Plant profile: Chinese Aster (Callistephus chinensis)
Karen Chinese asters are cool weather annuals or biennials native to China and Korea and members of the aster family, Asteraceae. They are not true asters, however, and belong to a…
Book Review: Plants Can’t Sit Still
The first sight of Rebecca E. Hirsch’s book, Plants Can’t Sit Still, tells you that it is unique; the title is thought provoking, the colors lively, and the words dance…
Weeds and Their Control: Dallis Grass (Paspalum dilatatum)
Dallisrass, also called sticky heads, is a coarse textured, tufted, perennial grass native to Brazil and Argentina where it grows in moist disturbed sites such as pastures, lawns, and golf…
Plant Profile: Alpine Wood Fern (Dryopteris wallichiana)
Alpine wood fern is a semi-evergreen or deciduous perennial fern native to the Himalayas, Hawaii, Mexico and Jamaica where it grows in woodland settings at high elevations. It has a…
Flowering Shrubs for High Altitude Gardens
The short growing season and cold temperatures of the mountains offer challenges to flowering shrubs as they must grow and produce flowers and seeds in a short time as well…
Plant Profile: Peachleaf Bellflower (Campanula persicifolia)
Peachleaf bellflower is an herbaceous perennial native to the mountains of Europe, North Africa, and Asia where it grows in meadows and woodland edges. It forms a evergreen basal rosette…
Book Review: Agaves
Agaves are a varied genus that is quickly attracting admirers as xerscaping becomes more desirable . Gregg Starr’s book, Agaves: Living Sculptures for Landscapes and Containers, introduces readers to over…
Old Time Recipes for Home Made Wines: Gooseberry Wine
Helen S. Wright, my paternal grandmother and author of Old Time Recipes for Home Made Wines, took quite a shine to gooseberry wine and includes eight in her book. She…
Plant Profile: Male Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas)
Male fern is a semi-evergreen native to Europe, Asia and North America where it grows in damp woodlands as well as rocky areas. The plants have a rhizome with a…
Plant Combination: Sneezewort (Helenium hybrid) ‘Coppelia’ and Menzies’ Burnet (Sanguisorba menziesii)
Enliven the mid-border of the late summer garden with this perennial combination of sneezewort ‘Coppelia’ and Menzies’ burnet. The show begins in mid summer when the burnet begins to bloom…