HESPERIS MATRONALIS Dame’s rocket, or Hesperis matronalis, is a member of the Brassicaceae family of plants, which includes arugula, broccoli, and mustard. Native to Europe, it was originally ...
Borage: A Vigorous and Versatile Herb
BORAGO OFFICINALIS Borago officinalis, commonly known as borage or starflower, is one of a host of herbs with origins in the Mediterranean region. It’s a member of the Boraginaceae family of ...
Balloon Flower: A Blue Garden Gem
PLATYCODON GRANDIFLORUS Balloon flower, or Platycodon grandiflorus, is a native of the Russian Far East, China, Japan, and Korea that has become a garden sensation in the United States. A ...
Bachelor’s Button: Country Classic or Invasive Weed?
CENTAUREA CYANUS Bachelor’s button, or Centaurea cyanus, is a European wildflower of the aster family that has naturalized across the United States. It’s a vigorous grower that was commonly ...
What’s Up With Air Plants?
Have you ever visited the American South and seen Spanish moss hanging from the trees? This is Tillandsia usneoides, a type of air plant. Tillandsia are currently making bold and exotic ...
Terrariums: Mini-Landscapes for any Decor
Indoor gardening with terrariums is a fun and attractive way to incorporate plants into any home décor. In Victorian times, renowned physician Nathanial Bagshaw Ward was pursuing a passion for ...
Restoring Habitat with Charlotte Adelman and Bernard Schwartz’s Midwestern Native Shrubs and Trees
I just finished reading the recently published gardening handbook, Midwestern Native Shrubs and Trees: Gardening Alternatives to Nonnative Species, by Charlotte Adelman and Bernard L. Schwartz. It’s , ...
The 5 Best Shrubs for Hedges High and Low
Planting a hedge is one of the friendliest ways to put a border around a property. Unlike fences, shrubs take time to grow, allowing you to ease into defining your space. In addition to ...
Attract Crowds of Hummingbirds to Your Backyard With These Awesome Feeders!
Getting a good look at hummingbirds isn’t easy – unless you can attract them and convince them to stick around for a while. One of the best ways to do this is with a feeder made especially for ...
Xeriscaping Your Yard for Efficiency and Aesthetics
Maybe you’ve heard of xeriscaping. It’s a type of desert-style landscaping, right? Actually, I’m here to tell you that it’s way more! By definition, xeriscaping is landscaping geared to dry ...
