Wildflowers: Poppies Native to the Pacific Coast
Karen Meyers The common name, poppy, can refer to many different plants some of which are considered true poppies, while others resemble poppies but are not even in the same plant family.…
Wildflowers: Poppies Native to the Southwest
All of the poppies listed below are are native to the Southwest area and in the subfamily Papaveroideae of the family Papaveraceae; not included are plants that are not botanically…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Hollyhock Mallow (Malva alcea) The Virgin’s Bread
The link between the Virgin Mary and Malva alcea probably reflects a combination of its edible and medicinal qualities which suggested a symbolic association with Mary’s purity and role as…
Plant Profile: Narrow-Leaved Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium)
Karen Native to moist meadows and woodlands of North America, this semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial is not a grass but is in the iris family, Iridaceae, that also includes gladiolus, crocus and…
Book Review: Plants That Eat Meat
Plants that Eat Meat, by Keisha Jones, introduces young readers to carnivorous plants and the methods they use to obtain prey. Written for children 1-9 years old in grades 3-4,…
Wildflowers: Iris Native to the Midwest
Iris is a genus of 310 species and is in the plant family Iridaceae that also included gladiolus, crocus and freesia. The plants are all perennial and grow from rhizomes…
Plant Profile: Grassleaf Scabiosa (Scabiosa graminifolia)
Native to rocky slopes in southern Europe, this evergreen perennial is a member of the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, that also includes weigelia, Centranthus, and valerian. Plants grow up to 18″…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Woodbine (Lonicera periclymenum) Our Lady’s Fingers
The link between woodbine and the Virgin Mary rests on the physical characteristics of the plant and Christian legend. The tubular flowers resemble slender fingers and may symbolize Mary’s gentle…
Plant Profile: Orange Sneezeweed (Helenium hoopseii)
Also known as owl’s claws, this clump-forming perennial a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow and lettuce. It is native to western United States from…
Book Review: The Natural Soapmaking Handbook
The Natural Soapmaking Handbook, by Simi Khabra, creator of Muddy Mint Soap Co., blends practical information with artistic expression to create a comprehensive guide to soapmaking. It includes all the…