Known by many names including leather leaf bergenia, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the Saxifracaceae family that also includes astilbe, foam flower (Tiarella), and coral bells (Heuchera). It…
The quince (Cydonia oblonga) belongs to the rose family (Rosaceae) along with apples, pears, and almonds. It is native to southwest Asia, Turkey, and Iran where it grows on rocky…
Also called pine-needle milkweed, this evergreen herbaceous perennial or subshrub is a member of the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that also includes periwinkle. It is native to Arizona, New Mexico, and…
A stoloniferous herbaceous perennial, running rock cress is a member of the mustard family, Brassicaceae, that also includes cabbage, alyssum, and candytuft. It is native to Southern Europe where it…
The mother and daughter-in-law team, Laurie Wolf and Mary Wolf offer an introduction to medical marijuana in their book, The Medical Marijuana Dispensary. As owners of a company in Oregon…
Also known as lightening bugs, fireflies , are actually beetles belonging to the Lampyridae family of insects. There are over two thousand species, about one hundred fifty of which live…
Also known as spurred bellflower, this herbaceous perennial is in the Campanulaceae family that also includes ladybell (Adenophora), Lobelia, and balloon flower. It is native to the Caucasus and Turkey…
Native to the mountains of southwestern China, this deciduous shrub grows 2-3’ tall with a spread of 3-6’. Its arching reddish branches grow in a herringbone pattern and carry ¾”…
Mexican daisy is a tender herbaceous perennial native to Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America but has naturalized elsewhere including the west coast of the US. It is…
Raymond Bial’s book, A Handful of Dirt, is photographic essay about soil. Written for children ages 7-10, it covers the important and formation of soil as well as the many…
Karen