Characteristics of Old Garden Roses: Bourbon Roses
Karen Bourbon roses are generally believed to be the result of an accidental cross between the china “Old Blush’ and the autumn flowering damask, ‘Quatre Saisons’. The name comes from the…
Book Review: The World Encyclopedia of Cacti and Succulents
With the increasing concern for water availability the interest in xeriscaping has risen and what better plants to use than cacti and succulents? Their variation in shape, size, and colors…
Plant Profile: Edmee Gold Boxleaf Honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida ‘Briloni’)
The name “honeysuckle” probably conjures up visions either of humming-bird magnets or invasive pests and this honeysuckle is neither. Edmee gold boxleaf honeysuckle is grown primarily for its beautiful chartreuse…
Herb Garden: Five Herbs for Red Dyes
The beautiful red colors produced by vegetable dyes have a richness and mellowness that can’t be achieved with chemical dyes. These many shades of red can be produced by a…
Plant Profile: Ornamental Oregano ‘Rotkugel’ (Origanum x ‘Rotkugel’)
The name “oregano” may conjure up visions of pizza or Greek salad but after you grow this ornamental form you will find a whole new place in your life for…
Book Review: A Weed By Any Other Name: The Virtues of a Messy Lawn, or Learning to Love the Plants we Don’t Plant
After reading Nancy Gift’s book, A Weed by Any Other Name, you will gain a whole new perspective on weeds. After all, one man’s weed is another man’s prize plant,…
Five Fabulous Pink Single Roses
When you think about a rose you probably invision the ones from a florist like Mdme Delbard or the cabbage roses pictured in 17th century paintings. These roses are beautiful…
Plant Profile: ‘Goodness Grows’ Speedwell (Veronica ‘Goodness Grows’)
Blue spikes in the garden are always welcome and ‘Goodness Grows’ is one of the best. The deep blue flowers clothe erect stems to form a bushy clump about 12”…
Herb Garden: Five Beautiful Shrubs for the Dye Garden
You might never dye your own cloth but having an herb garden that features plants historically used in dye making is an interesting and enjoyable endeavor. The colors are usually…
Plant Profile: ‘Ogon’ Dwarf Sweet Flag (Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’)
The cascading clumps of dwarf sweet flag make a graceful addition to a border and are especially useful where moist or wet soil prevails. Dwarf sweet flag likes boggy to…