Plants for a Mary Garden: Common Daisy (Bellis perennis)
Karen Meyers Common daisy is often included in Mary gardens although it is most closely associated with Mary Magdalene rather than with the Virgin Mary. Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus’ most…
Plant Profile: Persian Stonecress (Aethionema grandiflorum aka A. pulchellum)
Karen Persian stonecress is an evergreen rounded subshrub native to eastern Turkey, the southern Caucasus, and northern Iran where it grows on limestone slopes . It is a member of the…
Book Review: The Good Garden
Chris McLaughlin’s book, The Good Garden, outlines a sustainable approach to gardening that respects the long-term health of the environment and emphasizes biodiversity, conservation, and stewardship. The author covers all…
Weeds and Their Control: Touch-Me-Not (Impatiens pallida)
Also called, jewelweed, touch-me-not is an annual and a member of the balsam family, Balsaminaceae, that also includes busy lizzie. It is native to Canada and the US and grows…
Plant Profile: Carolina Lupine (Thermopsis villosa aka T. caroliniana)
Native to the mountains of the Carolinas and Georgia, this clump-forming herbaceous perennial is known by many common names including Aaron’s rod, false lupine, blue ridge lupine, golden-banner, and bush…
Plants for a Mary Garden : Sea Thrift ( Armeria maritima) Our Lady’s Cushion
Armeria maritima is associated with the Flight into Egypt by the Holy Family which is described in the Gospel of Matthew (2: 13-15). According to this account, after the birth…
Plant Profile: Diascia vigilis
This mat-forming semi-evergreen tender perennial is native to South Africa where it grows along mountain streams and damp edges of forest clearings. It is a member of the figwort family,…
Book Review: 100 Plants to Feed the birds
Laura Erickson’s book, 100 Plants to Feed the Birds, offers information and plants lists for creating a bird-friendly landscape in your own backyard. By planting a variety of native species,…
Weeds and Their Control: White Clover (Trifolium repens)
Native to meadows and woodlands of Europe and Central Asia, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the legume family, Fabaceae, that also includes beans, lentils, and lupines. Although not…
Plant Profile: Littleleaf Mock-Orange (Philadelphus microphyllus)
Littleleaf mock-orange is a bushy multibranched deciduous shrub native to the Southwest US from Wyoming to northern Mexico west to California where it grows in the scrub and brush habitats…