About Arachnids
Karen Spiders and their relatives may seem scary but they are fascinating animals and play an important role in our environment. Cathryn Sill’s non-fiction book, About Arachnids, introduces young children to…
Plant Combination: European Wild Ginger (Asarum europaeum) and Fringed Bleeding Heart (Dicentra eximia)
European wild ginger makes a beautiful woodland ground cover that is evergreen in most areas. Add fringed bleeding heart to it and you have an enchanting combination that provides color…
Plant Profile: Rosa Louis Philippe
Named for the French king that ruled from 1830 to 1848 this rose is held in more regard than the king it’s named for. It has bright crimson flowers with…
Birds in the Garden; Plants that Attract the Thrush Family (Turdidae)
The thrush family includes the familiar robin and bluebirds as well as many birds called thrushes. They are small to medium birds with plump bodies, round heads, relatively long tails,…
Plant Profile: Chinese Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Also called tropical hibiscus, this evergreen perennial is a popular landscape plant in warm climates but also makes a good container plant in cool areas. The large shiny dark green…
Book Review: In the Green Kitchen: Techniques to Learn by Heart
Alice Waters’ philosophy of using sustainable, seasonal, local ingredients and cooking them simply to produce delicious, healthful meals is very appealing. This concept underlies her book, In the Green Kitchen,…
Plant Combination: Cypress Spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias) and Dwarf Camomille (Anthemis punctata aka A. punctata subsp. cupaniana)
The appeal of simple white and yellow daisies is used here to create a charming combination with cypress spurge for the late spring garden. The acid yellow green bracts of…
Plant Profile: Western Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton americanus)
The name only tells half the story. Yes, the plant does have a distinct skunk smell but its very large green leaves and bright yellow sheaths make it a knockout…
Ornamental Grasses: Forms
Ornamental grasses that grow in clumps vary in form from stiff and upright to relaxed and floppy. When classifying grasses by form only the foliage is considered, not the flowering…
Plant Profile: Frangipani (Plumeria rubra)
A native of central America, this small semi-evergreen tree is widely grown around the world where it is found in parks, cemeteries, and temples. Its distribution in the United States,…