Plant Profile: Sneezewort (Achillea ptarmica)
Karen A native of Europe and western Asia, sneezewort is a rhizomaceous perennial that spreads and naturalizes if the soil is good. It is a membet of the aster family, Asteraceae,…
Book Review: Trees: Their Natural History
Since trees are an important element in many landscapes knowing how to care for them is critical for success. Peter Thomas’ book, Trees: Their Natural History, is an excellent resource…
Plant Combination: Speedwell (Veronica longifolia) ‘Eveline’ and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) ‘Pomegranate’
Starting in late spring speedwell ‘Eveline’ puts forth its purple-pink spikes and is joined a month later by the magenta flowerheads of Achillea ‘Pomgranate’. The two bloom together for over…
Plant Profile: Skunkleaf Polemonium (Polemonium pulcherrimum )
This clump forming perennial is native to western North American from Alaska to California and into Arizona and New Mexico where it grows in dry rocky areas of mountains from…
How to Care for Bonsai: Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
A native of China and Japan, crepe myrtle is a deciduous flowering tree or shrub grown extensively in southern United States and in Mediterranean climates including Southern California. In mid…
Plant Profile: Rosa ‘ Jacques Cartier’ (Rosa ‘Marchesa Boccella’)
With exceptional hardiness, this rose is also healthy and especially beautiful. The clear pink flowers are quartered and have an abundance of petals clustered around a green eye. They are…
Book Review: Monarch Butterfly
When butterflies grace the garden they always are welcome and stimulate the minds of young children. Do the children realize where they came from? If not, read this wonderful book,…
Plant Combination: Tulip ‘Mount Tacoma’ and White Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis ‘Alba’)
For a semi-shaded area in a white garden this late spring combination features the same color with contrast provided by the shape, texture and size of the flowers and leaves.…
Plant Profile: Chinese Lantern Lily (Sandersonia aurantiaca)
This tender perennial is native to South Africa and Swaziland where it used to be common in grasslands and forest margins but is now rare. It is now grown commercially…
Birds in the Garden: Plants that Attract the Oriole Family (Ictridae)
The Ictridae family includes orioles, grackles, cowbirds, meadowlarks and bobolink as well as New World blackbirds. New World blackbirds include the redwinged blackbird and is unrelated to the common American…