Plant Profile: Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa amurensis japonica)
Karen Also known as Syringa reticulata, this deciduous tree or shrub is found growing in organically rich, well-drained soil in northern area where winters are very cold. It is a member…
Plant Profile: Caucasian Comfrey (Symphytum caucasicum)
This coarse herbaceous perennial is native to the Caucasus Mountains where it grows in waste places, along roadsides, in scrub, and along streams. It is a member of the boarage…
Plant Profile: Wandflower (Sparaxis tricolor)
Also called harlequin flower, this tender bulb is endemic to the western cape of South Africa. It is a member of the iris family, Iridaceae, that also includes gladiolus, crocus,…
Plant Profile: Argentine Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium striatum)
This evergreen perennial is a native of Argentina and Chile where it grows in alpine grasslands, open woods, and meadows. It is not a true grass and is in the…
Book Review: Smashed, Mashed, Boiled, and Baked–and Fried, Too!: A Celebration of Potatoes in 75 Irresistible Recipes
French fries, baked potatoes, and mashed potatoes are familiar meal time fare but have you thought about trying some totally new potato dish? You might consider one of the unique…
Plant Profile: Alpine Pink (Dianthus alpinus)
Alpine pink is a short lived, herbaceous perennial native to to the Alps of eastern Austria. It is a member of the carnation family, Caryophyllaceae, that also includes baby’s breath,…
Plant Profile: Wallich Spurge (Euphorbia wallichii)
Wallich spurge is a clump forming herbaceous perennial native the Himalayas. It is a member of the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae, that also includes poinsettia, caster-oil plant, and cassava. The lanceolate…
Plant Profile: White Wood Aster (Aster divaricatus aka Eurybia divaricata)
A native of eastern US, white wood aster is found in open areas of the deciduous woodlands of the Appalacian Mountains from Maine to Georgia. It is a herbaceous perennial…
Plant Profile: Rose ‘Clair Matin’
Small clusters of three to seven coral colored buds open to salmon colored flowers that slowly fade to pale pink with a mass of golden stamens. The flowers are slightly…
Plant Profile: Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea)
Scarlet oak is a long-lived deciduous tree belong to the oak family, Fagaceae, that also includes beeches and chestnuts. It is native to central and Eastern US where it grows…