Shakespeare’s Garden: Box (Buxus sempervirens)
Karen Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens), as it is called in America, is a slow growing evergreen shrub or small tree (15-30 feet tall) native to North Africa, western Asia, and Europe where…
Plant Profile: Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
This short-lived tender perennial is native to southern Europe and North Africa but has naturalized in much of Europe where it is grown as an annual. It is a member…
Growing Plants from Seeds: Scarification
Seeds need water in order to germinate yet some seeds have tough seed coats that prevent moisture from penetrating. The tough seed coat is a protection against early germination that…
Plant Profile: Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Lemon grass is an evergreen, clump-forming perennial native to southern India and Sri Lanka where it grows in dry stony areas. The bulbous lower leaf section of the plant is…
Book Review: How to Create a Wildlife Garden
The “back to nature” trend has made gardeners more aware of the role of wildlife in the garden and increased their desire to live in harmony. How to Create a…
Weeds and Their Control: Spreading Wallflower (Erysimum repandum)
A native of Eruasia, this annual weed is also known as treacle mustard and bushy wallflower. It is wide spread through out most of the US where it grows on…
Plant Profile: Crucifixion Thorn (Colletia hystrix)
Crucifixion thorn is a deciduous large shrub or small tree native to Chili and Argentina where it grows in poor dry soils. It belongs to the buckthorn family ( Rhamnaceae…
Birds in the Garden: Plants that Attract the Swallow Family (Hirundinidae)
Don’t expect to see a lot of the swallow family feeding in your garden. They are birds of the sky and are not easily lured down to a backyard. This…
Plant Profile: Tree Dahlia (Dahlia imperialis)
This super large herbaceous perennial is native to Mexico, Central America, and Colombia where it grows in the upper elevations of the mountains. It has a tuberous root system which…
Book Review: Highgrove: A Garden Celebrated
Highgrove the estate of Prince Charles, Prince of Wales. In this book, Highgrove: A Garden Celebrated, The Prince shares his experiences in planning and creating the gardens at Highgrove over…