Weeds and Their Control: Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)
Karen Multiflora rose is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub or climbing vine that is probably the parent of ramblers and the popular Polyantha roses of today. Native to Japan, Korea, and eastern…
Weeds and Their Control: Marsh Bentgrass (Agrostis palustris)
Also called creeping bentgrass, this is a low growing perennial grass grown for high quality putting-green turf on golf courses. It is a member of the grass family, Poaceae, that…
Collecting Seed: Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
Hollyhocks are handsome plants that give the garden vertical movement and bring a touch of nostalgia. They are usually treated as biennials so that seeds are collected in summer and…
Weeds and Their Control: Yellow Rocket (Barbarea vulgaris)
Also called bittercress, herb barbara, rocketcress, winter rocket, and wound rocket, this herbaceous biennial belongs to the mustard family, Brassicaceae, that also includes broccoli, alyssum, and stock. It is native…
Collecting Seed: Sunflowers (Helianthus spp)
The large genus of Helianthus includes bth annualas and perennials but the most commonly grown is an annual, Helianthus annus. The plants are usually tall and bear very large showy…
Weeds and Their Control: Herb Bennet (Geum urbanum)
Also known as wood avens, colewort, and St. Benedict’s herb, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, that also includes cherry, lady’s mantle, and Potentilla. It…
Growing Plants from Seed: Beets (Beta vulgaris)
Garden beets do double duty as vegetable, providing leafy greens as well as a root crop. The root may be red, pink, orange, golden yellow, white, or white and red…
Beneficial Arachnida and How to Attract Them: Predatory Mites
There are thousands of predatory mites in North America and they belong to several different arachnid families. The most important family is Phytoseiidae and the mites belonging to this family…
Weeds and Their Control: Common Blue Violet (Viola papilionacea aka sororia)
The common blue violet is a herbaceous perennial belonging the Violaceae family that also includes pansies. It is native to eastern US where it prefers moist soil but is drought…
Growing Plants From Seeds: Melons (Cucumis melo)
Muskmelon, honeydew, Crenshaw, casaba, cantaloup, Persian melon Christmas melon, and Armenian cucumber (not really a cucumber) are all varieties or cultivars of Cucumis melo and can cross with each but…