Genus: Bottlebrush (Callistemon spp)
Karen Native to Australia, these broadleaf evergreen shrubs or small trees are members of the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, that also includes clove, allspice, and eucalyptus. The common name, bottlebrush, comes from…
Plant Profile: Winter’s Bark (Drimys winteri aka Wintera aromatica)
Also known as canelo, this evergreen large shrub or small tree is native from Tierra del Fuego to Mexico, and is a member of the Winteraceae, a primitive plant family…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Common Bear’s Breeches (Acanthus mollis)
Karen Meyers Also called sea dock, bear’s foot, and oyster plant, this tender herbaceous perennial is a member of the mostly tropical plant family, Acanthaceae, that also includes polka dot plant, shrimp…
Plant Profile: Chinese Paperbush (Edgeworthia chrysantha)
Native to the woodlands of China, this deciduous shrub is a member of the Thymelaeaceae, a plant family that also includes Daphne. It grows up to 6′ tall and wide,…
Book Review: Herbal Antibiotics
In his book Herbal Antibiotics, author Stephen Harrod Buhner explains the need for using herbal antibiotics rather than pharmaceuticals for treating disease-resistant bacteria, and gives detailed information on herbal treatments.…
Drought Tolerant Plants: Annuals with White Flowers
Water is essential for plant growth but plants vary greatly in their need for it. Since the amount of water on earth is finite but the demand is not, we…
Plant Profile: Fraser’s Sedge (Carex fraseriana)
Also known as lily leaf sedge, this evergreen herbaceous perennial is endemic to the southern Appalachian mountains and a member the Cyperaceae, a plant family of over 2,000 species that…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Hart’s Tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium aka Phyllitis scolopendrium.)
A member of the spleenwort family (Aspleniaceae) this evergreen fern is native to central and southern Europe, western Asia, northern Africa and eastern North America where it often grows in…
Plant Profile: Mountain Pepperbush (Clethra acuminata)
Also known as cinnamon pepperbush, this deciduous shrub or small tree is native to the Appalachian Mountains of the southeastern US. It grows up to 8-20′ tall and has an…
Book Review: Growing Flowers
In her book, Growing Flowers, flower farmer and florist, Niki Irving, shares her expertise on creating a cutting garden and using its bounty to make beautiful arrangements. Aimed a newbies,…