Book Review: About Hummingbirds
Karen Humingbirds are always welcome in the garden and many of us grow plants just to attract them. Cathryn Sill’s book, About Hummingbirds, is a very nice way to introduce young…
Birds in the Garden: Plants That Attract Crow and Jay Family (Corvidae)
Corvids, as members of the family are called include ravens, magpies, and nutcrackers as well as crows and jays. They are large, highly intelligent, unafraid of humans, and have stout…
Plant Profile: Silver Spike Grass (Achnatherum calamagrostis)
This cool weather grass is a native of the mountains of southern Europe where it is found in forest openings. In addition to cool temperatures it likes low humidity. It…
How to Care for Bonsai: Olive (Olea europaea)
This evergreen tree or shrub is native to the Asia,, Africa, and the Mediterranean. It is known in literature from Homer’s time, is important in Greek mythology, and is one…
Plant Profile: California Nutmeg (Torreya californica)
Indemic to forested areas of California, California nutmeg is not related to the spice nutmeg, Myristica fragrans. It is similar, however, to some of the plum yews and podocarps in…
Book Review: Southeast Home Landscaping
A country as large as the United States includes many different climate zones so a book dealing with a specific area has great potential for planning a garden. Heat combined…
Garden Pests: Chipmunks and Their Control
Chipmunks can be an amusing asset to a garden. Their small size, attractive coloration and frenetic search for food make them very entertaining as they dash around stopping only to…
Plant Profile: Buffalo Berry (Shepherdia argentea)
This deciduous slow growing mound-shaped shrub is a native of central and western North America. It has spiny silvery gray twigs and green leaves one to two inches long and…
Trees with Decorative Bark
In winter when many trees have shed their leaves and the garden is sleeping, the beauty of bark can best be appreciated. Bark can provide color and texture that produces…
Plant Profile: Lacy Tree Fern (Cyathea cooperii)
Lacy tree fern is native to eastern Australia but grows well in tropical and subtropical areas where winter temperatures are mild and rainfall is abundant. The common name, lacy tree…