History of Gardens: Garden of Eden
Karen The Garden of Eden occupies a unique position in the history of gardens. Described in Genesis 2-3 of the Christian Bible, it is where God created man and woman, animals,…
Plant Profile: Russian Cypress (Microbiota decussata)
This prostrate fine textured evergreen shrub from the mountains of southeastern Siberia resembles junipers in shape but has sprays of foliage resembling those of arborvitae. The leaves are scale-like and…
Book Review: Handmade Garden Projects
A garden full of plants can be a beautiful sight but a garden with homemade ornaments can be a personalized paradise. Author, Lorene Edwards Forkner provides gardeners with inspiration as…
Weeds and Their Control: Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculate)
Water hemlock is also known by other names such as spotted parsley, poison parsley, and spotted cowbane. It belongs to the carrot family and is related to poison hemlock, parsnips,…
Plant Profile: Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)
Noted for its outstanding fall coloration in shades of yellow, orange, and red, staghorn sumac is a tall deciduous suckering shrub or small tree native to eastern North America where…
Ferns for Containers
Ferns make excellent container plants for both indoor and outdoor use. Their foliage is variable and provides interesting colors, textures, sizes, and shapes. There are very small delicate ferns and…
Plant Profile: Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis)
This evergreen shrub is native to coastal California and Oregon and is found in chaparral but is often used as a ground cover and to stabilize slopes. It is a…
Book Review:Turkey Trouble
Thanksgiving offers up opportunities to enjoy a new variety of books with children and Wendi Silvano’s Turkey Trouble is one of them. Recommended for children six to eight years old…
Plant Profile: Cucumber Magnolia (Magnolia acuminata)
Although its flowers are not large and showy like other magnolias, this tall deciduous tree makes a fine shade tree for large spaces. A native of eastern United States from…
Shakespeare’s Garden: Columbine
Columbine belongs to the genus Aquilegia that has over 65 species, many of which are good garden plants. The columbine of Shakespeare was probably Aquilegia vulgaris, an excellent garden plant…