Plant Profile: Woollyhead (Craspedia uniflora)
Karen Native to New Zealand and Australia, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, sunflower, and lettuce. It has simple, opposite green leaves…
Invasive Plants and Their Native Alternatives: Dames Rocket (Hesperis matronalis)
Dames rocket is a biennial or short-lived perennial known by a variety of names including dame’s violet, mother of the evening, and sweet rocket. It was introduced from Eurasia into…
Plant Profile: Long Bracted Wild Indigo (Baptisia bracteata)
Long bracted wild indigo is a long lived herbaceous perennial and a member of the pea family, Fabaceae, that also includes mimosa, lupine and black locust. It is native to…
Plant Profile: Rosa ‘Olympiad’
Large dark red flowers up to 5.5″ across appear singly or occasionally in clusters of up to four on long strong stems. The many petals have a heavy substance and…
Plants That Attract Beneficial Insects: Golden Marguerite (Anthemis tinctoria aka Cota tinctoria)
Also known as yellow chamomile, this short-lived perennial is native to Europe, the Mediterranean area, and western Asia. It is a member of the aster family (Asteraceae) that also includes…
Plant Profile: Brazilian Pepper Tree (Schinus terebinthifolius)
Also called Christmasberry tree and Florida holly, this evergreen shrub or small tree is a member of the cashew family, Anacardiaceae, that also includes poison ivy, sumac, and smoke tree.…
Plant Profile: Hairy Angelica (Angelica venenosa)
Hairy angelica is a herbaceous perennial and a member of the parsley family, Apiaceae, that also includes celery, Queen Anne’s lace, and poison hemlock. It is native to Eastern US…
Book Review: The Plant Recipe Book
Gardener and floral designer Baylor Chapman presents 100 living arrangements in her work, The Plant recipe Book. Believing that everyone can bring a little bit of greenery inside no matter…
Plant Profile: Zigzag Iris (Iris brevicaulis)
Also called short-stemmed iris, this rhizomatous perennial and a member of the iris family, Iridaceae, that also includes crocus, gladiolus, and freesia. It is native to Ohio southwest to Nebraska,…
Book Review: Container Gardeners Handbook
If you like plants you will probably need or want at least a few containers filled with plants no matter where you live. Francis Tophill’s book, Container Gardener’s Handbook presents…