Division of Extension
Most of us have eaten capers at one time or another – those salty, slightly astringent and pungent, pea-sized, dark green things used as a seasoning or garnish in Mediterranean dishes or with lox. But do you know what the plant is that you’re eating? Learn all about what capers are in this article…
Basil downy mildew is a devastating disease that affects the leaves, branches, and stems of many types of basil commonly used for cooking. This factsheet describes symptoms and how to avoid problems with this disease.
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.
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…
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, grown as an annual, features shrubby upright clumps producing 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 in this article.
Catnip is 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.
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…
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 low maintenance perennial addition to any sunny garden. Learn more about Amsonia tabernaemontana in this article
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 is one of the first shrubs to flower in spring with showy yellow flowers. Many cultivars are available and flower hardiness can vary. Learn more about forsythia in this article.
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…
