Shakespeare’s Garden: Plantian
Karen Common plantain,(Plantago major) is an herbaceous perennial native to Europe and northern and central Asia but naturalized in the US beginning in the time of the Puritans. It thrives in…
Plant Profile: Saged-leaved Bellflower (Campanula collina)
A native of the Caucusus Mountains, sage-leaved bellflower is a herbaceous perennial and a member of the Campanulaceae family that also includes ladybells (Adenophora), balloon flowers, and Lobelia. It has…
Book Review: Cooking from Scratch
ooking from Scratch comes from the Puget Consumer Co-op Community Markets, a Seattle based grocer dedicated to local producers, sustainable food practices, and healthful, organic seasonal food. The recipes are…
Weeds and Their Control: India Mock Strawberry (Duchesnia indica aka Potentilla indica)
Native to eastern and southern Asia, mock strawberry is a herbaceous perennial that was introduced as an ornamental to the US where it has naturalized in lawns and waste areas…
Plant Profile: Snake Flower (Bulbine frutescens aka B. caulescens)
Snake flower is an evergreen perennial and is a member of the Asphodelaceae that also includes aloe, torch lily (Kniphofia), and foxtail lily (Eremus). It is native to southern Africa…
Asclepias for the Garden
Asclepias is a genus of herbaceous perennials and belongs to the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that also includes bluestar, periwinkle, and oleander. Many species are native to the North America and…
Plant Profile: Pink Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium acaule)
Also known as moccasin flower and stemless lady’s slipper, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is native to the Great Lakes Region, Northeast and…
Book Review: 100 Bugs
Kate Narita’s book, 100 Bugs, is a virtual smorgasbord of fun for kids. Written for children ages 5-7, the book uses 10 different bugs to get to 10 by combinations…
Plant Profile: Lobed Tickseed (Coreopsis auriculata)
Also called mouse-ear tickseed, this bushy herbaceous perennial is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes sunflower, daisy, and lettuce. It is native to southeastern and east-central…
Edible Mushrooms: The Golden Coral Fungus (Ramaria aurea)
The Golden Coral Fungus (Ramaria aurea)The glden coral fungus is found in North America growing in leaf litter and undergrowth of deciduous and coniferous trees from summer through fall especially…