Plant Profile: Beach Sunflower (Helianthus debilis)
Karen Also known as cucumberleaf sunflower, and East Coast dune sunflower, this short-lived tender perennial is a native of the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the US where it grows in…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Chives (Allium schoenopras) “Our Lady’s Garlic”
Karen Meyers The association between Mary and chives or garlic is illusive. Both plants are in the same genus, Allium, along with onions, shallots and leeks. The Bible does not mention chives…
Plant Profile: Turk’s Cap Lily (Lilium martagon)
Known since 1568, this herbaceous perennial is a native of Europe and Asia. It is a member of the Liliaceae plant family that also includes tulips, fritillaries, and Quamash. Plants…
Plant Profile: Prostrate Sand Verbena (Abronia umbellata)
Also known as beach sand verbena and purple sand verbena, this tender perennial is often grown as an annual and is a member of the four o’clock family, Nyctaginaceae, that…
Plant Profile: Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)
This clump-forming herbaceous perennial is native to woodlands of eastern US from Maine to Georgia and west to the Dakotas and Oklahoma. It is a member of the Geraniaceae plant…
Edible Mushrooms: Common Morel (Morchella esculenta aka M. esculentoides)
Also known as sponge morel, haystack, may mushroom, yellow morel and Molly Moocher, this distinctive mushroom is found in Europe and North America where it grows singly or in groups…
Plant Profile: Old Man’s Beard (Clematis vitalba)
Also known as white Virgin’s bower and Traveler’s joy, this deciduous perennial vine is native to forests and woodlands of Eurasia and North Africa. It is a member of the…
Plant Profile: Common Spreedwell (Veronica officinalis)
Also known as heath speedwell, common gypsyweed, and Paul’s betony, this mat-forming herbaceous perennial is native to open areas in Europe and western Asia. It is a member of the…
Plant Profile: Caucasian Wingnut (Pterocarya fraxinifolia)
Native to deep moist soils of the Caucasus, this suckering deciduous tree is a member of the walnut family, Juglandaceae, that also includes pecan and hickory. It grows up to…
Plant Profile: Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum aka Asperula odorata)
Also known as sweetscented bedstraw, this herbaceous perennial is native to Europe, Asia and northern Africa. It is a member of the coffee family, Rubiaceae, that also includes gardenia and…