Book Review: One Bean
Karen Megan Halsey’s book, One Bean, describes the experience of a young boy as he grows a bean. After putting it between wet paper towels the little boy sees it get…
Weeds and Their Control: Sessile Joyweed (Alternanthera sessilis)
This perennial weed is a member of the amaranth family (Ameraceae) that includes spinach, celosia, and alligator weed. It appears to be native to tropical and tropical regions of the…
Plant Profile: Rock Cress (Arabis caucasica aka A. albida)
Rock cress is an evergreen herbaceous perennial native to mountainous areas from the Mediterranean to eastern Asia where it grows in well-drained soils and full sun. It is a member…
Eupatoriums for the Garden
Eupatoriums are members of the Asteracea family and may be annuals, perennials, or shrubs. Many of the over thrity six species in the genus are wildflows in eastern US. A…
Plant Profile: Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica)
Weeping willow is a deciduous tree native to northern China but widely grown in Europe and the US. It is a member of the willow family, Salicacaea, that also includes…
Book Review: The Dirt Cure
There is a lot of talk about eating healthy foods recently but the concept of healthy food seems to differ considerably. Dr. Maya Shetreat-Klein’s book, The Dirt Cure, explains the…
Plants for Rain Gardens: Native Grasses for Sunny and Wet Conditions
When choosing plants for a rain garden you have to consider not only light conditions but the moisture content of the soil. Rain gardens can have parts with 1. shallow…
Plant Profile: Longspur Columbine (Aquilegia longissima)
This rare herbaceous perennial is native to Texas and Arizona. It is a member of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, that also includes peonies, hellebores, and clematis. The fragrant, nodding, pale…
Plant Combination: Purple Poppy Mallow (Callirhoe involucrate) and Artemisia (Artemisia stelleriana) ‘Silver Brocade’
Hot, dry, sunny places such as strips along driveways can be difficult to plant but this combination thrives there. The intense magenta color of purple poppy mallow’s flowers are toned…
Plant Profile: Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Common yarrow, also known as milfoil, is a rhizomateous herbaceous perennial native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere Asia, Europe and North America where it grows in open…