Plant Profile: Caucasian Wingnut (Pterocarya fraxinifolia)
Karen Native to deep moist soils of the Caucasus, this suckering deciduous tree is a member of the walnut family, Juglandaceae, that also includes pecan and hickory. It grows up to…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Water Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis scorpoides) “Eyes of Mary”
Karen Meyers The small, delicate, blue forget-me-not flowers link the plant to the Virgin Mary. The modest, yet beautiful appearance of the flowers reflects Mary’s humility and the blue color symbolizes her…
Plant Profile: Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum aka Asperula odorata)
Also known as sweetscented bedstraw, this herbaceous perennial is native to Europe, Asia and northern Africa. It is a member of the coffee family, Rubiaceae, that also includes gardenia and…
Book Review: Houseplant Hookups: All the Dirt you Need to Find the Perfect Match
Agatha Isabel’s book, Houseplant Hookups, is a delightful spook on the online dating scene that blends humor and solid information. As Isabel points out, each potential plant match has its…
Edible Mushrooms: The Cep (Boletus edulis)
Also known as the porcino (plural, porcini) mushroom, this distinctive fungus is a favorite of cooks. It is found in late summer and fall growing in deciduous woods especially oak…
Plant Profile: Warley Rose Stonecress (Aethionema x warleyense)
This evergreen subshrub is probably a cross of A. armenum and A. grandiflorum. It is a member of the mustard family, Brassicaceae, that also includes broccoli, cabbage, and asylum. Plants…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Common Sage (Salvia officinalis) “Mary’s Shawl”
The appearance and folklore of sage have led to an association between this herb and the Virgin Mary. The soft, velvety texture of the leaves brings to mind the protective…
Plant Profile: Longleaf Speedwell (Veronica longafolia aka Pseudolysimachion longifolium)
Also known as garden speedwell, this herbaceous perennial is native to Europe and Asia where it grows in grassy areas, meadows, steppes and woodland edges. It is a member of…
Book Review: Zen in the Garden
In her book, Zen in the Garden, author Miki Sakamota shares her thoughts and experiences in the Zen garden she and her husband established in the countryside not far from…
Edible Mushrooms: Charcoal Burner (Russula cyanoxantha)
The charcoal burner can be found singly or in troops from summer to fall in deciduous and coniferous woodlands of the northern temperate zone including North America and Europe. It…