Botany for Gardeners: Desmanthus
Karen Desmanthus Des MAN thus: from Greek desmos meaning a bundle and anthos meaning a flower Desmanthus is a genus in the bean family (Leuminosae/Fabaceae) and consists of twenty four species…
Plant Profile: Balm-Leaved Red Deadnettle (Lamium orvala)
Also called balm-leaved archangel,, this clump forming herbaceous perennial is native to central and eastern Europe. The heart-shaped leaves are up to six inches long, softly hairy and have serrated…
Book Review: Groundbreaking Food Gardens
As more people want to grow their food the need for new methods and garden designs become more pressing. Niki Jabbour’s book, Groundbreaking Food Gardens, presents a collection of essays…
Growing Plants from Seed: Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)
Marigolds are mostly warm weather annuals native to the Americas with yellow, orange, and rusty red flowers and finely cut pungent foliage. They may be small (six inches), medium (twelve…
Plant Profile: Allegheny Fleece Vine (Adlumia fungosa)
Also called climbing fumitory, this herbaceous climber is native to North America where it grows on wet wooded slopes and is considered an endagered species in some of its range.…
Roses for Hips: Large Hipped Rosa rugosas
Native to northeastern Asia, Rugosa roses are known for good hips but also make excellent garden plants. They offer unique bristly pleated foliage, disease resistance, shade tolerance, thorniness (good for…
Plant Profile: Borage (Borago officinalis)
Borage is an annual herb native to south eastern Turkey but has naturalized in the Mediterranean area, North America, and parts of Europe. The Romans fed it to gladiators and…
Book Review: Armitage’s Garden Perennials
As more and more new cultivars and varieties of plants appear each year in nurseries, selecting perennials for the garden becomes increasingly difficult. A visit to a garden center can…
Garden Pests and Diseases: Preventative Measures
Problems with pests and diseases are constant problems in the garden. You can’t entirely eliminate them but you can do something to minimize them. Good garden practices go a long…
Plant Profile: Dalmatian Bellflower (Campanula portenschlagiana)
Dalmatian bellflower is a mound-forming herbaceous perennial native to the Dalmatian mountains in Croatia but widely grows in southern Europe. It is evergreen, vigorous, and low-growing so makes an excellent…