed is harvested by cutting the whole plant when the seed is ripe. The plants are then kept in a warm, dry position for a week and then threshed to remove the seeds. Store the seeds in the dark in an airtight jar. An essential oil from the seed is used as a food flavoring in sweets (especially aniseed balls) ice cream, chewing gum, pickles etc. It is also often used to flavor alcoholic drinks such as pernod, ouzo and anisette. The leaves and the seeds can be brewed into a sweet licorice-like tea.
Medicinal
Other Uses
Companions: Plant angelica where its 5-8' stems won't shade out lower-growing plants. It's a striking plant for flower borders or herb gardens, and it provides effective shade for summer lettuces. Deters pests from brassicas by camouflaging their odor. Brassicas plant family includes: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Collards, Kale, Kohlrabi, Mustard, and Turnips.
Enemies: Angelica may have a negative effect on carrots.
Mostly all vegetables are enticing to aphids which the exception of Asparagus, Celery, Radish, and Rhubarb.
Nutrition
The Health Benefits of Anise Essential Oils
Since ancient times, anise has been in use as a spice and flavoring agent for food stuffs and beverages. It is also employed to flavor liquors. In India and certain other countries, anise is also used as a mouth freshener and digestive agent. The medicinal properties of this herb were known long ago in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. The essential oil of anise is extracted by steam distillation of dried fruits of anise, or Pimpinella Anisum, as it is known in botanical terminology, which yields a thin and clear oil of which Anethol is the prime constituent, consisting of about 90 percent of it and is also responsible for its characteristic aroma. The other constituents are alpha pinene, anisaldehyde, beta pinene, camphene, linalool, cis & trans-anethol, safrol, and acetoanisol.
Anti-epileptic & Anti-hysteric: Since anise essential oil has a narcotic and sedative effect, it can calm down epileptic and hysteric attacks by slowing down circulation, respiration and nervous response, if administered in higher dosages. This is contrary to its stimulating and cordial properties, which are shown when administered in lower dosages. It is found effective in sedating nervous afflictions, hyper reactions and convulsions as well. This property has been known and utilized for a very long time. However, this property should be used with caution, as heavy dosages can have adverse effects, particularly in children.
Anti-rheumatic: This oil can give relief from rheumatic and arthritic pains by stimulating blood circulation, and by reducing the sensation of pain in the affected areas.
Antiseptic: This essential oil also has antiseptic properties and give wounds an effective protective layer against infections and sepsis. This aids in the faster healing of wounds.
Antispasmodic: Situations or ailments caused by spasms are cramps, coughs, aches, diarrhea, nervous afflictions and convulsions. Spasms are an excessive contraction of the respiratory tracts, muscles, nerves, blood vessels and internal organs that result in severe coughs, cramps, convulsions, obstructed blood circulations, aches in the stomach and chest and other symptoms. The essential oil of anise, being a relaxant and an anti-spasmodic by nature, relax these contractions and give relief from the ailments mentioned above.
Aperient: This oil has mild purgative properties, but is safe to use. Unlike other synthetic or harsh purgatives, it is not hard on the stomach and liver and does not leave you exhausted and fatigued. When taken in low dosages, it helps clear motions and cures constipation, resultant flatulence, and indigestion.
Carminative: Only those who are suffering from gas know what a relief it is to get rid of it. Gas is not funny at all. It is a very serious ailment and must be treated in a timely manner. It gives rise to indigestion, flatulence, acute chest pain, stomach aches, muscular cramps and pains, rheumatism in the long run, heaviness, hypertension and even problems like hair loss and reduction of eyesight, if it becomes chronic. Anise essential oil promotes the removal of gases and as a digestive, it does not let it form, as indigestion is the cause of excess gas.
Cordial: The warming effect of this oil on the respiratory and the circulatory systems makes it a cordial. This property helps counter colds, the deposition of phlegm, and problems like rheumatism and arthritis.
Decongestant: This oil of anise is very effective in clearing congestion in the lungs and the respiratory tracts for conditions like asthma and bronchitis.
Digestive: This property of anise and anise essential oil is very commonly used to promote digestion. It has been an old practice to chew Anise seeds, to serve desserts containing Anise, or to have a glass of warm water with few drops of anise essential oil in it to aid digestion, especially after a heavy meal or a feast.
