Plant Profile: Himalayan Winter Hazel (Corylopsis himalayana)
Karen Native to the montane forests of Assam, East Himalaya, Myanmar, and Tibet, this deciduous shrub or small tree is a member of the witch hazel family, Hamamelidaceae, that also includes…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Aegean Wallflower (Erysimum cheiri)
Native to Greece, this perennial subshrub is often grown as an annual or biennial It is a member of the mustard family, Brassicaceae, that also includes cabbage, alyssum, and common…
Plant Profile: Lily of the Valley Tree (Clethra arborea)
This evergreen shrub or small tree is native to the semitropical forest of Madeira and is a member of the small plant family Clethraceae that is distantly related to azaleas.…
Book Review: A Swarm of Bees
Karen Meyers A Swarm of Bees by Claire Caprioli, is a fact filled book covering basic information about bees. Written for children 5-7 years old and in grades kindergarten to 2nd, it…
Book Review: Mia Mayhem and the Wild Garden
Mia Mayhem (aka Mia Macarooney) is an eight-year old superhero who attends Normal Elementay School, but then goes to a Program for In Training Superheroes, (aka Pits) after school. One…
Weeds and Their Control: Common Dayflower (Commelina communis)
Also known as Asian dayflower, this summer annual weed is a member of the spiderwort family, Commelinaceae, and is native to most of East Asia and northern parts of southeast…
Plant Profile: Fragrant Winter Hazel (Corylopsis glabrescens)
Native to Japan and Korea, this deciduous shrub is a member of the witch hazel family, Hamamelidaceae, that also includes loropetalum and fothergill. It grows 8-15′ tall and has a…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Common Stock (Matthiola incana aka Cheiranthus incanus)
This tender annual is native to coastal areas of southern Europe, from the Balearics to former Yugoslavia, and is a member of the mustard family, Cruciferae, that also includes turnip,…
Plant Profile: Cootamundra wattle (Acacia baileyana)
Native to scrub and chaparral of New South Wales, Australia, this evergreen shrub or small tree, is a member of the legume family, Fabaceae, that also includes pea, lupines and…
Book Review: The Herb Gardening Handbook
Author Andrew Perry in his book The Herb Gardening Handbook, presents a beginner’s guide to growing and harvesting herbs. As founder of Urban Herbs, an online retailer of unusual and…