Bird Profile: Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)
Karen Among the faithful birds at our feeder during the winter are the tufted titmice. They usually come with the chickadees and white breasted nuthatches and seem to arrive at the…
Botany for Gardeners: Index
Chuck The Botany for Gardens pages listed below provide a basic introduction to botany. This fundamental information should be useful for gardeners who want to understand more about the plants they…
Plant Profile: Kilmarnock Willow (Salix caprea ‘Kilmarnock’)
This dwarf pussy willow has year round interest with its beautiful weeping habit and fuzzy catkins. The male clone has the large (1½ to 2 inch) attractive catkins that appear…
State Flowers, Trees, Birds, and Insects including Butterflies to Embroider
When you can’t garden outdoors, needlework involving flowers is a nice substitute. I enjoy a variety of kinds including crewel, counted cross-stitch, and needle or pettipoint. With my first grandchild…
Plant Profile: European Weeping Beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula’)
There are few trees that can match the beauty of the European weeping beech. In summer the simple, glossy dark green leaves form a dense canopy from the top of…
A Visit to the Los Angeles Flower Market (January 13, 2010)
One of the high lights of my visits to Los Angeles is the L. A. Flower Market. It is large, full of flowers, and open to the public as well…
Bird Profile: White Breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)
Everybody loves nuthatches! And why not? Their habit of running up and down trees at various angles captivates the eye of those who see them; they will come to your…
Plant Profile: Paperbark Cherry (Prunus serrula)
Also called birchbark cherry, paperbark cherry, cellophane bark cherry or red bark cherry, this deciduous tree is a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, that also includes prunes, lady’s mantle,…
Botanical Latin: Species Names
All plants have Latin names consisting of a genus name and a species name. The species name is the second of the two names, is usually not capitalized and describes…
Plant Profile: Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)
Native to the Mediterranean region and western Europe, this broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree is a member of the heather family, Ericaceae, that also includes rhododendron, blueberry, and mountain…