After a cold and breezy Saturday, the wind calmed down a bit on Sunday, Mother’s Day, and there was some sunshine off and on. This allowed us to have fun in the garden! Last year my daughter agreed to sell her old, seldom-used swing set that had been taking up potential gardening space in the [...]

Many of us celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by wearing green or drinking green beer. Being half Irish on both sides of the family, I also celebrate by cooking corned beef and cabbage, with Irish soda bread on the side. And I typically buy a Shamrock Plant: Oxalis regnellii. Shamrock is a tender pot-plant that grows from [...]

In honor of President’s Day, I would like to present some plant names that pay tribute to our past presidents. It’s not uncommon for scientists to name plants or other organisms after people, as you can see here. For the benefit of my horticulture students, I’m including some plant family information, too. Washingtonia is a [...]

Anthurium, with it’s bright red, long-lasting, heart-shaped bract, says “I love you!” Valentine’s Day is a time when we express our affection in words and actions, and often through flowers. At the end of a long dark winter, the gift of fresh blossoms is most cherished. A dozen roses is the traditional symbolic romantic offering. [...]