Expectorant: This oil is really remarkable as an expectorant and this property earned it an impressive reputation. It loosens mucus or phlegm deposited in the lungs and respiratory tracts and gives relief from cough, heaviness in the chest, breathing troubles, asthma, bronchitis, congestion and other respiratory disorders. Due to the presence of this essential oil in the seeds, the seeds are used for smoking to loosen catarrh or phlegm.
Insecticide: The essential oil of anise is toxic to insects and smaller animals, therefore its smell keeps insects away. For this reason, this oil can be employed to drive away insects by using it in fumigants, vaporizers, and sprays.
Sedative: Due to its somewhat narcotic or numbing effects, it is used as a sedative for anxiety, nervous afflictions, depression, anger, and stress as well as for symptoms such as insomnia due to its tranquilizing and relaxing effects. This effect is particularly visible when it is used in higher dosages, since in very small doses, it acts as a stimulant. However, the utmost care should be taken while administering it in heavy doses, keeping in view its narcotic effects.
Stimulant: The stimulating property of anise essential oil can benefit us in the following ways. It can stimulate circulation and give relief from rheumatism and arthritis, stimulate secretion of enzymes and hormones, thus boosting the whole metabolism and finally, it can stimulate the nervous system and the brain to make us more active and alert.
Vermifuge: This is yet another aspect of its insecticidal property. It can kill worms found in the intestines. This property can be particularly beneficial for children, as they are most commonly afflicted with intestinal worms.
Other Benefits: It can be used to treat colic, flatulence, and pectoral affections.
A Few Words of Caution: In heavy doses, it has narcotic effects and slows down respiration and circulation. It is poisonous to certain small animals and birds and therefore children should not be given high doses. Furthermore, it may cause irritation to certain skin types. It is best to avoid it during pregnancy. It may also aggravate certain types of cancers caused due to its effect on the estrogen hormone.
Suggested Varieties
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(Amaranthus cruentus 'Red Garnet')
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(Cynara cardunculus 'Green Globe')
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(Beta vulgaris 'Detroit Dark Red')
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(Brassica oleracea 'Calabrese Green Sprouting')
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(Brassica oleracea 'Purple Sprouting')
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(Brassica oleracea 'Waltham 29')
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(Brassica oleracea 'Long Island Improved')
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(Brassica oleracea 'Early Jersey Wakefield')
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(Brassica oleracea 'Late Flat Dutch')
Late Flat Dutch Cabbage is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to the Netherlands, but was first offered in the United States by D. M. Ferry & Company in 1924. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features blue-green flat 12” heads that weigh up to 15 pounds. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, can be used as a trap crop for aphids, tolerates frost, and is edible.
(Brassica oleracea 'Red Acre')
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(Daucus carota 'Danvers')
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(Daucus carota 'Scarlet Nantes')
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(Brassica oleracea 'Vates')
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(Zea mays 'Country Gentleman')
Country Gentleman Sweet Corn is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to the Connecticut River Valley area and was first offered in 1890 by S. D. Woodruff & Sons. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 6-8' and features 7-8" ears with irregular white kernels. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is used to make cosmetics, fuel, glue, and paper, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Zea mays 'Golden Bantam')
Golden Bantam Sweet Corn is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Massachusetts, where it was developed in Greenfield by William Chambers and first offered by Burpee Seed Company in 1902. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 60-72” and features 7-8" ears with irregular white kernels. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is used to make cosmetics, fuel, glue, and paper, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Zea mays 'Shaman's Blue')
Shaman's Blue Popcorn is a hybrid, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Peru, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the Untied States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 96” and features 7-9" ears with unique blue/purple kernels. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, and is edible.
(Cucumis sativus 'Marketmore 76')
Marketmore 76' Cucumber is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to New York, where it was developed in Ithaca by Henry Munger at Cornell University in 1976. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 4-6' and features 8-9” straight, dark green, slightly tapered, white spined cucumbers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, deters cucumber beetles, repels roaches, is rabbit safe, is used to make cosmetic cleansers, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Melothria scabra 'Mexican Sour Gherkin')
Mexican Sour Gherkin Cucumber is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. But is commonly grown in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-48” and features 1" green and white watermelon shaped melons. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, earwigs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, and is edible!
