Plant Profile: Peanut (Arachis hypogaea)
Karen Peanuts are annuals and are hybrids developed and domesticated in Argentina. They are a member of the bean/pea family (Leguminosae/Fabaceaea) and like other plants in the family contain symbiotic bacteria…
Outstanding Pink Modern Climbing Roses for the Garden
Roses climbing on a wall, arches or trellises are a beautiful sight. Modern climbers resemble tall lax shrubs but offer repeat or continuous bloom which sets them apart from older…
Plant Profile: Snowy Mermaid (Libertia formosa)
Also called Chilean iris, this evergreen herbaceous perennial is a member of the Iris family (Iridaceae) and native to Chile. It was introduced into California where it has naturalized and…
Book Review: Herbal Healing for Women
As more and more medicines come on the market and are advertised on TV with all their warnings, many women are going back to home remedies that employ herbs as…
Edible Flowers: Scented Geranium (Pelargonium)
Scented geraniums are species are cultivars characterized by fragrant leaves. They are all in the genus Pelargonium and should be distinguished from true geraniums that are in the genus Geranium…
Plant Profile: Himalayan Honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa)
Also called Himalaya nutmeg, flowering nutmeg, and pheasant berry, this deciduous thicket-forming shrub is a member of the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae) and native to woodlands in the Himalaya and southwestern…
Shakespeare’s Garden: Crowflowers
The crowflower of Shakespeare has been various identified as ragged robin ( Lychnis flos-cuculi), buttercup (Ranunculur spp), and common bluebell or scilla (Hyacinthoides nonscripta) but ragged robin is the most…
Plant Profile: Rose Nastarana
Clusters of pointed buds open to pale pink flowers that quickly fade to white. The stamens make little petaloids that give a unique look to the flowers. Long slender hips…
Book Review: Rondale’s Basic Organic Gardening
Organic gardening has been around for over forty years but although it is becoming increasingly popular many people are still unfamiliar with what it actually involves. Deborah L. Martin’s Rodale’s…
Growing Plants from Seed:Snapdragon (Anthirrhinum major)
Snapdragons are tender perennials that are usually grown as annuals. They need cool temperatures to grow well and are usually planted in the spring in USDA zone 7 and north,…