Shakespeare’s Garden: Quince
Karen The quince (Cydonia oblonga) belongs to the rose family (Rosaceae) along with apples, pears, and almonds. It is native to southwest Asia, Turkey, and Iran where it grows on rocky…
Plant Profile: Pineleaf Milkweed (Asclepias linaria)
Also called pine-needle milkweed, this evergreen herbaceous perennial or subshrub is a member of the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that also includes periwinkle. It is native to Arizona, New Mexico, and…
Plant Profile: Running Rock Cress (Arabis procurrens)
A stoloniferous herbaceous perennial, running rock cress is a member of the mustard family, Brassicaceae, that also includes cabbage, alyssum, and candytuft. It is native to Southern Europe where it…
Book Review: Medical Marijuana Dispensary
The mother and daughter-in-law team, Laurie Wolf and Mary Wolf offer an introduction to medical marijuana in their book, The Medical Marijuana Dispensary. As owners of a company in Oregon…
Beneficial Insects and How to Attract Them: Fireflies
Also known as lightening bugs, fireflies , are actually beetles belonging to the Lampyridae family of insects. There are over two thousand species, about one hundred fifty of which live…
Plant Profile: Cornish Bellflower (Campanula alliariifolia)
Also known as spurred bellflower, this herbaceous perennial is in the Campanulaceae family that also includes ladybell (Adenophora), Lobelia, and balloon flower. It is native to the Caucasus and Turkey…
Invasive Plants and Their Native Alternatives: Cranberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster apiculatus)
Native to the mountains of southwestern China, this deciduous shrub grows 2-3’ tall with a spread of 3-6’. Its arching reddish branches grow in a herringbone pattern and carry ¾”…
Plant Profile: Mexican Daisy/Fleabane (Erigeron karvinskianus )
Mexican daisy is a tender herbaceous perennial native to Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America but has naturalized elsewhere including the west coast of the US. It is…
Book Review: A Handful of Dirt
Raymond Bial’s book, A Handful of Dirt, is photographic essay about soil. Written for children ages 7-10, it covers the important and formation of soil as well as the many…
Rabbit Resistant Plants for the Garden: Spring Blooming Perennials for Sun
Few things are more discouraging that having a beautiful garden eaten by the rabbits. Few plants seem to be off limits for rabbits and tender new growth is especially appealing.…