(Cucumis sativus 'National Pickling')
National Pickling Cucumber is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Michigan, where it was developed by George Starr of the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station in 1924. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 36-48” and features 6” medium green, tender skin cucumbers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, beetles, repels roaches, is rabbit safe, is used to make cosmetic cleansers, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucumis sativus 'Straight Eight')
Straight Eight Cucumber is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Massachusetts, where it was developed by Ferry-Morse Seed Company in 1935. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 6-12' and features 8” straight, dark green cucumbers with white spines. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, beetles, repels roaches, is rabbit safe, is used to make cosmetic cleansers, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucumis sativus 'Sumter')
Sumter Cucumber is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to South Carolina, where it was developed by W.C. Barnes of the Clemson Agricultural Experiment. Station and was first distributed by Asgrow Seed Company in 1973. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-48” and features blocky, slightly tapered, medium-green 5" cucumbers with white spines. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, beetles, repels roaches, is rabbit safe, is used to make cosmetic cleansers, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucumis sativus 'Wisconsin SMR 58')
Wisconsin SMR 58' Cucumber is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Wisconsin, where it was developed by the University of Wisconsin in 1959. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 36-72” and features 4-6" dark green, black-spined cucumbers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, beetles, repels roaches, is rabbit safe, is used to make cosmetic cleansers, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Solanum melongena 'Black Beauty')
Black Beauty Eggplant is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to south eastern Asia, but was introduced into the United States by Burpee Seed Company in 1902. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 24-36” and features 8” pear shaped, dark purple eggplant. This plant can be grown in a container, is rabbit safe, tolerates drought, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Solanum melongena 'Long Purple')
Long Purple Eggplant is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to south eastern Asia, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 24-36” and features 9” cylindrical, smooth, dark purple eggplants. This plant can be grown in a container, is rabbit safe, tolerates drought, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Luffa aegyptiaca "Luffa')
Luffa Gourd is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Southeast Asia, but can be found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, the vines of this plant reaches the length of 30-50' and features several 12-24” smooth, green and cylindrical luffa gourds. This plant attracts bees and butterflies, and is used to make luffa sponges!
(Brassica oleracea 'Lacinato')
Lacinato Kale is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather biennial vegetable that is native to Italy, but can be found growing in gardens throughout the United States since 1669. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 24-36" and features wrinkled dark green leaves up to 2' in height. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates frost, is rabbit safe, and is edible!
(Brassica oleracea 'Ornamental')
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Ornamental Kale is a hybrid, hardy, cool weather biennial vegetable that is native to Europe, but can be found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-16” and features frilly green outer leaves and pink, white or purple centers. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates frost, is rabbit safe, and is edible!
(Brassica Oleracea 'Red Russian')
Red Russian Kale is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather biennial vegetable that is native to Europe, but can be found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-30” and features grayish green leaves with purple veins. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates frost, is rabbit safe, and is edible!
(Brassica oleracea 'Purple Vienna')
Purple Vienna Kohlrabi is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather biennial vegetable that is native to northern Europe, but can be found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-18” and features a 2 1/2" deep purple bulb that have a white flesh and rosette-shaped, dark green leaves. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates frost, and is edible!
(Allium ampeloprasum Giant Musselburg')
Giant Musselburg Leeks is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather biennial vegetable that is native to the Mediterranean region, but can be found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-18” and features a 9-15" white stems that are 2-3” in diameter. This plant can be grown in a container, repels carrot fly, moles, and moths, tolerates frost, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Lactuca sativa 'Bibb')
Bibb Lettuce is a heirloom, semi-hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to Kentucky where is was developed in Frankfort by Lt. Jack B. Bibb in 1935. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 8-12” and features loose heads with light green leaves. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, tolerates light frost, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Lactuca sativa 'Freckles Romaine')
Freckles Romaine Lettuce is a heirloom, semi-hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to Austria and Southern Germany, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features loose conical heads with red speckled bright green leaves. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, tolerates light frost, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Lactuca sativa 'Oakleaf')
Oakleaf Lettuce is a heirloom, semi-hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to France, where it was developed and introduced by Vilmorin Seed Company in 1771. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 6-12” and features tight rosettes with bright green oakleaf shaped leaves. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, tolerates light frost, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Lactuca sativa 'Red Romaine')
Red Romaine Lettuce is a heirloom, semi-hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to the Mediterranean region, but was introduced into the United States by Dessert Seed Company in 1950. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 8-12” and features 10” long, crinkled reddish leaves. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, tolerates light frost, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucumis melo 'Hale's Best Jumbo')
Hale's Best Jumbo Cantaloupe is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Egypt, but was first introduced into the United States by I.D. Hale in the 1920's. At maturity, the vines of this plant can reach the length of 6-10' and features 3-5 lbs. oval melon with deep green skin with golden netting. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees and predatory wasps, is horse and rabbit safe, and is edible.
