Plant Profile: Summer Savory (Satureja hortensis)
Karen Summer savory is an annual and a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae, that also includes rosemary, thyme, and beebalm. It is native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region.…
Book Review: The Little Flower Recipe Book
Karen Meyers Florist, Jill Rizzo, explores the world of miniature arrangements in her book, The Little Flower Recipe Book. With a love of the natural garden look, she presents 149 examples of…
Poisonous Plants: Four-O’Clock (Mirabilis jalapa)
Native to the dry tropical regions of North, Central, and South America, this herbaceous perennial, also known as marvel of Peru and is a member of the plant family Nyctaginaceae…
Plant Profile: Peruvian Lily (Alstroemeria aureae)
Native to Chile, this tender perennial is a member of the Alstroemeriaceae plant family and a popular cut flower of the floristry industry. It is the hardiest and most vigorous…
Old Time Recipes for Home Made Wines: Red and White Gooseberry Wine
Most gooseberries in the US are either Ribes uva-crispa (European gooseberry), Ribes hirtellum (American gooseberry), or a variant of one of these. Fruit from European gooseberries are larger and reportedly…
Plant Profile: Lace Aloe (Aloe aristata)
Also called torch plant, this tender succulent perennial is native to South Africa and Lesotho and is member of the Asphodelaceae plant family that also includes red hot poker, foxtail…
Book Review: Me, Toma and the Concrete Garden
In his book, Me, Toma and the Concrete Garden, Andrew Larsen looks at the growth of a friendship, a garden, and community spirit. When Vincent spends the summer in a…
Common Diseases of Tomato and Their Control: Anthracnose
Anthracnose is a fungal disease that affects tomato and potato as well as plants in several other plant families including cucumber, onion and bean. The pathogen specific to tomato, Colletotrichum…
Plant Profile: Cliff Stonecrop (Sedum cauticola aka Hylotelephium cauticola)
Also called shortleaf stonecrop, this succulent perennial is native to Japan where it grows on rocky cliffs. It is a member of the stonecrop family, Crassulaceae, that also includes jade…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Ivy (Hedera helix)
This evergreen climbing vine is a member of the Aralia family, Araliaceae, that also includes Fatsia and Schefflera. It is native to most of Europe and western Asia where it…