History of Vegetables: Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus)
Karen If you have ever seen a cardoon it was probably a garden specimen planted because of the architectural quality it provides. The recorded history of the cardoon goes back to…
Plant Profile: Bear’s Paw (Cotyledon tomentosa subsp. tomentosa)
Native to the semi-desert Little Karoo region of South Africa, this succulent, evergreen. perennial shrub is a member of the stonecrop family, Crassulaceae, that also includes sedum, jade plant, and…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Monkey Plant (Mimulus ringens)
What could be more charming and enticing than monkeys in the garden? Monkey flower is a bushy herbaceous perennial with lots of lilac-blue (occasionally pink or white) flowers that resemble…
Plant Profile: Lambstongue Ragwort (Senecio integerrimus)
Native to grassland, shrublands, and forests of western and central North American this herbaceous biennial or perennial is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow,…
Plants of the Bible: Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)
Known by many names including holy thistle, St. Mary’s thistle, and our Lady’s thistle, this annual or biennial is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy,…
Weeds and Their Control: Nodding Spurge (Euphorbia nutans)
Also called eyebane, nodding spurge is an annual herb and a member of the euphorbia family, Euphorbiaceae, that also includes poinsettia, caster oil plant, and cassava. It is native to…
Plant Profile: Chameleon Plant (Houttuynia cordata)
Native to Southeast Asia, this herbaceous perennial is known by many names including fish mint, rainbow plant, heart leaf and Chinese lizard tail. A member of the lizard-tail family, Saururaceae,…
Plants For A Plant Zoo: Leopard’s Bane (Doronicum caucasicum aka Doronicum orientalis)
The profusion of yellow, daisy-like flowers of this herbaceous perennial are welcome in spring and can brighten a shady spot in the garden while it sparks the imagination of little…
Plant Profile: Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
Native to tropical areas from Polynesia and Hawaii west to Southeast Asia, Australia, and Madagascar , this slow growing epiphytic fern is a member of the spleenwort family, Aspleniaceae. The…
Plants of the Bible: Common Grape (Vitis vinifera)
Also called European grape, this deciduous woody vine is native to the riversides and damp wood in the Mediterranean region including central Europe, southwestern Asia, and north Africa, and was…