I Love Basil ‘Pesto Perpetuo’
Name: Ocimum × citriodorum (aka Ocimum x africanum or Ocimum citriodorum) ‘Pesto Perpetuo’ aka variegated basil Type of Plant: No matter what you call it, this is an annual herb that is both tasty and beautiful. Why I love this plant: This basil grows tall...
I Love Euphorbia milii
Name: Euphorbia milii aka crown of thorns Type of Plant: A thorny, woody plant that is commonly sold as a houseplant in all parts of North America. Some have green leaves and others are variegated. Why I love this plant: Sweet, cheerful flowers for most of the...
A Plant That Brightens Your Life – Inside and Out
Name: Dracaena fragrans ‘Lemon Lime’ aka variegated corn plant. Type of Plant: A houseplant in northern climates but a broadleaf evergreen in tropical zones 10 and 11. An easy houseplant for medium-light such as an eastern window or a very bright location without...
One Of The Best Summer Squash Varieties To Grow
Imagine: On Thanksgiving day I just might have started a new tradition. In between putting the turkey in the oven and prepping the potatoes and leeks I sat down at the computer and put in a couple of seed orders. Not my entire order, which will come from several seed...
Problem Solving Holiday Gift List
Insider Information – On the next Episode of Plantrama, out on Thanksgiving day, Ellen and I present our holiday gift list for New Homeowners, Outdoorsey Relatives, Foodies Ahead of the Trends, Recently Retired Parents, Home Lovers and the Right-Tool-For-The-Job...
Calamondin Citrus – An Indoor Edible Plant
Name: Calamondin citrus often called a calamondin orange. Type of Plant: These are a cross between a mandarin orange (Citrus reticulate) and a kumquat (Fortunella margarita) and like a kumquat they are a pleasing combination of edible skin and sweet and sour flavors....
Growing ‘Winter Gold’
Imagine: A plant that is ordinary most of the year, but becomes startlingly beautiful as fall goes into winter. Name: Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Gold’ Type of Plant: A deciduous shrub that grows to 6 or 8 feet tall and wide. Nice, small dark green leaves all summer but...
A November Thank You Note
Dear Autumn Plants, Our growing season celebration is winding down rapidly. Some of you quietly slipped out a couple of months ago without even so much as a backward glance. Others have continued having fun, but can’t help occasional yawns of yellowing leaves. I...
Garden Dinner: Using What You Have
Tonight I went into the garden and picked a leek, some mustard greens and kale, broccoli, red peppers and salad. I felt blessed to have such a selection on November 7th – and with a hard frost expected at the end of the week, I was especially aware that the...