Top 5 Thriving Plants for Your City Garden at the Hill-Physick Plant Sale
By Kayla Anthony
Hill-Physick House
321 S. Fourth Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
May 5th-7th (Friday-Sunday) the Preservation Committee of the Hill-Physick House will be hosting their annual plant sale in the garden from 10 am to 6 pm.
All proceeds benefit the houses and programming of PhilaLandmarks.
To help you plan your shopping list, we've put together our top 5 list of "City-Garden" plants that will thrive in your pots and window-boxes... our picks can all be purchased at the Hill-Physick Annual Plant Sale of course!
While you have likely heard of them before, you may not know their historical symbolic meanings or their alternative purposes.
Keep these plants around your house to promote a desired mood!
1. Impatiens: (Busy Lizzie) Symbolic of motherly love, in medieval gardens devoted to the Virgin Mary, impatiens were considered “Our Lady’s earrings.” Did you know? Impatiens have the ability to change sex! At first bloom, the impatiens is male but after a few days, the pollen cap is shed which reveals female organs. Impatiens do this to prevent self-pollination.
Botanical Name: Impatiens
Plant Type: Flower
Sun Exposure: Part Sun
Soil Type: Loamy
Soil PH: Neutral
Hardiness Zone: 10, 11
Flower Color: Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White, Yellow
Bloom Time: Summer, Fall
Special Features: Attracts birds
2. Petunias: To create a soothing presence around your home, plant petunias! These hardy plants are a symbol of not losing hope and are able to withstand heat and drought conditions making them a summer favorite all across the United States. Did you know? Petunias belong to the solanaceae family which also includes tomatoes, chili peppers and tobacco! The petunia’s resemblance to the tobacco plant is what actually earned it its name. The name petunia comes from the Aboriginal name petun, meaning “a tobacco that does not make a good smoke.”
Keep and eye out for unusual petunias at the Hill-Physick Plant Sale!
Botanical Name: Petunia
Plant Type: Flower
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Flower Color: Pink, Purple, Red, White, Yellow
Bloom Time: Spring, Summer, Fall
3. Geraniums: A symbol of gentility and determination, this flower is notoriously easy to plant and will grow in any conditions. The geranium flower signifies a sense of togetherness of mind, body and spirit. Legend has it that if you plant geraniums near a window, files will not come into your home! Did you know red geraniums are known to warn off evil spirits?
Botanical Name: Pelargonium
Plant Type: Houseplant
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Soil Type: Sandy
Hardiness Zone: 10, 11
Flower Color: Multicolor
4. Sage: Stepping away from the traditional flowering plants, herbs are an awesome multi-use addition to your garden. Great for cooking, or medicinal use, sage is a perennial herb of the mint family native to the Mediterranean. The Romans considered sage a sacred ceremonial herb associated with immortality, health, wisdom, and a happy home.
In the vein of our colonial roots, the colonists used sage as a remedy for colds and fevers during harsh New England winters. Did you know? Sage has naturally antibacterial and astringent properties making it a perfect remedy for sore throats, gingivitis and sore gums. Simply boil sage leaves in hot water to make a soothing tea!
Botanical Name: Salvia officinalis
Plant Type: Herb
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Soil Type: Loamy Sandy
Hardiness Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
5. Rosemary: To purify your home and relieve stress, always keep rosemary on hand! Like sage, this herb is mostly used for cooking but it also has a lot of holistic medicinal purposes. Pine-like scented rosemary acts as an antiseptic good for treating flu symptoms, headaches, body aches and stress. It is also great for muscle sprains, arthritis, rheumatism, depression, fatigue, memory loss, migraines, coughs, the flu and diabetes. Is there anything this powerful herb cannot do? Traditionally, rosemary was a symbol for remembrance (Hamlet, anyone? "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance"), purification and known to improve memory and concentration. Did you know? Rosemary was placed on the graves of English heroes as a means of honoring their loyalty! Place a sprig under your pillow to aid memory, promote healing and a restful nights sleep!
Botanical Name: Rosmarinus officinalis
Plant Type: Herb
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Soil Type: Loamy Sandy
Hardiness Zone: 6, 7, 8, 9