Plant Combination: Clematis ‘Niobe’ and Rose ‘Gruss an Aachen’
Chuck Create an image reminiscent of an English garden with this large flowered Clematis and floribunda rose. ‘Niobe’s’ 4” wide blossoms open a very dark shade of red and slowly develop…
Plant Profile: Common Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
Karen Common boneset is a native herbaceous perennial found east of the Rocky Mountains where it grows in wet or moist conditions such as swamps and stream banks. Although it can…
Book Review: Nuts to You!
Do you enjoy watching squirrels as they scurry around? This charming book by Lois Ehlert explores the antics of a squirrel in the city. This furry critter delights the reader…
Insects and their Control: Blister Beetles (Epicauta spp.)
The common name “blister beetle” is given to 7,500 species of beetles in the Meloidae family that secret cantharidin, a chemical that causes blistering of the skin. They have a…
Plant Profile: Blue Throatwort (Trachelium caeruleum)
Native to the western Mediterranean, this tender evergreen perennial is commonly grown as an annual in temperate climates. It forms a clump of stems bearing narrow, dark green to reddish…
Rose Garden Themes: Beverages- Liqueurs
There are many liqueurs but there only a few roses named for them. There are even fewer roses that are readily available but I could not resist including two that…
Plant Profile: Chinese Flame Tree (Koelreuteria bipinnata)
This small deciduous tree native to China is grown as a shade tree as well as for its showy yellow flowers in summer and its lovely rose pink seed capsules…
Book Review: Encyclopedia of Planting Combinations
One of the most enjoyable aspects of gardening is planning plant combinations but it can also be the most frustrating. Tony Lord’s book, Encyclopedia of Planting Combinations, is a very…
Weeds and Their Control: Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)
The origin of purslane is somewhat obscure. It appears to be indigenous to North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia but archaeological evidence suggests that it may have…
Plant Profile: Seedbox (Ludwigia alternifolia)
Seedbox, also known as rattlebox, is a herbaceous perennial native to eastern North America where it is found in wet areas such as swamps and marshes. The common names come…