Plant Profile: Lords and Ladies (Arum italicum)
Karen This herbaceous perennial is a native of the Mediterranean region and other parts of Europe and the East, but has naturalized in various parts of the world including scattered places…
Book Review: A Greener Life
The appeal of producing your own food has never been more popular in recent times and is still on the rise. In their book, A Greener Life, authors Clarissa Wright…
Plant Combination: Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) and Russian Sage (Pervoskia atriplicifolia)
This long lasting combination begins in summer when purple coneflower opens its daisy-like pink flowers. A short time later Russian sage’s gray stems produce small light blue flowers producing a…
Plant Profile: Mouse Plant (Arisaema proboscideum)
Mouse plant is a herbaceous perennial related to Jack in the Pulpit and is a native of Spain and Italy where it grows in shaded woodlands and marshy areas, It’s…
Amsonias (bluestars) for the Garden
Amsonias, also known as bluestars and dogbane, are subshrubs or perennials belonging to the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that also includes oleander, periwinkle, and mandevilla. Bluestars are native to North America…
Plant Profile: Cruel Vine (Araujia sericifera aka Physianyhus)
Also known as moth plant and white bladderflower, this fast growing creeping vine is a native of Argentina and Brazil where it grows in forest margins, river banks and disturbed…
Book Review: Old Time Recipes for Home Made Wines
When going through old books belonging to my family I came across this one written by my paternal grandmother, Helen S. Wright, a very straight-laced lady from Washington D.C. and…
How to Dry Grasses for Arrangements
Many grasses dry well and can be used in winter arrangements. The materials are inexpensive, the process is simple, and the rewards are outstanding. For very little time and money…
Plant Profile: Japanese Angelica Tree (Aralia elata )‘Aureovariegata’
This small tree or shrub is deciduous and outstanding for both foliage and floral display. Light gray stems bear bi-pinnately compound thorny leaves that are up to four feet long…
Botanical Latin: Galium
Chuck Galium (gay LEE um) derived from Greek gala meaning milk. Galium is the genus name for the bedstraws which includes over six hundred annuals and perennials most of which are…