Poisonous Plants : Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)
Karen Castor bean is native to Africa, Middle East and India but has naturalized all over the world in subtropical and tropical areas where it can be found in disturbed areas…
Plant Profile: European Cranberry (Viburnum opulus var. opulus)
European cranberry is a large deciduous suckering shrub and a member of the moschatel family, Adoxaceae, a small family of flowering plants that includes viburnums and elders. It is native…
Plant Combination: Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) and Threadleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticiliata)’ Zagreb’
Heat up a sunny border in mid-summer with this sizzling combination of yellow and orange. The coreopsis is a golden yellow that seems to shine with inner warmth. The butterfly…
Plant Profile: California Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium californicum)
California lady’s slipper is a herbaceous perennial and a member of the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is native to the mountains of northern California and southwestern Oregon where it grows…
Plant Profile: Choke Cherry (Prunus viginiana)
Growing 20-30 ‘tall, choke cherry is a deciduous suckering shrub or small tree and a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, that also includes lady’s mantle, pyracantha, and almonds. It…
Book Review: Poulets & Legumes
Legendary chef Jacques Pepin presents a selection of chicken and vegetables recipes in this charming little book, Poulets & Legumes. All of the recipes have been previously published in his…
Weeds and Their Control: Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
Garlic mustard is a biennial weed in the mustard family, Brassicaceae, that also includes broccoli, radishes, and alyssum. It is native to Europe, western and central Asia, andnorthwestern Africa but…
Plant Profile: Common Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
Common hawthorn is a thorny deciduous shrub or small tree and a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, that also includes cherry, lady’s mantle and almond. It is native to…
Plants of Colonial Williamsburg: Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
Also known as cilantro and Chinese parsley, coriander is a warm weather annual and a member of the carrot family, Apiaceae, that also includes celery, parsley, and Queen Anne’s lace.…
Plant Profile: Great Bellflower (Campanula latifolia)
Great bellflower is a coarse, clump-forming herbaceous perennial and a member of the Campanulaceae family that also includes balloon flower, lady bells (Adenophora), and Lobelia. It is native to Europe…