Money Plant
The Money Plant Honesty, 'Lunaria biennis', is an old fashioned garden favorite. The Money Plants seed pods are silvery, translucent "coins" perfect for dried bouquets. This Heirloom has been popular in winter arrangements since colonial times. The Money Plant is also called honesty, silver dollar, satinflower, penny flower, Judas' penny, and moonwart. The 1/2 inch flowers have four petals. The flowers resemble wild mustard but are purple or white instead of yellow. The flowers appear on branched clusters in the spring of the second year. Money can bloom in the first year if sown in January or February in mild climates. Money Plants prefer full sun to light shade and they do better with afternoon shade in hot summer climates. They perform well in average to poor soils. Plant the Money Plant in the spring after the last average frost date for bloom the following spring. This plant is often used for cut and dried flowers. ... find out more
Bitter Melon You will quickly enjoy its bitter flavor. The bitter flavor of bitter melon is due to quinine, and is a taste that is quickly acquired by adults and kids. This soft flavor softens as it absorbs other flavors. It is used in stir-fry, stews, steamed, braised, or curried. Plant in the spring, 1 to 2 weeks after the last frost when soil temperatures are warm. The Bitter Melon prefers light and well drained soil. Keep the plant moist but not soggy. Harvest the fruit when they are no longer than 6 inches and are still light green in color.
