Wildflowers: Iris Native to the Pacific Coast
Karen Meyers Iris is a genus of 310 species and is in the plant family Iridaceae that also included gladiolus, crocus and freesia. The plants are all perennial and grow from rhizomes…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Common Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
Hawthorn has a long history in folklore, religion and herbal medicine. In ancient times it was associated with fertility and used as a charm to ward off witchcraft and vampires…
Book Review: Container Gardening The Permaculture Way
Author, Valery Tsimba, shares her experience with permaculture vegetable gardening on her 2′ x 22′ balcony in Paris, France. She shows that gardening in an eco-friendly way can result in…
Meadow Garden: Native Sedges
Sedges offer numerous benefits to meadows and some can be used instead of turf grass for lawns. They are aesthetically pleasing and play a significant role in in the ecological…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum AKA Asperula odorata) Our Lady’s Lace, Our Lady’s Needlework
Sweet woodruff has been valued since the Middle Ages for its medicinal and aromatic properties. It was used to treat various ailments from wounds to heart problems, and to freshen…
Book Review: From Plant to Plate
In their book, From Food to Plate, Darryl Gadzekpo and Ella Phillips share their knowledge of cooking, gardening and plant-powered food in a comprehensive guide to growing your own produce…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum sp.) Our Lady’s Hair
Mary is usually shown in Medieval and Renaissance art with most of her hair covered by a veil or scarf as was the Jewish custom of her time. Women, especially…
Growing Bulbs in the Natural Garden
Internationally acclaimed designer, Jacqueline van der Kloet, shares her extensive knowledge and expertise in her book, Growing Bulbs in the Natural Garden. Comprehensive in nature, the book includes the basic…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Common Speedwell (Veronica officinalis) Our Lady’s Resting Place
According to the Bible, Mary made several significant journeys in her adult life that could have involved a resting place along the way: to the hill country of Judea to…
Book Review: Grow
Riz Reyes’ book, Grow, is a beautiful introduction to 14 plants and one fungus. Written for children ages 8-12 in grades 3-7, the book present the plants and fungus as…