Plant Profile: Russian Comfrey (Symphytum x uplandicum)
Karen Russian comfrey is a natural hybrid from a cross between S. asperum and the herb, S. officinale. It is a member of the borage family, Boraginaceae, that also includes Virginia…
Adonis for the Garden
Native to Europe, Africa and Asia, Adonis is a genus in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, that also includes anemone, delphinium, and hellebore. There are about twenty species but only a…
Plant Profile: Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis)
Chinese pistacihe is a deciduous tree native to the Philippines, and central and western China where it is a popular garden plant. It is a member of cashew family, Anacardiaceae,…
Book Review: How Do Apples Grow?
Some books are for fun others for education and How Do Apples Grow? combines both. Author Betsy Maestro follows a year in the life of an apple tree with a…
History of Vegetables: Biretta Vermelha Pepper (Capsicum baccatum)
Also known as Nepalese Bell, Chapeau de Frade (friar’s cap), and orchid pepper, this unique pepper from Brazil is one of a group of peppers known as Aji’s that are…
Plant profile: Alpine Wallflower (Erysimum linifolium)
Native to Spain and Portugal this herbaceous perennial is a member of the mustard family, Brassicaceae, that also includes cabbage, broccoli, and alyssum. The species forms loose mounds of wiry…
Plants for Rain Gardens: Summer Blooming Native Perennials for Wet Conditions
The moisture conditions in a rain garden vary and four regions can be identified: areas with 1. shallow water most of the time, 2.wet soil with occasional standing water, 3.…
Plant Profile: Red Spider Lily (Lycoris radiata)
Red spider lily is a bulbous perennial native to China, Korea and Nepal. It is member of the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) that also includes agapanthus, daffodils, and garlic. The deep…
Book Review: The Living Landscape
The Living Landscape offers anThe home landscape offers many opportunities and if you want to have all the traditional virtues of a garden while attracting wildlife, education on how to…
Old Time Recipes for Home Made Wines: Parsnip Wine
My paternal grandmother, Helen S Wright, included three recipes for parsnip wine in her book, Old Time Recipes for Home Made Wines. Two of the three recipes begin with ample…