Genus Adenophora (Ladybells) for the Garden
Karen Ladybells are herbaceous perennials in the bellflower family, Campanulaceae, that also includes balloon flower and lobelia. The genus has about 50 species most of which are native to Asia, some…
Plant Profile: Indian Pink (Spigelia marilandica)
Indian Pink is a clump-forming perennial native to southeastern US and parts of the Midwest where it thrives in moist woodlands. The glossy green leaves are lance-shaped to ovate, one…
Plant Profile: Leopard’s Bane (Doronicum caucasicum/D. orientale)
Native to woodlands of Europe, North Africa, and temperature Asia, this short-lived herbaceous perennial is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes sunflower, yarrow, and lettuce. The…
Plant Profile: Twinleaf (Jeffersonia diphylla)
A native of North America, twinleaf is found in damp woods on limestone soil from Ontario, Canada, south to Georgia and Alabama, and northwest to Iowa and Minnesota. It is…
Plant Profile: Allegheny Spurge (Pachysandra procumbens)
This native of eastern United States is a slow growing herbaceous perennial that forms attractive clumps that are evergreen in zones 7 and warmer. It is amember of the box…
Plant Profile: Sea Buckthorn ( Hippophae rhamnoides)
Grown in China for twelve centuries for its medicial uses this spiny deciduous shrub may become the next health food fad but is a useful garden plant too. The outstanding…
Plant Profile: New York Fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis)
I am partial to ferns so I am likely to incorporate almost any fern into my garden but this fern offers some unique characteristics that make it special. It forms…
Five Native Orchids for A Woodland Garden
The name orchid conjures on images of exotic plants from foreign shores. Most of them are not suitable for the outdoor gardens in the United States but there are some…
Plant Profile: Creeping Polemomium (Polemomium reptans)
The lovely light blue flowers create a magic moment in late spring for a couple of weeks when the foliage takes over and provides the main interest. The leaves are…
Plant Profile: Twinflower (Linnacea borealis)
A native of cool moist woods, twinflower often grows into large mats forming a beautiful ground cover. Bright green, glossy, evergreen leaves are borne in pairs on slender woody stems…