Plant Profile: Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)
Karen This native of Japan is a small deciduous tree or large shrub that provides a beautiful display of flowers in spring. The white or pink tinged flowers are star-shaped, three…
Gardens of Pompeii: Animals in the Garden
The Romans enjoyed animals in the garden just as we do. Birds, dogs, cats, and fish all had a place in Roman life. Evidence for the presence of animals in…
Plant Profile: Floribunda Rose ‘Fabulous!’
Be sure to notice the exclamation point at the end of the name because there is a double orange blend hybrid tea by the same name but without the exclamation…
Book Review: Ladybugs
One of the first insects a child is likely to enjoy is a ladybug. With its bright red color and black spots the common ladybug is appealing and makes a…
Weeds and Their Control: Wild Garlic (Allium vineale)
A native of Europe, wild garlic was brought to North America in soil used as ballast in ships. It has become an invasive weed in many parts of the eastern…
Plant Profile: Autumn Pineapple Lily (Eucomis autumnalis)
Neither a pineapple nor a true lily, this native of South Africa is related to hyacinths and asparagus but has a tuft of leaves above the flowers that gives them…
How to Care for Bonsai: Desert Rose (Adenium obesum)
This succulent bush from the dry desert areas of East Africa and Arabia is sparsely branched with very thick stems and a swollen caudex. The fleshy leaves are spirally arranged…
Plant Profile: Double White Cone Flower ‘Coconut Lime’ (Echinacea purpurea ‘Coconut Lime’)
Cone flowers of all kinds are a great asset to the garden and this ‘Coconut Lime’ is extra special since it is the first double white cone flower available commercially.…
Book Review: Tussie-Mussies: The Language of Flowers
The Victorian art of creating a bouquet of flowers with a message has an age-old appeal. Receiving flowers from an admirer is always fun but how much greater the pleasure…
Rose Garden Themes: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
What could be more delightful than having Snow White and her seven dwarfs growing in your rose garden? Unfortunately, you can’t have all seven dwarfs but you can have ‘Snow…