Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Peach (Prunus persica)
Karen A native of China, the peach is a small deciduous short-lived tree in the rose family, Rosaceae, and in the same genus as plums, cherries, almonds, and apricots. Peaches have…
Plant Profile: Western White Clematis (Clematis ligusticifolia)
Also known by many other names including peppervine, old man’s beard, and creek clematis, this climbing woody or semi-woody vine is native to western US where it grows in streamside…
Book Review: Rory the Garden Bird
Karen Meyers Frances’ Rodgers’ book, Rory the Garden Bird, introduces young readers to the idea of backyard animals and what we can do to make their lives better. Rory, an appealing brown…
Common Diseases of Cucumber and Their Control: Anthracnose
Anthracnose is a fungal disease caused by Colletotrichum obiculare and affects certain cucurbits, including watermelon, squash, pumpkin, and cantaloupe melon as well as cucumber. Symptoms appear in mid to late…
Plant Profile: “Headbourne Hybrid’ Agapanthus (Agapanthus x “Headbough Hybrids’)
These rhizomatous perennials are hybrids that include in their parentage A. campanulatus, A. inapertus, A. praecox, and probably some others. They are members of the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae, that also…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)
This herbaceous biennial is native to damp grassland and woodland areas in Eurasia and North Africa and is a member of the honey suckle family, Caprifoliaceae, that also includes weigela,…
Plant Profile: Bigelow Sneezeweed (Helenium bigelovii)
Native to moist mediows, streamsides, and marshes of California and Oregon this herbaceous perennial is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow and lettuce. It…
Book Review: Growing Your Own Tea Garden
Author, Jodi Helmer, provides an introduction to raising your own tea in her book, Growing Your Own Tea Garden. She gives practical information on planning, planting cultivating, harvesting, drying, storing,…
Common Diseases of Tomato and Their Control: Southern Bacterial Wilt
Southern bacterial wilt of tomato is a soil-borne disease caused by the bacterium, Ralstonia solanacearum. It also affects many other plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), including potato, eggplant, pepper,…
Plant Profile: Russian Pea Shrub (Caragana frutex)
Native to Turkestan and Siberia, this deciduous suckering shrub is a member of the pea family, Fabaceae, that also includes beans, lupines and mimosa. It grows 6-10′ tall and forms…