Invasive Plants and Their Native Alternatives: Five Leaf Akebia (Akebia quinate)
Karen Also called chocolate vine, this twining, deciduous, woody vine is native to Japan, China, and Korea but was introduced into the US in 1845 as an ornamental and is now…
Plant Profile: Copper Iris (Iris fulva)
Copper iris is a rhizomatous perennial and a member of the iris family, Iridaceae, that also includes crocus, gladiolus, and freesia. It is native to southern and central US from…
Shakespeare’s Garden: Rye
Rye, Secale cereale, is an annual grass related to barley and wheat, and grown for grain, and as a forage and cover crop. It can grow three to six feet…
Plant Profile: Zigzag Iris (Iris brevicaulis)
Also called short-stemmed iris, this rhizomatous perennial and a member of the iris family, Iridaceae, that also includes crocus, gladiolus, and freesia. It is native to Ohio southwest to Nebraska,…
Plant Profile: Rosa La Marne
Large loose clusters of 9-20 flowers are produced in continuous flushes throughout the season. The flowers are 2” across, single to semidouble, and lack fragrance. They have ruffled deep pink…
Book Review: Vegetables Illustrated
America’s Test Kitchens cookbook, Vegetables Illustrated, is a treasure trove of recipes that make vegetables the star of the show. In spite of the title, the book is more about…
Old Time Recipes for Home Made Wines: Birch Wine
The sap of birch trees is probably most familiar in the carbonated drink called birch beer but can also be used to make an alcoholic beer, a wine, and a…
Plant Profile: Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
Purple loosestrife is a herbaceous perennial and member of the loosestrife family, Lythraceae, that also includes pomegranate and crepe myrtle, but is not related to other plants called loosestrife that…
The Language of Flowers: Amaranth (Amaranthus spp)
Amaranths are annuals or short term perennials and belong to the Amaranthaceae family that also includes spinach, celosia, and quinoa. Three species, love lie bleeding (A. caudatus), Joseph’s coat (A.…
Poisonous Plants: Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale)
This autumn blooming perennial is a member of the Colchicaceae family and not related to spring blooming crocus that is in the iris family, Iridaceae. It is also called naked…