Book Review: It’s a Good Thing There are Ladybugs
Karen Ladybugs are one of the most irresistible insects that inhabit our gardens but they do more than just add life, movement and beauty to our gardens. Author Joanne Mattern in…
Butterflies in the Garden and How to Attract Them: Long-Tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus)
Primarily a butterfly of South and Central America, the long tailed skipper can be found in Texas, Southern California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, and occasionally in the Mississippi Valley, Midwest, and…
Plant Profile: Himalayan Blue Poppy (Meconopsis × sheldonii)
This herbaceous perennial is a member of the poppy family (Papaveraceae) and produced by a cross made in 1934 between M. grandis and M. betonicifolis. The mid green leaves are…
Outstanding Miniature Roses for Standards
Rose standards can add color, verticality and structure to a any garden. Many different kinds of roses can used for making standards and miniature roses are especially desirable because they…
Plant Profile: Yellow Wax Bells (Kireneshoma palmata)
Yellow wax bells is a clump forming herbaceous perennial belonging to the hydrangea family (Hydrangeaceae) and native to mountainous woodlands of Japan and Korea. Strong maroon stems carry dark green,…
Book Review: Gardening with Less Water
A lack of water is becoming more and more of a problem throughout the world driving up the cost of water and food. David A. Bainbridge’s book, Gardening with Less…
Edible Flowers: Chinese Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa sinensis)
Chinese hibiscus is a tropical evergreen shrub or small tree belonging to the mallow family (Malvaeceae) along with hollyhock, cotton, okra, and cacao. It is a popular landscape plant in…
Plant Profile: Sea Kale (Crambe maritima)
Sea kale is herbaceous perennial and a member of the mustard/cabbage family ( Brassicaceae) that also includes wallflowers, stock and horseradish. It is native to Europe and since the 18th…
Narcissus for Shady Sites
Daffodils do not like shade. They may bloom well the first year but if they do not have sufficient sun they can not store enough energy to keep on producing…
Plant Profile: Bonnet Bellflower (Codonopsis clematidea)
Bonnet bellflower is a herbaceous perennial climber in the bellflower family (Campanulaceae) and native to eastern and central Asia. It has brittle slender stems and pale gray-green leaves that are…