Edible Flowers: Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Karen Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) are best known as pesky weeds that invade lawns and are difficult to remove. They are native to Euorpe, Asia and North America where they thrive in…
Plant Profile: Angel’s Fishing Rod (Dierama pulcherrimum)
Also called fairy wand, wandflower, and hairbells, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the iris family (Iridaceae) and native to South Africa. In mid- to late summer flowers are…
Botanical Latin: Lycopersicon
Ly co PER si con Greek lykos meaning wolf, and persicon meaning peach Lycopersicon is the part of the scientific name for tomato and literally means wolf-peach. Tomatoes are a…
Book Review: Kitchen Garden Experts
Sustainability, seasonality, and local sources are among the raising values in food growing and preparation. Cinead McTernan’s book, Kitchen Garden Experts, describes the combined efforts of twenty celebrated chefs and…
Book Review: Kitchen Garden Experts
Sustainability, seasonality, and local sources are among the raising values in food growing and preparation. Cinead McTernan’s book, Kitchen Garden Experts, describes the combined efforts of twenty celebrated chefs and…
A Visit to the Rose Garden at the New Residenz, Bamberg, Germany
The New Residence was constructed in the Renaissance style for the prince bishops of Bamberg beginning in 1602 by Prince Bishop von Gebsattel. Later construction in 1697 and 1703 added…
Plant Profile: Camellia x williamsii ‘Anticipation’
Camellia x williamsii are a group of hybrid evergreen shrubs resulting from a cross between Camellia saluenenensis and Camellia japonica. There are over 100 named cultivars from this cross and…
Shakespeare’s Garden: Onion
The common onion (Allium cepa) is in the same genus as chives, garlic, and leeks and the same species as shallots. Onion is native to Asia but is grown throughout…
Plant Profile: Giant Scabiosa (Cephalaria gigantea)
This clump forming herbaceous perennial is native from the Caucasus to Siberia where it grows in meadows and mountain pastures. It is a member of the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, that…
Book Review: Kitchen Garden Estate
With the renewed interest in ‘growing our own”and self-sufficiency the methods of the past offer many valuable lessons. Helen Gammack’s book, Kitchen Garden Estates, traces gardening practices from ancient and…