Plant Profile: Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
Karen Rose of Sharon is a vigorous deciduous shrub growing 8-10’ tall and is a member of the mallow family, Malvaceae ,that also includes okra, cotton, coffee, and hollyhock. It is…
Book Review: Plantlab
Author Matthew Kenny presents a cookbook that shows how artistic and accessible a plant-based cuisine can be. The book, Plantlab, immediately catches the eye with its bold vibrant color photographs…
Weeds and Their Control: Alligator Weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides)
Alligator weed is a perennial native to South American but spread to many parts of the world including the US where it is invasive and considered a Federal Noxious Weed.…
Plant Profile: Hall’s Milkweed (Asclepias hallii)
This herbaceous perennial,also known as purple silkweed, is a native of Rocky Mountain West from Wyoming to southern Arizona, west to Nevada where it grows in prairies and along roadsides.…
Edible Flowers: Squash (Cucurbita pepo)
The flowers of zucchini are most commonly used but the blossoms of other summer or winter squash may be used interchangeably. Squash is a warm weather crop and can be…
Plant Profile: Tatarian Daisy (Aster tataricus)
Tatarian daisy is a herbaceous perennial native to southern Siberia, northern China, Mongolia, Koreas, and Japan where it grows in wetlands and meadows. It is a member of the aster…
Book Review: The Heirloom Life Gardener
The cofounders of Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company, Jere and Emilee Gettle, offer readers The Heirloom Life Gardener , a book about their adventures in gardening with heirloom seeds. Subjects…
Growing Plants from Seed: Dill (Anethum graveolens)
Dill is an annual in the celery family (Apiaceae) and native to the Mediterranean and southern Russia. It is a tall, 3-4 foot, beautiful plant and deserves a place in…
Plant Profile: Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii)
Pacific madrone is an evergreen tree native to the west coast of North America from British Columbia to California. It is a member of the heather family, Ericaceae that also…
Garden Plants for Flower Arrangements: Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)
Norway maple is a large deciduous tree native to central and eastern Europe, and Asia but grown widely as a shade tree in parts of the US. The small yellow-green…