Kohlrabi, Brassica olearcea var. gongylodes
Looking somewhat like a space alien, kohlrabi is a member of the cabbage family that has a turnip-like enlargement of the stem above the soil surface. To learn more about this vegetable, read this article…
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Hover, Flower or Syrphid Flies (Syrphidae)
Are those insects with striped abdomens really all bees? Take a closer look – if they have only one pair of wings, they’re actually a type of fly. Called by various common names, these hover flies or flower flies or syrphid flies are beneficial insects. The adults feed on flowers, but the larvae are important predators of aphids. To learn more about these insects, read this article…
Lady of the Night Orchid, Brassavola nodosa
With a lovely perfume coming from the flowers in the evening, Lady of the Night orchid is aptly named. This relatively small epiphytic orchid from Central and South America adapts readily to being grown as a houseplant. To learn more about Brassavola nodosa and how to grow it as a pot plant, read this article…
Liatris
Tall purple flower spikes characterize the several species of Liatris that are used as ornamentals in gardens. This native plant is at home in the border as it is in a meadow or prairie planting. There are several species and varieties of this easy-to-grow herbaceous perennial. Learn more about Liatris in this article…
Corn Earworm, Helicoverpa zea
No one likes opening a fresh ear of sweet corn only to find it chewed up and often with a worm inside. The culprit is usually a corn earworm. The caterpillar of this species of moth varies a lot in color but is always seen feeding on the silk end of ears of corn. To learn more about this pest and how to control it, read this article…
Verbena bonariensis
With its long, airy sprays of purple flowers, Verbena bonariensis is a great addition to the garden. It is a perennial, but only to zone 7. However, it is very easy to grow and will flower the first year from seed, so can be treated as an annual in colder climates. The flowers are highly attractive to butterflies and other insects. To learn more about Verbena bonariensis, read this article…
'Silver Falls' Dichondra argentea
Looking for a trailing plant with silvery foliage? ‘Silver Falls’ dichondra fits the bill, with shimmering silver leaves on trailing stems. Only hardy to zone 8, it makes a great seasonal plant for containers or planted in the ground as a fast-growing ground cover. Learn more about this attractive foliage plant in this article…
Bird of Paradise, Strelitzia reginae
The iconic, stereotypical flower of the tropics – bird of paradise – isn’t really a tropical plant at all – Strelitzia reginae is from subtropical southern Africa! But there’s no denying it has a very exotic bloom that looks tropical. Although it won’t survive outdoors in the midwest, it can be grown as an indoor or patio plant. To learn more about this interesting flower, read this article…
Chioggia Beets
Beets are an easy crop to grow in the home garden, but they don’t have to be plain red. ‘Chioggia’ is a colorful red and white heirloom variety, often sweeter than other varieties. Learn more about this beet in this article…
Bean Leaf Beetle, Cerotoma trifurcata
Are your green bean plants being chewed up, with lots of round holes in the leaves and nibble marks on the pods? The most likely culprit is bean leaf beetle, a chrysomelid pest that tends to be more common in the southeast, but has outbreaks in southern Wisconsin after mild winters. To learn more about this insect pest and what to do about it, read this article…
Russian sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia
With airy purple-blue flowers and gray-green leaves, Russian sage is a nice addition to the late summer garden. This semi-woody plant can be used as a substitute for lavendar where it is too cold to grow that plant reliably. It combines well with ornamental grasses and white-flowered perennials. To learn more about Russian sage read this article…
Ageratum, Ageratum houstonianum
Not many bedding plants boast blue flowers. Ageratum flowers come in a variety of blue, pink and purple tones and various heights. The soft fuzzy flowers are dainty and feathery, often delightfully fragrant, and usually completely cover the plants. To learn more about this easy-to-grow, tender annual, read this article…
