Book Review: 100 Plants to Feed the birds
Karen Meyers Laura Erickson’s book, 100 Plants to Feed the Birds, offers information and plants lists for creating a bird-friendly landscape in your own backyard. By planting a variety of native species,…
Weeds and Their Control: White Clover (Trifolium repens)
Native to meadows and woodlands of Europe and Central Asia, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the legume family, Fabaceae, that also includes beans, lentils, and lupines. Although not…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
This short lived tender perennial is native to southern Europe and North Africa but has naturalized in much of Europe where it is grown as an annual. . It is…
Book Review: Nature’s Best Hope
Nature’s Best Hope is Sarah L. Thomson’s middle grade adaption of Douglas W. Tallamy’s book by the same name. The author introduces the concept of Homegrown National Park that aims…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis)
In the Bible, mantles symbolize authority, responsibility, and the transfer of spiritual power as illustrated in the story of Elijah and Elisha. During the Middle Ages people, especially the monks…
Plant Profile: Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys)
Also known as bird’s-eye speedwell, and cat’s eyes, this herbaceous perennial is native to Europe where it is found in meadows, hedgerows, and open deciduous woodlands. It is a member…
Book Review: Mystical Mushrooms
Aurora Kane’s book, Mystical Mushrooms, explores a vast variety of topics concerning mushrooms from biology, to history, uses, folklore and real or imagined magical properties. A large section is devoted…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Morning Glory (Ipomoea tricolor)
During the Middle Ages people, the people, especially monks, who cultivated monastic gardens, often named plants to connect them to the attributes of the Virgin Mary and to the life…
Book Review: Cool Green: Amazing, Remarkable Trees
Lulu Delacre’s book, Cool Green: Amazing, Remarkable Trees, is a tribute to the diversity of the world of trees. Written for children 4-8 in grades preschool to three, Cool Green…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)
Also known as “Candlemas bells” and “Mary’s tapers”, snowdrops are a symbol of hope, new beginnings, and purity. Their early bloom date is usually near February 2, the date of…