Book Review: Seedheads in the Garden
Karen Few people are not touched by the color and textures of the spring and summer garden but how many see beauty in the brown remains when the good weather has…
Differences between Powdery Mildew and Downy Mildew
Mildews that cause diseases in plants are of two different types, powdery and downy. Although they have similar names they are distinctly different and have different symptoms and control measures.…
Plant Profile: Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora)
This is not one of the big flowered clematis that you might be used to. The tiny flowers have a vanilla-like fragrance and are produced in great masses during the…
Characteristics of Cool-Season Grasses for Lawns
If you live in an area where 90o F temperatures in summer are rare you are probably going to be interested in growing cool-season grasses. They thrive in areas with…
Plant Profile: Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpureum)
Purple praire clover is a herbaceous perennial and a member of the pea family, Fabaceae, that also includes lupines, mimosa, and black locust. It is native to central North America…
Book Review: Let it Rot! The Gardener’s Guide to Composting
Composting is an ancient activity yet here in the 21st century we are still trying to convince people to do it. More and more gardeners are getting into it but…
Drought Tolerant Native Plants: Herbaceous Perennials
All plants need some water during the growing season but some need a lot less than others. If you have an area in the garden that dries out quickly and…
Plant Profile: Two-Row Stonecrop (Sedum spurium ‘Fuldaglut’)
The small rose-red, star-shaped flowers of this low-growing sedum cover the plant in late summer but until then the thick succulent, maroon-tinged, leaves are attractive. In fall when the flowers…
Considerations for Choosing a Grass for a Lawn
Grasses vary considerably in many ways. They look different, require different climatic conditions, tolerate different kinds of use, and demand varying amounts of care. As you choose a grass for…
Plant Profile: Aromatic Aster (Aster oblongifolius)
Asters are always welcome in the fall when other plants are fading, and aromatic aster is one of the last asters to bloom. A profusion of blue flowers with yellow…