Plant Profile: Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
Karen This vigorous deciduous woody vine, also known as woodbine, is native to eastern and central North America south to Mexico where it grows in a variety of habitats including forests,…
Weeds and Their Control: Heal-All (Prunella vulgaris)
Also called carpenter’s weed and wild sage, heal-all is a herbaceous perennial and a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae, that also includes thyme, basil, and ajuga. It is native…
Plant Profile: Chinese Hydrangea Vine (Schizophragma integrifolium)
Chinese hydrangea vine is a woody deciduous climber native to rocky hillsides and forest edges of western and central China. It is a member of the hydrangea family, Hydrangeaceae, that…
Plants of the Bible: Almond (Prunus amygdalus aka Prunus dulcis aka Amygdalus communis)
Almonds are deciduous trees native to the Indian subcontinent, North Africa, and the Middle East including Syria and Palestine. The upright tree grows 25-40′ tall and has wide spreading branches…
Edible Mushrooms: Pepper Milk Cap (Lactifluus piperatus)
The pepper milk cap mushroom may be found singly or in large groups from summer to fall usually in deciduous woodlands, less frequently in coniferous ones, in the northern temperate…
Plant Profile: Three-Leaf Akebia (Akebia trifoliata)
Also called chocolate vine, this semi-evergreen to deciduous woody climber is native to rocky places in the woods and thickets of Japan, Korea and China. and is a member of…
Gardens in Art: Medieval Hermit Garden-The Thebaid of Gherardo Starnina
This Thebaid attributed to Gherardo Starnina (1354-1413) is one of many such painting that told the stories of some early Christian monks and hermits who went in the areas of…
Plant Profile: Sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata)
This evergreen shrub or small tree is native to the western US and Canada where it grows in arid and semi-arid conditions in cold desert, steppe, amd mountain habitats. It…
Plants of the Bible: Twisted Acacia (Acacia raddiana aka Vachellia tortilis aka Acacia tortilis)
Also known as umbrella thorn and Israeli babool, this medium to large tree is native to arid and semi-arid regions of Africa but is also found in the Middle East…
Shakespeare’s Garden: Rice
The rice mentioned by Shakespeare is probably Asian rice, Oryza sativa, a member of the true grass family, Poaceae. It has a jointed stem that can grow two to ten…