Plant Profile: Kashmir Cypress (Cupressus cashmiriana)
Karen Kashmir cypress is an evergreen coniferous tree native to Bhutan and adjacent areas in India. Considered one of the most beautiful of all coniferous trees, it is often associated with…
Tiarella for the Garden
Tiarellas, commonly called foamflowers, are popular perennials for shade gardens. . There are about six species five of which are native to North America and one to Asia. The plants…
Plant Profile: White Snake Root (Ageratina altissima aka Eupatorioum rugosum)
Also known as tall boneset and richweed, this herbaceous perennial is native to central and eastern North America where it grows in woods and thickets. It is a member of…
Book Review: Square Foot Gardening for Kids
Mel Bartholomew has been known for decades for his Square Foot Gardening books that present his unique approach to vegetable gardening. With this book Bartholomew extends his expertise to children…
Old Time Recipes for Home Made Wines: American Champagne
My paternal grandmother, Helen S. Wright, must have been fond of champagne as she collected several recipes for her book, Old Time Recipes for Home Made Wines published in 1909.…
Plant Profile: Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa)
This evergreen liana is a native of the tropical jungle from southern Mexico to Panama and is a member of the arum family (Araceae) that includes jack-in-the-pulpits, peace lilies, and…
Botanical Latin: Coeloglossum
Coeloglossum (Co el o GLOSS um): from Greek koilos meaning hollow and glossa meaning tongue Coeloglossum is the generic epithet of an orchid with only one species, C. viride, also…
Plant Profile: Fascicularia bicolor
Fascicularia bicolor is an evergreen terrestial perennial and native of Chile where it grows in rocky ground on the southern coast. It a member of the bromeliad family (Bromalaceae) that…
Book Review: Food Not Lawns
Sustainability, ecological design, and permaculture are growing trends and Food Not Lawns is part of that trend. The author, Heather C. Flores, is an activist and urban gardener who advocates…
Garden Plants for Flower Arranging: Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox)
Wintersweet is a vigorous deciduous shrub native to China where it grows in mountainous forests. The small pendent flowers are fragrant and have yellow tepals with purple centers. They appear…