Common weeds in more tropical climes, these flowers are valued here for their hot, bright colors. They resemble our common hawkweeds and were once classified in the same genus, but are now put in the genus Emilia. Sorting out the species is more than poor old Pa Pitt can handle.
Another bright Victorian favorite coming back into favor after a period of eclipse.
Back in the dark ages of “bedding plants,” which is to say the 1970s and 1980s, zinnias were almost forgotten, grown only by those eccentric gardeners who grew their annuals from seed and liked bright Victorian colors. Now zinnias have regained their honored place as staples of the annual garden, and the world is a brighter place.
A deservedly popular ground cover often seen in Pittsburgh, noted for its silvery foliage and its carpet of pure white flowers in May and June.
Aesculus × carnea blooming in Oakmont.
Kale is a biennial. If you let some kale overwinter, it will give you cheery yellow mustard flowers in the spring, which will produce the seeds for another crop of kale.
