Chitinase for the Garden
Karen Have you heard of chitinase? It is a naturally occurring substance that has potential for preventing or reversing disease in plants. You may be using chitinase right now to fight…
Plant Profile: Ethiopian Acanthus (Acanthus sennii)
Endemic to the highlands of Ethiopia where it grows in dry forest margins, open hillsides, and along streams and river banks, this herbaceous perennial is rarely seen and is quite…
Book Review: Rain Gardens Sustainable Landscaping for a Beautiful Yard and a Healthy World
With increasing problems of water quality and risings water costs, rain gardens offer a solution to both problems while also providing a useful habitat for wild life of all kind.…
Plant Profile: Korean Fir (Abies koreana)
A cool weather evergreen tree, this native of South Korea is ideal for a small garden. It grows in temperate forests with high rain and snow fall and high humidity…
Ajugas for the Garden
Ajugas, also known as bugleweeds, native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, are low growing, creeing or clump forming members of the mint family, Lamiaceae. Although there are about forty species…
Plant Profile: Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata)
Also called blue wattle and mimosa, this flowering evergreen shrub or small tree is native to southeastern Australia including Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania . It is a member…
Book Review: From Seed to Plant
As gardeners we all appreciate that many plants produce seeds that later grow into new plants. Young children, on the other hand, may have no idea where plants come from…
Plant Combination: Mallow (Lavertera trimestris) ‘Silver Cup’ and Drumstick Allium (Allium sphaerocephalum)
This winning combination of pink and purple is a beautiful addition to the summer border. Soft mounds of large pink flowers cover the plants of the ‘Silver Cup’ mallow over…
Plant Profile: White Forsythia (Abeliophyllum distichum)
Native to a small area in central Korea, this deciduous shrub is considered “critically endangered’ in the wild but is a popular garden plant in cultivation. It produces clusters of…
Ornamental Grass Used for Screen or Hedge
Tall ornamental grasses can be utilized as screens or hedges. Some can even be effective as windbreaks. They come in different heights, colors, and textures so can fit into a…