A native of Yunnan in western China, this deciduous shrub grows in open woodland, and along forest edges and waterways. White felted shoots bear lanceolate silver-green leaves up to ten…
This attractive herbaceous perennial native to Europe and western Asia was introduced to North America and is considered invasive in many areas. It likes disturbed, moist soil and shady conditions…
Named after the chateau of Empress Josephine, this rose has cup-shaped pale pink flowers fading to white at the edges. The flowers are borne singly or in small clusters and…
The relationship of plants to other plants, animals, and humans is a topic that should interest all of us. Will Benson, in his book, Kingdom of Plants, delves into these…
You may not think of a salad as typical New Year’s fare but many Russians around the world do. Russian New Year, Novy God, is celebrated with a tree, Grandfather…
This semievergreen perennial is native to southeastern Alps where it grows in limestone rock crevices in subalpine to alpine zones. The plants are low growing and slowly form cushions two…
Many seeds are viable a lot longer than you might think. For example, seeds of lettuce, cucumbers, eggplant, radish, cabbage, spinach, and musk melon are good for five years if…
This large broad-leaved evergreen shrub is a cross between Camellia cuspidate and C. saluenensis. It is fast growing and forms a loose bush with slightly pendant branches. The glossy leaves…
If you are considering bee-keeping, this book is a great way to get into it. The authors, Brian McCullum and Alison Benjamin, point out that bee-keeping is a way to…
Holly is in the genus Ilex, a member of the plant family Aquifoliaceae and consists of 400 to 600 species that include evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers. Shakespeare’s…
Karen