Plant Profile: Oregano (Oreganum vulgare var. hirtum)
Karen There are probably very few people who have not tasted oregano. It is an important herb in the cooking of many countries including Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Greece, Italy Mexico, and…
Plant Profile: Common Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Karen Meyers Common sage is a perennial subshrub and a member of the deadnettle family, Lamiaceae, that also includes basil, mint, and beebalm. It is native to the southern Mediterranean coast including…
Plant Profile: Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)
One of the outstanding conifers in my garden is Japanese cedar. There are many varieties, including dwarf forms, and each offers something special. For Christmas greens, you can’t beat var.…
Plant Profile: Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)
Also known as cilantro and Chinese parsley, coriander is a warm weather annual and a member of the carrot family, Apiaceae, that also includes celery, parsley, and Queen Anne’s lace.…
Plant Profile: Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)
Of all the pines, white pine is my favorite. I like the way they look growing in the a forest and in my garden, but most of all I treasure…
Plant Profile: Dill (Anethum graveolens)
Dill is a cool weather annual and a member of the carrot family, Apiaceae, that also includes celery, sea holly, and Queen Anne’s lace. It is native to northern Africa…
Plant Profile: Lacebark Pine (Pinus bungeana)
We had a specimen lacebark pine on the front lawn of our Annapolis home and it gave us a great deal of pleasure for many years. It was one of…
Plant Profile: Aloe (Aloe vera aka Aloe barbadensis)
Best known as aloe vera, this evergreen succulent perennial is a member of Asphodelaceae family that also includes daylily (Hemerocallis), red hot poker (Kniphofia), and foxtail lily (Eremurus) Its origin…
Plant Profile: Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila)
Native to East Asia, this fast-growing woody evergreen vine is a member of the mulberry family, Moraceae, that also includes banyan, osage orange, and rubber plant. It grows up to…
Plant Profile: Common Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Also called English thyme, this well branched aromatic evergreen shrub is native to the western Mediterranean region to southern Italy. It is a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae, that…