Plant of the Week: Blazing-star

Blazing Star ( Liatris sp .)   photo credit The Blazing Star, with it's striking spike of purple flowers, is native to the e…

Plant of the Week: Black-Eyed Susan

Black-Eyed Susan ( Rudbeckia hirta )  photo credit The common name, 'Coneflower', includes a variety of native plants in…

Plant of the Week: Blanket Flower

Blanket Flower ( Gaillardia sp .) photo credit If you are looking for an eye catching, drought tolerant flower to liven up your …

Plant of the Week: Purple Prairie Coneflower

Purple Prairie Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) photo credit Thought to improve immunity, Echinacea has grown in popularity as a…

Plant of the Week... Moving to Thursdays

Fall and 'school year' activities are in full swing now and the new 'life reality' has set in.  I love sharing al…

Plant of the Week: Beet

Beets ( Beta vulgaris ) photo credit Beets are a love it or hate it vegetable that is thought to have been domesticated early in …

Plant of the Week: Sage

Common Sage ( Salvia officinalis ) photo credit 'Sage' is a common name for a wide variety of aromatic shrubs, but only…

Plant of the Week: Parsnip

Parsnip ( Pastinaca sativa ) photo credit If you are looking for a slightly sweet and buttery flavored root veggie to add to you…

Plant of the Week: Carrot

Carrot ( Dacuas carota )   photo credit A member of the carrot or parsley ( Apiaceae ) family, the carrot has been cultivated for…

Plant of the Week: Rosemary

Rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis ) photo credit Rosemary joins basil , oregano , mint and other kitchen herbs in the mint fami…

Plant of the Week: Evans Cherry

Evans Cherry ( Prunus sp .) Spring flowers Ripening Fruit Cherry trees produce a fruit that is either sweet (like the well known …

Plant of the Week: Nanking Cherry

Nanking Cherry ( Prunus tomentosa ) The nanking cherry is a member of the Rose family (Roseace) and a native of northern Asia.  I…

Plant of the Week: Celery

Celery ( Apium graveolens ) Photo Credit Celery is a veggie tray staple but less common in the typical northern garden.  A member…

Plant of the Week: Kale

Kale ( Brassica oleracea) photo credit Kale is a member of the cabbage or mustard family (Brassicaceae) like broccoli , cabbage…

Plant of the Week: Cucumber

Cucumber ( Cucumis sativus) Cucumbers join squash and melons in the Gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). Traditionally they have long vi…

Plant of the Week: Strawberries

Garden Strawberries  ( Fragaria × ananassa) There is no strawberry like one that is garden raised, picked at the peak of ripenes…

Plant of the Week: Luttuce

Lettuce ( Lactuca sativa) When planting a spring garden, lettuce is an easy choice.  Who doesn't love a crisp, garden fresh s…

Plant of the Week: Tomato

The tomato is the most popular eatable member of the nightshade family ( Solanaceae ) which also contains other kitchen garden fa…

Plant of the Week: Eggplant

Eggplant ( Solanum melongena) Just like the tomato, pepper and potato , eggplant is part of the Nightshade family (Solanaceae).  …

Plant of the Week: Peppers (Capsicum sp.)

Hungarian Wax Pepper ( Capsicum annuum ) Peppers are a staple in many kitchens and backyard gardens.  They come in 'sweet'…