Topics
Special Series
Plant Choices
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Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) has an off- putting name, but it is actually a delicious and nutritious wild green. Nettles are historically and scientifically proven to be an excellent remedy against allergies and a great general anti-inflammatory.
By Nat Bletter -
Hardy Terrestrial Orchids
There is a hardy terrestrial orchid for practically every conceivable setting: woodland landscapes, lightly shaded perennial borders, stream banks, rock gardens, cold alpine houses, and cool-grown household terrariums.
By Scott D. Appell -
Elegant Epimedium—Foliage and Flowers of Subtle, Sophisticated Beauty
You'll never fall in love at first sight with Epimedium the way you might swoon over roses or peonies. But once you get to know this genus—and appreciate its reliability, durability, and sophisticated good looks—I guarantee you'll enjoy a long-lasting relationship.
By Barbara Blossom Ashmun -
Pretty Partridgeberry—A Native Groundcover With Lots of Star Potential
Partridgeberry, (Mitchella repens) is that rare beast—a native, shade-tolerant, broad-leaved evergreen groundcover. Seasonal eye candy includes white flowers in spring and red berries that persist through winter.
By Mariellé Anzelone -
Unusual Hardy Aroids—Tropical-Looking Beauties for the Northern Gardener
If I had to pick my favorite plant family, I think it would be the Araceae, or aroid family (also called the philodendron family or arum family). The species in this family have such bold, striking foliage and bizarre, interesting flowers.
By Scott D. Appell -
Hardy Cacti: Living Sculptures of the American West
The explosion of interest in hardy cacti has come about because of the increasing availability of inexpensive, nursery-grown plants as well as more adventurous gardeners with improving horticultural skills.
By Panayoti Kelaidis -
Spring Beauty—A Woodland Wildflower With Tasty Tubers
One of our prettiest and earliest-blooming wildflowers—spring beauty (Claytonia virginica)—is also a delicious vegetable.
By Scott D. Appell -
Wollemi Pine and ‘Olulu Palm—Two Endangered Plants That Need Your Help
Two critically endangered plants are poised to make the greatest comebacks in botanical history, thanks to a new conservation strategy based on encouraging gardeners around the globe to grow them.
By Janet Marinelli -
Elements of a Perfect Apple Pie
The prize-winning apple pie marries an exemplary crust with tree-ripened apples that contribute acid, tannin, sugar, and flavor.
By Tom Burford -
Antique Apples: A Guide for Eaters and Growers
Most antique or heirloom apples are distant cousins to the commercial varieties available on supermarket shelves today. While modern varieties such as 'Red Delicious' have been selected for their consistent appearance, cosmetic appeal, and tolerance of long shipping and repeated handling, antique varieties were often selected for their cider-making quality ('Golden Russet'), their retention of flavor and firmness without refrigeration ('Winesap' and 'Baldwin'), or their intense and unusual flavor—without regard to external appearance.
By Ian A. Merwin
