Stinkhorns
Stinkhorns are mushrooms that can appear in mulch, lawns, and areas with bare soil. Stinkhorns do not cause plant disease, and can be beneficial, as described in this factsheet.
Articles
Garlic, Allium sativum
Cultivated for thousands of years for both culinary and medicinal uses – and to repel vampires – garlic is a well-known herb. Learn more about the many types of garlic and how to grow it, harvest and use it…
Praying Mantids
The praying mantids are a group of insects with very characteristic front legs designed to capture and hold prey. The common name comes from the way the legs are held upright when hunting, but they don’t really have any religious affiliations. To learn more about these fascinating predators, read this article…
Mealycup sage, Salvia farinacea
Add some blue to any garden with the herbaceous perennial mealycup sage grown as an annual. The shrubby upright clumps produce tall, sturdy flower stems above the foliage, with dense whorls of dark blue, light blue, purple, or white flowers. Learn more about these tough, heat-tolerant plants that bloom from early summer to frost…
Catnip, Nepeta cataria
Although a bit weedy because it self-seeds readily, if you have a feline friend, catnip is must-have. This mint family member native to Eurasia contains a compound that is very attractive to most cats. The plant itself can be an attractive addition to the garden, especially when in bloom. Learn more about catnip in this article…
Astrantia, Astrantia major
With small, unusual “pincushion” flowers in subtle shades of red, pink and white, astrantia or great masterwort, is a relatively uncommon perennial in American gardens. Growing in sun or partial shade it’s best suited to places where the flowers can be appreciated up close. To learn more about this perennial plant, read this article…
Willowleaf bluestar, Amsonia tabernaemontana
With pale blue flowers in spring, a large mound of foliage that stays bright green throughout the summer until turning yellow in fall, willowleaf bluestar is a great addition to any sunny garden. This low-maintenance perennial, native to the central US, is easy to grow and has few pest problems. To learn more about Amsonia tabernaemontana, read this article…
Common Columbine Pests: Columbine Leafminer and Columbine Sawfly
If you have columbines in your garden, you likely have seen squiggly white trails or blotches on the leaves or had the entire leaf devoured at one time. These are significant as cosmetic problems, but generally have little impact on the plant’s health. Learn more about the life cycle of the two insects that cause these problems and how to deal with them in this article…
Forsythia, Forsythia spp.
As one of the first shrubs to flower, the showy yellow flowers of forsythia are the ultimate symbol of spring in many places. Learn more about forsythia in this article…
Guinea Hen Flower, Fritillaria meleagris
Looking for an unusual spring flowering bulb? Guinea hen flower sports a variable, checkered pattern on the nodding, bell-shaped flowers that are only about 2 inches long. The dark colored flowers (shades of red, pink or purple) are best sited where they can be appreciated up close. Learn more about Fritillaria meleagris by reading this article…
Cutleaf Toothwort, Cardamine concatenata
Cutleaf toothwort is one several woodland plants that are harbingers of spring with their early flowers. Although small, this charming spring ephemeral is eye-catching with its distinctive leaves and soft white flowers. Easy to grow, it’s a great addition to any woodland garden, or to just appreciate the colonies that fill many natural areas. Learn more about this native species by reading this article…
Skunk cabbage, Symplocarpus foetidus
Skunk cabbage is one of the first plants to bloom in the spring, with odd flowers like something from a science-fiction movie. The plant can bloom when there is still snow on the ground. The bizarre flowers are followed by huge rosettes of broad leaves that disappear by summer. Read this article to learn more about this interesting native plant…
