Botany for Gardeners: The Leaf-Texture
Karen Texture is one of several leaf characteristics that is used for plant identification, but it is even more important in garden design. Leaves may be leathery, hairy, smooth and shiny,…
Plant Profile: Climbing Hydrangea ( Hydrangea anomala)
If you like to watch grass grow you might find this vine fascinating. It is a good plant and I have grown it in two different gardens but it is…
How to Make a Pinecone Turkey for Thanksgiving
This was good year for pine cones and they are everywhere. I could not resist doing something with them for Thanksgiving and what could be more appropriate than cone turkeys?…
Plant Profile: Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus and A. dracunculoides)
For me, tarragon is an illusive herb; it comes and goes in my zone 7 garden with a mind of its own. I keep replacing it, but lose it rather…
Name This Plant Game: Culinary Herbs 3
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…
How to Select the Right Mulch
There are many reasons to use mulch and many kinds of mulch from which to choose. The mulch you select should be related to the purpose(s) you have in mind…
Plant Profile: Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
We bought our first trumpet honeysuckle vines when we wanted to attract hummingbirds to our yard and we were not disappointed. It acts like a hummingbird magnet and we can…
Plant Profile: Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
This evergreen shrub is native the Mediterranean area where it grows on dry rocky hillsides. It is a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae, that also includes beebalm, basal, and…
How to Make a Thanksgiving Table Arrangement
When Thanksgiving rolls around I am often able to collect a considerable amount of foliage and other plant material from the garden to make an arrangement. I always have grasses…
Name This Plant Game: Culinary Herbs 2
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…