Plant Profile: Pussy Willow (Salix discolor)
Karen Pussy willow is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to moist and wet soils of northern regions of North America including parts of the US. It is a member…
A Visit to Ham House, Richmond, Surrey, England
The stately Stuart period Ham house and garden sit on the backs of The River Thames in the outskirts of London offering a glimpse of 17th century life. The mansion,…
Name This Plant Game: Early Blooming Plants 2
admin This simple game tests your gardening knowledge by identifying five plants shown in photos from a list of possible names. Two photos of each plant are accompaned by a clue…
Plant Profile: Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum)
One of the most endearing wild flowers is the dogtooth violet also called trout lily. The yellow nodding flower with its recurved petals and long brown stamens is borne singly…
Olympic Bouquets of the Past
To most people watching the Olympic Games, the bouquet of flowers that the medalists receive is of little interest. To me, they are one of the most interesting aspects of…
Plant Profile: Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)
When the weather is cold and bleak the attractive arching green stems of winter jasmine promise one of the first harbingers of spring; bright yellow flowers borne about a month…
A Visit to Glamis Castle, Glamis, Angus, Scotland
Glamis Castle, known for being the childhood home of the mother of Queen Elizabeth II and the birthplace of her sister, Princess Margaret, has been in the Strathmore family for…
Crossword Puzzle 1: Common names of trees
This crossword puzzle tests your knowledge about trees grown in North America. All the answers are common names of trees. To complete the puzzle click on one of the Across…
Plant Profile: Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox)
Native to China, this deciduous shrub is a member of the spicebush family, Calycanthaceae. The plant grows up to 15′ tall and has dark green, almond shaped leaves that are…
The Story of the Olympic Bouquet, Vancouver, 2010
When the winners are given their medals at the Olympic Games, do you look at the bouquets? I do. Every medallist gets one and this year at the winter games…