Plant Profile: Mock Orange (Philadelphus coronarius)
Karen Also known ans English dogwood, this deciduous shrub is native to southern Europe and Asia Minor, and is a member of the hydrangea family, Hydrangeaceae, that also includes tree anemone,…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Old World Plane Tree (Platanus orientalis)
Native to riparian sites of southeastern Europe to western Asia, this long-lived deciduous tree is also known as oriental plane and is a member of the small Platanaceae family that…
Plant Profile: Tuberose (Polianthus tuberosa aka Agave amica)
Native to Mexico, this tender perennial is in the asparagus family, Asparagaceaea, that also includes bluebell, yucca, and hosta. With a tuberous rhizome, the plant grows 2-3′ tall and forms…
Common Diseases of Corn and Their Control: Sooty Mold
Karen Meyers This fungal disease appears as a black powdery coating on leaves and is caused by one of several different sac fungi (Ascomycetes), often Cladosporium and Alternaria. The appearance on corn…
Plant Profile: Dalhia ‘Twynings After Eight’
Dahlias are tender herbaceous perennials native to the cool, moist mountains of Mexico and Central America. They are a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also include sunflower yarrow,…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Periwinkle (Vinca major and V. minor)
These perennial evergreen vines are a member of the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that also includes milkweed, oleander, and bluestar. They are native to Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia. There…
Plant Profile: Sand Cherry (Prunus pumila)
Native to shorelines and dunes in northern US from Maine to Montana, south to Virginia and Colorado, this deciduous shrub is a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, that also…
Plant Profile: Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum multiflorum)
Also known as David’s harp, and ladder-to-heaven, this rhizomatous herbaceous perennial is native to Europe and temperate Asia. It is in the asparagus family, Asparagaceae, that also includes yucca, hosta,…
Plant Profile: Corkscrew Willow (Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’)
Also known as Hankow willow, curly willow, dragon’s claw willow and globe willow, this multi stemmed deciduous tree is a member of the willow family, Salicaceae, that also includes aspen,…
Plant Profile: Field pansy (Viola arvensis)
Also called johnny jump up, this herbaceous annual is native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa, and a member of the violet family, Violaceae. The plant grows up to…