Plant Profile: Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
Karen Comfrey is coarse perennial herb native to Europe and Asia where it inhabits rich moist soils. It is a member of the borgage family (Boraginaceae) along with forget-me-not, lungwort and…
Shakespeare’s Garden: Nutmeg
Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) is a small evergreen tree growing up to 43 feet native to Blanda islands that are part of the Moluccas, or Spice islands, of Indonesia. It has…
Plant Profile: Bishop’s Hat (Epimedium stellulatum ‘Wudang Star’)
Also called fairy wings and short root barrenwort, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the barberry family, Berberidaceae, and native to the Wudang Mountains of central China where it…
Book Review: What’s Wrong with My Houseplant ?
Houseplants bring life and add color to any décor but unfortunately are often plagued by problems. What’s Wrong with My Houseplant? by authors David Deardorff and Kathryn Wadsworth provides a…
Beneficial Insects and how to Attract Them: Tachinid Flies
There are over 1300 species of tachinid fly in North America, all belonging to the family Tachinidae from which they get their common name. Most trachinid larvae are non-selective parasites…
Plant Profile: Italian Bugloss (Anchusa azurea)
Italian bugloss is a biennial or short-lived perennial native to Europe, western Asia and pars of North Africa. It is a member of the borge family (Boraginaceae) along with forget-me-nots,…
Weeds and Their Control: Waterweed (Ellisia nyctelea)
The annual weed, also known as Aunt Lucy, is a member of the Waterleaf family (Hydrophyllaceae) and is native to the US where it is found in most states except…
Plant Profile: Rose Celsiana
Clusters of seven to fifteen pale red buds open to rose pink flowers that fade to white. The delicate petals are thin and crinkled, and surround a center of gold…
Book Review: Finding Spring
Spring is a beautiful time of year full of anticipation and promise. Carin Berger’s book, Finding Spring, takes a new look at this popular time of year by including winter…
Native Flowering Perennial Climbers
There are many beautiful perennial native vines that can be useful in the garden. They can be used as a screen, to stabalize an embankment, add a vertical element to…