Plant Profile: Stiff Twinspur (Diascia rigescens)
Karen Also called bride’s saddle, this spreading, semi-evergreen, tender perennial is a native of South Africa where it grows in damp places on grassy mountain slopes or in full sun in…
Plant Profile: Parrot Lily (Alstroemeria psittacina aka A. pulchella)
Parrot lily is a clump-forming, tuberous perennial native to southern Brazil, northern Argentina and north-eastern Paraguay. It grows 2-3′ tall and is evergreen in mild climates. The lanceolate leaves are…
Weeds and Their Control: Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
Black locust is a deciduous tree and member of the pea family, Fabaceae, that also includes lupine, mimosa, and baptisia. It is native to the Allegheny Mountains , but invades…
Plant Profile: Dotted Gayfeather (Liatris punctata)
Also known as dotted blazingstar and narrow-leaves blazingstar, this herbaceous perennial is native to the central plains of the US from Canada to northern Mexico. It is a member of…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Blue Passionflower (Passiflora caeruleae)
Also known as bluecrown passionflower and common passion flower, this vigorous vine is native to South America from Bolivia to Brazil and northern Argentina. It is a member of the…
Plant Profile: Crown Vetch (Securigera varia aka Coronilla varia)
Also called purple vetch, this herbaceous perennial vine is native to Europe, southwest Asia, and northern Africa but was introduced into the US for soil improvement and erosion control in…
Book Review: Seeing Through the Smoke
In his book, Seeing Through the Smoke, Dr. Peter Grinspoon, MD, explores the controversy concerning the use of cannabis; is it a low risk medicine or an insidiously addictive drug?…
Weeds and Their Control: English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English ivy is an evergreen climbing vine and a member of the Aralia family, Araliaceae, that also includes Fatsia and Schefflera . It is native to most of Europe and…
Plant Profile: California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum aka Zauschneria californica)
California fuchsia, also known as hummingbird flower and firechalice, is a semi evergreen subshrub and a member of the evening primrose family, Onagraceae, that also includes Gaura and Clarkia. It…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Palestinian Tumbleweed (Anastatica hierochuntica)
Also known as rose of Jericho, Maryam’s flower, flower of St. Mary, St. Mary’s flower, Mary’s flower, and white mustard flower, this annual herb is native to the deserts of…