Plant Profile: Sweet Olive (Osmanthus fragrans)
Karen For fragrance, sweet olive ranks with jasmine, gardenias, and honeysuckle. A native of eastern Asia, it is a member of the olive family, Oleaceae, that also includes jasmine, lilac, and…
Botany for Gardeners: Plant Classification-Divisions of the Plant Kingdom
As members of the Plant Kingdom plants generally share three characteristics: they are multicelluar, their cell walls are composed of cellulose, and the cells contain chlorophyll that can trap light…
Plant Profile: Amur Maple (Acer ginnala)
Amur maple is a small deciduous tree native to parts of Siberia, Manchuria, and Japan but is grown in North America where it has become invasive in some areas. It…
Book Review: Seasons of Witchery: Celebrating the Sabbats with the Garden Witch
Whether you believe in witches or not, this book is an entertaining way to become acquainted with the workings of a witch’s life. The author, Ellen Dugan, is a self…
Weeds and Their Control: Carpetweed (Mollugo verticillata)
Carpetweed, also called devil’s grip and Indian chickweed, is native to Africa and tropical America but is found in most of the United States and is especially prevalent in the…
Plant Profile: Rocky Mountain Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum)
A native of dry, rocky ridges in the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains, this small evergreen broad pyramidal tree is a member of the Cypress family, Cupressaceae, that also…
A Visit to a Tea Village, Longjing, China
For years I have heard about the health benefits of green tea and on occasion have bought a box at the supermarket and tried to make a habit of drinking…
Plant Profile: Rosa ‘Hannah Gordon’
Named for the Scottish actress, Hannah Gordon, this upright rose can be tall and is a good specimen for the back of the border. Classified as a pink blend, the…
Book Review: Salvage Style for the Garden
If browsing at garage sales and flea markets is for you, take a good look at this book and learn to turn someone else’s cast-offs into works of art for…
Weeds and Their Control: Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense)
Horsenettle is not a true nettle and is in the nightshade family along with potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. It is native to southeastern United States but has spread throughout…