Plant Profile: Hairy Alumroot (Heuchera villosa)
Karen Hairy alumroot is an evergreen herbaceous perennial and a member of the saxifrage family, Saxifragaceae, that also includes tiarella, bergenia, and astilbe. It is native to Southeast from Virginia to…
Plant Profile: Northern Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum)
Karen Meyers Northern maidenhair fern is a perennial deciduous clump-forming fern native to North America and Asia where it grows in humusy, moist well drained soils and rocky areas. It is a…
Plant Profile: Rose ‘Double Delight’
Long conical buds unfurl slowly to creamy white high-centered flowers with just a hint of red on the outer petals. As the flowers mature the red coloring grows, especially in…
Plant Profile: Firecracker Plant (Cuphea ignea aka C. platycentra)
Also known as cigar flower, this tender evergreen sub-shrub is native to Mexico and the West Indies but is often grown as an annual in elsewhere. It is a member…
Plant Profile: Love in the Mist (Nigella damascena)
Also called ragged lady and devil in the bush, this annual is a member of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, that also includes anemone, columbine and delphinium. It is native to…
Plant Profile: Purple Leaf Sand Cherry ( Prunus x cistena)
Purple leaf sand cherry is a deciduous medium sized shrub or small tree and a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, that also includes almond, pyracantha, and ladies mantle. It…
Plant Profile: Woollyhead (Craspedia uniflora)
Native to New Zealand and Australia, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, sunflower, and lettuce. It has simple, opposite green leaves…
Plant Profile: Trailing Abutilon (Abutilon megapotamicum)
Trailing abutilon is a deciduous or partially evergreen shrub native to Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay where it grows in dry mountain valleys. It is a member of the mallow family,…
Book Review: The Little Tree That Would Not Share
Nicoletta Costa’s book, The Little Tree That Would Not Share, tells the story of young tree living in a city that takes great delight in his new leaves as they…
Plant Profile: Barley (Hordeum vulgare)
This cereal grain is a member of the grass family, Poaceae, that also includes rice, corn, and bamboo. Early evidence for barley indicates that it has been grown in Eurasia…