A Visit to the Los Angeles Flower Market (January 13, 2010)
Karen One of the high lights of my visits to Los Angeles is the L. A. Flower Market. It is large, full of flowers, and open to the public as well…
Bird Profile: White Breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)
Everybody loves nuthatches! And why not? Their habit of running up and down trees at various angles captivates the eye of those who see them; they will come to your…
Plant Profile: Paperbark Cherry (Prunus serrula)
Also called birchbark cherry, paperbark cherry, cellophane bark cherry or red bark cherry, this deciduous tree is a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, that also includes prunes, lady’s mantle,…
Botanical Latin: Species Names
All plants have Latin names consisting of a genus name and a species name. The species name is the second of the two names, is usually not capitalized and describes…
Plant Profile: Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)
Native to the Mediterranean region and western Europe, this broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree is a member of the heather family, Ericaceae, that also includes rhododendron, blueberry, and mountain…
A Visit to Hever Castle, Kent, England
The romance between Henry XVIII and Anne Boleyn is always interesting and a visit to Hever Castle heightens the story and makes it more real. The castle is actually a…
Bird Profile: Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
Beware of the great blue heron! If a large gray cloud comes suddenly out of the sky and drops down on the edge of your fishpond, drop whatever you are…
Plant Profile: Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera)
The bright white trunks with black markings of this cold weather tree are striking and very eye-catching. Used as a specimen tree or grown in clumps it brings a beautiful…
How to Grow Sweet Peas in Warm Climates
I am drawn to sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) like a magnet; their colors, fluffy petals, and sweet scent never fail to attract me. When I lived in New York State…
Plant Profile: Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum)
This maple is a very special tree that gives year round interest to the garden. Its dark green leaves turn orange to red relatively late in autumn to reveal the…