Botanical Latin: Achlys
Karen Achlys (AK liss) The name of the Greek goddess daughter of Nyx (Night) who might be the first created being and personifies misery and sadness. Her name came from the…
Plant Profile: Panda Face Ginger (Asarum maximum)
Panda face ginger is a rhizomatous clump forming perennial native to China where it grows in low elevation forests. It is a member of the pipe-vine family (Aristolochiaceae) and is…
Book Review: Butterflies and Moths
Children frequently see butterflies and moths flying around but do they know the difference? These insects look very much alike to most people yet are quite different when viewed close-up.…
Growing Plants from Seed: Basil
Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is an annual native to India but is more closely associated with Italian food. Most basils available in the US belong to the species basciliucum with…
Plant Profile: Poppy Anemone (Anemone coronaria)
This tuberous short-lived perennial is native to the Mediterranean and a member of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) that also includes delphinium, clematis, and hellebore. The poppy-like flowers lack petals but…
Weeds and Their Control: Pilewort (Erechtites hieraciifolius )
Also called burnweed and fireweed, pilewort is a summer annual native to the Americas but has been spread around the world. As the name implies, the plant profits from fire…
Plant Profile: Corydalis (Corydalis flexuosa)
This shade loving herbaceous perennial is native to China where it inhabits woodlands and mountains. The blue-green foliage is finely cut and fern-like. The tubular, one inch long flowers are…
Book Review: Modern Tropical Garden Design
Whether you live in the tropics and are planning a garden or want to create a tropical garden in the temperate zone you will find plenty of ideas in Made…
Edible Flowers: Roses
The rose has been cultivated for thousands of years and is still one of the most popular garden plants. Cultivation probably began in China but has spread to most of…
Plant Profile: Common Lungwort (Pulmonaria saccharata)
Also known as Bethelehem sage, this herbaceous perennial is native to France and Italy and is member of the borage family (Borageacea) along with forget-me-not (Myosotis spp.) and Siberian bugloss…