Karen Characteristics of Old Garden Roses: Hybrid Perpetuals
With bourbon, Portland, and china ancestry, hybrid perpetual vary considerably but share a few characteristics that make them special. As their name implies they are repeating, some more so than…
Plant Profile: Creeping Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila repens)
Creeping baby’s breath is a herbaceous perennial native the mountains of central and southern Europe where it grows on dry, chalky slopes. It is a member of the carnation family,…
Herb Garden: Four Herbs for Hair Care
Beautiful hair is a virtue that every woman wants. They spend mega-bucks every year at the beauty parlor having their dyed, curled, straightened, conditioned, cut and styled. There are some…
Plant Profile: Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata ‘Fanfare’)
There are many kinds of blanket flower but ‘Fanfare’ is one of the most unique. The fluted orange petal-like flowers flaring out around the burgundy center give the flowerheads the…
Book Review: Eco-Yards: Simple Steps to Earth-Friendly Landscapes
It is hard to ignore the growing concern for the environment and the need to take part in caring for it. The future of the planet depends on people getting…
Silvered Leaved Companions for Roses
Some roses are beautiful in every way with abundant foliage and masses of colorful flowers. Many, however, could use a little help when out of bloom, or need something attractive…
Plant Profile: Cushion Spruge (Euphorbia polychroma aka E. epithymoides )
Cushion spurge is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial native to Central and southeastern Europe, and Asia Minor, and a member of the Euphorbiaceae family that also includes pointsetta, rubber plant, and…
Herb Garden: Five Herbs Used as Sweetness Enhancers
The great thing about using herbs as sweetness enhancers is that they don’t add calories. You can use them alone or with sugar or other sweeteners to heighten the sweetness…
Plant Profile: ‘Silk Tassel’ Sedge (Carex morrowii temnolepis ‘Silk Tassel’)
The fine textured blades of this sedge look more like hair than leaves. They are white and green striped and look silvery en masse. The plants form a clumps up…