Plant Profile: Sweetfern (Comptonia peregrina)
Karen This handsome low-growing suckering shrub is a native of Northeastern United States where it is found growing in poor gravelly or sandy soil along roadsides and similar waste areas. The…
Plant Combination: Plumed Celosia (Celosia argentea var. plumosa) and Crimson Barberry (Berberis thunbergii ‘Crimson Pygmy’)
Celosia thrives in the heat and humidity of a Southern summer and produce some beautiful combinations. One of my favorites is a crimson flowered celosia like ‘New Look’ with bronze…
Plant Profile: Bush Clover (Lespedeza bicolor)
Bush clover is a loose deciduous medium sized shrub native to eastern Asia but introduced into the United States in the mid 1800’s as an ornamental. Later used for erosion…
Book Review: Seeing Trees
Have you ever considered being a tree watcher? People watch birds so why not trees? Nancy Ross Hugo’s book, Seeing Trees, will give you all the information needed to spark…
Ten Interesting Facts about Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invictato)
The aggressive behavior and painful sting of the red imported fire ant (RIFA) makes it an unwelcome guest in gardens, woods, and fields. In addition to the pain the RIFA…
Plant Profile: Wall Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys aka T. x lucidrys)
This broadleaf evergreen, creeping shrub is native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean. Its attractive aromatic foliage forms a low mound of dark green oval leaves with scalloped margins on…
How to Care for Bonsai: Orange Jasmine (Murraya paniculata)
This tropical evergreen tree or large shrub is native to southern China, India, and Indonesia. It is neither a citrus nor jasmine but is closely related to the former and…
Plant Profile: Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
With a name like ‘tree of heaven’ you might think that it could be a desirable resident of your garden, but keep in mind that it is also called “ghetto…
Book Review: Mole’s Hill: A Woodland Tale
No gardener likes moles but Lois Ehlert’s book, Mole’s Hill, might soften those negative feelings. Based on a folktale of the Seneca Indians, Mole’s Hill is set in the woodlands…
Plant Combination: White Garden Phlox and Artemesia ‘Powis Castle’
The white flowers of the phlox are complemented by the silvery tones of the artemesia in this fragrant combo that is especially pretty in moon light. The fine texture of…