Book Review: Eat Your Flowers
Karen Meyers Eat Your Flowers by Loria Stern is a culinary adventure that combines flavors and aesthetics. Although the title uses the word “Flowers” the book actually includes all botanicals from flowers…
Weeds and Their Control: Yellow Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus)
Karen Yellow rabbitbrush is a rounded deciduous shrub and member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, sagebrush, and lettuce. It is native to western North America and can…
Plant Profile: Alstromeomeria ligtu Hybrids
The Alstromoemeria ligtu hybrids are the result of a cross between closely related genera, A. haemantha and various subpecies of A. ligtu, all tender perennials native to Chile. They grow…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Sweet Violet (Viola odorata)
Native to Europe and Asia, this herbaceous perennial belongs to the plant family Violaceae, that also includes pansies and johnny jump ups. It grows 4-10″ tall and has a basal…
Plant Profile: Common Wood Aster (Aster cordifolius aka Symphyotrichum cordifolium)
Also known as heart-leaved aster or blue wood aster, this clumping herbaceous perennial is a member of the aster family, Asteraceeae, that also includes sunflower, daisy, and lettuce. It is…
Book Review: The Edible Flower
The Edible Flower, by Erin bunting and Jo Facer, offers and introduction to growing edible flowers and incorporating them into everyday cooking. They focus on flowers that add flavor as…
Weeds and Their Control: Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
Purple loosestrife is a herbaceous perennial and member of the loosestrife family, Lythraceae, that also includes pomegranate and crepe myrtle, but is not related to other plants called loosestrife that…
Plant Profile: Corn Marigold (Chrysanthemum segetum aka Glebionis segetum)
Native to the eastern Mediterranean and western Africa, corn marigold is a rounded spreading annual and a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes sunflower, yarrow, and lettuce.…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Periwinkle (Vinca minor)
Also called myrtle and the Virgin flower this perennial evergreen vine is a member of the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that also includes milkweed, oleander, and bluestar. It is native from…
Plant Profile: Hairy Sunflower (Helianthus hirsutus)
This herbaceous perennial is found from south-central Canada, through eastern and central US to northeastern Mexico where it grows in open forests, woodlands edges, prairies, grasslands, savannas, and disturbed sites…