How to Care for Bonsai: Mastic Tree (Pistacia lentiscus)
Karen This evergreen shrub or small tree is native to the Mediterranean where it is cultivated as an ornamental and for its resin. The resin, called mastic, is harvested primarily from…
Plant Profile: Castor Aralia (Kalopanax septemlobus)
This relative of ivy is the only member of the family (Araliaceae) that is a large hardy tree. A native of China, Korea and Japan this deciduous tree has a…
Book Review: Buy the Right Wine Every Time
If you are overwhelmed by the prospect of selecting a wine when confronted with a huge choice in the market place, Tom Stevenson’s book may offer you a viable solution.…
Garden Pests: Pocket Gophers and How to Control Them
If you have ever had gophers in your garden you know what a terrible menace they can be. They dig extensive tunnels, eating roots as they go, even pulling plants…
Plant Profile: Sweetfern (Comptonia peregrina)
This handsome low-growing suckering shrub is a native of Northeastern United States where it is found growing in poor gravelly or sandy soil along roadsides and similar waste areas. The…
Plant Combination: Plumed Celosia (Celosia argentea var. plumosa) and Crimson Barberry (Berberis thunbergii ‘Crimson Pygmy’)
Celosia thrives in the heat and humidity of a Southern summer and produce some beautiful combinations. One of my favorites is a crimson flowered celosia like ‘New Look’ with bronze…
Plant Profile: Bush Clover (Lespedeza bicolor)
Bush clover is a loose deciduous medium sized shrub native to eastern Asia but introduced into the United States in the mid 1800’s as an ornamental. Later used for erosion…
Book Review: Seeing Trees
Have you ever considered being a tree watcher? People watch birds so why not trees? Nancy Ross Hugo’s book, Seeing Trees, will give you all the information needed to spark…
Ten Interesting Facts about Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invictato)
The aggressive behavior and painful sting of the red imported fire ant (RIFA) makes it an unwelcome guest in gardens, woods, and fields. In addition to the pain the RIFA…
Plant Profile: Wall Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys aka T. x lucidrys)
This broadleaf evergreen, creeping shrub is native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean. Its attractive aromatic foliage forms a low mound of dark green oval leaves with scalloped margins on…