Ornamental Grass Used as Ground Covers
Karen Ornamental grasses make excellent ground covers. Clump-forming grasses can be used to make attractive patterns while fast spreading running grasses can stabilize the soil and reduce erosion. Both the foliage…
Plant Profile: White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda)
Also known as doll’s eye, this herbaceous perennial is native to eastern North America where it thrives in the rich, moist soil of deciduous woodlands. It is a member of…
Book Review: About Raptors
Raptors are not usually everyone’s favorite bird but they play an important role in the environment and should be appreciated. Cathryn Sill’s book, About Raptors, introduces young readers to these…
Weeds and Their Control: Black Medic (Medicago lupulina)
Black medic is an annual or short lived perennial weed that is actually beneficial. Its roots have the ability to take nitrogen from the air and put it in the…
Plant Profile: Goat’s Beard (Aruncus dioicus)
This shrub-like herbaceous perennial, also known as bride’s feather, is native to North America, and northern Europe and Asia where it grows in moist woodlands. It is a member of…
Birds in the Garden: Plants that Attract the Hummingbird Family (Trochilidae)
There are over 300 species of hummingbirds, all in the New World. Most are found in the topics and subtropics of Brazil and Equador but sixteen species are found in…
Plant Profile: Rosa ‘Ispahan’
With fragrant mid-pink flowers this Damask rose is one of the favorite old garden roses of many distinguished rose growers. Clusters of up to fifteen large double roses are produced…
Book Review: Japanese Garden Design
As soon as you enter a Japanese garden you know that it is special and different from western gardens in many ways. But have you ever considered why the gardens…
Birds in the Garden: Plants that Attract the Wood Warbler Family (Purulidae)
The warbler family is a large and diverse group, including over one hundred species spread out over North America, Central America, South American and the West Indies. Most prefer aboreal…
Plant Profile: Siberian bell Flower (Campanula poscharskyana)
This herbaceous perennial is native to the northern Balkans. It quickly spreads from the root crown by prostrate stems to form an attractive ground cover and will cascade down a…