Plant Profile: Sand Cherry (Prunus pumila)
Karen Native to shorelines and dunes in northern US from Maine to Montana, south to Virginia and Colorado, this deciduous shrub is a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, that also…
Book Review: The New Chardonnay
Karen Meyers The legalization of marijuana by many states for both medical and recreational use has allowed cannabis to enter the mainstream of American life but the path has not always been…
Poisonous Plants: Mezereum (Daphne mezereum)
Also known as February daphne, spurge laurel or spurge olive, this deciduous shrub is native to limestone soils in mixed woodlands of most of Europe and western Asia, north to…
Plant Profile: Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum multiflorum)
Also known as David’s harp, and ladder-to-heaven, this rhizomatous herbaceous perennial is native to Europe and temperate Asia. It is in the asparagus family, Asparagaceae, that also includes yucca, hosta,…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Oleander (Nerium oleander)
Oleander is an evergreen shrub or small tree and a member of the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that also includes blue star (Amsonia), periwinkle (Vinca), and milkweed (Ascelpius). Its native range…
Plant Profile: Corkscrew Willow (Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’)
Also known as Hankow willow, curly willow, dragon’s claw willow and globe willow, this multi stemmed deciduous tree is a member of the willow family, Salicaceae, that also includes aspen,…
Book Review: From Soil to Garden
In her book, From soil to Garden, Mari Schuh, introduces young readers to the steps necessary to create a garden. She begins by discussing the basic characteristics of a suitable…
Common Diseases of Corn and their Control: Stewart’s Wilt
Caused by the bacterium, Pantoea stewartii, Stewart’s wilt has two phases. The first affects seedlings that may develop linear pale green to yellow streaks, wilt and dry up. The second…
Plant Profile: Field pansy (Viola arvensis)
Also called johnny jump up, this herbaceous annual is native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa, and a member of the violet family, Violaceae. The plant grows up to…
Plants of Pompeii: Madonna Lily (Lilium candida)
This herbaceous perennial bulb is native to the Balkans and Middle East and has been cultivated for at least 3,000 years dating back to the Bronze age Minoans on the…