Genus Astilbes for the Garden
Karen Also called false spirea, Astilbe is a genus of herbaceous perennials and members of the saxifrage family, Saxifrageceae, that also includes coralbells (heuchera), Bergenia, and Tiarella. Most astilbes are native…
Plant Profile: Adriatic Bellflower (Campanula garganica)
A native of southern Europe, Adriatic bellflower is a prostrate evergreen herbaceous perennial and a member of the the Campanulaceae family that also includes ladybells (Adenophera), balloon flower, and Lobelia.…
Book Review: In Aunt Giraffe’s Green Garden
Jack Prelutsky’s book, In Aunt Giraffe’s Green Garden’ is a celebration of fun experiences throughout the US plus Mexico. Written for children ages 4-8, the author presents 28 poems set…
Invasive Plants and Their Native Alternatives: Japanese Yew (Taxus cuspidata)
Also called spreading yew, this evergreen tree or large shrub is native to Japan, Korea, and China but has escaped from cultivation, naturalized in minimally managed areas, and is considered…
Plant Profile: Giant Coreopsis (Coreopsis gigantea aka Leptosyne gigantea)
Giant coreopsis is a woody perennial and a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes sunflower, daisy, and lettuce. It is native to central and southern coastal California…
Plant Combination: Yarrow (Achillea x ) ‘Coronation Gold’ and Hybrid Sage (Salvia x superb) ‘East Friesland’
This combination of violet-purple hybrid sage paired with deep mustard-yellow yarrow make a vivid statement over a long bloom period in summer. The flowering spikes of the sage give an…
Plant Profile: Grecian Foxglove (Digitalis lanata)
Also called wooly foxglove, this herbaceous biennial or short lived perennial is a member of the plantain family, Plantaginaceae, that also includes turtlehead, snapdragon, and Veronica. It is native to…
Book Review: Grow All You Can Eat in 3 Square Feet
Growing vegetables in a limited amount of space is challenging and DKs book, Grow All You Can Eat in 3 Square Feet is a great addition to the growing number…
Old Time Recipes for Home Made Wines: Sarsaparilla Mead
In her book, Old Time Recipes for Home made Wines, my paternal grandmother, Helen S. Wright, gives a recipe for sarsaparilla mead that calls for Spanish sarsaparilla. Sarsaparilla belongs to…
Plant Profile: Ground Morning Glory (Convolvulus sabatius aka C. mauritanicus)
Also called trailing morning glory and blue rock bindweed, this evergreen woody stemmed perennial is tender and usually grown as an annual. It is native to Italy and North Africa…