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How to Care for Peonies
The several dozen species of peonies that are grown mostly by enthusiasts, specialists and researchers are often reproduced by seeds. Seeds are occasionally employed…
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Ways to Protect Your Garden in Harsh Heat
Summer is a season that is harsh for not only for humans but also for plants and crops. The scorching heat and dehydrate the…
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10 Trees and Shrubs with Colorful Bark
By Patricia Mosher While our gardens are snoozing this month, it’s easy to forget that bark, (yes, bark!), can add colour and texture to…
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10 Shrubs with Berries for Fall and Winter Bird Treats
Berries are an irresistible treat for birds, particularly in winter when food is scarce. The fruits produced by these shrubs provide calories and crucial…
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Plant of the month: Larch
If you love the effect of an evergreen tree and the brilliant fall color of a deciduous tree, you can have both with a…
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Staghorn Sumac Is Dioecious
Staghorn Sumac puts on a startling display of color in the fall. It is a pleasing sight, especially in the fall, when the leaves…
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On Harvesting and Drying Sage
Judith describes her simple process for drying sage. I stopped and drank in the view this morning on my way to open the chicken…
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A Method for Saving Tomato Seeds
Judith discusses a slightly different method of saving tomato seeds, which involves fermenting the seeds to improve their quality. It is a dark morning…
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Partridgeberry
Partridgeberry is a low-growing, creeping, and woody herb that is evergreen, perennial, part of the Rubiaceae family. From Newfoundland down to central Florida and…
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On Trees around Eastern Ontario
By Owen Clarkin, Ottawa Field Naturalist Club. All photos courtesy of Owen. One particularly interesting story from this summer is a population of apparently…
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How To Use Neem Oil on Plants
Wondering how to use neem oil as a natural fungicide on plants? Find out below. Neem oil is a vegetable oil that, in addition…
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Eastern White Pine Uses
White pine uses include the sensation of opening the lungs, throat, and sinuses, leading to a feeling of warmth, comfort, and stimulation. Eastern White…
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Gardenia Varieties
Gardenia varieties are striking and fragrant flowering plants in the Rubiaceae, or the coffee madder family. It is a genus native to various regions…
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Cubanelle pepper
Cubanelle pepper, beautiful, sweet, from the species Capsicum annuum, is almost ready to pick. It has gone through some tough times with chipmunks digging in…
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Early Goldenrod
Early Goldenrod, also known as Solidago juncea, is a herbaceous perennial wildflower of the family Asteraceae. Once started, it requires little maintenance and grows…
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Do Aloe Plants Flower?
Over 500 species of succulent flowering plants belong to the genus Aloe. Houses, apartments, businesses, and other interior locations frequently have aloe plants. The…
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Bellwort
Bellwort is an excellent early-blooming native shade plant for the woodland garden, shaded border, wildflower garden, or naturalized area. It spreads slowly by rhizomes,…
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White Spruce
If you love seeing wildlife, the white spruce provides nesting sites and shelter as well as food for many kinds of wildlife. Birds and…
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Eastern Redbud Quick Growing Guide
Eastern Redbud is an easy-going ornamental that can be grown as a shrub or as a small tree. Plant this one in full sun…
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American Beech
Native to eastern North America, the American beech will stand out in any forest. It is a large deciduous tree, sometimes growing up to…
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Balsam Fir is a Popular Christmas Tree
It is widely used as a Christmas tree and for wreaths. It smells great! It’s a good specimen fir for the landscape, and as…
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Basswood
Basswood is an adaptable native tree with aromatic flowers and pleasant foliage. Its flowers attract a large number of insect pollinators. Basswood honey is…
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Bur Oak
The Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa, is one of the most massive oaks, with a trunk diameter of up to 10 ft. It commonly grows…
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Ironwood Quick Growing Guide
The Ironwood makes a great backyard tree as it is resistant to many diseases and insect problems. It tends to blend in with other…
