Flowers for Arrangements: Heather/Heath (Erica spp.)
Karen Usually called heather, heath looks similar but is in a different genus; heath is Erica while heather is Calluna. The heaths that are usually found in flower shops may be…
Plant Profile: Carpathian Harebell (Campanula carpatica)
The tidy mounds of wavy heart-shaped leaves covered with flowers make an ideal edge for the border. The first flush of flowers in mid summer is followed by a short…
Five Spring Perennials for the Cottage Garden
Spring means renewed growth in the garden with bulbs and flowering trees contributing splashes of color all over the landscape. Perennials are not usually in full force during this time…
How to Make Root Cuttings
When you have a plant you love you may want to produce more of them to use in your own garden or pass on to friends. There are many ways…
Plant Profile: Wood Vamp (Decumaria Barbara)
Found in low woods, swamps, and pond margins, this native of Southeastern United States from New York to Florida and west to Louisiana, wood vamp is a woody semi-evergreen vine…
Name This Plant Game: Medicinal Herbs 9
Chuck This simple game tests your gardening knowledge by identifying five plants shown in photos from a list of possible names. Photos of each plant are accompaned by a clue describing…
Flowers for Arrangements: Leptospermum rotundifolium
Often called “lepto” in florist shops, this Australian native is a favorite around Valentine’s Day. The woody stems bearing clusters of small white, pink, or red flowers, complement the beauty…
Plant Profile: Southern Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera aka Morella cerifera)
Also called southern bayberry, candleberry, bayberry tree, and tallow shrub, this evergreen shrub or small tree is a native of wetlands in Southeastern United States. It is a member of…
The Difference between Plant Variety and Cultivar
All botanical names consist of at least two parts, a genus and species names. So, lily of the valley is known as Convallaria majalis, and Norway maple is Acer plantaoides.…
Plant Profile: Cross Vine (Bignonia capreolata)
Growing in open woods, swamps, fields borders, and cliffs from Maryland to Missouri, south to Florida and east Texas, cross vine is a tough native that will quickly grow 8…