Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Pear (Pyrus communis)
Karen Native to Europe, this deciduous tree is a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, that also includes cherry, apple, and lady’s mantle. Although remains of pear have been found in…
Plant Profile: Bay Willow (Salix pantandra)
Also known as laurel willow, this deciduous shrub or small tree is native to northern Europe and northern Asia where it grows along streams and in marshes, fens, and wet…
Book Review: The Story of Tea
Karen Meyers With 30 years of experience sourcing teas, tea merchants Mary Lou Heiss and Robert J. Heiss share their expertise in The Story of Tea. They have traveled extensively in the…
Common Diseases of Tomato and Their Control: Septoria Blight
Septoria blight is fungal disease caused by Septoria lycopersici and primarily affects tomatoes but can also infect other members of the nightshade family such as potato and eggplant. The main…
Plant Profile: Sulphur Lupine (Lupinus sulphureus)
Sulphur lupine is a herbaceous perennial native to the prairies and sagebrush deserts of the foothills and lower mountains from British Columbia to Idaho and Oregon. It is a member…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Pigeon Bean (Vicia faba var. minor
Pigeon bean is a cool weather perennial grown as an annual and member of the pea family, Fabaceae, that also includes lupines, mimosa, and black locust. Is is one of…
Plant Profile: Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus aka Vinca rosea)
This tender perennial, usually grown as an annual, is native to Madagascar where it grows on sand and limestone soils in woodlands, forests, grasslands and disturbed areas. When grown in…
Book Review: The Posy Book
Terresa Sabankaya’s recent work, The Posy Book, celebrates the Victorian love for the language of flowers with fresh ideas on creating bouquets that convey meaning and express special feelings. The…
Poisonous Plants: Rough Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium)
Also called clotbur, donkey bur, heartleaf, and woolgarie bur, this summer annual is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes sunflower, yarrow, and lettuce. It’s native range…
Plant Profile: Hart’s Tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium aka Phyllitis scolopendrium)
This perennial evergreen fern is a member of the spleenwort family, Aspleniaceae, that also includes maiden-hair fern, bird’s nest fern, and eared lady fern. It is native to central and…