Botany for Gardeners: The Root-Systems
Karen Roots are important to a plant for anchorage, absorption of water and nutrients, support of the stem, and storage of food and nutrients. Some plants need long roots that can…
Plant Profile: Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
Tansy is a herbaceous perennial and a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow, and lettuce. It is native to Europe and Asia but was introduced…
Why Roses for Valentine’s Day?
Every year at Valentine’s Day millions of roses are sent to significant others as an expression of love. No other flower comes close to being as popular as the rose,…
Botany for Gardeners: The Root-Characteristics and Functions
Most of the plants in our garden have roots. We take the roots for granted and usually don’t consider them an important visual feature of our garden but they are…
Plant Profile: Kalenchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)
When I saw a bright yellow kalenchoe plant at one of the local dollar-stores I could not resist buying it. Yes, it was small but it is such an easy…
Plants with Special Meanings for Valentine’s Day: Gift Suggestions
Valentine’s Day always conjures up visions of flowers among other things but why just give the flowers? Why not give a whole flowering plant that would last much longer than…
Plant Profile: Lemon Verbena (Aloysia triphylla syn. A. citrodora)
The scent of lemon is always welcome in my garden and lemon verbena is one of the most delightfully lemony. Just brush by the plant and it will release its…
Plant Profile: Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo bibloba)
The maidenhair tree is one of the most interesting trees alive! Fossil leaves from ancient trees have been found in rock dating to Jurassic times, almost 200 million years ago,…
Ten Interesting Facts about Groundhogs
The furry little critter that emerges from his hole in spring is cute but is he a good garden visitor? He certainly captured the imagination of the American movie going…
A Visit to West Lake, Hangzhou, China
If you like gardens and visit China try to include a visit to the city of Hangzhou, 112 miles south of Shanghai. You will not visit lots of gardens there,…