Book Review: The Seven Step Homestead
Karen Meyers In her book, The Seven Step Homestead, Leah M. Webb shares her experience establishing a mini-farm in her backyard. Motivated by the desire to grow her own food as well…
Meadow Garden: Tall Native Grasses
Tall native grasses are usually associated with the natural prairie ecosystem of central US. This area has rich loess soils and moderate rainfall of 30-35 inches per year and are…
Plant Profile: Barber’s Diascia (Diascia barberae)
Karen This mat forming tender perennial is native South Africa. It is a member of the figwort family, Scrophylariaceae, that also includes butterfly bush, mullein, and nemesia. Plants grow 12″ tall…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina) “Our Lady’s Fingers”
The name ,”Our Lady’s Fingers” for Stachys byzantina probably arose from Christian folklore and plant symbolism. The soft, velvety texture of the plant’s leaves suggests the gentle, comforting touch of…
Plant Profile: Willowleaf Sunflower (Helianthus salicifolius)
Willowleaf sunflower is a clump forming perennial native to south-central US, primarily in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas where it grows in limestone prairies and rocky outcrops. It is a…
Book Review: The Secret World of Plants
The Secret World of Plants by Ben Hoare explores the plant kingdom through the unique stories of over 100 amazing plants. Written for children ages 7-9 in grades 2-4, the…
Meadow Garden: Low Growing Native Flowering Perennials for Part to Full Shade
Low growing perennials in a meadow garden add color and textures as well as the opportunity to extend the bloom time. Also considered groundcovers, these plants will grow in the…
Plant Profile: Common Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata)
Common blanket flower is a herbaceous perennial native to northwestern and north central US where it grows in meadows. It is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Spotted Dead Nettle (Lamium maculatum) “Madonna’s Milk”
The name “Madonna’s Milk” for Lamium maculatum probably arose from Christian folklore and medieval plant symbolism. The white markings on the leaves of spotted dead nettle probably suggested drops of…
Plant Profile: Coral Aloe (Aloe striata aka A. hanburiana)
This evergreen succulent perennial is native to the rocky slopes of coastal and karoo areas of South Africa and belongs to the Asphodelaceae family that also includes daylily (Hemerocallis), red…