… plants you have to be careful that what you take isn’t getting sprayed with herbicides—which is why I recommend only harvesting weeds from your own yard, or places you know have … officinale,  or dandelions, are bothersome weeds, but they are truly “gourmet.” Dandelions get their name from their toothed leaves which are reminiscent of lion’s teeth, or as the French … growing naturally? Look for purslane in sunny areas, particularly where the ground can get dry. Harvest purslane any time before the flowers appear, because they can become quite …
Type: Blog
… Although it may not look like it, spring is on its way, which means it’s time to start prepping for the anticipated spring planting … greatly enhances the success of a garden and horticultural therapy program. When participants get the opportunity to place their own plants within a shared space, their individual ownership … Punxsutawney Phil thinks spring is just around the corner then we better be ready! Until then, get those seeds going, stay warm, and dream of snow drops, crocuses, and early spring showers. …
Type: Blog
… thistle ( Cirsium arvense ) and the bull thistle ( Cirsium vulgare ). The Canada thistle is a perennial plant commonly found in disturbed ground, like farm fields, roadsides, and … thistle Cirsium discolor Pasture thistle Image By Fritz Flohr Reynolds - https://www.flickr.com/photos/fritzflohrreynolds/15143788606, CC BY-SA 2.0, … to feeding on the seeds of native thistles and the impact of this is being investigated. To get a good look at some of our native thistles, travel to the Barbara Brown Nature Reserve at the …
Type: Plant Info
… in June, you'll hear the birds singing as the sun sets late in the evening. The birdsong is slowly overtaken by a chorus of crickets and cicadas. The rising of fireflies from the shrubs … to fade as shimmering white blossoms and silver and white-splashed foliage start to glow. This is the time when the moon garden, or white garden, comes into its own. Moon Gardens of the Past … suaveolens' Plant Calamintha to attract a host of (daytime) pollinators to your garden. Get Glowing A moon garden near a front entry is a pleasant greeting for you and your visitors. …
Type: Plant Info
… and hummingbirds. Some serve as host plants for egg-laying butterflies. For example, pipevine is the only host plant for the pipevine swallowtail butterfly. Hops vines are host plants for the … and vanilla. Flowering jasmine, which can be grown in a pot and brought indoors come fall, is highly fragrant as are sweet peas. Climbing Hydrangea Twining and Clasping Vines grow by … in partial shade will grow but produce fewer flowers. There are plenty of choices. Let’s get growing. Black-eyed Susan Annual Vines       for Sunny Sites Moonflower Vine ( Ipomoea alba …
Type: Plant Info
… from areas of the cold, higher elevations of the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa that get significant summer rainfall, this beautiful, wild species has proven amazingly hardy in the … of its native habitat nominated the gladiolus for trial at the Garden: first, it is a winter-growing bulb in South Africa, which translates to summer growth in North America. Second, this plant thrives in moist soils in grassy areas—it was perfect for the site we chose in the Bulb Garden. Based on its initial success in our plant trial program, other …
Type: Blog
… much larger than her body. Not much larger than a quarter, the ruby-throated hummingbird nest is an engineering marvel. This is all well and good until the eggs hatch. Growing young … or triple the amount of room necessary to hold the family. One of the ways the hummingbirds get around this need for flexibility is that they construct the nest of soft plant fibers and … not, keep an eye out for little bumps, lumps, and knobs on bare branches in winter. You might get lucky. …
Type: Blog
… for decades to grow their own vegetables. The COVID-19 health crisis has changed how we get our food, including fruits and vegetables. As those in the farming industry know, the concept of “social distancing” in harvesting crews and packing plants is not feasible on the scale needed to feed our population. That presents challenges for those on … and turn part of our carefully manicured lawns into home vegetable gardens. Besides, there is a benefit beyond the crops raised. It’s called horticultural therapy: taking care of plants …
Type: Blog
… a great science project! If you come to the Garden on the night Spike blooms, perhaps you’ll get to see Shannon Still working on “Operation Pollination.” Introduce yourself if you’re there! …
Type: Blog
… seasons for gardeners. You have time to plan, prune, and enjoy those houseplants that don’t get much love during the outdoor growing season. Make the most of your winter gardening with … easier to prune because you’ll be able to better see a tree’s branching structure and there is less chance of transmitting diseases from one plant to another. Winter is the perfect time to prune deciduous trees or remove nuisance buckthorn. DON’T prune conifers. …
Type: Blog
