Drought Tolerant Plants: Annuals with White Flowers
Karen Water is essential for plant growth but plants vary greatly in their need for it. Since the amount of water on earth is finite but the demand is not, we…
Plant Profile: Fraser’s Sedge (Carex fraseriana)
Also known as lily leaf sedge, this evergreen herbaceous perennial is endemic to the southern Appalachian mountains and a member the Cyperaceae, a plant family of over 2,000 species that…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Hart’s Tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium aka Phyllitis scolopendrium.)
A member of the spleenwort family (Aspleniaceae) this evergreen fern is native to central and southern Europe, western Asia, northern Africa and eastern North America where it often grows in…
Plant Profile: Mountain Pepperbush (Clethra acuminata)
Also known as cinnamon pepperbush, this deciduous shrub or small tree is native to the Appalachian Mountains of the southeastern US. It grows up to 8-20′ tall and has an…
Book Review: Growing Flowers
Karen Meyers In her book, Growing Flowers, flower farmer and florist, Niki Irving, shares her expertise on creating a cutting garden and using its bounty to make beautiful arrangements. Aimed a newbies,…
Genus: Abelias for the Garden
Abelia is a genus of about 30 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs native to eastern Asia and Mexico. It belongs to the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, that also includes weigela,…
Plant Profile: Japanese Skimmia (Skimmia japonica)
Native to Japan, China, and Southeast Asia, this evergreen shrub is a member of the citrus family, Rutaceae, that also includes rue, curry tree, and boronia. The plant grows up…
Old Time Recipes for Home Made Wines: Rose Wine
This post is about wine made from roses NOT wine made from grapes. The latter, spelled rosé, is a common, popular light drink especially appreciated in the summer and a…
Plant Profile: Swamp Azalea (Rhododendron viscosum)
Also known as clammy azalea, and swamp honeysuckle, this flowering deciduous shrub is native to the wetlands of eastern and southern US and a member of the heath family, Ericaceae,…
Book Review: Beer, Food, and Flavor
Beer, Food, and Flavor, by Chef, Schuyler Schultz, provides a guide to pairing craft beer with food. The process begins with an introduction to the styles of beer, sensory components,…