Drought Tolerant Plants: Annuals and Perennials with Blue, Lavender and Purple Flowers
Karen Water is essential for plant growth but plants vary greatly in their need for it. Since the amount of water on earth is finite but the demand is not, we…
Book Review: Growing Flowers
Karen Meyers In her book, Growing Flowers, flower farmer and florist, Niki Irving, shares her expertise on creating a cutting garden and using its bounty to make beautiful arrangements. Aimed a newbies,…
Plant Profile: Corkscrew Willow (Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’)
Also known as Hankow willow, curly willow, dragon’s claw willow and globe willow, this multi stemmed deciduous tree is a member of the willow family, Salicaceae, that also includes aspen,…
Book Review: Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden
Floret Farms’ Cut Flower Garden, by florist and flower farmer, Erin Benzakein, provides all the basics for growing, harvesting and arranging flowers year round either for home use or to…
Plant Profile: Japanese Anemone (Anemone tomentosa)
Earlier to flower and hardier than other Japanese anemones, this herbaceous perennial is native to open grassy slopes in northern China. Also known as windflower, it is a member of…
Plant Profile: Mediterranean Sea Holly (Eryngium bourgatii)
Native to Morocco, Lebanon, Turkey, France, and Spain, this rosette-forming herbaceous perennial is a member of the parsley family, Apiaceae, that also includes dill, celery, and Queen Anne’s lace. It…
Book Review: The Little Flower Recipe Book
Florist, Jill Rizzo, explores the world of miniature arrangements in her book, The Little Flower Recipe Book. With a love of the natural garden look, she presents 149 examples of…
Plant Profile: Blue African Lily (Agapanthus africanus)
Also called lily of the Nile, this native of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa is an evergreen tender perennial and a member of the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae,…
Book Review: The Posy Book
Terresa Sabankaya’s recent work, The Posy Book, celebrates the Victorian love for the language of flowers with fresh ideas on creating bouquets that convey meaning and express special feelings. The…
Book Review: A Year in Flowers
Flower farmer and florist, Erin Benzakein, shares her experience and expertise in her book, A Year in Flowers. She includes the basics of floral design, essential techniques and detailed instructions…