(Cucumis melo 'Hearts of Gold')
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Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Michigan, where it was developed in Benton Harbor by Roland Morrill in 1895 and trademarked in 1914. At maturity, the vines of this plant can reach the length of 72” and features 3 1/2-4 1/2 lbs. netted, ribbed round cantaloupes with deep orange flesh. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees and predatory wasps, is horse and rabbit safe, and is edible.
(Cucumis melo 'Honeydew Green Flesh')
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Honeydew Cantaloupe is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to the Middle East, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, the vines of this plant can reach the length of 4-5' and features 4-8 lbs., 6-8 ½” round, pale green melons that have a smooth, waxy rinds and green flesh. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees and predatory wasps, is horse and rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal.
(Cucumis melo 'Honey Rock')
Honey Rock Cantaloupe is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to the Ohio, where it was developed in Hicksville by F.W. Richardson before 1920. At maturity, the vines of this plant can reach the length of 4-5' and features 3-4 lbs., 6-7” round, widely netted greenish-gray skin that matures to a creamy yellow. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees and predatory wasps, is horse and rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal.
(Citrullus lanatus 'Black Diamond')
Black Diamond Watermelon is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to the United States, where it was developed and introduced by Melville Dillon in the 1940's. At maturity, the vines of this plant can reach the length of 15-20' and features round watermelons with a dark bluish green rind and crimson flesh that average 35-75 lbs. This plant attracts bees and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, is used to make essential oils, cosmetics, and soaps, and is both edible and medicinal.
(Citrullus lanatus 'Crimson Sweet')
Crimson Sweet Watermelon is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Kansas, where it was developed and introduced by Charles V. Hall of the Kansas State University in 1963. At maturity, the vines of this plant can reach the length of 10' and features round, light green, dark striped watermelons with crimson flesh that average 24 lbs. This plant attracts bees and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, is used to make essential oils, cosmetics, and soaps, and is both edible and medicinal.
(Citrullus lanatus 'Moon and Stars')
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Moon and Stars Watermelon is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to New York, where it was developed and introduced by Henderson Seed Company in 1926. At maturity, the vines of this plant can reach the length of 12-14' and features elongated dark green rinds with bright yellow spots and sweet, red flesh that average 10-30 lbs. This plant attracts bees and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, is used to make essential oils, cosmetics, and soaps, and is both edible and medicinal.
(Citrullus lanatus 'Sugar Baby')
Sugar Baby Watermelon is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Oklahoma, where it was developed by M. Hardin in Geary and introduced by Woodside Seed Company in 1955. At maturity, the vines of this plant can reach the length of 6-8' and features 7-8” round, hard, rinds with distinct stripes when immature that become almost black when ripe that average 6-10 lbs. This plant attracts bees and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, is used to make essential oils, cosmetics, and soaps, and is both edible and medicinal.
