Asclepias for the Garden
Karen Asclepias is a genus of herbaceous perennials and belongs to the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that also includes bluestar, periwinkle, and oleander. Many species are native to the North America and…
Plant Profile: Pink Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium acaule)
Also known as moccasin flower and stemless lady’s slipper, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is native to the Great Lakes Region, Northeast and…
Book Review: 100 Bugs
Kate Narita’s book, 100 Bugs, is a virtual smorgasbord of fun for kids. Written for children ages 5-7, the book uses 10 different bugs to get to 10 by combinations…
Plant Profile: Lobed Tickseed (Coreopsis auriculata)
Also called mouse-ear tickseed, this bushy herbaceous perennial is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes sunflower, daisy, and lettuce. It is native to southeastern and east-central…
Edible Mushrooms: The Golden Coral Fungus (Ramaria aurea)
The Golden Coral Fungus (Ramaria aurea)The glden coral fungus is found in North America growing in leaf litter and undergrowth of deciduous and coniferous trees from summer through fall especially…
Plant Profile: Solitary Clematis (Clematis integrifolia)
Solitary clematis is a sprawling perennial with a woody base and a member of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, that also includes anemone, delphinium, and columbine. Native to central and southern…
Book Review: Nature’s Mutiny
Climate change is a hot topic now and Phillipp Blom weights in with his book Nature’s Mutiny, that explores the consequences of the Little Ice Age. Blom sets the time…
Old Time Recipes for Home Made Wine: Raisin Wine
Raison wine dates back to pre-Roman times when grapes were dried to concentrate their juices. Such wines are still being made in northern Italy, Greece and the French Alps with…
Plant Profile: Mallow Bindweed (Convolvulus althaeoides)
Mallow bindweed is a herbaceous perennial climbing vine and a member of the morning glory family, Convolvulaceae, that also includes sweet potato, water spinach, and dodder. Native to southern Europe…
The Language of Flowers: Common Locust (Robinia psuedoacacia)
Common locust is a medium sized deciduous tree growing forty to one hundred feet tall with attractive blue-green pinnately compound leaves and beautiful loose pendent clusters of very fragrant creamy…