Insects and Their Control: Asiatic Garden Beetle (Autoserica castanea)
Karen Asiatic garden beetle (AGB) is a native of Japan and China. In 1922 it was first seen in the United States at a location in New Jersey. Although not a…
Plant Profile: Silver Linden (Tilia tomentosa)
Tolerant of pollution, salt, and wind, silver linden is a tall deciduous tree that can be a useful shade tree in cities as well as towns. The heart shaped leaves…
Book Review: The Curious Garden
Any children’s book about gardening and plants attracts my eye but Peter Brown’s The Curious Garden had a special appeal. The story is simple but can be used to explore…
Weeds and Their Control: Tall Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea)
Tall morning glory is an annual vine native to Mexico and Central America. Introduced as an ornamental in the 1700s, it has naturalized in most of the United States except…
Plant Profile: Rose ‘Black Magic’
‘Black Magic’ is one of the most popular dark red exhibition and florist roses. The almost black color of the pointed buds becomes slightly redder as the high centered flowers…
How to Care for Bonsai: Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Rosemary is commonly associated with herbs and cooking but it makes a fine bonsai plant because of its attractive leaves, flowers and trunk. A native of the Mediterranean countries where…
Plant Profile: Japanese Pagoda Tree (Styphnolobium/Sophoras japonica)
A native of China and Korea, the tree was brought to Japan, Europe, and North America where it is valued for its creamy white fragrant flowers that hang in clusters…
Book Review: A Kid’s Herb Book: for Children of All Ages
A book that sets out to teach kids about plants and foster a love for gardening is always welcome on my bookshelf and Lesley Tierra’s book is such a book.…
Weeds and Their Control: Johnson Grass (Sorghum halepense)
Considered one of the ten worst weeds in the world, Johnson grass is a perennial weed native to the Mediterranean region but growing throughout Europe, as well as in the…
Plant Profile: Rosa ‘Moonstone’
This popular exhibition rose has large flowers that open from fat buds and are usually borne singly on long stout stems. The long petals are white on the reverse and…