Plant Profile: Northern Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor)
Karen Northern blue flag iris is a clump forming herbaceous perennial native to Eastern North America where it is found in moist to wet habitats including swamps, marshes, stream banks, wet…
Book Review: Spiders
Not the most popular animal, spiders are residents of the garden and contribute in many ways. Children and adults alike are often frightened by these critters and kill them unnecessarily.…
Beneficial Garden Animals: Decollate Snails
When you see a snail in the garden the immediate reaction is to get rid of it. But stop and take a closer look before you toss out a potential…
Plant Profile: Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium)
This perennial wildflower is a native of North America as well as Eurasia where it is found in disturbed sites such as meadows and roadsides, and is especially common after…
Slugs and How to Control Them
Disappointment abounds when you find that new transplants have disappeared over night, the leaves of your prize hosta is filled with jagged holes, or that your strawberries have been chewed.…
Plant Profile: Olive (Olea europaea)
Grown for thousands of years in the Mediterranean region, the common olive is a small evergreen tree that can be successfully grown for fruit or as an ornamental in areas…
Book Review: RawEssence
With increasing health awareness many people are turning to diets that focus on vegetables, sometimes excluding animal products entirely. RawEssence goes one step further and features recipes for foods consisting…
Weeds and Their Control: Buckhorn Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)
Buckhorn plantain is a perennial weed native to Eurasia introduced by European settlers when they came to American. It is now found throughout the United States including Alaska and Hawaii.…
Plant Profile: Corkscrew Rush (Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’)
This grass-like rhizomaceous perennial that can be found growing in standing water is an excellent choice for water gardens, bogs, pond edges and other wet areas. It forms clumps of…
Plant Combination: Yarrow (Achillea) ‘Fireland’ and Daylily (Hemerocallis) Hyperion
A summer blooming combination of yarrows and dayliies makes an eye-catching accent in a perennial bed of hot colors. The yarrow initially blooms brick red with yellow centers and slowly…