Plant Profile: Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata)
Karen Shagbark hickory, a native of Eastern United states, can fulfill many roles in a garden. It is a tall, upright shade tree with picturesque and open branching habit. It has…
How to Grow Reblooming Iris
When I bought 6 reblooming bearded irises for $19.99 from a mail-order promotional I never expected them to be a focal point in my fall garden. I planted them in…
Recipe: Crab-Squash Soup
Acorn squash might sound like an unlikely companion for crab but it makes a creamy, rich base for this very tasty soup. Of course, you can use butternut or other…
Plant Profile: Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)
The bright red color of these shrubs in the fall says it all! Nothing heralds fall more loudly and beautifully than these wonderful bushes that can be planted as a…
How to Lift and Store Caladiums
Caladiums are beautiful plants for shady spots but are tropical and so must be lifted and stored if you want them to return for another season. They are hardy only…
Plant Profile: Purple Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
One of the most delightful plants native to North Carolina is purple muhly grass. Although it is hardy in zones 7-9 I had never seen it until I moved to…
A Visit to a Fair
The coming of fall means that all across the nation agricultural fairs will be in progress. Fairs may be small like my first one in the tiny town of Middlefield,…
Recipe: Baked Acorn Squash
Fall brings one of my favorite culinary treats, acorn squash. I prepare it the same way my mother did so many years ago and enjoy it as much as ever.…
Plant Profile: Monkshood (Aconitum carmichaelii ‘Arendsii’)
In late summer I look for tall plants with blue flowers borne in spikes and monkshood is one of the best. The deep violet blue color is striking and the…
A Fall Visit to Zion National Park: Part II Shrubs and Trees
The beauty and grandeur of Zion National Park is many faceted and has a wide appeal. Hikers can enjoy the scenic views, geologists the rock formations, and plant lovers a…