General Approaches to Insect Control
There are several general approaches to insect pest management. Learn about the major categories of control, including cultual, physical, biological, chemical and more in this article by entomologist Dan Mahr…
Articles
Pasque Flower, Pulsatilla vulgaris
Spring has sprung, and the earliest flowers are finally opening. Pasque flower is one of the first to bloom. Learn more about this pretty herbaceous perennial plant in this article…
Lettuce Shows
Lettuce is a great plant for adding interesting foliar color and texture to beds and containers. Learn more about how to make a show of your lettuce in this article…
Snowdrops, Galanthus spp.
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…
Love-in-a-Mist, Nigella damascena
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’
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…
Rove Beetles (Staphylinidae)
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, Epipremmum aureum
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, Melissa officinalis
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…
Entomophthora muscae
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…
Common Groundsel, Senecio vulgaris
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…
Spider plant, Chlorophytum comosum
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…
