Fragrant Spring Blooming Shrubs for the Garden
Karen The onset of spring is time of awakening and joy and with the many flowering shrubs that bloom then, why not indulge yourself in the beautiful scents that many provide?…
Plant Profile: Purple Dragon Head (Physostegia parviflora)
This herbaceous perennial is also called western false dragon head is a member of the deadnettle family, Lamiaceae, that also includes basil, monarda and ajuga. It is native to Manitoba…
Plant Combination: Rocky Mountain Beard-Tongue (Penstemon strictus) and Yarrow (Achillea x) ‘Moonshine’
This yellow and blue combination is a striking duo in a sunny, well-drained border in early summer. The spiky form of the beard-tongue contrasts with the flat heads of the…
Plant Profile: Scouler’s Corydalis (Corydalis scouleri)
Scouler’s corydalis is a herbaceous perennial and a member of the fumatory family, Fumariaceae, that also includes bleeding heart and Dutchman’s breeches. It is native to western North America where…
Book Review: Beginning Seed Saving for the Home Gardener
Jim Ulager’s book, Beginning Seed Saving for the Home Gardener, presents the author’s experience with seed saving and provides gardeners with the basic information to do the same. He presents…
Old Time Recipes for Home Made Wine: Dandelion Wine
The common dandelion that decorates lawns throughout the growing season can be made into a delicious beverage that tastes like sherry and is considered more like a cordial than a…
Plant Profile: Mountain Hollyhock (Iliamna rivularis)
Also called streambank wild hollyhock mountain globemallow, this herbaceous perennial is in the mallow family, Malvaceae, that also includes okra, cotton, and hibiscus. It is native to western North America…
Edible Mushrooms: Giant Puffball (Calvatia gigantea)
Giant puffballs are saprophytes and found in temperate zones thoughout the world in disturbed sites with nutrient-rich soil such as woodland edges, meadows , fields, grasslands, and parks. They usually…
Plant Profile: Rosa ‘Elina’
Carried singly on long stems, the flowers of ‘Elina’ are almost 6″ across and have reflexed, petals. In cool climates the flowers are lemon yellow fading to cream at the…
Book Review: Just Cool It!
Climate change is a hot topic and whether you believe in it or not, knowing something about both sides of the debate is an important way to intelligent, knowledgeable voting…