Plants for a Mary Garden: Common Sage (Salvia officinalis) “Mary’s Shawl”
Karen Meyers The appearance and folklore of sage have led to an association between this herb and the Virgin Mary. The soft, velvety texture of the leaves brings to mind the protective…
Plant Profile: Longleaf Speedwell (Veronica longafolia aka Pseudolysimachion longifolium)
Also known as garden speedwell, this herbaceous perennial is native to Europe and Asia where it grows in grassy areas, meadows, steppes and woodland edges. It is a member of…
Book Review: Zen in the Garden
In her book, Zen in the Garden, author Miki Sakamota shares her thoughts and experiences in the Zen garden she and her husband established in the countryside not far from…
Edible Mushrooms: Charcoal Burner (Russula cyanoxantha)
Karen The charcoal burner can be found singly or in troops from summer to fall in deciduous and coniferous woodlands of the northern temperate zone including North America and Europe. It…
Plant Profile: Redwood Inside-Outside Flower (Vancouveria planipetala aka V. parviflora)
Also known as redwood ivy, this evergreen herbaceous perennial is a member of the barberry family, Berberidaceae, that also includes nandina, mahonia, and epimedium. It is native to northwestern California…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Sweet Majoram (Origanum majorana)
The link between the Virgin Mary and sweet majoram goes back to ancient times. In ancient Greece fragrant garlands of marjoram were given to newly weds to wear around their…
Plant Profile: Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis aka Chamaemelum nobile)
Also known as English chamomile, garden chamomile, ground apple, low chamomile, mother’s daisy or whig plant, this herbaceous perennial is native to dry sunny fields of Western Europe and northwestern…
Edible Mushrooms: Saffron Milk Cap (Lactarius deliciosus)
Groups or troops of saffron milk cap can be found in summer and fall growing in the calcareous and siliceous soil in coniferous forests especially under pines. It is native…
Plant Profile: Common Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)
Sneezeweed is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow, and lettuce. It is native to eastern and north central North America where it…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Holy Communion Plant
The use of sweet basil goes back to ancient times. The ancient Egyptians used sweet basil in the embalming process and believed it would open the doors of the afterlife.…