Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Chickpea (Cicer arientinum)
Karen Also known as carbanzo bean, chickpea is an annual in the legume family, Fabaceae, that also include lupine, acacia, and scotch broom. It was domesticated about 7500 years ago and…
Plant Profile: Abelia schumanni (aka Linnaea parvifolia)
Native to the deep valleys of mountain forests in China, this evergreen to deciduous shrub is a member of the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, that also includes weigela, pincushion flower and…
Book Review: Natural Antibiotics and Antivirals
Karen Meyers Christopher Vasey presents an introduction to the world of natural antibiotics with a background discussion on disease and antibiotics, profiles of 18 of the most important natural antibiotics, and treatments…
Genus Daphnes for the Gardens
The genus Daphne is made up of over 70 evergreen or deciduous shrubs native to Asia, Europe and north Africa and is a member of the family Thymelaeaceae, a group…
Plant Profile: Glossy Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora aka Linnaea × grandiflora)
This broadleaf ever-green to deciduous shrub is a hybrid from A. chinensis and A. uniflora. It is a member of the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, that also includes weigela, pincushion flower…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Filbert (Corylus avellana)
Also called common hazel, this deciduous suckering shrub is a member of the birch family, Betulaceae, that also includes alder and hornbeam. It is native to most of Europe, north…
Plant Profile: Willow Bottlebrush (Callistemon salignus aka Melaleuca salicina)
Endemic to eastern Australia, this broadleaf evergreen shrub is a member of the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, that also includes clove, allspice, and eucalyptus. Growing from a vigorous root system, plants…
Book Review: Beerology
Do you pick your beer based on your mood, food or occasion? Probably not, but after reading Mirella Amato’s book, Beerology, you might consider it. With the rise of craft…
Shrubs for the Wettest Zone of a Rain Garden
The following shrubs are suitable for the area of a rain garden that is the deepest and holds the most water for the most amount of time. They can tolerate…
Plant Profile: Chinese Abelia (Abelia chinensis aka Linnaea chinensis)
Native to the lower elevations in the mountains of southwest China, this semi-evergreen shrub is a member of the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, that also includes weigela, pincushion flower and teasel.…