Botanical Latin: Angophora
Karen An GO phor a from the Greek words aggeion meaning vessel and phoreo meaning to carry; refers to the form of the fruit. Angophora is a genus of trees and…
Book Review: What’s Wrong with my Fruit Garden?
Gardeners who grow fruits and nuts face special problems in their attempt to grow tasty and attractive produce. The book , What’s Wrong With My Fruit Garden?, by Deardorff and…
Edible Flowers: Capers (Capparis spinosa var. inermis)
Caper is a broad leaf evergreen creeping shrub native to the Mediterranean, East Africa, Madagascar, parts of Asia, Himalayas, the Pacific Islands, Indomalaya, and Australia where it grows on lean,…
Plant Profile: Leopard Plant (Ligularia dentata)
Leopard plant is a clump forming perennial in the daisy family (Asteraceae) and a native of Japan and China where it grows in moist sites. It has leathery, dark-green, kidney-shaped…
Shakespeare’s Garden: Narcissus
Narcissus is a genus in the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) and also includes plants known as daffodils and jonquils. The narcissus that Shakespeare is referring to is probably Narciss pseudonarissus also…
Plant Profile: Rose ‘Alba Maxima’
Also known as the ‘Jacobite Rose’,’ Great Double White’, ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Rose’, and’Cheshire Rose’ this rose is very old and dates back to before 1499. The flowers have a…
Book Review: It’s a Good Thing There Are Butterflies
Butterflies add life and beauty to the garden thereby enhancing everyone’s experience there. Children are especially attracted to butterflies and Lisa Herrington’s book, It’s a Good Thing There Are Butterflies,…
Ten Interesting Facts about Woodlice (Sowbugs and Pillbugs) and How to Control Them
Woodlice can be a pest in the garden when the eat young seedlings. Altough sowbugs and pillbugs look very much alike, those that roll up into a ball when distubed…
Plant Profile: Bronze Leaf Rodgersia (Rodgersia podophylla)
Rodgersia podophylla is a clump forming rhizomateous perennial native to Japan and Korea where it lives in moist soil along streams and in shaded woodlands. It is a bold plant…
Weeds and Their Control: Annual Knawel (Scleranthus annuus)
Annual knawel is an annual in the pink family ( Caryophyllaceae) and native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Also known as German knot weed, it has spread throughout the…