Book Review: Lily
Karen Reading a whole book called Lily may not intrigue you at first glance but take a look and you will be amazed at how interesting the subject is. Author, Marcia…
Plant Profile: Plectranthus argentatus
Silver spurflower is a tender evergreen subshrub in the mint family (Lamiaceae) and native to eastern Australia. The downy pink-purple stems carry gray-green ovate leaves up to six inches long…
Plant Profile: Eastern Goat’s Rue (Galega orientalis)
This herbaceous perennial is a member of the legume family (Fabaceae) and native to the meadows and open forests of the Caucasus but is grown elsewhere as a fodder crop.…
Book Review: The Spice and Herb Bible
As more and more people become interested in the diverse foods available around the world the need for a knowledge of spices and herbs becomes more important. Ian Hemphill’s book,…
Plant Profile: Yellow Butterflybush (Buddleja x weyeriana) ‘Sungold’
B. weyeriana ‘Sungold’ is the result of a cross between the familiar B. davidii and B. globosa ‘Orange Ball’. It has long arching branches with gra-white stems that bear eight…
Plant Profile: Blue Shrimp Plant (Cerinthe major ‘Purpurascens’)
Also called honeywort and waxflower this annual or half hardy perennial is from the Mediterranean and does well in hot sunny conditions. It is in the borage family (Boraginaceae) along…
Plant Profile: Plume Thistle (Cirsium rivulare) ‘ Atropurpureum’
Plume thistle ‘Atropurpureum’ is a clump forming perennial that provides an architectural element in the garden. It has a branched, smooth, almost leafless stem that arises from a basal rosette…
Book Review: Two Hour Cross Stitch: Flowers
If you need a source of small floral related designs for a cross stitch project, Trice Boeren’s book, Two Hour Cross Stitch: Flowers, is a great source of motifs. The…
Plant Profile: Angel’s Fishing Rod (Dierama pulcherrimum)
Also called fairy wand, wandflower, and hairbells, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the iris family (Iridaceae) and native to South Africa. In mid- to late summer flowers are…
Book Review: Kitchen Garden Experts
Sustainability, seasonality, and local sources are among the raising values in food growing and preparation. Cinead McTernan’s book, Kitchen Garden Experts, describes the combined efforts of twenty celebrated chefs and…