Book Review: The Nutmeg Trail
Karen Meyers When I picked up a copy of Eleanor Ford’s book, The Nutmeg Trail, I expected a history of nutmeg and perhaps other spices. But as soon as I opened the…
Genus Witch Hazels for the Garden (Hamamelis spp)
Karen Witch hazels, Hamamelis spp., are deciduous shrubs or small trees native to eastern North America and eastern Asia. They are in the witch hazel family, Hamamelidaceae, that also includes lorpetalum,…
Plant Profile: Alpine Bottlebrush (Callistemon sieberi aka Melaleuca pityoides)sieberi,
Also known as marsh bottlebrush and river bottlebrush, this broadleaf evergreen shrub is native to Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, Australia, where is grows in and around sphagnum bogs…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Persian Walnut (Juglans regia)
Also called English walnut, this deciduous tree belongs to the Juglandaceae plant family that also includes pecan and hickory. It probably originated in Iran but was spread in pre-historic times…
Plant Profile: Henry Anise Tree (Illicium henryi)
Also known as Chinese anise tree, this broadleaf evergreen shrub is a member of the starvine family, Schisandraceae, consisting of 3 genera and 92 species. It is native to central…
Book Review: Science of Spice
Also available by the title, Spice, with a red cover featuring pictures of various spices, Science of Spice by Dr. Stuart Farrimond, presents science-based principles for combining spices. The main…
Trees for the Wettest Zone of a Rain Garden
The following trees are suitable for the area of a rain garden that is the deepest and holds the most water for the most amount of time. They can tolerate…
Plant Profile: Weeping Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis aka Melaleuca viminalis)
Also known as prickly bottlebrush, this broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree is native to Australia and is a member of the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, that also includes clove, allspice,…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Corn Poppy (Papaver rhoeas)
Also known as common poppy, field poppy, and Flanders poppy, this annual wildflower is native from Africa to temperate and tropical Asia and Europe, and is a member of the…
Plant Profile: Purple Anise (Illicium floridanum aka I. mexicanum)
Also known as Florida anise tree and poison bay, this broadleaf evergreen shrub is a member of the starvine family, Schisandraceae, consisting of 3 genera and 92 species. It is…