Plant Profile: Caracalla Bean (Vigna caracalla)
Karen A native of South America, this tropical vine is also known a corkscrew vine, climbing shell vine, and snail vine. It is a tender perennial, tropical vine that climbs by…
Book Review: The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring
The coastal redwoods of Northern California inspire awe in those who have seen them because of their incredible height and size. What we see are tall wide trunks that soar…
Plant Combination: Verbena canadensis ‘Homestead Purple’ and Frikart’s Aster (Aster x frikartii) ‘Monch’
Here are two long blooming perennials that will bring color to the border throughout the summer. Verbena ‘Homestead Purple begins flowering in spring with its rich purple phlox-like flowerheads and…
Plant Profile: Rose ‘Mme. Alfred Carriere’
Considered by many to be one of the best noisettes, ‘Mme. Alfred Carriere’ is a vigorous climber that blooms twelve months of the year in warm climates. Its long, elegant…
Botany for Gardeners: Taxonomy of Pteriodophytes-Horsetail Family (Equisetaceae)
As a member of the Pteriodophyte Divison of plants, the horsetail family has vascular tissue to conduct water and nutrients like flowering plants but reproduces by means of spores rather…
Plant Profile: Mickey Mouse Bush (Ochna serrulata)
This semi-evergreen shrub is a native of subtropical South Africa where it grows in a variety of habitats ranging from disturbed areas, such as roadsides, to forested areas and grasslands.…
Book Review: About Insects
Whether a child finds insects fascinating or scary Cathryn Sill’s non-fiction book, About Insects, will and provides a more detailed look at eighteen specific ones. Written for young children, it…
Plant Profile: Southern Maidenhair Fern aka Venus Hair Fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris)
A native of tropical and temperate regions in the United States, Central and South America, Eurasia, western Asia and Australasia this deciduous fern is widely grown in the garden and…
Plant Profile: Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)
This herbaceous perennial is native to the Northern Hemisphere where it is found growing in marshes, stream edges, and other wet areas. A member of the buttercup family, marsh marigold…
Vaijanti Mala (Indian Prayer Beads)
As we entered the foyer of the Lalit Hotel in Khajurho, India, we were welcomed by greeters who placed a necklace of gray beads around our neck. Made from the…