Plant Profile: Blanket Flower (Gaillardia x grandiflora)
Karen This hybrid short-lived perennial is the result of a cross between tall, perennial G. aristata and shorter, annual G. pulchella and is a vigorous, long blooming plant with a short…
Book Review: Nature’s Best Hope
Karen Meyers Nature’s Best Hope is Sarah L. Thomson’s middle grade adaption of Douglas W. Tallamy’s book by the same name. The author introduces the concept of Homegrown National Park that aims…
Weeds and Their Control: Field Pennycrest (Thlaspi arvense)
Field pennycrest is an annual weed and member of the mustard family, Crucifereae, that also includes cabbage, broccoli, and sweet alyssum. It is a native of Eurasia but was introduced…
Plant Profile: Highway Iceplant (Carpobrotus edulis)
Highway iceplant is a creeping perennial succulent and a member of the fig-marigold family, Aizoacea, that also includes “living stones”, and New Zealand spinach. It is native to coastal areas…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis)
In the Bible, mantles symbolize authority, responsibility, and the transfer of spiritual power as illustrated in the story of Elijah and Elisha. During the Middle Ages people, especially the monks…
Plant Profile: Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys)
Also known as bird’s-eye speedwell, and cat’s eyes, this herbaceous perennial is native to Europe where it is found in meadows, hedgerows, and open deciduous woodlands. It is a member…
Book Review: Mystical Mushrooms
Aurora Kane’s book, Mystical Mushrooms, explores a vast variety of topics concerning mushrooms from biology, to history, uses, folklore and real or imagined magical properties. A large section is devoted…
Weeds and Their Control: Ladysthumb (Polygonum persicaria aka Persicaria maculosa)
Also known as redshank, and Jesusplant, this annual weed is a member of the buckwhat family, Polygonaceae, that also includes sorrel, dock, and rhubarb. It is native to Eurasia from…
Plant Profile: White Mugwort (Artemisia lactiflora)
White mugwort is clump forming herbaceous perennial native to India and western China. It is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisies, sunflowers, and lettuce. Plants…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Morning Glory (Ipomoea tricolor)
During the Middle Ages people, the people, especially monks, who cultivated monastic gardens, often named plants to connect them to the attributes of the Virgin Mary and to the life…