Meadow Garden: Tall Native Grasses
Karen Meyers Tall native grasses are usually associated with the natural prairie ecosystem of central US. This area has rich loess soils and moderate rainfall of 30-35 inches per year and are…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina) “Our Lady’s Fingers”
The name ,”Our Lady’s Fingers” for Stachys byzantina probably arose from Christian folklore and plant symbolism. The soft, velvety texture of the plant’s leaves suggests the gentle, comforting touch of…
Book Review: The Secret World of Plants
The Secret World of Plants by Ben Hoare explores the plant kingdom through the unique stories of over 100 amazing plants. Written for children ages 7-9 in grades 2-4, the…
Meadow Garden: Low Growing Native Flowering Perennials for Part to Full Shade
Low growing perennials in a meadow garden add color and textures as well as the opportunity to extend the bloom time. Also considered groundcovers, these plants will grow in the…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Spotted Dead Nettle (Lamium maculatum) “Madonna’s Milk”
The name “Madonna’s Milk” for Lamium maculatum probably arose from Christian folklore and medieval plant symbolism. The white markings on the leaves of spotted dead nettle probably suggested drops of…
Book Review: How to Keep Your Plants Alive
How to Keep your Plants Alive, by Kit Carlson and Aaron Carlson, is a brief guide to successful houseplant gardening. After discussing the basics of growing plants indoors from light…
Meadow Garden: Medium-Height, Native, Flowering Perennials for Moderate to Dry Soil in Full Sun
The following list of plants are 12-30″ tall and do well in average to lean soil. Most are native to the central part of the US and can grow in…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Italian Daisy (Aster amellus) “Our Lady’s Birthday Flower”
Italian aster is known as “Our Lady’s Birthday Flower” because of its later summer bloom about the time of Mary’s birth. The Bible does not provide information on Mary’s infancy…
Book Review: Tiny + Wide
In his book, Tiny + Wild, author and landscape designer Graham Laird Gardner provides a guide for turning a small part of a yard into a mini-meadow. The area can…
Meadow Garden: Tall Native Flowering Perennials for Moderate to Dry Soil in Full Sun
The plants in the following list are 30″ or more tall and will stand out among the majority of the plants in a meadow garden. They are suitable for lean…