Botanical Latin: Abronia
Karen Abronia (a BRO ni a) from the Greek word abros, meaning delicate The bracts beneath the flowers of this group of plants is delicate, giving them this generic name. Abronia…
Plant Profile: Moonshine Yarrow (Achillea x ‘Moonshine’)
‘Moonshine’ yarrow is a compact, clump-forming herbaceous perennial and member of the aster family, Asteraceae that also includes goldenrod, daisy, and lettuce. It is a hybrid between A. clypeolata and…
Book Review: The Creative Shrub Garden
There are many books written on mixed borers but few that focus on shrubs. Andy McIndoe fills this void with his book, The Creative Shrub Garden, that shows readers how…
Gardens of Maderia: Jardim de Sao Francisco and Jardim Sata Catarina, Funchal, Maderia
Madeira is known for its wine and flowers, and the capital city Funchal takes both seriously. A frequent stop for cruise ships, the city of Funchal dates back the 1505…
Plant Profile: Alpine Columbine (Aquilegia alpina)
A native of meadows in the Swiss Alps, this short lived perennial is a member of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, and closely related to baneberry (Actaea spp.) and monkshood/wolfsbane (Aconitum…
Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra spp.) for the Garden
Bleeding hearts are one of the most popular plants for shade gardens. They belong to a genus composed of about twenty species of herbaceous perennials or annuals native to North…
Plant Profile: Snakeweed (Polygonum bistorta aka Persicaria bistorta)
Snakeweed is a clump forming herbaceous perennial native to Europe and western and central Asia where it grows near water and damp meadows. It is a member of the knotweed…
Book Review: Lola Plants a Garden
Anna McQuinn’s book, Lola Plants a Garden, tells a familiar story in a unique way. Written for children ages two to five in preschool to kindergarden, the story is about…
Weeds and Their Control: Dollarweed (Hydrocotyle umbellate)
Dollarweed, also known as marsh/water pennywort, is a perennial aquatic weed native to North and South America. It can be found in southeastern US where it grows on beach dunes,…
Summer Blooming Perennials for High Altitude Gardens
Plants in high altitude gardens face unique challenges in terms of drying winds, intense sun, short growing season and frigid temperatures in winter. But none of those factors means that…