I’m absolutely amazed by how many plants there are. I know the plants in my garden well; I have paid for them and chose them above others. Yet every time I visit a garden or a nursery I see plants that are new to me. It’s rather wonderful. I love this Narcissus ‘Ellen’ but don’t … Read more
In scrolling through the course offerings at the University of Maryland, where I’ve been taking classes for several years, I came upon this one: “Lawns in the Landscape: Environmental Hero or Villain?” listed in both the Environmental Sciences and the Plant Sciences Departments. So naturally I signed up! I’ll have more to say about the … Read more
Lone Tree, Thomas Pereira 2020 Do those of us who have rejected traditional lawn-focused front gardens in favor of edible or perennial alternatives need to check our privilege? It’s not entirely that crazy a question. While I understand and sympathize with Susan’s consternation over an academic assignment that seemed to turn all the good we’re … Read more
When I signed up for the course “Lawns in the Landscape: Environment Hero or Villain?” at the University of Maryland I had suspicions, even after reading this description: “Examination of the lawn as an element in the anthropogenic landscape and its influence on global warming, regional air and water quality, ecological diversity, mammalian pesticide exposure … Read more
I’ve not been too well this week. For the first time in years I’ve been tucked up in bed for several days with hot tea as my body fights whatever this malaise is; I’m very rarely ill at all, and this has really taken me out. Woken at some godforsaken hour by the feeling that … Read more
It is summer and I am standing in a large field/garden of native plants. It is one of thousands just like it, and I have seen so many in the last several years – a rangy offering of the usual suspects that effortlessly cements the gardener’s reputation as one of The Good, if not the … Read more
I returned to my garden this week worn out. After a long drive north to a speaking engagement, but an even longer flight and overnight experience south to a conference destination an equal distance away, I began an early morning weeding session this morning and let my thoughts wander into what the actual hell has … Read more
Although native plants lend themselves to informal displays such as this combination of paper birch (Betula papyrifera) and Carolina lupines (Thermopsis villosa), the effect can be quite elegant. And maintenance, once the natives haves established themselves, is typically far less demanding than that of traditional imported garden plantings. Photo by Larry Weaner. I admire … Read more
So, avocado a fruit or vegetable? Yes, answer your questions. What is an Avocado? The avocado, a tree likely originating from south-central Mexico. It is classified as a member of the flowering plant family Lauraceae. The fruit of the plant, also called an avocado. It is botanically a large berry containing a single large seed. … Read more
The Squirting Cucumber Plant is a very unique wild plant found naturally growing in the Mediterranean. It can be grown in the States as an annual or in zones 8-11 for longer periods. Anyone can enjoy this plant during their growing season as it takes between 50-70 days to produce its fruit. Squirting cucumber (Ecballium … Read more