Wildflowers: Liatris Native to New England
Karen Meyers Often known as gayfeathers or blazing stars, these herbaceous perennials are a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, zinnia, and lettuce. They are native to North…
Plant Profile: Cream Scabiosa (Scabiosa ochroleuca)
Karen Native to southern Europe and Asia Minor, this short-lived herbaceous perennial is a member of the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, that also includes weigelia, Centranthus, and valerian. Plants grow 2-3′ tall…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Carnation (Dianthus carophyllus) Mary’s Love of God
The link between Dianthus carophyllus and Mary is based on legend. One legend tells us that it bloomed on the night of Jesus’ birth as a sign of Mary’s joy.…
Plant Profile: Caucasian Pincushion Flower(Scabiosa caucasica)
Native to Caucasus, north eastern Turkey, and northern Iran, thisherbaceous perennial is a member of the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, that also includes weigelia, Centranthus, and valerian. The plant grows up…
Book Review: Green Rush
In their book, Green Rush, authors Daniel J. Mallinson and A. Lee Hannah present a comprehensive analysis of the legalization of cannabis in the United States. The authors trace political,…
Wildflowers: Poppies Native to the Rocky Mountain Area
All of the poppies listed below are are native to the Rocky Mountain area and in the subfamily Papaveroideae of the family Papaveraceae; not included are plants that are not…
Wildflowers: Poppies Native to the Midwest
The common name, poppy, can refer to many different plants some of which are considered true poppies, while others resemble poppies but are not even in the same plant family.…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Wild Tulip (Tulipa sylvestris)
The link between Mary and the wild tulip comes from the appearance of the flowers and legend. The flower is thought to resemble hands folded in prayer, as shown in…
Plant Profile: Golden-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium californicum)
This tender semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial is native to moist soils around ponds, bogs, marshes, and other moist sites along the Pacific coast from central California to southern British Columbia. It…
Book Review: The Seriously Good Veggie Student Cookbook
The British based book, The Seriously Good Veggie Student Cookbook, is an eclectic collection of vegetarian recipes that will probably be a surprise to the average American college student. Although…