Shakespeare’s Garden: Rhubarb
Karen Rubarb (Rheum spp) is a genus of about 60 species and in the buckwheat family, Polygonaceae, that includes sorrel, sea grape, and the pesky Japanese knotweed. Rheum species have large…
Invasive Plants and Their Native Alternatives: Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius)
Rosary pea is an evergreen woody vine native that grows ten to twenty feet long and often climbs over small trees and shrubs. It has a deep root system, slender…
Butterflies in the Garden and How to Attract Them: American Painted Lady Butterfly (Vanessa virginiensis)
The American lady butterfly is a common sight in open areas such as gardens, meadows, roadsides and vacant lots in North America. It is at home in southern US to…
Shakespeare’s Garden: Rice
The rice mentioned by Shakespeare is probably Asian rice, Oryza sativa, a member of the true grass family, Poaceae. It has a jointed stem that can grow two to ten…
Butterflies in the Garden and How to Attract Them:Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
One of the most familiar butterflies in the eastern part of the US from the Rockies to the Atlantic coast, the eastern tiger swallowtail inhabits broadleaf woodlands, fields, roadsides, gardens,…
Shakespeares Garden: Harebell
The harebell of Shakespeare has been identified as the wild hyacinth, Hyacinthoides non-scripta (syn. Scilla nutans), called English bluebell in modern times. It is a perennial spring blooming bulb native…
Butterflies In The Garden and How to Attract Them: Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia)
A native of tall and mixed grass prairies, the regal fritillary is found from eastern Montana to Maine south to eastern Colorado and western North Carolina where it lives in…
Shakespeare’s Garden: Bachelor’s Button
The plant known as bachelor’s button today is Centaurea cyanus, an annual native to Europe. It is in the aster family, Asteraceae that also includes daisies, sunflowers, and lettuce. Intense…
Butterflies in the Garden and How to Attract Them: Eastern Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) CHECK BEFORE POSTING
The eastern black swallowtail is found in eastern US from the Atlantic Ocean to the Rockies into Arizona and and Mexico. It inhabits open areas such as suburbs, gardens, farmland,…
Herbaceous Perennials for Wall Gardens in Partial Shade
Plants that prefer good drainage are excellent subjects for inclusion in wall gardens especially if they are small so they can be tucked into crevices. The plants soften the look…