Plant profile: American columbo
American Columbo is an herbaceous, perennial plant with basal leaves in a rosette pattern. This rather unusual plant is classified as monocarpic. It remains short, not flowering for many years (sometimes 15 or more), until it shoots up to nearly eight feet tall and blooms. The stem of this flower shoot is green to purple in color.
Annette Shrader
Born and raised on a farm, I’ve always appreciated the smell and feel of fresh earth. When we purchased our home 35 years ago, it had some land, but not a single flower. I began the process of plotting and planning garden beds and borders, and have not stopped. Looking out at this mature landscape, it gives me a sense of accomplishment here in my own botanical garden. On her producer role with Volunteer Gardener, Annette says “These are treasured experiences. The passion that people have for their gardens sends me home feeling refreshed, and challenged.
