Weeds and Their Control: White Clover (Trifolium repens)
Karen Meyers Native to meadows and woodlands of Europe and Central Asia, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the legume family, Fabaceae, that also includes beans, lentils, and lupines. Although not…
Plant Profile: Littleleaf Mock-Orange (Philadelphus microphyllus)
Karen Littleleaf mock-orange is a bushy multibranched deciduous shrub native to the Southwest US from Wyoming to northern Mexico west to California where it grows in the scrub and brush habitats…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
This short lived tender perennial is native to southern Europe and North Africa but has naturalized in much of Europe where it is grown as an annual. . It is…
Plant Profile: Blanket Flower (Gaillardia x grandiflora)
This hybrid short-lived perennial is the result of a cross between tall, perennial G. aristata and shorter, annual G. pulchella and is a vigorous, long blooming plant with a short…
Book Review: Nature’s Best Hope
Nature’s Best Hope is Sarah L. Thomson’s middle grade adaption of Douglas W. Tallamy’s book by the same name. The author introduces the concept of Homegrown National Park that aims…
Weeds and Their Control: Field Pennycrest (Thlaspi arvense)
Field pennycrest is an annual weed and member of the mustard family, Crucifereae, that also includes cabbage, broccoli, and sweet alyssum. It is a native of Eurasia but was introduced…
Plant Profile: Highway Iceplant (Carpobrotus edulis)
Highway iceplant is a creeping perennial succulent and a member of the fig-marigold family, Aizoacea, that also includes “living stones”, and New Zealand spinach. It is native to coastal areas…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis)
In the Bible, mantles symbolize authority, responsibility, and the transfer of spiritual power as illustrated in the story of Elijah and Elisha. During the Middle Ages people, especially the monks…
Plant Profile: Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys)
Also known as bird’s-eye speedwell, and cat’s eyes, this herbaceous perennial is native to Europe where it is found in meadows, hedgerows, and open deciduous woodlands. It is a member…
Book Review: Mystical Mushrooms
Aurora Kane’s book, Mystical Mushrooms, explores a vast variety of topics concerning mushrooms from biology, to history, uses, folklore and real or imagined magical properties. A large section is devoted…