Photo: Janice Tucker Scientific name: Alcea rosea Common name: Hollyhock Family: Malvaceae Article by Susan Bruneni Photos by Janice Tucker The image of vibrantly colored hollyhocks, adobe walls and bright blue skies is a distinct characteristic of northern New [...]

Scientific name: Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ Synonym: Sedum reflexum ‘Angelina’ Common names: Sedum ‘Angelina’, Stonecrop, Rocky Stonecrop, Love Links Plant Family:  Crassulaceae (Stonecrop) Article and photos by Janice Tucker “Color it autumn” is the best way to describe the foliage of the [...]

The genus Penstemon Including the pink balloon flower (Penstemon palmeri), Rocky Mountain penstemon (Penstemon strictus) Plant family: Plantaginaceae Article by Jeanne Gozigian Penstemon are fascinating plants, so much so that there is an American Penstemon Society that is devoted to them.  [...]

Scientific name: Sphaeralcea coccinea Common name  Scarlet globemallow Family: Malvaceae Article by Susan Bruneni Close up of flower and leaves of Sphaeralcea coccinea (Photo by Janice Tucker) The small, orangish blooms and grayish foliage of the scarlet globemallow [...]

Clematis viticella 'Jackmanii' (Photo: Janice Tucker) Clematis species and cultivars Common names:  Clematis, Traveller’s Joy, Virgin’s Bower, Old Man’s Beard, Leather Flower, Vase Vine Plant Family:  Ranunculus (Ranunculaceae) By Janice Tucker Special thanks to Rosemary Minard for providing [...]

Scientific name: Lavandula angustifolia Common name: English Lavender Plant Family:  Mint  (Lamiaceae) Lavender and wildflower garden (Janice Tucker) Article by Jeanne Gozigian “Lavender’s blue, dilly, dilly, lavender’s green…”, so goes the song and nursery rhyme, which originated in [...]

Frikart's aster in the perennial borders of the Orchard Gardens (by Clayton Bass). Scientific name:  Aster x frikartii ‘Monch’ Common names: Frikart's or 'Monch' aster Family: Asteraceae Article by Susan Bruneni Everyone knows and loves the seasonal native [...]

Scientific name: Malus domestica Common name: Apple Blossom Winesap apple in full bloom (Janice Tucker) Plant Family:  Rose (Rosaceae) By Janice Tucker with thanks to Barbara Goede for sharing her knowledge and notes, which contributed to this article. The [...]

Scientific name (Genus): Rosa Cultivar: WEKvossutono Trademark name: Julia Child™ Common names:  Julia Child™ Rose, Julia Child Floribunda Rose Plant Family: Rosaceae Article by Susan Bruneni 'Julia Child' Rose by Janice Tucker One of the most striking roses [...]

Poison Milkweed Asclepias subverticilla (photo: Janice Tucker) Scientific (genus) name: Asclepias Common name: Milkweed Plant Family: Apocynaceae – Dogbane (Formerly Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed) Family Article by Janice Tucker The Milkweeds are disappearing. Monarch butterflies are in trouble. The Milkweed’s [...]

Scientific name: Cylindropuntia whipplei 'Snow Leopard' Common Names: 'Snow Leopard' cholla, Whipple’s cholla Family: Cactaceae  Article by Susan Bruneni Cylindropuntia whipplei 'Snow Leopard' in the Dry Garden by Jeri Chenelle Of the more than 20 species of cholla found in [...]