Plant Profile: Cupids Dart (Catananche caerulea)
Karen Cupid’s dart is a herbaceous perennial belonging to the aster family,Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow and lettuce. It is native to Mediterranean Europe and northern Africa where it grows…
Book Review: Starting Out with Native Plants
Growing native plants even in a small urban garden can benefit wildlife and significantly contribute to biodiversity. Author, Charlotte de la Bedoyere, in her book, Starting Out with Native Plants,…
Plant Combination: Wallflower (Erysimum linifolium) ‘ Bowle’s Mauve’ and Marsh Spurge (Euphorbia palustris)
Like chartreuse flowers? Try this marsh spurge paired with the deep lavender wall flower ‘Bowle’s Mauve’ for a spring combination in a sunny border. The marsh spurge does double duty…
Plant Profile: European Hackberry (Celtis australis)
Also known as nettle tree, European hackberry is a medium to large deciduous tree native to southern Europe, North African and Asia Minor. It has a straight trunk, many small…
Botanical Latin: Edulis
ED u lis: Latin meaning edible Edulis is used as a specific or varietal name for animals such a the edible blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, fungi such as Boletus edulis,…
Plant Profile: Elephant Ear (Alocasia macrorrhiza)
Also called giant taro, this tender herbaceous perennial is native to tropical areas from India to Queensland, Australia where it grows in the understory and along streams. It grows very…
Book Review: Small Spaces Big Ideas
You might think your backyard, patio, or balcony is too small for a garden but author Philippa Pearson will prove you wrong with her book, Small Space Big Ideas. In…
Edible Flowers: Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
Pot marigold is a short lived herbaceous perennial in the aster family (Asteraceae) native to southern Europe but cultivated now all over the world. It grows up to two feet…
Plant Profile: American Chestnut (Castanea dentata)
Native to Eastern US, the American chestnut is almost extinct in the wild because of the chestnut blight that was introduced on Japanese nursery stock in the late 1800s. Most…
Noisette Roses for Climbing in Trees
Noisttes are are tall vigorous old garden roses that need room. They can grow over twenty feet tall or long, and can easily overwhelm a small garden. A good solution…