Plant Profile: Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Karen Native to Eurasia, this short lived herbaceous perennial is also known as catmint and is a member of the mint family, Labiaceae, that also includes rosemary, basil, and beebalm. Plants…
Name This Plant Game: Trees 2
Chuck This simple game tests your gardening knowledge by identifying five plants shown in photos from a list of possible names. Photos of each plant are accompaned by a clue describing…
Botany for Gardeners: The Leaf-Shape
Leaf shape is an important characteristic when gardening because it is used for the identification of plants and, more importantly, influences the texture that the plant will give to the…
Plant Profile: Japanese Weeping Cutleaf Maple (Acer palmatum dissectum ‘Viridis’)
The small walled garden off of our bedroom needed a diminutive, delicate tree and the weeping cutleaf maple I found at a local big box store filled the bill perfectly.…
A Visit to a Hutong Residence and Garden, Beijing, China.
Most of the gardens we visit on our travels belong to the rich, super rich or government but occasionally we are able to visit a garden belonging to an ordinary…
Plant Profile: Oregano (Oreganum vulgare var. hirtum)
There are probably very few people who have not tasted oregano. It is an important herb in the cooking of many countries including Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Greece, Italy Mexico, and…
Name This Plant Game: Trees 1
This simple game tests your gardening knowledge by identifying five plants shown in photos from a list of possible names. Photos of each plant are accompaned by a clue describing…
How To Build and Install A Sundial In Your Garden
Many people think of sundials in the garden as nothing more than decorations or historical curiosities. However, sundials can be a great addition to your garden. They can be beautiful…
A Visit to Yuhuayuan, the Imperial Garden in the Forbidden City, Beijing, China
No trip to Beijing is complete without a visit to the Forbidden City but don’t count on seeing the Imperial Garden. The shear size of the Forbidden City is overwhelming…
Plant Profile: Common Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Common sage is a perennial subshrub and a member of the deadnettle family, Lamiaceae, that also includes basil, mint, and beebalm. It is native to the southern Mediterranean coast including…