(Brassica juncea 'Red Giant')
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Red Giant Mustard is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather biennial vegetable that is native to Eurasia, but can be found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-18” and features large rosettes of purplish/red foliage that has pale green veins. This plant can be grown in a container, deters flea beetles, is rabbit safe, tolerates light frost, makes green manure, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Brassica rapa 'Tendergreen')
Tendergreen Mustard is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather biennial vegetable that is native to the Mediterranean region, but can be found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 10-18” and features large oval shaped, dark green leaves with light green ribs and thin white stalks. This plant can be grown in a container, deters flea beetles, is rabbit safe, tolerates light frost, makes green manure, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Abelmoschus esculentus 'Clemson Spineless')
Clemson Spineless Okra is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to South Carolina, where it was developed by the Horticultural Research Department of Clemson University in 1939. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 48-72” and features 3-5" dark green ribbed pods. This plant attract bees and butterflies, is rabbit safe, is used to make paper, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Abelmoschus esculentus 'Red Burgundy')
Red Burgundy Okra is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to India, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 48-60” and features 6" deep crimson, tender pods and 2 to 3", hibiscus-like yellow flowers with a crimson center. This plant attract bees and butterflies, is rabbit safe, is used to make paper, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Allium fistulosum 'Evergreen White Bunching')
Evergreen White Bunching Onion is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather biennial vegetable that is native to Asia, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-20” and features 12–14" bright green, hollow stalks and greenish-white flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought and light frost, makes dye, repels moles, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Allium cepa 'Ruby Red')
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Ruby Red Onion is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather biennial vegetable that is native to New York, where it was developed by John Brozdowski and introduced by Asgrow Seed Company in 1964. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features 3” medium-large, globe-shaped, burgundy onions. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought and light frost, makes dye, repels moles, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Allium cepa 'Sweet Spanish Yellow')
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Sweet Spanish Yellow Onion is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather biennial vegetable that is native to the Mediterranean, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features 3” large, globe-shaped, yellow skinned onions. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought and light frost, makes dye, repels moles, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Petroselinum crispum 'Italian Giant')
Italian Giant Parsley is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather biennial vegetable that is native to the Mediterranean region, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-16” and features flat, dark, glossy green leaves. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts hoverflies, predatory wasps, and tachinid flies, is rabbit safe, tolerates light frost, is used to flavor perfumes and repel insects, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Pisum sativum 'Alaska')
Alaska Pea is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to England, where they were introduced in Bedford by Thomas Laxton in 1881, but was quickly introduced into the United States by James J.H. Gregory in 1882. At maturity, the vines of this plant reach the length of 36” and features 6-8” light green pods that contain 5-7 peas. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts hoverflies, predatory wasps, and tachinid flies, is rabbit safe, tolerates light frost, is used to flavor perfumes and a mosquito repellent, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Pisum sativum 'Early Frosty')
Early Frosty Pea is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to Idaho, where it was developed and introduced by the Rogers Brothers Seed Company in 1966. At maturity, the vines of this plant reach the length of 24-36” and 3-4” dark green shelling pods that contain 7-8 seeds. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts hoverflies, predatory wasps, and tachinid flies, is rabbit safe, tolerates light frost, is used to flavor perfumes and a mosquito repellent, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Capsicum chinense 'Habanero')
Habanero Pepper is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to South America, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, the plant reaches the height of 24-36” and features extremely hot 1-2" peppers that mature from green to orange to red. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought, is used to make an insect repellent, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Capsicum annuum 'Hungarian Yellow Wax')
Hungarian Yellow Wax Pepper is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Hungary, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, the plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features 4-5" tapered mildly hot peppers that mature from dark green to dark red. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought, is used to make insect repellent, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Capsicum annuum 'Jalapeno')
Jalapeno Hot Pepper is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, the plant reaches the height of 20-24” and features 2-3" tapered hot peppers that mature from green to orange/red. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Capsicum annuum 'Long Red Cayenne')
Long Red Cayenne Hot Pepper is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to South America, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, the plant reaches the height of 22-24” and features 5-6" thin, curled hot peppers that mature from green to red This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought, is used to make insect repellent, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Capsicum annuum 'Serrano')
Serrano Hot Pepper is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, the plant reaches the height of 30” and features 2-3" tapered hot peppers that mature from green to orange/red. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought, is used to make an insect repellent, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Capsicum annuum 'Tabasco')
Tabasco Hot Pepper is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, the plant reaches the height of 48-60” and features 2-3" tapered hot peppers that mature from green to red. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought, is used to make an insect repellent, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Capsicum annuum 'Sweet Banana')
Sweet Banana Pepper is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to South America, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features 5-6" sweet, banana shaped peppers that mature from pale green to yellow to red. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought, is rabbit safe, and is edible!
(Capsicum annuum 'California Wonder 300 TMR')
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California Wonder 300 TMR Bell Pepper is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to California, where it was developed by Carrol Briggs in the 1920's. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 24-30” and features 4-5" sweet, bell shaped peppers that mature from green to red. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought, is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Capsicum annuum 'Purple Beauty')
Purple Beauty Bell Pepper is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Central and South America, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 24-30” and features 3-4" sweet, bell shaped peppers that mature from green to purple to purplish red. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought, is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita pepo 'Connecticut Field')
Connecticut Field Pumpkin is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico, but has been growing in gardens throughout the United States since the 1700's. At maturity, the vines of this plant reaches the length of 8-10' and features rounded, lightly ridged orange pumpkins averaging 20-30 lbs. This plant attracts bees is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!