Five Best Old Garden Roses: Chinas
Karen Picking the “best” roses is an objective process and in this case, the ratings of the American Roses Society have been used. Every year the American Rose Society enlists the…
Plant Profile: Clustered bellflower (Campanula glomerata)
Clustered bellflower is a clump forming herbaceous perennial native to Eurasia where it grows in a variety of habitats including forests, grasslands, scrub, and along roadsides. It is a member…
Rabbit Resistant Plants: Bulbs
The vision of crocuses or tulips mysteriously disappearing in spring might scare a gardener away from planting bulbs but there are many bulbs that rabbits disdain. Some, like winter aconites,…
Plant Profile:Himalayan Fleeceflower (Polygonum affine aka Persicaria affinis)
Himalayan Fleeceflower is a creeping, mat forming herbaceous perennial native to the montains of Tibet, Nepal, northern India, Pakistan, and Kashmir where it grows on slopes, wet areas, and screes.…
Book Review: Eat Fresh Food
Considering how few moms cook for their family these days it is refreshing to see a cookbook designed to entice kids to get into cooking. Even better is the fact…
Garden Plants for Flower Arrangements: Lupine (Lupinus) Russell Hybrid
If you grow lupines in the US the chances are great that they are the Russell Hybrids. These herbaceous perennials are beautiful garden plants but don’t tolerate heat and humidity…
Plant Profile: Snowdrop Anemone (Anemone sylvestris)
Snowdrop anemone is an herbaceous perennial native to Asia and central and western Europe where it grows in meadows and dry deciduous woodlands. It is a member of the buttercup…
Botanical Latin: Boronia
Boronia (bor O’ ni a) From the name of Francesco Borone from Milan Italy who was hired by English Botanist J. E. Smith as a servant to collect plants with…
Plant Profile: California Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii)
Also known as mountain oak and iron oak, California blue oak is found only in California where it grows on dry slopes of the interior hills surrounding the Central Valley.…
Book Review: A Seed is Sleepy
A Seed is Sleepy by Dianna Hutts Aston is an introduction to seeds and the life cycle of plants in a unique way that has a wide appeal. It combines…