Plant Profile: Astelia chathamica
Karen Native to the Chatham Islands off the Pacific coast of New Zealand where it grows in forest margins, this evergreen herbaceous perennial forms large clumps of gently arching sword like…
Book Review: About Reptiles
Kids love finding a turtle in the garden but what about a snake? Cathryn Sill’s book About Reptiles, show young readers that turtles and snakes as well as alligators and…
Plant Combination Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ and Purple Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
These two perennials provide long season interest in the border. Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ emerges from the ground in blue-green mounds. As summer approaches it produces masses of tiny green buds…
Plant Profile: Hart’s Tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium)
This deciduous perennial fern is a native of Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and northern parts of Asia where it grows in moist limestone-rich soils. North America hosts a…
Birds in the Garden: Plants that Attract the Nuthatch Family (Sittidae)
The nuthatch family consists of a single genus, Sitta, four of which are found in the United States. Two nuthatches, the white-breasted and red-breasted, are found in the forested areas…
Five Famous Topiary Gardens Of England
England has some of the finest examples of topiary in the world. Yet topiary is not an English invention; it goes back at least to ancient Roman times. Wall paintings…
Ornamental Grasses for Cold Climates
Ornamental grasses are more and more popular as garden styles are changing and a natural look is developing. They have a lot to offer a gardener because they can play…
Plant Profile: King’s Spear (Asphodeline lutea)
This evergreen clump-forming perennial is native to the eastern Mediterranean, north Africa and Turkey, where it grows in scrubby meadows and rocky slopes. It produces whorls of grassy gray-green foliage…
Botanical Latin: Pogonia
Pogonia (puh GOH nee uh) derived from Greek pogon meaning beard Pogonia is a genus of terrestrial orchids that includes four species native to temperate regions, mostly in Asia. The…
Plant Profile: Lords and Ladies (Arum italicum)
This herbaceous perennial is a native of the Mediterranean region and other parts of Europe and the East, but has naturalized in various parts of the world including scattered places…