Plant Profile: Old Man’s Beard (Clematis vitalba)
Karen Meyers Also known as white Virgin’s bower and Traveler’s joy, this deciduous perennial vine is native to forests and woodlands of Eurasia and North Africa. It is a member of the…
Plant Profile: Hollow Root (Corydalis cava) Our Lady’s Hens
The link between Corydalis cava and the Virgin Mary rests on two features of the plant, its rootstock and its cluster of flowers. The rootstock consists of a hollow tuber…
Plant Profile: Common Spreedwell (Veronica officinalis)
Also known as heath speedwell, common gypsyweed, and Paul’s betony, this mat-forming herbaceous perennial is native to open areas in Europe and western Asia. It is a member of the…
Book Review: Green Farming
Green Farming is an introduction to farming in an environmentally friendly way, written for children 8-10 years old in grades 3-5. It is part of a series that introduces young…
Edible Mushrooms: Shaggy Parasol (Chlorophyllum rhacodes aka Lepiota rhacodes aka Macrolepiota rhacodes)
Found throughout Europe and North America, shaggy parasol is most common from the Rockies eastward in the US. It prefers light shade and rich soil and grows alone or in…
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”
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…