Going Daffy Over Daffodils
Daffodils, whose appearance is an undeniable harbinger of spring, bring smiles not only to gardeners but to poets, too. When William Wordsworth lay on his couch and thought of their unforgettable no...
Sweet ‘Cocktail’ Grapefruit
“The greatest service which can be rendered any country is to add a useful plant to its culture.” These words of Thomas Jefferson are precious to me since I have long felt that I can provide no more...
White Rockrose Shrub
This white rockrose (Cistus x hybridus) has a symmetrical, spherical growth habit. Once shrubs of this rockrose grow together, they make a nice 2-3 foot tall hedge. The only maintenance concern is ...
The Glorious Orchid Rockrose
Here’s a magnificent plant. Orchid rockrose (Cistus x purpureus). A Mediterranean plant. Water thrifty. Foliage fragrant when crushed. Needs no water other than winter rain. Ideally suite...
Mycorrhizae, Moss, and Baby Tears
What if Darwin’s “survival of the fittest” theory was wrong? What if it turns out that “survival of the most cooperative” explains why some species are more successful than others? Research conducte...
Dwarf Irises & Other Delights
No matter how much you think you know about plants, there are still plenty of surprises that await. With nearly 400,000 plant species identified world wide, it is little wonder that every time you s...
Growing Plants in Containers
Have you ever had a pet frog, a bird, a hamster, or a goldfish? If so, you have some idea of what caring for a potted plant is all about. Constant vigilance, really. You want to feed it, but not t...
How to Grow Pomegranates, the Healthiest Fruit on Earth
Pomegranates are probably the healthiest fruit on earth. Hundreds of peer reviewed articles in scientific journals attest to the multi-faceted benefits of pomegranate consumption, from lowering chol...
Why Do Trees Live Longer Than Humans?
On Quora, Eoin Kenny asked: “Why do trees live longer than humans?” Let me attempt an answer. Because their roots run deeper than ours. Roots, representing faith, are constantly drawing ...
Tactile Plants
Everyone loves petting zoos, especially kids, and I was just wondering if, maybe alongside them, petting gardens would be appropriate. A petting garden would feature leaves with furry, fuzzy, bumpy, ...
