Plant Profile: Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
Karen A native of eastern US, flowering dogwood is a small deciduous tree beloved for the white flowers that cover the tree in spring. Botanically, however, the flowers are actually greenish…
Plant Profile: Bigleaf Magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla)
This flowering tree is native to North American and is found in the southeastern US where it grows in moist woodlands. A member of the Magnolia family (Magnoliacea) the tree…
Book Review: If You Plant a Seed
Some children’s books have beautiful illustrations, others have a stellar text, and still others carry a message. Kadir Nelson’s book, If you Plant a Seed, has all three plus unique…
Weeds and Their Control: Nimblewill (Muhlenbergia schreberi)
Nimblewill is a perennial grass native to eastern North America where it grows in moist partially shaded areas such as open woodland. It does particularly well in disturbed areas and…
Plant Profile: Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
Oakleaf hydrangea is a deciduous stoloniferous shrub native to the Southeast US where it grow in moist woodlands. It is a member of the Hydrangeaceae family that also includes mock-orange…
Plant Combination: Spotted Deadnettle ( Lamium ‘White Nancy’ ) and Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)’Purple Brocade’
Perfect for a shady spot, Lamium ‘White Nancy’ and ajuga ‘Purple Brocade’ will do well in both dry or moist conditions. Both have pretty flowers in late spring to early…
Book Review: Little Green Thumbs
Mary An Van Hage offers fifteen ideas for growing plants in ways that appeals to children in her book Little Green Thumbs. Written for parents with children ages seven and…
Old Time Recipes for Home Made Wines: Elder Flower Wine
Elderberry wine is perhaps more famous but wine can be made from the flowers too. One advantage to using the flowers is that the wine can be made earlier in…
Plant Profile: Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Purple coneflower is an herbaceous perennial native to central and eastern US where it grows in open woods, prairies, and meadows. It is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae,…
Visit to the Gardens of Alcatraz
A garden is perhaps the last thing you think about when you hear the name “Alcatraz” but if you decide to make a visit there you will be pleasantly surprised.…