Botanical Latin: Calendula
Karen Calendula (ca LEN du la) from the Latin word calendae meaning the first day of the month The genus Calendula is a member of the family Asteraceae and includes 15-20…
Plant Profile: Rose Pierre de Ronsard aka Eden
The large, cupped-shaped, flowers are full of petals and have a charming old fashioned look. They are carried singly and have a large number of creamy petals with deep pink…
Book Review: Food Rules
Are you confused by “the latest” information on the benefits of consuming coffee, red wine, or butter? Do you wonder about probiotics, folic acid, or gluten? You are not alone…
Weeds and Their Control: African Club Moss (Selaginella kraussian)
African club moss is also known as Krauss’ spikemoss and Krauss’s clubmoss and is native to southern and tropical Africa, the Azores and the Canary Islands. After being introduced into…
Plant Profile: White Sage (Artemesia ludoviciana)
Known by many common names including western mugwort, Louisiana wormwood, and white sagebrush, this rhizomatous perennial is a native of North America including most of the US. It is a…
Hellebores for the Garden
Hellebores are herbaceous perennials that bloom early and tell gardeners that winter is giving way to spring. They are a member of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, that also includes clematis,…
Plant Profile: Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia)
Also known as rowan, mountain ash is a deciduous tree native to Europe, Asia and North Africa where it does best in cool mountainous areas. It is a member of…
Book Review: A Nest is Noisy
From the title of the book I expected it to be about birds so I was amazed to open the front end papers and find pictures of dozens of nests…
Choosing Plants for Foliage
Although flowers catch the eye, leaves play a very important role in the garden. Most perennials are only in bloom for a short time and when the flowers are gone…
Plant Profile: Rose Astilbe (Astilbe x rosea)
A hybrid from a crossing of A. chinensis and A.japonica, rose astilbe has the habit of the latter and the flower color of the former. It is a herbaceous perennial…