A Visit to Yuhuayuan, the Imperial Garden in the Forbidden City, Beijing, China
Karen No trip to Beijing is complete without a visit to the Forbidden City but don’t count on seeing the Imperial Garden. The shear size of the Forbidden City is overwhelming…
Plant Profile: Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)
One of the outstanding conifers in my garden is Japanese cedar. There are many varieties, including dwarf forms, and each offers something special. For Christmas greens, you can’t beat var.…
A Visit to Master of the Nets Garden (Wang Shi Yuan) Suzhou, China
A visit to Suzhou is a “must do” for any visitor to China who likes gardens. Gardens have been part of Suzhou’s landscape since the Song dynasty, 1000 years ago.…
Plant Profile: Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)
Also known as cilantro and Chinese parsley, coriander is a warm weather annual and a member of the carrot family, Apiaceae, that also includes celery, parsley, and Queen Anne’s lace.…
Twelve Grapes for New Year’s Eve
If you live on the East coast on December 31 you might celebrate the coming of the new year by watching the descent of the famous Times Square ball but…
Plant Profile: Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)
Of all the pines, white pine is my favorite. I like the way they look growing in the a forest and in my garden, but most of all I treasure…
How to Make a Garnish Basket from a Butternut Squash
When preparing for a party or just an informal family gathering it’s fun to dress up the food with an eye catching garnish. Adding a little extra touch like a…
Plant Profile: Dill (Anethum graveolens)
Dill is a cool weather annual and a member of the carrot family, Apiaceae, that also includes celery, sea holly, and Queen Anne’s lace. It is native to northern Africa…
Mistletoe Myths and Legends
The Christmas season always ushers in the use of special plants and mistletoe is one of them. I have never been partial to it but have always been intrigued by…
Plant Profile: Lacebark Pine (Pinus bungeana)
We had a specimen lacebark pine on the front lawn of our Annapolis home and it gave us a great deal of pleasure for many years. It was one of…