Common Diseases of Corn and Their Control: Sooty Mold
Karen Meyers This fungal disease appears as a black powdery coating on leaves and is caused by one of several different sac fungi (Ascomycetes), often Cladosporium and Alternaria. The appearance on corn…
Plant Profile: Dalhia ‘Twynings After Eight’
Karen Dahlias are tender herbaceous perennials native to the cool, moist mountains of Mexico and Central America. They are a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also include sunflower yarrow,…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Periwinkle (Vinca major and V. minor)
These perennial evergreen vines are a member of the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that also includes milkweed, oleander, and bluestar. They are native to Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia. There…
Plant Profile: Sand Cherry (Prunus pumila)
Native to shorelines and dunes in northern US from Maine to Montana, south to Virginia and Colorado, this deciduous shrub is a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, that also…
Book Review: The New Chardonnay
The legalization of marijuana by many states for both medical and recreational use has allowed cannabis to enter the mainstream of American life but the path has not always been…
Poisonous Plants: Mezereum (Daphne mezereum)
Also known as February daphne, spurge laurel or spurge olive, this deciduous shrub is native to limestone soils in mixed woodlands of most of Europe and western Asia, north to…
Plant Profile: Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum multiflorum)
Also known as David’s harp, and ladder-to-heaven, this rhizomatous herbaceous perennial is native to Europe and temperate Asia. It is in the asparagus family, Asparagaceae, that also includes yucca, hosta,…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Oleander (Nerium oleander)
Oleander is an evergreen shrub or small tree and a member of the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that also includes blue star (Amsonia), periwinkle (Vinca), and milkweed (Ascelpius). Its native range…
Plant Profile: Corkscrew Willow (Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’)
Also known as Hankow willow, curly willow, dragon’s claw willow and globe willow, this multi stemmed deciduous tree is a member of the willow family, Salicaceae, that also includes aspen,…
Book Review: From Soil to Garden
In her book, From soil to Garden, Mari Schuh, introduces young readers to the steps necessary to create a garden. She begins by discussing the basic characteristics of a suitable…