Plant Profile: String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
Karen This tender evergreen perennial vine, also known as rosary plant, is native to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Swaziland where it grows in well-drained soil in some sun but is commonly…
Ornamental Grasses with Fragrance
Most gardeners do not think of growing grasses for fragrance but there are some available. The fragrance may be in the flowers, the roots, or the leaves. Grasses with fragrant…
Plant Profile: Perky Sue (Hymenoxys scaposa aka Tetraneuris scaposa)
A native of southwestern United States where it inhabits dry plains and rocky hillsides, Perky Sue is an evergreen herbaceous perennial also known as four nerve daisy and slender-stem bitterweed.…
About Arachnids
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…