Plant Profile: Netted Iris (Iris reticulata)
Karen This iris, native to the area of the Caucausus makes its appearance early, about the time that the snow drops, glory-of-the-snow and early crocuses bloom. One of my favorite early…
Plant Profile: Grecian Windflower (Anemone blanda)
Native to southeastern Europe, Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria Grecian windflower is a herbaceous perennial belonging to the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, that also includes delphinium, clematis, and hellebore. The plants grow…
Plant Profile: Winter Honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima)
If you looked at the botanic name for winter honeysuckle you probably noticed a word you partially recognized, “fragrantissima”. If you take off the suffix –issima, the name tells you…
Name This Plant Game: Early Blooming Plants 3
admin This simple game tests your gardening knowledge by identifying five plants shown in photos from a list of possible names. Two photos of each plant are accompaned by a clue…
Plant Profile: Spike Winter Hazel (Corylopsis spicata)
Native to Japan, this flowering deciduous shrub is in the witch hazel family, Hamamelidaceae, that also includes fothergill and loropetalum. The unusual fragrant flowers that appear in late winter to…
Plant Profile: Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)
The bright yellow flowers of Winter Aconite stand out against the bare soil or the winter snow in late winter to early spring, a great reminder that spring really is…
Crossword Puzzle 2: Names of Spring Bulbs
This crossword puzzle tests your knowledge about Spring flowering bulbs. All the answers are common names of bulbs. To complete the puzzle click on one of the Across or Down…
Plant Profile: Bodnant Viburnum (Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’)
The pink to white flowers of Bodnant viburnum in winter is a very welcome sight especially after a series of gray cold days. In mild climates the flowers may begin…
Plant Profile: Pussy Willow (Salix discolor)
Pussy willow is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to moist and wet soils of northern regions of North America including parts of the US. It is a member…
Plant Profile: Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum)
One of the most endearing wild flowers is the dogtooth violet also called trout lily. The yellow nodding flower with its recurved petals and long brown stamens is borne singly…