Shakespeare’s Garden: Pear
Karen Pears are in the genus Pyrus and family Rosaceae. Shakespeare’s pear was probably the common pear (Pyrus communis) which is native to central and Europe, and southwest Asia. They are…
Plant Profile: Mexican Columbine (Aquilegia skinneri)
Mexican columbine is a clump forming perennial native to Mexico and New Mexico. It is a member of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, that also includes anemone, delphinium, and monkshood. The…
Book Review: Bad Apple: A Story of Friendship
What does friendship mean? Edward Hemingway’s book, Bad Apple, explores the meaning of friendship, how we choose our friends, and how we stand up to peer pressure when others do…
Plants That Attract Beneficial Insects: Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
This clump-forming, long-lived, herbaceous perennial is native to eastern North America where it tends to grow on dry soil in full sun . It is a member of the dogbane…
Plant Profile: Coast Rock Cress (Arabis blepharophylla)
Also known as rose rock cress, this evergreen herbaceous perennial is a member of the mustard family, Brassicaceae, that also includes alyssum, cabbage, and broccoli. It is endemic to California…
Invasive Plants and Their Native Alternatives : Shoebutton Ardisia (Ardisia elliptica)
Native to India, Sri Lanka, Indochina, Malaysia, Indonesia, and new Guinea, shoebutton ardisia is an evergreen shrub or small tree growing up to 17’ tall. It was introduced into Florida…
Plant Profile: Japanese Spirea (Spirea japonica)
Also known as Japanese meadowsweet, Japanese spirea is native to riparian areas, bogs, and other wetland habitats in Japan, China, and Korea but was introduced into North America as an…
Book Review: In My Kitchen
Award winning chef and author, Deborah Madison, presents one hundred new and favorite recipes in her book In My Kitchen. Drawing on many years of experience Madison’s recipes reflect both…
Old Time Recipes for Home Made Wines: Morello Wine
Morello cherries are a sour, very dark red cherries native to Europe and southwest Asia. They were cultivated by the Greeks as early as 300 BC and were popular with…
Plant Profile: Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)
Common buckthorn is a suckering deciduous shrub or small tree growing up to 25’ tall and a member of the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae that also includes wild lilacs (Ceanothus) It…