Book Review: The Grouchy Ladybug
Karen Eric Carle’s book, The Grouchy Ladybug, tells the story of an ill-tempered ladybug who doesn’t like to share and challenges 13 other animals to a fight. The animals range in…
Shakespeare’s Garden: Hyssop
Hyssop belongs to the genus Hyssopus in the mint family, Lamiaceae, that also includes basil, sage, and beebalm. Shakespeare’s hyssop has been identified as Hyssopus officinalis, a compact native Asia…
Plant Profile: Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus)
This Mediterranean native is a thistle-like tender perennial and a member of the Aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow, and artichoke. Plants form an impressive 3′ tall clump…
Invasive Plants and Their Native Alternatives: Oxeye Daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum aka Leucanthemum vulgare)
Oxeye daisy is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial native to Europe and Asia but was introduced to North America and is now found throughout the US where it grows in lawns,…
Plant Profile: Redvein Abutilon (Abutilon pictum)
Redvein abutilon is a tender evergreen shrub native to southern Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay but has naturalized in Central American and is a popular ornamental in subtropical areas. It…
Growing Plants From Seed: Summer Squash (Cucurbita pepo)
The summer squash include patty pan, yellow crookneck, and zucchini. These squash will cross pollinate with other summer squash varieties but not with other squash species (for example winter squash…
Plant Profile: Rose Harlekin
Known also as ‘Kiss of Desire’, this large-flowered climber bears an abundance of large cupped flowers singly or in clusters of up to five in flushes thoughout the season. The…
Plant Profile: Winged Everlasting (Ammobium alatum)
Native to eastern Australia, this tender perennial (often grown as an annual) is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisies, sunflowers and lettuce. It self seeds…
Book Review: Chanterelle Dreams, Amanita Nightmares
In his book, Chanterelle Dreams, Amanita Nightmares, mushroom aficionado, Greg Marley, shares his enthusiasm and knowledge of mushrooms in order to spread information and an appreciation for mushrooms to a…
Old Time Recipes for Home Made Wine: Ginger Wine
Ginger beer is a super market commodity, but how about ginger wine? While it may not grace the shelves of the local market, ginger wine has been around since at…