Poisonous Plants: Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale)
Karen This autumn blooming perennial is a member of the Colchicaceae family and not related to spring blooming crocus that is in the iris family, Iridaceae. It is also called naked…
Plant Profile: Dwarf Mountain Fleabane (Erigeron compositus)
Also known as cutleaf daisy and trifid mountain fleabane, this herbaceous rhizomatous perennial is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, sunflower and lettuce. It is…
Plant Combination: Hardy Garden Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum x rubellum) ‘Clara Curtis’ and Dwarf Goldenrod (Solidago sphacelata) ‘Golden Fleece’
Mid-summer into fall can be a difficult time in the garden but not with this combination. Although most mums bloom in the fall, ‘Clara Curtis’ begins its show early and…
Plant Profile: Chilean Avens (Geum quellyon)
Also known as scarlet avens, double bloody Mary, and Grecian rose, this evergreen to semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial is native to central Chile. It is a member of the rose family,…
Book Review: Container Gardeners Handbook
If you like plants you will probably need or want at least a few containers filled with plants no matter where you live. Francis Tophill’s book, Container Gardener’s Handbook presents…
Weeds and Their Control: Broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus)
Also called whiskey grass, broomsedge is bunch grass native to southeastern US but has expanded its native range and can be found in the Midwest, Northeast, California and Hawaii. The…
Plants of Colonial Williamsburg: Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Also known as swine’s snout, Irish daisy, puffball, and peasant’s cloak, dandelion is a herbaceous perennial and a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow, and…
Plant Profile: Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia)
Also known as the bluebell of Scotland, harebell is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial and a member of the Campanulaceae family that also includes ladybell (Adenophora), balloon flower, and Lobelia. It…
Book Review: Bugs!
From the What on Earth? Explorer series comes this fascinating book on bugs that is sure to capture the attention of any bug lover. It is set up as a…
Invasive Plants and Their Native Alternatives: Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)
Butterfly bush is a deciduous medium to large shrub native to central China where it forms thickets along waterways. It is naturalized in the US, readily colonizes natural and disturbed…