Plant Profile: California Nutmeg (Torreya californica)
Karen Indemic to forested areas of California, California nutmeg is not related to the spice nutmeg, Myristica fragrans. It is similar, however, to some of the plum yews and podocarps in…
Book Review: Southeast Home Landscaping
A country as large as the United States includes many different climate zones so a book dealing with a specific area has great potential for planning a garden. Heat combined…
Garden Pests: Chipmunks and Their Control
Chipmunks can be an amusing asset to a garden. Their small size, attractive coloration and frenetic search for food make them very entertaining as they dash around stopping only to…
Plant Profile: Buffalo Berry (Shepherdia argentea)
This deciduous slow growing mound-shaped shrub is a native of central and western North America. It has spiny silvery gray twigs and green leaves one to two inches long and…
Trees with Decorative Bark
In winter when many trees have shed their leaves and the garden is sleeping, the beauty of bark can best be appreciated. Bark can provide color and texture that produces…
Plant Profile: Lacy Tree Fern (Cyathea cooperii)
Lacy tree fern is native to eastern Australia but grows well in tropical and subtropical areas where winter temperatures are mild and rainfall is abundant. The common name, lacy tree…
Book Review: Corn
After I read Gail Gibbons book, Corn, I realized how I little I know about corn. Sweet corn, corn muffins, popcorn are all family favorites but corn as an ingredient…
Weeds and Their Control: Poorjoe/Common Buttonwood (Diodia teres)
Unlike its close relative, Virginia buttonweed, Poorjoe is an annual and prefers a somewhat dryer site and greater distribution. It is a native of Eastern United States and is now…
Plant Profile: Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)
This iconic tree of southern swamps, is found from Delaware to Texas and Missouri, and is the state tree of Louisiana. It is alternatively called swamp cypress for its habitat,…
How to Care for Bonsai: Jaboticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora)
This evergreen tree is a relative of guava and true myrtle and a native of Brazil where it is grown for its fruit and sometimes known as Brazilian grape tree.…