Plant Profile: Blue African Lily (Agapanthus africanus)
Karen Also called lily of the Nile, this native of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa is an evergreen tender perennial and a member of the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae,…
Book Review: The Posy Book
Karen Meyers 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…
Plant Profile: Perez’ Sea Lavender (Limonium perezii)
Also known as marsh rosemary and sea foam, this herbaceous perennial is native to the coasts of the Canary Islands but is valued as a garden plant worldwide. It is…
Book Review: Flower Porn
Flower Porn, by English floral designer Kaiva Kaimins, presents a playful modern approach to floristry with a focus on color palettes and seasonal flowers. With tonal-inspired aesthetics in mind, Kaimins’…
Plant Profile: American Basketflower (Centurea americana)
Also called American starthistle, this annual is native to the southern central US and northeastern Mexico. It is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow,…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum)
The opium poppy is a herbaceous annual native to Greece and western Asia and is a member of the poppy family, Papaverceae, that also includes bleeding heart and corydalis. It…
Plant Profile: Sweet Sultan (Centaurea moschata aka Amberboa moschata)
Native to Asia Minor, this clump-forming cool climate annual is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow, and lettuce. It grows 1-3′ tall and has…
Plant Profile: Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)
Native to Sicily, southern Italy and the Aegean Islands, this bushy annual or climbing annual vine is a member of the legume family, Fabaceae, that also includes peanut, mimosa and…
Book Review: A Year in Flowers
Flower farmer and florist, Erin Benzakein, shares her experience and expertise in her book, A Year in Flowers. She includes the basics of floral design, essential techniques and detailed instructions…
Plant Profile: Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Also known by many other names including gloriosa daisy, this native of eastern and central North America is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow,…