Links to native plants sales in Pennsylvania in 2019 with a list of recommended reference books on native plant gardening in all regions of North America.
Native Plants
Trout Lilies are Early Spring Ephemerals
Trout Lilies belong to the group of plants known as ‘ephemerals’. In early spring the tree canopy is open and sunlight can shine unobstructed down to the forest floor. Once the trees’ leaves grow large enough to shade the forest floor the ephemerals, including Trout Lily, are finished blooming.
The Mid-Atlantic Megalopolis Project is saving old plants, one upload at a time
The Mid-Atlantic Megalopolis Project is saving old plants, one upload at a time http://www.gridphilly.com/grid-magazine/2019/1/11/the-mid-atlantic-megalopolis-project-is-saving-old-plants-one-upload-at-a-time — Read on www.gridphilly.com/grid-magazine/2019/1/11/the-mid-atlantic-megalopolis-project-is-saving-old-plants-one-upload-at-a-time
Red Maple (Acer rubrum L.)
The Red Maple is red all over. The tree has red twigs, buds, flowers, and fall leaves. The Red Maple is a pretty tree. It fills so many roles such as shade, specimen, autumn accent, or on a wet site. It’s easy to establish, grows rapidly and produces brightly colored flowers and fruit, and fall […]
New England Asters, a Pollinator Magnet for Your Garden.
New England Asters are some of my favorite flowers. I know when the asters bloom in my garden that fall is truly here and the calendar year is coming to the end. New York asters are similar flowers. I am not sure what the difference is between the two species. They both are great for […]
My Community Garden Plot This Summer.
This has been an incredibly busy summer. I started a new/second community garden plot back in the spring. Those of you who subscribe to this blog received a post back in the spring highlighting the sweat equity my mother and I put into the garden plot. I promised an update and here it is. […]
Pollinator Syndromes: How to Predict Which Flowers Insects Will Like
Pollinators are those animals that give the invaluable service of helping plants reproduce and create seed or fruit that humans and others eat. There are many pollinators including bats, bees, beetles, birds and butterflies. The flower type, shape, color, odor, nectar, and structure vary and attract different pollinators according to the pollinators likes and needs. […]
Studying Twigs: A Winter Nature Journal Activity
Draw the twigs of the six most common deciduous trees as a winter nature journal activity.
Studying Buds: A Winter Nature Journal Activity
Buds can be used to identify a tree or tree species. The color of the bud scales, the number of buds, where the buds are located, and their position are key. These little tightly closed bundles will burst and grow when the weather warms and the growing season gets underway. Even in winter, you can study […]
Sustainability and Cottage Garden Life
I have studied cottage garden life since I was about twelve years old. I fell in love with an image of a cottage with a wildflower-filled garden on a box of chocolates my Grandmother Wilhemina gave to me. I learned much later that the image was “The Clothes Basket” by the British painter Helen […]
