Plant Profile: Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)
Karen Russian olive, also known as oleaster and oil-tree, is a thorny, deciduous small tree or large shrub growing up to 23’ tall and is native to southern Europe and western…
Plant Combination: Myrtle Spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites) and Purple Heart ( Tradescantia pallida) ‘Purpurea’
This pleasing color combination offers long season interest for a hot sunny spot. The spurge is evergreen and begins in spring with chartreuse flowers against the blue-gray foliage. Later in…
Plant Profile: Flat Topped White Aster (Aster umbellatus aka Doellingeria umbellate)
Flat topped white aster, also known as parasol whitetop and tall white aster, is a bushyherbaceous perennial native to eastern and north central US where it is found in moist…
Gardening at Sissinghurst
Tony Lord’s book, Gardening at Sissinghurst offers readers a chance to learn how this amazing garden was created, maintaine and enhanced. Using the personal writings of Vita Sackville-West and Harold…
Weeds and Their Control: Marsh Bentgrass (Agrostis palustris)
Also called creeping bentgrass, this is a low growing perennial grass grown for high quality putting-green turf on golf courses. It is a member of the grass family, Poaceae, that…
Plant Profile: Antelope Brush (Purshia tridentata)
Also known as bitterbrush, buckbrush, and quinine brush this semi-evergreen shrub is native to open woods, stream banks, rocky slopes and pine forest in mountainous areas from Alberta to British…
Edible Flowers: Cowslip (Primula veris)
Cowslip is an evergreen or semi-evergreen perennial native to Europe and Asia. It is a member of the primrose family (Primulaceae) along with shooting star (Dodecatheon maedia), oxslip (Primula elatior)…
Plant Profile: Rose ‘The Fairy’
One of the most popular and widely grown Polyanthas, ‘The Fairy’ has mid-pink frilly double flowers that fade to almost white. They are produced in clusters of ten to forty…
Book Review : The Complete Book of Nature Craft Techniques
Getting back to basics is a good way to put new life into a favorite hobby. The Complete Book of Nature Craft Techniques, by Deborah Morgenthal and Chris Rich, provides…
Collecting Seed: Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
Hollyhocks are handsome plants that give the garden vertical movement and bring a touch of nostalgia. They are usually treated as biennials so that seeds are collected in summer and…