My Favorite Violas

Springtime is my favorite time of year, especially since thats when my springtime favorites-little wild violas and violets-pop up all over the neighborhood to

Growing Rugosa Roses

The ancestors of the family of the rugosa rose originated on the sandy beaches of northern China, Japan and Korea. They are grown and bred for their disease r

Curly Dock: Rumex crispus, History and Lore

Many weeds have an interesting history and it is fun to explore their legends and uses.

History of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

An insight into the history and traditions of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Stinging Nettle Are Really Stinging and Delicious

An old gypsy song says Spring is our mother/Nettle pop out on the mountain side showing the joy of those poor people who finally have something free to put on

Tips for Purchasing Gardening Gloves

For far too long, I admit, I skimped on gardening gloves. I bought whatever was the cheapest variety and, as a result, my hands were often dirty and scratched

Fabulous Feverfew

Tanacetum parthenium. This pretty, versatile herb is a favourite in my garden. Hopefully, by the end of this article, it will be one of yours too.

Agave 101, Part B: Selected Large Species

In a previous article I introduced the reader to the basics of Agave culitvation and a few of the more common species of Agave. In this one I will touch upon

Blushing Beauties - Pink varieties of Zantedeschia aethiopica

Flushing a luminous rosy pink, a host of elegant floral goblets soar on robust stems above mounds of glossy arrow-head leaves. See them with the morning sun s

California Grasslands: Where the Cowboys Were Indians

Fog rolled in yesterday evening, but within an hour it will all be burned off. The sun is strong. The air smells dry and dusty, but also oddly sweet. The wild

Edges, Chicken Fat, and Eyes; Oh My!

In all the plant world there is one flower known for its eyes, edges, and every so often you find some wonderful chicken fat edges. What is this wonder of the

What are annuals?

There you are wandering the aisles of the big box store or huge nursery. The helpful sales person stumps you with his first question-Are you looking for annua

The Slipper Orchids

They were small strange blooms, looking very much like ballet shoes to me. We didnt gather many of them, and never the flower. We waited until it had bloomed

One Technique for Painting Succulents with Watercolors

This article is an introduction on how to do some watercolor paintings of some of the simpler succulents (aloes, agaves etc.). Some painting tips will be ment

Decorative and Functional: Traditional Uses of African Landscaping and Hobby Plants

The foreign landscaping plants used in landscaping in the United States are native plants somewhere. Anywhere plants are native, the local people have develop

Jumping Headfirst into the Art of Bonsai

My New Years resolution this year was to learn something new every month. It didnt really matter to me what that new thing would be; it just needed to be some

Come join the parade!

It happens every June without fail. I hop out of bed and hit the floor running. I dont want to miss a minute of my daylily parade.

Indian Pink: A Wildflower for Your Garden

I remember a day last June when Amiable Spouse and I were visiting brother Ronald, who had just purchased a fantastic piece of land just south of Jackson, Mis

Growing Freesia at Home

Freesia are famous for their delectably subtle sweet fragrance and their elegant narrow stems. They are one of the standbys of the florist, showing up reliabl

Tortoises in the Garden

The following article will introduce you to some of the more commonly kept garden tortoises, along with care suggestions.