Mistflower and white snakeroot are two eupatoriums that have proved useful in my garden. Mistflower (E. coelestinum) closely resembles the annual garden ageratum that many people think it is a perennial form of the same plant. It grows from 12” to 24” inches tall. The bluish or lavender flowers come at a time when color … Read more
I often wonder why more people, especially those with shade in their yards, don’t grow galax. It is a valuable addition to any wild or shady garden. Desirable Characteristics of Galax Its evergreen leaves make a good ground cover for shrubs. They are round, about the size of a 50-cent piece, and a beautiful glossy … Read more
Three years ago, in the spring, as a hobby, I started planting native Ohio trees from the fields and woods in a garden space of about an acre. By trial and error, with sweat and toil, in swamp and forest, I learned both the possible and the improbable. Varieties Of Trees Now, however, I have … Read more
Rigidly straight, formal, statuesque, and densely needled, the Colorado spruce (Picea pungens) is one of America’s most unusual conifers. In its native home among the Rockies from Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado southward to New Mexico, it may tower 100′ feet above the ground, for it is a high-country tree and would have little use for … Read more
Every fall and spring, thousands of native trees are dug from our woods for transplanting to home grounds. Usually, this effort is wasted. The trees seldom withstand the shock of poor digging, improper transportation, and lack of proper planting and care. Other causes of failure include: Late spring transplanting after the trees have leafed out … Read more
Have you reached the point where you can’t devote as many hours to your garden as you would like to? Do you have other commitments which consume a major portion of your time? Or must you, for some reason, be away from home for several months? If this is true, then it’s time to start working … Read more
Gardeners will give you several reasons for growing native plants in captivity. Sometimes they are put forth as alibis by those interested simply in natives for native’s sake. Perhaps more of this group of gardeners are merely following an inner urge for the “wild” or the “simple” rather than the tamed or improved. But for … Read more