Exotic Edibles
Lasagna Gardening
Maximize your gardening success with minimum weeds using this layering technique.
Denise Testa
September 2003
Chrysanthemum or Garden Mum – Dendranthema grandiflorum Origin: China Cultivated in China since 500 BC, chrysanthemums were not only prized for their beauty but also as a food. The petals are traditionally the part consumed, either in a revitalizing tea…
August 2003
Bishops Crown Pepper – Capsicum baccatum Origin: Barbados I can’t go a whole year without promoting pepper plants. This time around the honor goes to the pepper with a multitude of names, the Bishops Crown. In fact, it may have…
July 2003
Fragrant Water Lily: Nymphaea odorata Water Lily mat Origin: North East United States You’ll need a little patience. This month’s featured plant article is going to be more about water gardening in paludariums and less about the actual plant, which…
Hosting Mr. Toad
Toads are the ultimate good neighbor. Learn how to create the perfect toad habitat in your garden.
June 2003
Chive: Allium schoenoprasum Origin: Unknown, possibly Asia Each spring I’m surprised to find my little pot of chive has survived another long cold winter. Over the years, I’ve done little or no mulching but my trusty chive plant not only…
May 2003
White Dragonflower:Physostegia virginiana alba Origin: Virginia, USA Want to attract butterflies to your garden? Then why not add White Dragonflowers to your outdoor plantings this spring. An easy care perennial, this attractive plant will produce spikes of unusual snapdragon-like white…
April 2003
Dwarf Korean Lilac – Syringa meyeri Origin: China In my part of the country, we are finally starting to dig out from underneath the snow. One of the events that signals Spring has officially arrived is the blooming of the…
Dandelion Festivus
A celebration of the humble dandelion - not that there's anything wrong with being a Dandelion!
March 2003
Orchid Trees – Bauhinia ssp. Origin: India, China, and Madagascar Here’s a genus of plants that are definitely favorites. Bauhinias were named in honor of the brothers Bauhin, who were Swiss botanists of the 16th to 17th century. The common…
February 2003
Queen’s Tears – Billbergia nutans Origin: Brazil, Argentina, Uraguay This stem-less ephiphytic herb is a member of the bromeliad family like its cousin, Spanish moss that hangs from trees in the South. The epiphyte is a plant that doesn’t grow…
January 2003
Beetberry – Chenopodium capitatum Origin: Southern Europe Even though there is snow on the ground in many parts of the country, it’s never too early to start thinking about your upcoming garden. And judging from all the catalogues, the seeds…