Book Review: Sun Drenched Gardens
Karen The interest in the mediterranean style of gardening has been growing as water shortages have increased and made xeriscaping desirable or necessary. Mediterranean gardens have many appealing features and Jan…
Weeds and Their Control: Cat’s Ear (Hypochaeris radicata)
A native of North Africa, Europe, and Asia, this perennial weed is now widespread in the US where it grows in disturbed soil such as roadsides, pastures, and lawns. It…
Plant Profile: Russian Comfrey (Symphytum x uplandicum)
Russian comfrey is a natural hybrid from a cross between S. asperum and the herb, S. officinale. It is a member of the borage family, Boraginaceae, that also includes Virginia…
Adonis for the Garden
Native to Europe, Africa and Asia, Adonis is a genus in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, that also includes anemone, delphinium, and hellebore. There are about twenty species but only a…
Plant Profile: Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis)
Chinese pistacihe is a deciduous tree native to the Philippines, and central and western China where it is a popular garden plant. It is a member of cashew family, Anacardiaceae,…
Book Review: How Do Apples Grow?
Some books are for fun others for education and How Do Apples Grow? combines both. Author Betsy Maestro follows a year in the life of an apple tree with a…
History of Vegetables: Biretta Vermelha Pepper (Capsicum baccatum)
Also known as Nepalese Bell, Chapeau de Frade (friar’s cap), and orchid pepper, this unique pepper from Brazil is one of a group of peppers known as Aji’s that are…
Plant profile: Alpine Wallflower (Erysimum linifolium)
Native to Spain and Portugal this herbaceous perennial is a member of the mustard family, Brassicaceae, that also includes cabbage, broccoli, and alyssum. The species forms loose mounds of wiry…
Plants for Rain Gardens: Summer Blooming Native Perennials for Wet Conditions
The moisture conditions in a rain garden vary and four regions can be identified: areas with 1. shallow water most of the time, 2.wet soil with occasional standing water, 3.…
Plant Profile: Red Spider Lily (Lycoris radiata)
Red spider lily is a bulbous perennial native to China, Korea and Nepal. It is member of the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) that also includes agapanthus, daffodils, and garlic. The deep…