The delicate white flowers and early bloom of these perennial bulbs (even pushing through the snow in cold areas) have given them the common name of snowdrops. Several of the 19 or so species of Galanthus are planted as ornamentals, with most hardy to zone 5, but some to zone 2. Learn more about this hardy group in the amaryllis family in this article…
With unique flowers in blues and white, love-in-a-mist is an old-fashioned, self-seeding annual that is right at home in a cottage garden. This charming plant only blooms for a month or two, but can be seeded in successive plantings for a flowering display for most of the growing season. To learn more about this easy flower, read this article…
Nepeta xfaassenii ‘Walker’s Low’ was chosen by the Perennial Plant Association as their Plant of the Year 2007. With clouds of blue flowers floating on spires above mounds of blue-grey foliage, this plant is a great addition to both formal and informal gardens. You can find out a lot more about this great perennial by reading this article…
There are many beneficial insects that people frequently overlook. One of those groups of good guys are the rove beetles, or staphylinids. Although they are usually small, these beetles are easily recognized by the slender, dark-colored body and an exposed abdomen. To learn more about these beetles read this article…
Pothos is one of the most popular houseplants in North America. Easily propagated and able to grow in relatively low light, this tropical plant is grown for its juvenile foliage. In the tropics the rambling stems can grow up to 65 feet long, but it can be kept much shorter for use as a container plant. To read more about this evergreen root-climber, read this article…
Lemon balm is an attractive plant with a fragrant, lemon-like odor. Used for tea and medicinal purposes, it is very easy to grow. To learn more about this herb, read this article…
Have you ever noticed a dead fly hanging with outstretched wings from a flower stalk or glued to the window in your house? These insects likely succumbed to a fungus that only affects flies. This insect destroyer called Entomophthora muscae is actually fairly common, infecting several types of flies related to house flies. To learn more about this fungus, read this article…
With inconspicuous flowers and relatively short stature, and often growing in disturbed sites, common groundsel is often overlooked. This European annual can be locally common and spread rapidly, but may be absent or uncommon in other areas. Read more about this introduced weed in this article…
Looking for an easy houseplant? Look no further than spider plant. This tough foliage plant tolerates inconsistent watering, has few pest problems, grows well in medium to bright light indoors, and is easy to propagate. It available in both green and variegated versions. Learn more about this South African native in this article…
Commonly called Brown-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia triloba is an herbaceous biennial or short-lived perennial with typical coneflowers with yellow rays and brown centers. This rangy plant with masses of small flowers works well in cottage gardens or in wildflower plantings. Learn more about this prairie native in this article…
Large silken webs on the ends of branches on trees may be the nests of fall webworm, which feeds on many different shade trees and deciduous ornamental trees. To learn more about fall webworm, read this article…
Are you looking for a plant to provide both color and architectural interest? Look no further than the succulent Aeonium, a tender perennial used extensively as an ornamental in mild climates. It adapts readily to container culture, so can be grown as a seasonal plant in cold climates or even a houseplant if you have very bright light. Read more about this interesting plant in this article…
