KIKU In September and October chrysanthemums dot the suburban landscape, and no house, apartment or condo is without at least one pot of mums somewhere on the premises. Gardeners also plug them into the borders to replace the washed-up summer annuals. Generally treated as annuals, millions of mums sacrifice their lives each year … Read more
SPIDER PLANT What is it about plants with the word “spider” in their common names? There are several of them, including: “spiderwort” or Tradescantia virginiana; cleome, with its big, colorful spidery flowers; and that old household favorite, spider plant or Chlorophytum comosum. The common theme–other than a plant, leaf or flower form that looks … Read more
REAL LIFE AND COUNTRY LIVING Sometimes, when it is too hot outside, or the garden chores seem onerous, I seek escape. My friends and family know that I am addicted to garden magazines and shelter magazines with garden sections. When I seek escape, I turn to my magazine pile and for a few minutes … Read more
PLANTAIN In many parts of America, it is possible to eat fried plantain while sitting near a bed of plantain lilies and wondering what product to use to rid the lawn of common plantain. How can the same word describe hostas, edible relatives of the common banana and garden weeds? The plantain phenomenon is … Read more
