Plant Profile: Mickey Mouse Bush (Ochna serrulata)
Karen This semi-evergreen shrub is a native of subtropical South Africa where it grows in a variety of habitats ranging from disturbed areas, such as roadsides, to forested areas and grasslands.…
Book Review: About Insects
Whether a child finds insects fascinating or scary Cathryn Sill’s non-fiction book, About Insects, will and provides a more detailed look at eighteen specific ones. Written for young children, it…
Plant Profile: Southern Maidenhair Fern aka Venus Hair Fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris)
A native of tropical and temperate regions in the United States, Central and South America, Eurasia, western Asia and Australasia this deciduous fern is widely grown in the garden and…
Plant Profile: Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)
This herbaceous perennial is native to the Northern Hemisphere where it is found growing in marshes, stream edges, and other wet areas. A member of the buttercup family, marsh marigold…
Vaijanti Mala (Indian Prayer Beads)
As we entered the foyer of the Lalit Hotel in Khajurho, India, we were welcomed by greeters who placed a necklace of gray beads around our neck. Made from the…
Plant Profile: Rose ‘Mme. Plantier’
The many petaled flowers are borne in clusters of five to twenty flowers and are at first pink before fading to white. The petals are often arranged around a small…
Book Review: The Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses
The use of ornamental grasses is becoming increasingly popular and pampas grass, Japanese silver grass, and feather reed grass can be found in nurseries, big box stories, and from online…
Plant Combination: Milky Bellflower (Campanula lactiflora var. coerulea) and Montbretia (Crocosmia) ‘Lucifer’
This tall combination makes a striking focal point in the back of the border during the summer. The violet blue of milky bellflower complements the scarlet red of ‘Lucifer’. The…
Plant Profile: String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
This tender evergreen perennial vine, also known as rosary plant, is native to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Swaziland where it grows in well-drained soil in some sun but is commonly…
Ornamental Grasses with Fragrance
Most gardeners do not think of growing grasses for fragrance but there are some available. The fragrance may be in the flowers, the roots, or the leaves. Grasses with fragrant…