Growing Plants from Seeds: Hardening Off Seedlings
Karen Hardening is the term used to describe the process of gradually exposing young seedlings grown indoors to the rigors of outdoor living in the garden. When plants are grown in…
Plant Profile: Chameleon Spurge (Euphorbia dulcis ‘Chameleon’)
Chameleon spurge belongs to a huge genus that includes poinsettias as well as cactus-like plants. Like other Euphorbias the stem contains a milky sap that can be very irritating to…
Shakespeare’s Garden: Cuckoo Buds and Flowers
There is some controversy over what flower Shakespeare meaning by cuckoo buds/flowers but the best choices appear to be buttercup or cowslip. They are both yellow and may be weedy.…
Botanical Latin: Achlys
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…